Member Survey
June 2020
Introduction
Member based organisations have a critical need for conducting member surveys to best assess the satisfaction levels and opinions of direction, from the member base of the club, as a whole.
A club which forms direction and makes corrections from the opinions of those who complain, exposes itself to rapid and regular changes of direction based on only a small number of points of view, while not taking into account those who choose to remain silent who can be either positive or negative regarding matters.
Member surveys are valuable for a number of reasons; they allow the Committee and Management to collect important feedback from members, make improvements (thus boosting engagement and retention), and at the most basic level, show members that the club genuinely cares about their thoughts and enjoyment.
This survey was written with the express intent of obtaining member opinions of direction, and satisfaction levels, and was structured so that these could be quantifiable.
The survey was sent to all adult playing members only, as it was specifically targeted at the playing membership.
A future survey could be targeted at the social aspects of the club specifically but at this stage the playing aspects were considered more important.
The Survey
The survey was sent to 678 adult playing members with a return of 66%.
Member surveys traditionally attract a response rate of 20-30% so this result is outstanding and can be regarded as a fair cross section of member opinions in general.
There was an incentive of two $50 house card credits offered to encourage participation.
The survey was conducted using the platform of Survey Monkey, which was set up to allow only one response per survey sent.
This meant that members who used one email address for more than one person (such as partners) were only able to complete the survey once. This was dealt with by those who asked for a second survey being accommodated by being asked for a different email address to which another survey could be sent.
The Survey Responses
Not all respondents answered all questions so there will be discrepancies between the numbers from question to question and there is no explanation for this.
Comments will be made with most responses as assessments in the writer’s opinion.
Q1. Gender |
|||
Answer Choices |
Responses |
||
Male |
79.65% |
360 |
|
Female |
20.35% |
92 |
|
According to the finding published by Golf Australia in their most recent Golf Club Participation Report the average age of male golfers in Australia is 56 years of age, with females being 64 years of age.
Q2. Age Bracket |
|||||
Answer Choices |
Responses |
||||
Under 18 |
0.00% |
0 |
|||
18-30 |
3.33% |
15 |
|||
30-45 |
11.31% |
51 |
|||
45-60 |
23.73% |
107 |
|||
Over 60 |
61.64% |
278 |
|||
Q3. Membership Type |
|||||
Answer Choices |
Responses |
||||
6 or 7 Day Membership |
49.89% |
226 |
|||
5 Day Membership |
22.96% |
104 |
|||
Flexi Membership |
22.74% |
103 |
|||
Other Membership |
4.42% |
20 |
|||
The breakdown of gender, age and membership categories in respondents is considered representative of the playing membership and a fair representation of those giving their opinions.
Q4. How long have you been a member of The Vines |
||
Answer Choices |
Responses |
|
Less than 2 years |
19.38% |
88 |
2 - 5 years |
17.84% |
81 |
3 - 10 years |
21.37% |
97 |
11 - 20 years |
17.62% |
80 |
21 years or more |
23.79% |
108 |
This represents an even cross section of members which again supports the “fairness” of opinions.
If there was a more uneven spread it could be argued that one demographic or another, such as long-term members, was dominating results however this is not the case.
Previous generations of golfers were long term members with individual club loyalties however this has changed, especially with areas where more clubs are available and transport being less of an issue.
This places greater pressure on clubs to be a “club of choice” for reasons important to the mobile golfer.
Q5. Prior to the Covid-19 restrictions, how often did you use the following facilities |
|||||||||||
More Than Weekly |
Weekly |
Less Than Weekly |
Monthly |
Less than Monthly |
Total |
||||||
Course |
49.34% |
223 |
35.18% |
159 |
9.29% |
42 |
3.10% |
14 |
3.98% |
18 |
452 |
Practice Areas |
20.09% |
86 |
22.90% |
98 |
14.95% |
64 |
10.98% |
47 |
31.31% |
134 |
428 |
Club House |
36.63% |
163 |
35.96% |
160 |
13.03% |
58 |
5.39% |
24 |
10.11% |
45 |
445 |
Function Facilities |
1.93% |
8 |
5.30% |
22 |
7.47% |
31 |
4.10% |
17 |
81.45% |
338 |
415 |
Bistro |
4.82% |
21 |
16.28% |
71 |
12.84% |
56 |
18.35% |
80 |
48.62% |
212 |
436 |
The responses to this question need to be assessed in conjunction with the responses to Question 3 Membership Type, which would have a direct bearing on the use of playing facilities.
