Jump to content
IGNORED

Golf during tough times...


albatross
Note: This thread is 5531 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

Am I the only guy on here that is really having a hard time deciding whether or not to pony up for a golf membership this year?

It seems like almost every industry is stuggling and I'm wondering why more clubs aren't pitching any incentives to get members. I know that in my area membership was down this year and I'm guessing that membership will be WAY down this year with the economy.

I feel like this might be the year to try and negotiate with courses about their membership fees. Wouldn't some of these courses be better off with cutting a deal to 4 guys for $1600 than to get zero dollars and 4 less members.

Has anyone else tried bargaining with membership costs at a course and been successful??

I'm obsessed with this game but am I the only one considering not getting a membership this year because times are tough??
Link to comment
Share on other sites


I don't have to worry about the specific question since my yearly membership expires in August and at that point I'll be enrolling in a golf school, but I would encourage you (and everyone else) to renew your membership unless your particular circumstances warrant otherwise. I understand that the economy is rough right now (moreso in some areas than others), but I know a lot of people who have not been affected up to this point, and almost certainly will not be affected (college professors, federal employees, etc) talk about changing their spending habits. If you are in a position where your income is likely not to change and your job is secure, support your golf club. At a time when the economy is tough, those clubs need all the support they can get.

What I play:

Driver: XLS Hibore 9.5* Fit-On Red (S)
Woods: Tour XPC 16* Graffaloy ProLite (S)
Hybrid: Exotics 3HIrons: Reid Lockhart 3-SWWedge: rac 60*Putter: a crappy $20 Academy putter (but it works!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Many of the courses in my area are running really good membership specials. There are a handful that aren't running any specials at all.. so I guess they just aren't hurting too much.

I was considering a membership about a month ago, and found that many of the membership directors were willing to work with me and cut a little deal that was better than advertised. It never hurts to ask.. the worst they can say is no. Just do it in a professional, respectful manner.
Link to comment
Share on other sites


yeah i was wondering this myself...
ive seen car dealerships offering buy one suv get one free... heck hyundai has a commercial out where you can return the car if you lose your income...
big business's are restructuring in ways they never have to accomodate the economy...
yet my courses memberships are business as usual and i dont see any budge in their budget
RUSS's avg drive - 230yrds and climbing
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Many of the local courses are waiving initiation fees right now.

Now is a good time to join up if it's within your budget.

Golf is the cheapest hobby I've had....as long as I'm playing my home course and walking....otherwise it gets crazy expensive going to random courses on a weekly basis while maintaining a membership somewhere.
909D Comp 9.5* (house MATRIX OZIK XCON-6)
Burner Superfast 3 & 5 woods (house MATRIX OZIK XCON-4.8)
G15 Hybrid 23* (AWT shaft)
G5 5 iron-PW-46*, UW-50*, SW-54 & LW-58 (AWT shaft)
Studio Select Newport 2 Mid SlantGrips: PING cords & Golf Pride New Decade Multi-Coumpound Bag: C-130...
Link to comment
Share on other sites


I don't have to worry about the specific question since my yearly membership expires in August and at that point I'll be enrolling in a golf school, but I would encourage you (and everyone else) to renew your membership unless your particular circumstances warrant otherwise. I understand that the economy is rough right now (moreso in some areas than others), but I know a lot of people who have not been affected up to this point, and almost certainly will not be affected (college professors, federal employees, etc) talk about changing their spending habits. If you are in a position where your income is likely not to change and your job is secure, support your golf club. At a time when the economy is tough, those clubs need all the support they can get.

Couldn't agrre more. If you want them in the good times, support them in the bad.

At least you can enjoy the thinner crowds.

Driver: Nike Covert Driver

Irons: Mizuno JPX-825 Pro 5-GW 

Cleveland Mashie 1, 2, 3, & 4 hybrids

Wedges: Mizuno MP-T4 Black Nickel 54* & 58*

Putter: Wack-e with super stroke grip

Ball: Titleist Pro V1X

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Couldn't agrre more. If you want them in the good times, support them in the bad.

