Hello to everyone.

I'm wondering whether anyone can offer me any advice on joining a golf club in Melbourne. I'm moving back to Australia after 13 years overseas and will be looking for a good club somewhere close to the bayside area.

Although I am now a very keen golfer I did not play while in Australia so I have little idea of the membership costs and requirements, although I do understand that many of the clubs in the area have long waiting lists. Are there any decent courses in the area that have memberships available?

Thanks for any help.
Skozza

skozza69,

With the exception of perhaps Royal Melbourne, Metropolitan, Kingston Heath and victoria, you will be a good chance of getting into just about any of the other clubs in the South East suburbs. Ring a few up or email them and see what the deal is. Clubs like Spring Valley, Keysborough, Southern etc are all keen for more members. Expect to pay between $3-6k joining fee and then abother $2-3k per annum for a 7 day membership.

Negotiate hard with the clubs to get the best deal - most if not all are very keen for members and will bend the rules and discount the prices.

Jack.

Also try Ranfurlie, 2 course's for $1680 (I think) and a joining fee that can be paid off in instalments (I think) Ring 9788 8222 and ask for Rachel, she can help you with all the details.

Or if you want a share type membership, there is always the Heritage (North East of Melb), Sandhurst (South East), and the National (Way South).

All depends on what you want and how much you are willing to spend.

Definately worth while checking out
http://www.iseekgolf.com/co...

Hope that helps.

QUOTE: cunninga @ Jul 14 2005, 02:07 PM

Or if you want a share type membership, there is always the Heritage (North East of Melb), Sandhurst (South East), and the National (Way South).

All depends on what you want and how much you are willing to spend.

Definately worth while checking out
http://www.iseekgolf.com/co...

Hope that helps.

Great link. Thanks very much.

Hope I can revive this thread.

I’m in the same position now as skozza69 was in in 2005. Returning to Melb after some time away, looking for a club in the bayside area that is easy to join. I picked up Golf while living overseas and have never played in Australia.

Planning to play public courses too – The Dunes looks amazing – but would like to find a non-exclusive club to call home.

Would appreciate any suggestions.

Hope I can revive this thread.

I’m in the same position now as skozza69 was in in 2005. Returning to Melb after some time away, looking for a club in the bayside area that is easy to join. I picked up Golf while living overseas and have never played in Australia.

Planning to play public courses too – The Dunes looks amazing – but would like to find a non-exclusive club to call home.

Would appreciate any suggestions.

Adz70, Just going through the same as you. Heres a brief run down of what I have found.

Keysborough. Keen for members and easy process to get in, priced just over $2700 per year for 7 day inc lease fee.

Long Island. Same price as Keysie roughly and were easy to get along with, and keen to invite me down for a game. Also provided good info on membership when I asked.

Peninsula. Unless you know someone, almost not worth it. Priced same as other two but with 2 courses highly rated. Was my no. 1 pick but the process to get in without knowing a member is long and tedious and you cannot get an answer to when your name might be called upto start the process.

I have not checked up dune yet, but looks ok for value at just under $2000.

Just looked the National and I think I might lease a share there. Cannot be more than impressed by their approach to a new member who does not know anyone at the club. Joining time should also take about 6 weeks which is ok. Priced a little more than the others but looking at what you get I think well worth it.

MJ

We are so lucky in Melbourne that we can choose from an abundance of great courses and get in almost immediately. These so called second tier courses would be classed as gems elsewhere in Australia. My recommendation is Keysborough, great course and friendly environment. I am a current member and can guarantee you a warm welcome.

I agree with the above. I am a member at Long Island and can vouch for it being a great course and a very relaxed and fun membership. I also like Keysborough for the same reason. If you ended up at either of these you will have done very well.

Southern people….Southern

www.southerngolfclub.com.au

Just joined Keysborough, very friendly people and a stunning layout.

Are you aiming for the bunkers or are you on the wrong fairway?

never noticed that b4!

must be a camera angle thing.

I agree with the above. I am a member at Long Island and can vouch for it being a great course and a very relaxed and fun membership. I also like Keysborough for the same reason. If you ended up at either of these you will have done very well.

Here, Here

Guys, this has been great and I’m dying to get back to Melb and play.

Do many of you play the public courses? Albert Park, Brighton and Sandy all look nice and there seems to plenty more further south.

Are these course crowded on weekdays?

Thanks

Adz70, Albert Park, Brighton or even Elsternwick are Metropolitan courses and hence it is much smaller in scale. The good thing about them is that a round can completed quite quickly.

However, I wouldn’t rate them in the top notch category like the Dunes and Cape Schank, which are also public courses.

Guys, this has been great and I’m dying to get back to Melb and play.

Do many of you play the public courses? Albert Park, Brighton and Sandy all look nice and there seems to plenty more further south.

Are these course crowded on weekdays?

Thanks

not usually. avoid them on weekends though.

sandy is the best of the 3, but if you’re a high handicapper try the other two first.

There are three courses I go to. Yarrambat, Goonanwarra and Craigieburn. They are all good tracks and real easy to get on to midweek. I’m in the North so they are easy for me to get to as well. But just like all other public courses, they can be slow on weekends. They are worth a look though. Yarrambat and Craigieburn have are VGL clubs clubs attached while Goonawarra is a VGA club.

Just joined Keysborough, very friendly people and a stunning layout.

Tom, great course, played it on 20/3/08, unfortunately they had just cored and sanded the greens!!! Top layout :)

Adz70, Albert Park, Brighton or even Elsternwick are Metropolitan courses and hence it is much smaller in scale. The good thing about them is that a round can completed quite quickly.

However, I wouldn’t rate them in the top notch category like the Dunes and Cape Schank, which are also public courses.

And you’ll pay $25-$28 on weekends not $65-$70 Brighton is a good course for the price. You get what you pay for.

Depending on age even the more exclusive clubs are quite easy to get into…

It is just a matter of knowing one person who will in turn introduce you to others who can nominate you.

Good luck with the process!

Woodlands??? Seems to have reasonable entry and annual fees and they actually put on their website that there is a ?3 month wait.

Anyone played there??

May not be as ‘exclusive’ as RM KH or Metro, but looks a good course.