Membership based on handicap and visiter restrictions absed on handicap are two different things. However, in either case, if the clubs in question are private, its nobody's business but their own. Who ever said individual clubs have an obligation to grow the game? Why is growing the game deemed so important and is it okay to grow the game with rank beginners? It seems to me that this end of the business should in the main be handled on courses designed for beginners. Think about how a child learns the game - that process is what adult newbies should use as a model.
Ciao
Good golf courses should be designed for all level of players, challenge the low handicapp and help get aorund the high. I agree private clubs have a legal right to discriminate but I think you miss the point that not all high handicappers are begineers, some just donīt have the time or wish to lead a more balanced life.
Randy
Good courses may or may not be designed for all levels of players, however, that is an architectural issue rather than a club policy issue. As I said before, I suspect many clubs retain a policy about minimum handicap to essentially reserve the right to turn folks away (for whatever reason). If a chap remains a high capper I am afraid he is more at risk of being discriminated against. Doesn't Sunningdale essential require a single digit cap to join? I can't say this is a bad thing, but I wouldn't necessarily say its a good thing. It all depends on the who we are talking about. Lord knows I have been stuck behind complete knuckleheads and I didn't care what their handicap was, but very few were of the sort I would call good golfers. The first club I joined in the UK made me take a written test of knowledge, history, rules and etiquette. I thought this was a damn good idea, but have never heard of it elsewhere. The junior members had to be of a certain handicap (I think 22) to be allowed on the course by themselves. I thought it might not be a bad plan for adult members (a sort of probationary membership much like a driver licesnse) until they reach a certain proficiency and pass the required exams. I don't think it is any big secret why golf is taking longer to play in the UK, many clubs have moved away from core golfers for members and take in whoever turns up at the door. This is partly why I left one club - my average round time went up 13 minutes and that coincided with a ton of new members, most of whom I would call poor golfers. When I say poor it isn't just their ability, its their lacky of savy as well.
Ciao