Beyond the Welcome Email: A New Member’s First 30 Days

A membership application has been approved, payment has arrived and the welcome email has gone out. From the club’s perspective, everything may be in place. For the new member, the experience is only beginning.

Who should they play with? How do competition bookings work? Can they join a group without knowing anyone?

These are useful questions for club managers to consider. Joining a club and feeling part of it are two different milestones.

Make the first visit easier

Review the information a new member receives before arriving. A welcome pack can explain policies, but the first visit also needs practical directions: where to report, how to book, which facilities are available and who can help.

Keep the essentials easy to find. Someone preparing for their first round should not need to search through several attachments to work out where to go.

Ask a recent member to review the process. What seemed obvious to established members may have been confusing to someone joining for the first time.

Offer a clear next step

“Please join us sometime” is friendly, but a specific invitation gives a new member something to act on.

Depending on the club’s facilities and membership categories, that could mean an introductory round, a clubhouse gathering or a lesson with the golf professional. Explain who the activity suits, what it costs and how to participate.

Avoid assuming that every new member is a beginner—or that an experienced golfer will immediately feel comfortable joining an unfamiliar group.

Turn a welcome into a connection

Consider inviting willing members to help newcomers settle in. A brief introduction before a round can provide a familiar face for the next visit.

This practical approach also fits the wider goal of making golf more welcoming. The R&A’s coverage of GolfRSA’s Women in Golf Charter initiative highlights the importance of taking measurable action to create an inclusive club environment.

For an individual club, one useful action could be to review whether its introductory activities accommodate different abilities, working hours and family commitments.

Keep communication relevant with MarketingCampaigns

CiMSO’s MARKETINGCampaigns license can help clubs support this welcome process through targeted member communications. CiMSO’s membership and communication tools support member segmentation and targeted campaigns, helping clubs communicate with relevant groups.

For new members, consider a small series of communications during their first month: practical information for their first visit, an invitation to a suitable club activity and a follow-up asking how they are settling in.

Use the member information available in your database to make invitations relevant. An introductory coaching session may suit someone learning the game, while an established golfer might appreciate information about competitions or social playing groups.

Plan these communications around the club’s welcome process, with staff responsible for selecting recipients, sending messages and responding to replies. Each message should provide a clear next step and a contact person who can help.

Follow up while the experience is fresh

A short conversation during the first month can reveal more than another general newsletter.

Ask whether the member has managed to book and play, whether anything has been unclear and whether they would appreciate an introduction. Respect their preferred level of involvement: some people want regular club activities, while others prefer occasional, independent visits.

Give one staff member responsibility for coordinating the follow-up so that it happens consistently. Campaign communications can support that process, while personal conversations help staff understand what each member needs.

The first month does not need an elaborate programme. It needs clear information, a useful invitation and someone who notices whether the new member has found their feet.