With traditional 7, 6 and 5 day memberships making up 72.85% of respondents the heavy bias towards use of the course at least weekly is to be expected.
The responses to use of Function Facilities and Bistro by members will need to be addressed by Management and indicate that the majority of patrons for the bistro, which prior to the Covid crisis were increasing, are coming from non-members and non-golfers.
Q6. How important to you are the following methods of communication of information which affects you as a member? |
|||||||||
Extremely Important |
Important |
Fairly Important |
Unimportant |
Total |
|||||
Newsletter (Grapevine) |
21.82% |
96 |
52.05% |
229 |
18.86% |
83 |
7.27% |
32 |
440 |
|
3.85% |
16 |
20.91% |
87 |
19.95% |
83 |
55.29% |
230 |
416 |
E-mails from club |
43.96% |
193 |
44.87% |
197 |
10.02% |
44 |
1.14% |
5 |
439 |
Speaking with staff |
37.01% |
161 |
46.67% |
203 |
14.48% |
63 |
1.84% |
8 |
435 |
Speaking with committee |
11.57% |
50 |
28.01% |
121 |
35.42% |
153 |
25.00% |
108 |
432 |
Posters and signage |
12.18% |
53 |
47.36% |
206 |
29.66% |
129 |
10.80% |
47 |
435 |
Facebook and social media |
4.65% |
20 |
24.19% |
104 |
24.42% |
105 |
46.74% |
201 |
430 |
Communication with members is critical to any club, and this question was written to identify the most relevant and trusted ways playing members obtain information about their club.
By grouping Extremely Important and Important responses together gives emails from the club and speaking with staff the most responses, although the newsletter On the Grapevine closely follows. It is interesting that speaking with staff is more highly regarded than speaking with Committee however this could be due to the information being obtained being more day to day operational rather than critical.
Social media channels were seen as not important to playing members however results from promotions indicate the importance to non-members and non-golfers, with currently in excess of 2,400 “liking” the Facebook page.
Q7. How do you rate the current communication the club has with you, as a member? |
||||||||||||
Very Satisfied |
Satisfied |
Neutral |
Dissatisfied |
Very Dissatisfied |
Total |
|||||||
Newsletter (Grapevine) |
40.91% |
180 |
47.27% |
208 |
11.59% |
51 |
0.23% |
1 |
0.00% |
0 |
440 |
|
Noticeboard |
12.12% |
52 |
44.76% |
192 |
40.09% |
172 |
2.56% |
11 |
0.47% |
2 |
429 |
|
E-mails from club |
44.65% |
196 |
47.38% |
208 |
7.29% |
32 |
0.23% |
1 |
0.46% |
2 |
439 |
|
Signs and posters |
10.88% |
47 |
53.01% |
229 |
33.80% |
146 |
2.08% |
9 |
0.23% |
1 |
432 |
|
Website |
31.09% |
134 |
50.58% |
218 |
14.62% |
63 |
3.25% |
14 |
0.46% |
2 |
431 |
|
Facebook and social media |
3.94% |
17 |
28.07% |
121 |
62.41% |
269 |
1.86% |
8 |
3.71% |
16 |
431 |
|
The rating of communication follows Question 6 closely, with emails from the club seen as highest.
This may be a reflection of the communication strategy during the Covid period, when emails were used to advise members of updates as they occurred.
It is extremely pleasing to see the “community” based newsletter On the Grapevine rating highly and interesting that signs and posters rate second to last.
