Looking at two years in Surrey. Worth joining a club?

[Stretch]

Good day gents. Looks like we may be moving to the UK for a couple of years, most likely living somewhere in the Weybridge/Cobham/Esher area. Know there's loads of golf to be had around those parts, just wondering whether to look for a home base or to settle for being a perpetual visitor? Assuming the big name clubs (St. George's Hill, Walton Heath etc.) will be far too exclusive or expensive (or both) for a bloody colonial, but had thoughts of trying to get in at New Zealand or one of the three Ws. Feel like being a member would make it easier to find games, but I have to play most of my golf during the week anyway due to family commitments on weekends, so maybe that's a wash. And obviously don't want to eat a big initiation fee if I'm only going to get two summers out of it. What are the rough economics of club membership in the around-London belt?

 

Any input from the English WRX contingent would be greatly appreciated!

[david92]

I would simply write into the various club secretary's explaining your situation and background re clubs you are already a member of, handicap, etc and you never know you might catch a place at the right time for a membership...the thing about alot of the more well known clubs you maybe near is that during the week especially during the summer they do have alot of society visitors and are relatively quiet at the weekends - to get money in to keep membership fees down!

[Guardian5]

Do this above, that is excellent advice.
One other W to consider could be The Wisley, there have been times in the past where members were given permission to lease their membership when they were not using it. i.e. you pay the annual dues but zero initiation.

[HoffTTM]

I live in Surrey, all the top courses are mentioned but be aware some of these will require joining fees or a proposer whereas many less renowned clubs don't.

I would am not a big fan of the Wisley, highly private, overrated golf course just because of the conditioning and lack of an atmosphere/good membership vibe to the place, mainly just entertaining clients/guests

Here is a list by distance from the a3/m25 junction area that you can sift through:
[url="http://www.englandgolf.org/golfcentral/clubSearch.asp?E=508256.5115&N=158551.10699&R=40000&T=club&B=C"]http://www.englandgolf.org/golfcentral/clubSearch.asp?E=508256.5115&N=158551.10699&R=40000&T=club&B=C[/url]

Outside those already mentioned i heartily recommend Burhill and Foxhills. Both have 2 courses and if you have a family/looking for a country club deal with gym and pool Foxhills has all of that.

I am a member at Chobham (well grounded club, nice course) and full adult dues are GBP1500 with joining fees currently suspended. I would say that is fairly representative of the area.

[Mobie]

You have so much choice in Surrey so it depends what you are looking for out of a golf club. I am from the UK and have played a lot of courses in Surrey and for diversity of types of club you couldn't find a better county. I would definitely recommend joining a club although annual fees will range from £1,300 to over £5,000 a year depending on the course, history and facilities. Somewhere like Worpleston is a lovely old style course - also most links and I believe that their game of choice is foursomes for members - something our our friends from across the pond may not be used to. Somewhere like Foxhills is what you may be more used to with more of a country club atmosphere. But the Creme de la Creme of golf clubs in Surrey is St George's Hill (IMHO) it has great golf, history, famous members and is pretty playable all through the winter.