You guys aren't reading the original post. I'm not trying to catch a great deal because times are bad, I'm hurting like a lot of other people and debating whether I can afford it this year.

If I had the money laying around, of course I would help my local club. I'm saying if I'm hurting and "The Club" is hurting, isn't it better for them to cut rates a little to get more members and more money total and in turn, it helps guys like me that aren't sure they can afford it this year.
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Am I the only guy on here that is really having a hard time deciding whether or not to pony up for a golf membership this year?

It's like everything else in life - you are generally more coveted by those that you are not currently with.

Its always easier to get more money out of a new employer than your current one (in better times of course) You will probably get a better deal if you switch clubs vs staying with your current one. But it would not hurt to ask to get the same deal they are offering some newbie off of the street. I recently switched clubs, not because it was cheaper, but because I got a whole lot more for the same basic price.

Follow me on twitter

Chris, although my friends call me Mr.L

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I'm saying if I'm hurting and "The Club" is hurting, isn't it better for them to cut rates a little to get more members and more money total and in turn, it helps guys like me that aren't sure they can afford it this year.

Now you are getting into some serious microeconomic theory. Basically, there is one price that any service or good can be sold at in order to maximize profit. If they can charge $100/membership and get 10 members, or $50/membership and get 17 members, they will make more money with fewer members and a higher price. Say instead they charge $50 and can get 20 members. They would have the same total revenue ($1000), but would have higher variable costs (cost per unit multiplied by units) assuming that variable costs per unit are constant.

You would have to ask the course. None of us know that if the couses lowered rates, they would make more of a profit because of more customers or members. I think you need to decide what is best for you. The economy will turn around. The stock market will turn around. Housing will turn back around. It's an economic cycle that has been accelerated because of the times in which we live. No one that I talk to really knows when anything will turn back around, just that everything will turn around. Personally, what I and several economists believe is that there is a problem in consumer confidence. (There are certainly other problems...don't get me wrong.) Basically, it is the how you see the economy. The media and every other uneducated person in the field wants to say how crappy the economy is. (Just watch the news for an hour or listen to the radio.) It is not great, but I feel that the media makes it out to be much worse than what it is. Regardless, you have to make the decision. If you think you (and your employer) cannot wait it out - as in you may be unemployed because your company goes out of business or whatever - then it may be advisable to drop the membership. Golf is a luxery, not a necessity. If a membership gets in the way of car payments, mortgage payments, food, bills, etc. then it is time to drop it. Because golf is a luxery and luxery items/services are not being bought as often in a stagnant economy, golf courses are lowering rates. There was a really good article in Golf Digest or Golf Magazine about this. But, basically courses are losing business and have to cut rates. Some are dropping initiation fees and other costs to the customer. You could probably get away with bargaining if your course in particular is hurting.

In my Ogio Ozone Bag:
TM Superquad 9.5* UST Proforce 77g Stiff
15* Sonartec SS-2.5 (Pershing stiff)
19* TM Burner (stock stiff)
4-U - PING i10 White dot, +1.25 inches, ZZ65 stiff shafts55*/11* Snake Eyes Form Forged (DGS300)60*/12* Snake Eyes Form Forged (DGS300)Ping i10 1/2 MoonTitleist ProV1

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Am I the only guy on here that is really having a hard time deciding whether or not to pony up for a golf membership this year?