The low total of Dissatisfied and Very Dissatisfied responses indicates the communication to members is considered sound.
Q8. In your opinion please rate the importance of the following facilities for the club going into the future? |
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Extremely Important |
Important |
Fairly Important |
Unimportant |
Total |
|||||||||||
Course |
96.13% |
422 |
3.87% |
17 |
0.00% |
0 |
0.00% |
0 |
439 |
||||||
Clubhouse internally |
41.61% |
181 |
49.66% |
216 |
6.90% |
30 |
1.84% |
8 |
435 |
||||||
Clubhouse externally |
30.07% |
132 |
49.20% |
216 |
18.45% |
81 |
2.28% |
10 |
439 |
||||||
Function facilities |
20.18% |
88 |
48.17% |
210 |
23.62% |
103 |
8.03% |
35 |
436 |
||||||
Restaurant/bistro |
43.48% |
190 |
42.79% |
187 |
10.53% |
46 |
3.20% |
14 |
437 |
||||||
Car park |
24.94% |
109 |
48.28% |
211 |
21.74% |
95 |
5.03% |
22 |
437 |
||||||
Cart storage |
10.32% |
45 |
25.69% |
112 |
27.98% |
122 |
36.01% |
157 |
436 |
||||||
*See comments for following question Q9. With the club having limited financial resources and many demands, where would you rate the importance of spending the funds available? |
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Extremely Important |
Important |
Fairly Important |
Unimportant |
Total |
|||||||||||
Course |
87.44% |
383 |
11.87% |
52 |
0.46% |
2 |
0.23% |
1 |
438 |
||||||
Clubhouse internally |
15.51% |
67 |
47.45% |
205 |
28.01% |
121 |
9.03% |
39 |
432 |
||||||
Clubhouse externally |
8.55% |
37 |
35.33% |
153 |
42.03% |
182 |
14.09% |
61 |
433 |
||||||
Function facilities |
7.83% |
34 |
35.71% |
155 |
39.17% |
170 |
17.28% |
75 |
434 |
||||||
Restaurant/bistro |
21.15% |
92 |
48.28% |
210 |
23.91% |
104 |
6.67% |
29 |
435 |
||||||
Car park |
7.11% |
31 |
23.39% |
102 |
41.51% |
181 |
27.98% |
122 |
436 |
||||||
Cart storage |
3.23% |
14 |
13.82% |
60 |
31.34% |
136 |
51.61% |
224 |
434 |
||||||
Questions 8 and 9 are important in obtaining the opinions of members regarding the direction of clubhouse precinct facilities going into the future.
There are no surprises in the responses given anecdotal evidence from general conversations.
The interesting result is the importance of the car park, given a combined top two responses for importance of facility, and yet how low it rates with importance of funding. This would indicate a general acceptance of its condition.
Q10. To what degree would you support the following initiatives to generate and attract new members and green fee players to the club? |
|||||||||||
Support Fully |
Support Somewhat |
Not Fussed |
Don't Support |
Totally Against |
Total |
||||||
Relaxation of dress code |
7.05% |
31 |
20.91% |
92 |
19.55% |
86 |
35.00% |
154 |
17.50% |
77 |
440 |
More advertising signage |
24.32% |
107 |
37.50% |
165 |
34.09% |
150 |
3.41% |
15 |
0.68% |
3 |
440 |
Changing competition days |
4.33% |
19 |
9.34% |
41 |
37.59% |
165 |
35.31% |
155 |
13.44% |
59 |
439 |
Increasing reciprocal clubs |
32.27% |
141 |
32.04% |
140 |
30.66% |
134 |
3.66% |
16 |
1.37% |
6 |
437 |
Open days |
19.77% |
87 |
35.45% |
156 |
37.05% |
163 |
5.45% |
24 |
2.27% |
10 |
440 |
Novelty events |
15.10% |
66 |
29.75% |
130 |
41.19% |
180 |
10.07% |
44 |
3.89% |
17 |
437 |
Functions |
19.86% |
87 |
37.21% |
163 |
39.04% |
171 |
2.51% |
11 |
1.37% |
6 |
438 |
The responses to this question indicate how members appear to desire to transition to a member’s club, as distinct from a semi-private club, given this being financially possible.
