Should I Do This?

There is a somewhat decent bordering on crappy little 9 hole course in my town that I can buy a membership at for $700. No bunkers only a couple doglegs and 1 forced carry on a par 3.

I've been at this game for 2 years, and I really want to step it up. I feel like $700 won't break the bank (especially with a tax refund coming) and I'll still be able to go play 'real' courses once a week or so, and not feel too guilty.

I'm thinking that with a membership at this place, I would just play the living hell out of it... if you've got a membership, who cares if you have only a half hour or 45 minutes, go play a couple/three holes. Play holes over and over if no ones around... does this make any sense?

I was going to make a poll... but it seems there's too many around here

good idea? bad idea?

$700 seems a little steep for the course you're describing. My home course is a pretty nice 18 hole and they charge around $1,000. My $0.02...

Well your idea is a good one, but I agree with Klaymon, I think the $700 is a little steep, but then again maybe its not too steep in Oregon? I pay $950 for a pretty darn nice 18 hole course in my area. I think that the 9 holes would get old and leave you longing for more variety. If the membership was say $500 or less it might be easier to say go for it. How much is it to play 9 holes at this course?

Hey if the $ isn't an issue go for it.....What are the costs for other courses in your area?

It's the cheapest around here, but yeah, maybe a little more expensive than it should be - but looking at that from a positive pov: it's RARELY crowded and OFTEN you can be almost by yourself out there. They don't even take tee-times. It's not at all

ugly ... in fact it's a nice walk. Pretty secluded, so you feel like you're getting away from things. And its only about a 5 minute drive from my office at work.

$16

There is a pretty decent 18 hole course 14 miles away that has a membership for $1250 but that cuts down on the convenience of access and would be putting me in the budget range where I wouldn't feel as free to play other courses.

Well, $ are always an issue

But I'm thinking of this as a one-time deal (this season) just to be able to play somewhat incessantly and get my game going, groove a repeatable swing and all that...

Well considering the convenience factor of the course being near your office that is pretty sweet. $16 for 9 holes so at $32 a round (18 holes) you would only have to play 22 rounds to cover your membership, and I would think that would be pretty easy to do.

The only question I would ask myself is "will I use it enough to justify the costs"

You would have to play 43 times....I could do that easy, especially if is convienent

Tax return money is FREE money.....

Definitely do it if you really want to improve your game. I did the same thing last summer (although it was $1250 for unlimited play on all 3 of my towns 18 holers.) It used to be if i only had an hour or so for golf, I'd go drop $8-$10 on a bucket of balls at the range. Once I bought the season pass and started taking that hour playing holes instead, my scores improved dramatically. I ended up getting into the 80's consistently after shooting in the mid 90's for two seasons before that.

It's not so much about the math of how many rounds you need to play to break even. The ability to play a few holes here and there, on your lunch break or before work when you have time, is going to be invaluable for improving your game.

This makes me very jealous.

So does Three-putt's $450 swamp course .

Wow, I feel spoiled now. A weekday membership to BOTH of the city courses in my hometown is $450. And they are both pretty decent 18 hole courses. I got my membership this year for $400 for being a new member.

This has to have something to do with cost of living or average wages or some damn thing. Sheesh, it's a freaking little college town for crying out loud. Why can't I have cheap golf too!

Although I guess I should be grateful that I have 3 very nice 18 hole golf courses 5, 10, and 20 minutes away that are all under $40 for 18 holes.

immts,

Yeah you're definitely right about that. The cost of living is probably much lower in Montana than most places. That and our golf season is fairly short, spanning from about April to October (depending on the weather).

I really like our two courses though. They are well managed and fairly well maintained. One is about 1.5 miles from my house and is roughly 6600 yards from the tips. The other is about 3.5 miles from my house and is only 5700 yards from the tips. The shorter course is harder than it looks though. Lots of interesting holes and lots of ways to get into trouble. The longer course is a bit harder and has some par 5's approaching 580 yards. I think its rating is around 70.

Why don't you rub it in a little more?

I want to thank everyone for their advice and opinions on this. Yesterday I paid up, and played my first round in the pouring rain!!!

Ah, the pride of membership...

No way! Practice greens are free. Put and chip your heart out. If you're lucky, you may have a place to pitch.

$700 buys you some sharp wedges, nice balls, and buckets and buckets of practice.