So sick of my course! Can I get an Amen?

[killerduck]

For the last 7 years I've been a member of a pretty quiet, mostly unheard of 9 hole golf course in the Northern Metro area of my town (city, if you will - check under my pic...)

About 4 years ago, South Australia (all of Australia, actually) was stricken by drought, which we are still in the grips of today. It was at this time the government began enforcing water restrictions across the state, turning off the flow to any 'non-recreational', public , terrain.

Apparently, golf course fairways are not classified as 'recreational', such as a cricket/football oval, but the GREENS are...

This was fine, because Mawson Lakes had greens most public courses would kill for. They were perfect!

Yet, because of the water restrictions the fairways would die off in summer, come back in winter etc, whilst the management lethargically pushed to have recycled storm water put on the course (provided by the neighbouring university - that's another story)

As it is today, we DO HAVE recycled water on the fairways, albeit one watering a week, but there is some thick, patchy green again.

But the greens have been VIOLATED! The greenskeeper has been absolutely drenching them (unlimited water on greens). They were always soft underfoot. So, on March 1st when they were cored/scarified/sanded (with stone-laden sand) they were churned up, diseased and basically ruined for the most part.

The course is now at the point where pretty much anyone who played it for the first time would not be coming back. And that is sad. But it's also at the point (past it, actually) where once loyal members are leaving for greener pastures (excuse the pun).

Personally, I've grown tired of spinning around the 9-hole layout, with it's mickey-mouse OOB poles ('in-the-air') opening par 3, and general poor maintenance. I feel I should be graduating to a big boy golf course.

BTW, I play other courses quite regularly, which probably makes it harder to play at home, because of the difference in quality. I can tell you where I actually enjoy my golf, instead of just playing it...

Think I'll go check out Tea Tree Gully tomorrow.....

[kpaulhus]

I was a member of a club for the past 3 months. My first membership. It was nice, but I grew tired of playing the same course over and over. I just canceled my membership and am back to playing a new or different course every weekend.

[James_Black]

it´s the greens-keepers fault the course is in bad shape?
they have a lot of experience and it´s their JOB to keep the course looking good.

The probably don´t have the funds right now to do everything they need to.

[Bullitt5339]

Man, I'm having quite the opposite experience here. The course I play at has had an influx of new members, and has put that money right back into the course and it shows. The greens today were absolutely perfect, except for one that is coming back from being diseased, but even that one is better than most I've seen so far this year at other courses. The fairways are starting to get green again quickly, and the rough is actually starting to turn into rough. I have mixed feelings about that part, since I spend so much time there.......lol

It sucks that they wouldn't take care of the one thing that the course had going for it at your club though.

[StrmStlkr]

I was a member of a club for the past 3 months. My first membership. It was nice, but I grew tired of playing the same course over and over. I just canceled my membership and am back to playing a new or different course every weekend.

Exactly why I choose not to get a membership...

[killerduck]

it´s the greens-keepers fault the course is in bad shape?

It's not the greenskeepers fault the course is in such bad shape, a lot of that was inherited from bad climate, but the greens are completely in the greenskeepers control.

As I said, they were cored/scarified/sanded poorly, which has led to them becoming terrible. The club doesn't have a lot of money, but it has enough to maintain what we have. They'd like to change some things, like adding bunkers, mounds and a new 9th hole. But that's we were looking at doing when I was on the match committee some 3 or 4 years ago.

[Quinn07]

The course I belong to is actually part of a corporation (Clublink) that owns a number of courses (20+), 3 of which are in the same city. I have reciprocal play at these courses so I don't have to worry about playing the same course every round. The others are 2 - 4 hours away, so if I want to take a small trip and play something really different I have the opportunity. All the greens fees are covered in my initiation so it also doesn't cost me more to play the other courses, which is the obvious bonus. I couldn't imagine playing the same course every round.

I am sorry to hear about your course and I hope they do something to get it going again.

[killerduck]

The course I belong to is actually part of a corporation (Clublink) that owns a number of courses (20+), 3 of which are in the same city. I have reciprocal play at these courses so I don't have to worry about playing the same course every round.

That sounds fantastic! If only there were something like that where I live.

[bIGwIRE]

The course I play at has round exchanges worked out with the other area courses. So I can trade a round with another courses member at anytime, as long as I book it a week in advance or so. Makes it much easier to be a member.

[Philip9210]

I've played probably 10-12 rounds now in the short time I've been playing golf and have played two courses probably 5 times each and played a different course one time. As much as I want to play other courses, I'm not good enough yet to where I want to leave my 5$ twilight course (it's pretty much a cow pasture with greens, fairway is like backyard grass). But once I get a decent handicap, I'm def. going to play some diff. courses around here.

[Lefty-Golfer]

I was a member of a club for the past 3 months. My first membership. It was nice, but I grew tired of playing the same course over and over. I just canceled my membership and am back to playing a new or different course every weekend.

I joined my club 3 yrs ago, i have played about 60 rounds per year on it....and I love it. I know the course and I am learning that I need to get to know even better. it does help the club is 1.5 miles from my house and is in outstanding condition, i have made several new friends, played with lots of nice people, been able to enter tournaments...yea I can't say that i am tired of it.

[Quinn07]

That sounds fantastic! If only there were something like that where I live.

Yeah, the pricing of the membership is very competitive to your top end private courses around here as well. So you don't have to pay a ton to enjoy the membership. The course I belong to costs me $2,300 for annual dues and my initiation was $5,700, which is paid over ten years with no interest. A no brainer if you ask me.

I forgot to mention that two of the courses are ranked top 100 in Canada, and one of those hosted the Canadian Open - Glen Abbey. Some of you might remember with Tiger hitting that famous 6 iron out of the bunker on the 18th green.

[killerduck]

So you don't have to pay a ton to enjoy the membership. The course I belong to costs me $2,300 for annual dues and my initiation was $5,700, which is paid over ten years with no interest. A no brainer if you ask me.

The course I'm looking into costs (Australian $) $1500 for 7 day membership. I'm looking at getting 6 day for $1250 as I work almost every saturday. Joining fee is usually $1800, but I qualify for a sub-junior category as I'm still 24, which makes entry fee $900.

There is also reciprocal rights to 5 other courses as well, which is a bonus. I would describe the club (and it's reciprocals) as tier 2. Just under the major, championships courses that have hosted international tournaments (Like Royal Adelaide, Grange etc) www.ttggolfclub.com.au if you want to have a look. I'll post to let people know how the practice round goes on Tuesday.

[Quinn07]

Sounds like a pretty good deal. I hope it's in better shape than the course you are at now.

[killerduck]

OK, so I played that course I was looking at today...

They had a stableford comp today so I went in that. I had either 33 or 34 points, not too sure. I might've signed an incorrect card... oops.

But the course is REALLY nice. The club and it's facilities are REALLY good. The greens are good, the fairways are good. I was welcomed well.

I signed up on the spot, not wanting to waste any time. 6 day membership was $1345 + joining & extras like bar tab. I get 3 rounds a year at 5 other pretty decent courses. That's 15 rounds per year at no charge, which is pretty decent.

I pick up my membership package on Thursday, when I'll probably head up early for my 2nd round at my new home course.

I feel like I'm at a REAL golf club/course now. Not that mickey mouse bullshit I was playing at Mawson Lakes.

[Quinn07]

Congratulations! Sounds like you will be happy there.