Remedy Oak is a high-end exclusive golf club based in Dorset that believe they are that has pulled away from old traditions associated with golf.
Speaking to General Manager at Remedy Oak David Cooper he revealed what he thought on golfs accessibility and whether Remedy Oak is that.
Cooper said: “I think you can play golf to whatever level and whatever standard of course.
“I mean I started playing golf at Solent Meads, I think as a young man, I probably wasn’t paying any more than about five or six pounds for a round of golf.
“You don’t have to spend a lot of money to play golf.
“You can buy top end golf clubs if you like, and really go for it or you can buy second-hand clubs on eBay and you don’t have to spend very much at all.
“I think there’s all sorts of different levels of golf that you can play at and, um, whatever level you play at, it’s just as enjoyable. So, yeah, I, I don’t think, I think it’s accessible to most golf personally.”
Remedy Oak Membership Fee is £5000 for the joining fee, with a further £2948 monthly payment.
I asked whether he thought Remedy Oak’s fees was accessible or not, Cooper said: “Yeah, okay, well obviously we’re more at the high end.
“Obviously we’re a fantastic course and I think that’s all I’ll say.”
Other local courses in Dorset have varied joining fees;
- Christchurch Golf Club: £895 seven-day annual membership
- Meyrick Park: Enquire for quote
- Ferndown Golf Club: £2293 subs with £3500 entrance fee – £390 Student Membership
The course was built in 2006 and has looked to included new golfers with a under 35 membership scheme which has now been removed due to its success of attracting new members.
Cooper explained what the golf club has done to move away from old stereotypes, he said: “We don’t have traditions at Remedy Golf Club.
“We’re a new golf club, we’re built in 2006, we don’t have captains, you can change your shoes in the car park, you can wear jeans in the clubhouse.
“We are a prestigious club, we say we don’t have traditions, of course we do, I mean, you still need to wear the correct golf attire on the course, but we pride ourselves on not being a stickler for the old rules.”
He also spoke about the position the club find themself in at the moment and the potential of the under 35’s membership returning.
“We’ve all got healthy waiting lists, we can’t take any members even if we wanted them.
“It’s a very privileged position that we’re in at the moment, but obviously I don’t foresee that will last forever.
“We did introduce for the first time ever an under 35 memberships which is quite unique for us.
“It’s not, not something we’ve ever sort of done before. We’ve only got one sort of system. I know all, you know, most other clubs have different, you know, age groups, categories, but we never have.
“We would do that, I think if we did start that again, then once again, it would be very successful.”
Despite the looming dilemma of whether golf is too exclusive, it will always be linked with exclusivity, elitism, and a wealthy society.
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