What makes a good club?

Spurred on by the other thread on recruiting new members to golf clubs i will enquire locally to see what is on offer and whether i would be better off as a club member than in my current nomadic capacity.

Besides the cost what would you consider important if looking to join a local club. I have my views but having never done this and knowing very few (none) in my social circle who have done, i would be interested in the responses.

I see you are from Essex, Colin and that is where I first started to play this game.

My advice would be to to join one of the old established clubs as not only will you have a course in better condition but you will also have a membership that thinks like you.

Depending upon where exactly you live I would recommend Mayland, Wanstead, Romford, West Essex, Chigwell in the west of the county and Upminster, Thorndon Park, Thorpe Hall, Rochford Hundred, Orsett in the east. All of these are private clubs and you will not know yourself once you become a member.

All these new ones are not worth a carrott as they have no club atmosphere and cater for the pay and play golfers as a priority.

John, thanks for the feedback. I have played one of the courses you mention (romford) and am hoping to play another (rochford) in the next couple of months. The rest will have to wait there turn. Iam keen to play one which you have not mentioned and i wonder whether you have any opinion on it, Boyce Hill in thundersly?

& Just out of interest what are your thoughts on Belfairs, yes i know its municipal but i think this has some of the best holes i have played regardless of cost or heritage.

Colin,

I've just applied to join a course near me. It was founded in 1895 which also gives you the choice to play other courses founded in the same year for free (if they participate in the scheme).

What I looked for was price, money being spent on the course, number of members, facilites (this also included social events etc) & location.

John.

I think the age of a course does add to the character. In fact i played a course in Hampshire (Burley) which was over a  100 years old and whilst it was only a 9 hole certainly one of the most interesting courses ive played. I guess the design rules back then differed and this comes thru when playing. 

Hello Colin, Belfairs is a great little course and if it is local to you and it has a thriving club, then why not join it. Many years since I played there.

I have a friend of a friend who is a member at Boyce Hill, but I have never played there myself.