The two most marked responses are the negative numbers for relaxing the dress code and changing the competition days.
There are no significant positive responses to the selections apart from increasing reciprocal clubs.
Q11. How satisfied are you with the following club facilities? |
|||||||||||
Very Satisfied |
Satisfied |
Somewhat Satisfied |
Somewhat Dissatisfied |
Very Dissatisfied |
Total |
||||||
Course |
76.38% |
333 |
21.56% |
94 |
1.83% |
8 |
0.23% |
1 |
0.00% |
0 |
436 |
Clubhouse internally |
25.23% |
111 |
58.64% |
258 |
14.09% |
62 |
1.82% |
8 |
0.23% |
1 |
440 |
Clubhouse externally |
14.09% |
62 |
58.18% |
256 |
21.59% |
95 |
5.91% |
26 |
0.23% |
1 |
440 |
Function Facilities |
8.64% |
37 |
60.75% |
260 |
29.44% |
126 |
0.93% |
4 |
0.23% |
1 |
428 |
Restaurant/Bistro |
18.39% |
80 |
61.84% |
269 |
17.24% |
75 |
1.61% |
7 |
0.92% |
4 |
435 |
Pro Shop |
18.22% |
80 |
53.08% |
233 |
20.05% |
88 |
7.74% |
34 |
0.91% |
4 |
439 |
Bar |
23.34% |
102 |
62.24% |
272 |
11.44% |
50 |
1.83% |
8 |
1.14% |
5 |
437 |
Clubhouse gardens |
32.88% |
144 |
56.85% |
249 |
9.59% |
42 |
0.68% |
3 |
0.00% |
0 |
438 |
Buggy storage |
4.39% |
18 |
46.10% |
189 |
40.00% |
164 |
7.32% |
30 |
2.20% |
9 |
410 |
Clubhouse furniture |
16.32% |
71 |
60.23% |
262 |
18.39% |
80 |
5.06% |
22 |
0.00% |
0 |
435 |
Toilets & Locker rooms |
5.68% |
25 |
47.27% |
208 |
23.64% |
104 |
17.27% |
76 |
6.14% |
27 |
440 |
Entrance |
11.36% |
50 |
62.05% |
273 |
19.77% |
87 |
5.91% |
26 |
0.91% |
4 |
440 |
Verandah |
10.48% |
46 |
57.40% |
252 |
23.46% |
103 |
7.06% |
31 |
1.59% |
7 |
439 |
The responses to Question 11 indicate a general satisfaction with most aspects of the club, with the marked exclusion of the toilets and locker rooms, and the buggy storage.
Q12. For facilities with unfavourable ratings would you be prepared to lend your time to assist with implementing changes or generating income to pay for changes? |
||
Answer Choices |
Responses |
|
Yes |
55.15% |
241 |
No |
44.85% |
196 |
An interesting response to availability for volunteering which mirrors the decline in volunteering in general.
Without disclosing any reason for choosing not to, or not being available to, this shows the challenge facing golf clubs in general, who rely heavily on volunteer workforces.
It could be an indication of the age groups who completed the survey (see Question 2) with some simply having time available and some not.
The Vines are lucky enough to have a regular group of volunteers however they should never be taken for granted, nor should their ongoing availability, as they age.
