Open Competitions – Making More of Golf Club Membership

Persuading the ’nomadic’ golfer to join a golf club is a tall order.  In the current economic climate, even the most ardent advocate of membership would concede that financial priorities, job security, and the international nature of work these days, mean that many are, quite understandably, reluctant to commit to life as a full golf club member. Making matters worse, the likes of 2-for-1 discount schemes leave many thinking they can play an awful lot of golf on a wide variety of courses for less than the cost of joining a club.

So, what needs to be done?  Well, I’d be a wealthy man if I had a simple answer to that question, but highlighting the lesser-known benefits of membership may be a place to start.  I’d like to focus on just one such benefit; something that I personally believe is largely underplayed by golf clubs and which answers many of the arguments put forward by the nomadic crowd – the Open Competition.

A criticism often cited by those who choose not to join a club is that it would make them feel obliged to play all their golf at the one venue.  Well, ignoring the reciprocal arrangements many clubs have, open competitions provide the perfect riposte.  Not only do you, as a club member, get access at exceptional value to other venues, but the privilege affords the very best tee times, a golf course presented in tip top condition, hospitality that would satisfy the fussiest of gastronomes, an opportunity to socialise, and the chance to walk away with a valuable asset from the prize table.  I can recall playing many open events for around £30, many of which afforded a complimentary practice round as part of the deal, too.  The open competition is much less a money-spinner than it is an invitation extended to other club members.

And the advantages extend beyond simply the enjoyment of the day itself. Longer term, there is a noticeable improvement to your game, too.  Many people can hold a consistent handicap on their own course, but being able to maintain it on a variety of different and testing courses outside of your comfort zone is another challenge altogether. Playing in opens on new courses, and in tougher conditions (bear in mind the tees are usually on the stones, greens freshly cut, flags occasionally tucked away, etc) undoubtedly improves your game.

The sad thing is (and I say this at the risk of incurring the wrath of a few) not enough clubs actively promote open competition as invitations extended to their members.  Of course, many do, but from conversations I’ve had with many golf club members, far too many golfers don’t even know such events and opportunities exist, so you would assume there are plenty that don’t.  If you conducted a poll among golf club members, I wonder how many people would say they take advantage of the opportunity to visit other clubs for an open?  It’s an opportunity wasted.

It doesn’t help when the entry forms and details are often found (or not, as the case may be) in a jumbled mess in the back of an A4 ring-binder.  In case you’ve not seen this ring-binder, you’ll probably find it on top of the lockers in the gent’s changing room, under the pay phone, or behind the bar with the catering accounts.  That said, you can find answers to the ‘where and whens’ most easily online now, so even that’s no excuse.

To be fair, the onus isn’t only on the club. Club members should take a more active role, and those that do would know of, and probably play in, various open competitions during the year.  But wherever responsibility lies, clubs and their members are missing a trick. For a start, these days every golf club must have the names and email addresses of all of their members. Instead of printing out the odd entry form and hiding it in a dusty old ring-binder, is it too much to ask to send out details of upcoming local opens via email? A collaborative effort between host clubs would surely provide a collective benefit to their members and to the clubs themselves?  Isn’t this an added value of membership that needs more exposure?

For golfers, I can only urge you to seek out the opportunity, and indeed play in as many open competitions as you can. The benefits speak for themselves.