The golf club interview

The golf club interview may be less common than it once was, but if the club you want to join insists on one, how should you approach the big day?

The joining process varies greatly from club to club, but while many have dispensed with the formality of an interview in a world where supply now outstrips demand, getting into many clubs can still be quite a formal process.

Those new to the game may find it strange that you should have to go through an interview for the privilege of then handing over a significant sum of money – especially if hefty joining fees are involved – but where ‘competition’ for available memberships still exists, the golf club interview can be quite a daunting prospect for anyone who has set his or her heart on joining that club.

The good news is that in most instances, by the time of the interview you’re already halfway there, because most such clubs require your application to be proposed and seconded by existing members, and if a friend or business colleague is willing to put your name forward, they must be confident that you will fit in. That should put you at ease, for if you are worthy of their support, all you need to do is be yourself as your proposer clearly believes you are right for the club.

Dress appropriately, just as you would for a job interview. Usually at the type of club requiring an interview, this means jacket and tie, though not always. If you're unsure, check with your proposer. If you’re new to the area and haven't gone through the normal proposer/seconder channels, err on the side of caution. It’s hard to be overdressed in a jacket and tie, and ensures you won’t make an underdressing faux-pas.

When it comes to what to say, they are trying to find out more about you and make sure that you share the same general outlook as the existing members. They are not there to catch you out, so be confident without attempting to oversell yourself or make false claims about your golfing experience and prowess.

I’ve been a member of about half a dozen golf clubs in the last 30 years, and it is probably 15 years, and three or four clubs ago, that I last attended an interview. But, like it or not, the process still exists at many clubs, even if others are now only interested in the colour of your money. So, if the club you want to join requires an interview, be prepared, be courteous, be yourself and leave them with no doubt that you are right for them.

And if the very idea of an interview seems a bit much to you, then it’s quite possible that the club in question may not be right for you anyway.