Q13. How do you rate the following as value for money for your membership at the club? |
|||||||||||
Very Satisfied |
Satisfied |
Somewhat Satisfied |
Dissatisfied |
Very Dissatisfied |
Total |
||||||
Membership cost |
21.87% |
96 |
55.58% |
244 |
18.45% |
81 |
4.10% |
18 |
0.00% |
0 |
439 |
Beverage prices |
9.82% |
43 |
56.16% |
246 |
23.74% |
104 |
9.36% |
41 |
0.91% |
4 |
438 |
Variety of beverages |
15.23% |
67 |
68.18% |
300 |
14.32% |
63 |
1.36% |
6 |
0.91% |
4 |
440 |
Food prices |
15.26% |
67 |
65.83% |
289 |
17.08% |
75 |
1.82% |
8 |
0.00% |
0 |
439 |
Variety of food |
10.76% |
47 |
58.12% |
254 |
26.32% |
115 |
4.12% |
18 |
0.69% |
3 |
437 |
Pro Shop |
15.19% |
67 |
57.82% |
255 |
19.73% |
87 |
6.58% |
29 |
0.68% |
3 |
441 |
Practice range |
8.01% |
35 |
51.03% |
223 |
26.32% |
115 |
12.13% |
53 |
2.52% |
11 |
437 |
Hours/days of operation |
24.15% |
106 |
65.38% |
287 |
9.79% |
43 |
0.46% |
2 |
0.23% |
1 |
439 |
Benefits for members |
12.13% |
53 |
54.00% |
236 |
28.38% |
124 |
4.58% |
20 |
0.92% |
4 |
437 |
This is a difficult response group to measure and there is a great deal of relativity in what members see as value for money, given individual financial situations.
There is a marked difference in the opinion of food and beverage value for money, which may be linked to the poor playing member usage of the bistro as evidenced in Question 5.
Q14. How do you rate The Vines as an overall club against the following clubs, taking into account all parts of your experience? |
|||||||||||||
Much Better |
Better |
About The Same |
Don't Know |
Worse |
Much Worse |
Total |
|||||||
Aston Hills |
20.67% |
86 |
9.86% |
41 |
3.13% |
13 |
64.90% |
270 |
1.20% |
5 |
0.24% |
1 |
416 |
Blackwood |
14.65% |
63 |
31.86% |
137 |
29.53% |
127 |
16.98% |
73 |
6.98% |
30 |
0.00% |
0 |
430 |
Flagstaff Hill |
61.95% |
267 |
21.81% |
94 |
2.55% |
11 |
9.98% |
43 |
3.25% |
14 |
0.46% |
2 |
431 |
Glenelg |
3.55% |
15 |
8.98% |
38 |
18.68% |
79 |
36.88% |
156 |
26.48% |
112 |
5.44% |
23 |
423 |
Kooyonga |
3.10% |
13 |
5.49% |
23 |
11.22% |
47 |
42.24% |
177 |
31.50% |
132 |
6.44% |
27 |
419 |
Links Lady Bay |
9.95% |
42 |
19.19% |
81 |
26.07% |
110 |
34.36% |
145 |
9.72% |
41 |
0.71% |
3 |
422 |
McCracken |
17.77% |
75 |
28.91% |
122 |
15.64% |
66 |
32.94% |
139 |
4.27% |
18 |
0.47% |
2 |
422 |
Mount Compass |
15.80% |
67 |
26.89% |
114 |
21.93% |
93 |
29.72% |
126 |
5.19% |
22 |
0.47% |
2 |
424 |
Royal Adelaide |
3.84% |
16 |
8.87% |
37 |
8.39% |
35 |
45.32% |
189 |
26.86% |
112 |
6.71% |
28 |
417 |
Thaxted Park |
57.24% |
245 |
19.63% |
84 |
3.04% |
13 |
14.72% |
63 |
3.50% |
15 |
1.87% |
8 |
428 |
West lakes |
20.52% |
87 |
29.25% |
124 |
13.92% |
59 |
30.42% |
129 |
4.72% |
20 |
1.18% |
5 |
424 |
The Grange |
3.10% |
13 |
6.90% |
29 |
16.67% |
70 |
38.10% |
160 |
29.76% |
125 |
5.48% |
23 |
420 |
Westward Ho |
40.05% |
169 |
21.80% |
92 |
6.16% |
26 |
29.38% |
124 |
2.13% |
9 |
0.47% |
2 |
422 |
Willunga |
41.51% |
176 |
21.23% |
90 |
5.42% |
23 |
29.01% |
123 |
2.12% |
9 |
0.71% |
3 |
424 |
Ratings for this question appear dominated by the “Don’t Know” responses however apart from the more expensive courses, the opinions are quite positive for the experience as a player, especially against the clubs in the near vicinity.
