‘There’s a heated debate doing the rounds at the moment as to whether one should join an actual Golf Club or if being a ‘virtual’ member is acceptable,’ says our in-house golf pro Neil Docking.
‘The traditionalists are of the opinion that you should have an official handicap from a recognised golf club. And I don’t mean a ‘virtual club’, but a proper establishment, with a clubhouse, bar, rules and a committee. This entitles you to an official English Golf Union handicap. They believe the handicap system in golf is what makes the game competitive to players of all levels, and I’m inclined to agree.
‘There are many valid reasons for the handicapping system, one of which is to monitor playing ability, and have all amateur golfers on a level playing field, which also keeps ‘ringers’ in their place. Another reason is that golf clubs pump hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of pounds into their courses, only to have them ripped up by the few jokers who call themselves 24 handicappers. To put it in perspective, a golf purist once said to me: ‘You wouldn’t lend your Aston Martin to someone without a driver’s licence.’
‘The problem lies in the joining fee that many clubs want from their prospective members. Casual golfers of today have done the maths and realised that if they only play 10 times a year, it works out much cheaper not to be a member. While this is correct, it means you do not have an official handicap.
The bottom line is that to be a proper golfer who plays in tournaments (club or corporate) you should have an official EGU handicap, which only comes from a registered physical club. There are many options for membership out there, including one that fits your golfing budget. If you’re unsure where to start or what the alternatives are, do give us a call.
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