Belonging to a golf club provides many benefits for the golfer.
The main element is the sense of belonging to a particular course and supporting both their membership base and the course itself. Your involvement will help the course flourish over time and you will improve your golf dramatically.
You will be able to earn an accurate handicap, often marked by the club
captain, which not only stands as an official indication of your level of golf
in general, but can unlock access to other courses in your area that may
require you to present a handicap certificate prior to a round of golf.
Although it has to be noted many municipal courses, often referred to as
“Pay-and-Play” do not demand this requirement.
Entry into competitions can help increase your level of play, as well as helping you understand the complexities of the game.
You will find the adrenaline rush from competing in competitions not only helps improve your self-confidence but the rewards are often very lucrative too!
There are different types of membership depending on your age (senior,
junior, associate) and how often you wish to play. The most popular being the 7
day week membership, followed by 5 day access usually not including weekends.
By having a club golf course at your disposal you will find it much easier to increase your level of golf and you will see your handicap drop significantly.
Playing on a regular course provides a familiarity benefit, you will know how the greens run and the best approaches to greens. You will have access to the practice putting green and be able to practice bunker shots if you course provides these facilities.
The cost benefits associated with membership will also be an added attraction.
Time management will be much easier to arrange, and you will be able to fit your golf around convenient times for you and your family. If you have an odd hour or two spare you could squeeze nine holes in without a problem. In addition many clubs offer discounted rates and special offers for other local courses, particular if they are part of a chain or consortium.
Many clubs also have an associated health-club, spa, swimming pool, and restaurants which can provide some excellent benefits for you and other family members.
The food served at these local club restaurants is usually of a very high caliber.
Clubs also have their own Pro-Shop which is great to discuss the latest equipment, even offering test clubs and discounted sale items, which you will be in a favorable position to benefit from.
Joining a golf club is a great way to meet other golfers too and expand your
network of friends, with the bonus of finding additional playing partners when
your usual partners have other commitments.
You will also become friendly with the PGA approved instructors who may well
offer you small pieces of advice for free, which for the golfer looking to
improve is always a good thing. Lessons are normally offered at a discounted
rate for the club member.
Scientific evidence from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden indicates that
on average a golfer live 5 years longer than his contemporaries.
This is in partly due to the associated exercise and mental flexibility undertaken when playing golf.
A normal round of golf on a local course often involves being outside in the fresh air for up-to 4 to 5 hours and walking on average 6 km to 7km. Consideration also needs to be given to the effect golf has on the mind-faculties.
The mental aspect of golf and keeping scoring records of the various
elements, consistently calculating yardages, mental calculations, playing
partners scores, and your handicap all strengthen the golfers mental fortitude
and help exercise the brain.
Nature and its influence also should be considered as a health benefit.
By being connected with nature the golfer often has moments to contemplate life or various problems that normal everyday activities exclude. As he or she waits for their turn to play, the appreciation and connectivity with nature begins to seep in and their problems begin to take on a clearer more resolution focused attitude.
Golf courses due to their size are often havens for much local wildlife. And
many experiences and sights are a direct result from being in the open.
There is a great social bond and camaraderie between players that emanates from the fact that golf has no referee, although rules of course do exist.
The group of golfers will self-regulate their behavior and that of their playing partners. The individual really only competes against themselves and the course. This greatly improves mental concentration with the ability to problem solve within a free-thinking environment.
Golf itself is very task-orientated, with the aim being to get the ball in
the hole with as few strokes as possible. The ability to break down objectives
into its component parts offers the golfer a greater understanding of this
skill which can then be applied off the course and in everyday life.
It also has to be noted that many business deals and business events revolve around golf and the golf course.
Many companies have society days where there is a chance to meet people from different parts of the organization and influence your own position. If no society exists it may well be possible for you to implement your own society, not only showing the company your managerial skills, but also involving other members of your workplace.
Self-confidence grows from doing something well, and by knowing how to play
golf and in being able to hit amazing shots from time-to-time the golfer will
grow a greater awareness of his or her abilities.