No, you are not the only one. I play in 7 to 10 tournaments a year, and need to play golf to keep my game sharp. Nonetheless, I analyzed my cost per round from 2007, and decided to NOT be a member last year. Not only did I save money, I found that my game did not deteriorate. There is a public course here that is a tough one. I could play there early in the morning before work, or early on weekends, and not get caught when the course is packed (they do not use reseved tee times). When I talked to other avid golfers in the area, I was somewhat surprised to hear that they, too, decided to not be members and play at public courses instead. This is a viable option in our area because we have many excellent public courses (the large number is why only a few require tee times on weekends). So---we can "have our cake and eat it too"---save money and still play lots of golf. The elite private course in this area, the Yahnundasis in New Hartford, has been struggling financially, and the Board hired Troon Management to make it viable. It was designed by Walter Travis, has hosted the New York State Amateur, and is a member of the Iroquois League, with Oak Hill in Rochester, Bellevue in Syracuse, and Wanakah in Buffalo. It is one of the oldest courses in this area (the Otsego Golf Club is the oldest, since it was founded in 1894). This severe economic recession and the brutal decline of the stock market has left many people hurting financially. Even many people with jobs have little job security. Look at the Bank of America---35,000 people will be cut in the next year.

Mitch Pezdek------Dash Aficionado and Legend in My Own Mind

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Many of the local courses are waiving initiation fees right now.

Both of our local clubs are running specials this year. Neither are completely waiving their initiation yet, but both are discounting the initiation. I think it's a great time to join if you are able.

"take a couple weeks off - then quit for good"

 

- X-460 Tour 10.5 Fujikura Stiff
- War Bird 15deg 3 Wood
- MX-23 Irons
- Vokey 52 + 55deg wedges
- 900 60deg Low Bounce - Studio Design 1.5 - Pro V1x - SG4Sun Mountain Carry and Great Divider Cart Bags.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Note: This thread is 5531 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up
  • TST Partners

    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-15%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope.
  • Posts

    • Wordle 1,013 4/6* ⬛🟦🟦⬛⬛ ⬛🟦⬛🟦🟦 🟧⬛🟧🟧🟧 🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧 par is good after a double bogey yesterday.
    • I did read the fine print tonight. It said replace with “similar features & function”.  8 yeas ago my purchase had features that today are available on the lower end models and the current version of my model has more “bells & whistles” than what I got 8 years ago.  So I am thinking they honored the agreement and I can’t argue the offer. since getting a credit for the full purchase price all I am really out over the past 8 years was the cost of the extended warranty, which was less than a low end  treadmill would have cost me. now the question is which model to replace with.  I’ll stay with Nordic Track or I forfeit the $1,463 credit so I will get Nordic Track.  And they honored the warranty and were not hard to work with which is a plus.
    • Generally speaking, extended warranties are a terrible deal and should almost always be avoided. They are a huge profit center for the companies that offer them, which should tell you almost everything you need to know about how much value most consumers get when purchasing them.  This is correct, and the old adage applies - only buy insurance when you can't afford the loss. This usually doesn't apply to most consumer goods.  To your second question, no I don't believe the offer is fair. They are replacing it, but it is not being replaced at "no cost to you". Since the amount being disputed (over $500) is non-trivial, I would probably push the issue. Don't waste your time on the phone with a customer service agent or a supervisor. They have probably given you all they have the authority to do. Rather, I would look at the terms of your agreement and specifically legal disputes. The odds are you probably agreed to binding arbitration in the event of a dispute. The agreement will outline what steps need to be followed, but it will probably look something like this.  1. Mail the Nordic Track legal department outlining your dispute and indicate you are not satisfied with the resolution offered.  2. Open up a case with the AAA (American Arbitration Association), along with the required documentation. 3. Wait about 4-5 weeks for a case to be opened - at which point someone from Nordic Track's legal department will offer to give you the new model at no cost to you.  They certainly don't want to spend the time and energy to fight you over $500. 4. Enjoy your new Nordic Track at no cost to you. I recently entered binding arbitration against a fairly large and well known company that screwed me over and refused to make it right. In my demand letter, I made a pretty sizeable request that included compensation for my time and frustration. Once it hit their legal department, they cut me a check - no questions asked. It was far cheaper to settle with me than to send their legal team to defend them in the arbitration.
    • I never thought of looking at it on multiple purchases like you said.  Yes, the extended may help me on 1 or 2 items but not the other 5 or 6.
    • Day 84 - Forgot to post yesterday, but I did some more chipping/pitching.    Back/neck were feeling better today, so I did a much overdue Stack session. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...