Q15. How do you rate the following facets of the clubhouse? |
||||||||||||
Really Good |
Good |
Average |
Poor |
Really Poor |
Total |
|||||||
Indoor Furnishings |
13.70% |
60 |
58.22% |
255 |
25.57% |
112 |
2.51% |
11 |
0.00% |
0 |
438 |
|
Toilets |
2.95% |
13 |
33.41% |
147 |
44.55% |
196 |
13.41% |
59 |
5.68% |
25 |
440 |
|
Locker rooms |
2.51% |
11 |
28.77% |
126 |
46.58% |
204 |
16.44% |
72 |
5.71% |
25 |
438 |
|
Office hours |
10.48% |
46 |
78.36% |
344 |
10.48% |
46 |
0.68% |
3 |
0.00% |
0 |
439 |
|
Staff service |
32.19% |
141 |
52.51% |
230 |
11.19% |
49 |
2.97% |
13 |
1.14% |
5 |
438 |
|
Outdoor area |
11.36% |
50 |
58.18% |
256 |
26.36% |
116 |
3.18% |
14 |
0.91% |
4 |
440 |
|
As with the results of Question 11 the toilets and locker room are rated very poorly.
It is pleasing to see customer service in general rates 2nd highest in the ratings above average.
Q16. How do you rate the following facets of the golf course? |
||||||||||||
Really good |
Good |
Average |
Poor |
Really Poor |
Total |
|||||||
Greens |
67.88% |
298 |
29.38% |
129 |
2.73% |
12 |
0.00% |
0 |
0.00% |
0 |
439 |
|
Tees |
40.77% |
179 |
46.47% |
204 |
10.71% |
47 |
1.59% |
7 |
0.46% |
2 |
439 |
|
Signage |
14.38% |
63 |
58.90% |
258 |
22.83% |
100 |
3.20% |
14 |
0.68% |
3 |
438 |
|
Rough |
13.64% |
60 |
57.05% |
251 |
25.00% |
110 |
3.86% |
17 |
0.45% |
2 |
440 |
|
Bunkers |
12.76% |
56 |
44.19% |
194 |
32.57% |
143 |
7.97% |
35 |
2.51% |
11 |
439 |
|
Gardens on course |
22.37% |
98 |
59.36% |
260 |
15.53% |
68 |
2.51% |
11 |
0.23% |
1 |
438 |
|
Paths on course |
7.74% |
34 |
41.69% |
183 |
39.18% |
172 |
8.43% |
37 |
2.96% |
13 |
439 |
|
Practice Range |
5.75% |
25 |
41.15% |
179 |
38.39% |
167 |
11.49% |
50 |
3.22% |
14 |
435 |
|
Combining the ratings above average indicates a general satisfaction with the condition of the course and surrounds but not with the practice range.
Survey Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in the survey results and analysis of responses are those of the individual respondents and are for purely information purposes regarding the opinions of the membership of The Vines Golf Club of Reynella.
No discussion or correspondence will be entered into regarding the results and the anonymity of the respondents will be protected by the club.
The Vines Golf Club of Reynella reserves the right to use or not to use this information when considering future decisions about the operations or future direction of the club.

Contact Us
If you would like to call us:
Office: (08) 8381 1822 Pro Shop: (08) 8381 3300
If you would like to write to us:
The Vines Golf Club of Reynella SA Inc
PO Box 243 HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159
If you would like to visit us:
We are right at the East end of Reynell Road:
Cnr Reynell and Pine Roads HAPPY VALLEY SA 5159 (or Cnr Reynell Road & Mark Street, Happy Valley)
Or fill out the form below to send us an email: