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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,955
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Has anyone recently joined a golf club and been asked to pay a joining fee? I was under the impression that generally speaking club memberships have slowly declined over the last few years and I was wondering if this combined with the global financial meltdown would lead to clubs wavering the initial fee in favour of a full membership book for the year. I know it’s a double edged sword in that if they waver / reduce the joining fee and only half the quota of new members decide to join that year the club could face a substantial financial shortfall but on the other hand if they do nothing to entice would be members they run the risk of out pricing them self in this current slump. My own situation is that I am looking to move clubs next season mainly due to the distance I have to travel for a round and have noticed that both the clubs I am interested in currently require a substantial entrance fee on top of yearly green fees. When I questioned both secretary’s on how long the waiting list was it became clear that a large number of would be members on the list had been selected to join the previous year but due to the one off payment in full upon joining entrance fee have decided to remain on the list for another year. Personally speaking I would have thought it would make more sense for each club to at lease spread the joining fee over the first year or two thus making it more manageable in these baron times. Kind Regards Dale Strachan -- 22/07/2009 14:47:33: post edited by Dale Strachan.
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Russell Middlet...
Handicap: 36
Essex
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 387
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Dale, I think most clubs now advertise a 'No Joining Fee' telling you who much you save.
The truth is they realise that people cannot afford a joining fee so make a big deal about not charging one.
Both of the clubs you refer too must be quite exclusive if they are still charging a joining fee.
Russ
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,955
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Russ, That’s the problem you see both clubs have a well established "history" and I suppose everything that goes along with an old school golf club both good and bad. I suppose it’s a balancing act really in terms of fees against course / facilities maintenance programmes which I assume most of the joining fee would be offset against which begs the question about the actual green fees. Finally how do you think the clubs that have previously charged a joining fee have managed sweet talk existing members who may have paid in past years.
Again personally speaking I would love for the joining fee to be dropped which would help me but equally I would not be to happy if I had paid only to find out that others had not. Kind Regards Dale Strachan -- 23/07/2009 08:30:05: post edited by Dale Strachan.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,955
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Hi Dale, In the Kent area I am aware most clubs have waived the 'Introduction' fee (over supply of available club memberships balanced against golfers who are considering the cost of their continued membership in the current 'squeeze'). And golf clubs are run as a business so whilst they would love a joining fee (because it gives a nice boost to their coffers) they also need members. So some are getting inventive (pay the joining fee but then no membership for 6 months/get 'x' hundred pounds worth of spend inthe club etc) but others are just saying - waive it !
And because they need to keep everybody happy, the ones that do waive the joining fee, I'd be guessing would deal sympathetically with anyone who paid a joining fee a week or so before it was waived but further back than that they'd probably just say 'sorry.....'
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,955
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To widen the debate a little .... WHGC is still getting a number of requests to join and we still have an entry fee system in place. I for one think it promotes some loyalty amongst club members and security (at Members clubs) where players are reluctant to leave for the "next great deal" being offered.
The joining fee at WHGC has become flexible in the last 6/9 months to take account of the points raised by Dale. A good friend of mine has benefited from this approach taken by WHGC based on sound financial principle.
I moved from my previous club and based on reduced travel costs and the increased number of rounds played my cost per round for the year is less even taking into account the joining fee.
There is still Member pressure to retain joining fees - as said to me "I had to pay it so should others" - which is a valid statement if the golf club can still attract sufficient members to meet financial liabilities.
Last point is "you never get anything for free" which includes playing on a good golf course, which is not too congested and you don't have to endure 5 hour rounds !
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,955
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Bob, Thanks for you views on the subject of fees, it kind of mirrors my predicament and it’s good to see your club is being pro active during these difficult times. To be honest I agree with your point about loyalty within the clubhouse but don’t believe a financial penalty should be levied in order to command loyalty, surely loyalty can be built up with good working relations between members and committee and ultimately a well maintained golf course. Still not to sure whether these fees are being used as a sort of status symbol for clubs and by removing them in order to shore up dwindling numbers is almost admitting that they have lost some of their kudos. Kind Regards Dale Strachan -- 24/07/2009 08:51:00: post edited by Dale Strachan.
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Robbie Allison
Handicap: 36
Cleveland
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Joining fees are sometimes looked upon as giving a new member equal status to existing members. This is probably still the case with some clubs that have historic back grounds and old school methods (thats not a dig at old schools just an opinion).
Clubs around my area are waving joining fees as they are battling with each other for members. But I would guess the more prestigous or historic or old school clubs will still have thiers..
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TSG
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