Setting up a Golf Society
Many golfers get into the game through a golf society. It’s where enthusiasts get together as a group, to visit golf clubs – often at an agreed or negotiated ‘visitor rate’ that includes golf & food.
A society can be as few as eight people taking up two tees times (at a chosen club), or sometimes over 100 golfers, all enjoying some relaxed but friendly, competitive golf.
It’s also an opportunity for the ‘occasional golfer’ and golfing nomads, to win a few prizes.
But, there are a few things you’ll need to know if you want to start a golf society, that can helps things run smoothly.
10 things to consider when starting your society.
1 – Make sure you have enough support to form a Society. Draw up regulations and rules under a range of headings for members to abide by:
- Name of the Society
- Objectives of Members
- How to join and leave
- Costs Involved
- Organisation structure
- Handicap procedures
- Date and times of events
- List competitions rules
2 – Have a meeting of members in advance of the golf year to approve rules listed above and discuss location and number of events to hold
3 – Elect Officers e.g., Treasurer, Secretary, Captain, Vice-Captain, and other officials
4 – Keep collected Monies in open bank accounts with more than one signatory and have an appointed auditor.
5 – Run the Society to the rules of golf and rules that cover amateur status.
6 – Lay down the rules of how handicaps will be allocated and adjusted in accordance with society’s rules – Appoint a Handicap Secretary
7 – Always collect monies in advance of an event. That way, if anyone fails to turn up, the society won’t be out of pocket.
8 – Select courses that are competitive but not too hard, ensuring that all players will enjoy their day.
9 – For speed of play, ALWAYS use the Stableford method of scoring.
10 – Make sure you have Nearest Pins, Nearest Pin in Two (shots), Longest Drive and Straightest Drive prizes to make the day as enjoyable as possible.
