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Full price greens fee for an 8 year old?

cart_racr

By cart_racr,
in Golf Talk

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cart_racr Member

cart_racr

I am not being cheap. Honestly.

I took my 8 year old nephew out for his first round of golf a few weeks ago. I bought him clubs for his birthday and had taken him to the range a few times. He is really excited. I was taking a few days off work, so this was late on a Tuesday morning. I wanted to make sure that the course was empty so he could take his time and enjoy it.

We went into the clubhouse, picked him out a hat as a souvenir of his first round, and went to the counter to check in. I was amazed when the lady gave me my total that it was the same price for each of us. I had more important things to worry about, but later I started to think about it and it really ticked me off.

I started looking on the websites of some of the other courses I play. A few of them have a junior rate, but it is only a small discount lumped in as the junior/senior rate. A few of them had decent deals on junior memberships, but the daily fee discount is a joke.

With many courses sitting with an empty first tee box the vast majority of most weekdays...why not have a rock bottom price for kids to play golf during their summer school break?

I guess if my nephew picks up the game seriously in the coming years, I will jut have to buy him a membership somewhere. I live over 2 hours away, and neither my brother or sister-in-law play, so it is a tough situation. I just figured that my sister-in-law could take him to the course every once in a while, but it is hard to justify $35-$50 for a few hours of entertainment for a 8 year old.

The next time I hear someone complaining about the declining number of golfers and courses being in financial trouble, I am just going to smack them.
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CG031 Great Member

CG031

There should be a junior rate at every course IMO, but like you said, it's not always the case. I'm 16 and I can get a junior rate at most places, where they are offered. But yeah, so many places charge the full rate. I do think it's a bit ridiculous.

I got a membership to play a local nine hole course for 350 dollars for an entire year (no limitations)...I find that to be a great deal...so I play about 100 rounds per year just at that course alone.

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bIGwIRE Well Established Member

bIGwIRE

We have one course up by me that only charges 8 dollars for a junior walking during the weekdays(stone hedge, I believe) The other courses around charge full or close to it. I don't think they want juniors taking up the course, or get the reputation as a kids course.

Their choice, I guess. Little tykes can't ride rollercoasters either.
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Dent Great Member

Dent

Im a junior and most of my fees are around 15-30 bucks. We get huuuge discounts here.
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Cody Dedicated Member

Cody

My home course is a 72.4 rating from the white tees. I get to walk 9 for 7.50 because i signed a list at school saying i was "interested" in the golf team.

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TheGasman Established Member

TheGasman

Seems like they would cut juniors a break, if you get them hooked early, they will be future full paying customers.

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RemyM Dedicated Member

RemyM

At my municipal course Jr. rates are $9 weekdays and $10 weekends after 1:00 for residents compared to $20/$22 for adults. Non resident Jrs pay $22/$25 compared to $40/$45 for adults. On Monday nights kids signed up in the Pro's Jr program play the course for free after 6:00. We also host a few groups from the First Tee program on Saturdays at 3:30 they pay the $10 rate even if they are non residents. You have to give a break to kids if you want them to play enough to get hooked. They are your future full paying customers.

Rob Tyska

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dave s Great Member

dave s

Nope. Certainly not being cheap at all.

Reduced rates for Junior golfers should be something that The First Tee program and the PGA should BOTH help subsidize. These are the groups with the most influence on bringing up the next generation(s) of players.

Around here, (NE Ohio) the Muni courses all have Jr. rates, but as you mentioned, not adequately discounted rates IMO.

When I was a kid growing up, we had two muni courses within a bike ride from my home that we played. Jr rates, plus resident rates meant we played for $3-5 for 9 holes. We paid for 9 and played until the leagues showed up or we were 'asked to leave' by course management.

I say for sure, give the kids a HUGE price break!

dave

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ks8829 Great Member

ks8829

I would call next time you are playing a new course to see what their fee policy is for kids. The first tee program has a card that allows kids to play for $5, I believe.

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damkader Newbie

damkader

Much like the most purchases you have to look around to get the best deals.

This is something that I will have to deal with in a couple of years when my kids get older currently 3&5. Good to know that there are programs for juniors or kids.

I don't think I would take my kids to the full course in the beginning. There are a number of short course here and I am sure those course would me more then enough for the kids, although they are rather boring for me. Haven't played them in years but and I never payed attention to a junior rate.
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iacas Hall of Fame Member

iacas

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My country club (admittedly only $4k/year to belong as a full golf member) charges ~ $250 for a junior membership and they get to play almost as often as full golf members.

There are usually deals to be had - just call around, as others suggested.

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Chief Broom Great Member

Chief Broom

There are several participating courses in my area that allow free green fees for juniors when accompanied by a paying adult all day Mondays and after 4PM on Sat and Sun. You have to ask for it though. If memory serves it was in conjunction with the JGAA.

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Slim 11 Well Established Member

Slim 11

I have a 12 year old that I try to get out with me often, and a 6 year old that I'll take a couple times each year.

I have found that by calling ahead and asking about junior rates (basically just letting them know I want to bring the kids out), even courses that don't necessarily often junior rates will cut you a deal.

It also helps to call ahead, even courses where you've established a rate, and ask them how crowded it is, etc. and explain you want to bring your son out and that you are "teaching" him the game. Most places will appreciate your effort to try to play when it is not especially crowded.

Any course that won't work with me on rates for the kids, is a course that I won't play at all. Of course, I can be a little bitter like that. Should mention that there are courses that I wouldn't take the kids to either, until they can at least play at pace.

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cart_racr Member

cart_racr

  • Author
Thanks for the replies and advice. Several of you sound like you have clubs that "get it". This is more about principle than money.

My nephew lives in West Virginia, so the number of clubs within reasonable driving distance is limited. Hopefully one of them is a bit more reasonable. I am definitely going to do some research before our next outing.
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meenman Great Member

meenman

Granted this was done where I am a member but we took my 9 year old niece a few weeks back and were fully willing to pay for her at a guest rate. The GM let her go for free as long as we didnt use another cart - she was small enough to easily fit between the 2 of us. Had we decided to use 2 carts it would have only cost us the cart fee which is $17.

At the same time we didnt have her fully play every hole. She was content to tee off on the par 3s and putt on every hole. On the par 4s and 5s we would drop her ball outside the green and let her hit it from there.

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joshtpa Great Member

joshtpa

Many clubs offer junior memberships or "annual passes". I dont think having reduced rates for greens fees is the answer. But a junior membership is perfect.
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MunkeyGolfer Well Established Member

MunkeyGolfer

Any time I take the kids out or a beginner, I always just ask if it is ok that they play a hole or two. Honestly they couldn't finish a round in a reasonable amount of time. I most often don't get charged. I just let the club house know that if it starts to get busy they will stop playing.
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mochila Established Member

mochila

Full price for an 8 year old is rediculous. Things like these happen all the time (i.e. a course telling me I had to play with an adult because I was under 18) They discourage young people from picking up the game and hurt the growth of the sport.

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