Private Club Question

[lastings]

On 5/30/2019 at 8:20 AM, Zekez said:

I think the difference lies in the assumption (possibly wrong) that someone who belongs to a private club is wealthy enough to afford providing a round of golf to a friend that said friend could never afford.  That's what friends are for after all!

I think this is the crux of the issue here.   Just because you belong to a private club, doesn't mean you can afford to pay for other people's golf.   Heck, it doesn't even mean you can afford to belong to the private club.   I believe the general consensus around here (and certainly for me), is that golf takes up a larger portion of our budget than it probably should.  

[Buckeyebowman]

6 hours ago, lastings said:

I think this is the crux of the issue here.   Just because you belong to a private club, doesn't mean you can afford to pay for other people's golf.   Heck, it doesn't even mean you can afford to belong to the private club.   I believe the general consensus around here (and certainly for me), is that golf takes up a larger portion of our budget than it probably should.  

AMEN!

[David in FL]

7 hours ago, lastings said:

 that golf takes up a larger portion of our budget than it probably should....

Have you been talking to my wife?!  

[Sandy Divot]

If I were a member of a private club, and invited a guest, I would pay for my guest. If he wanted to reciprocate by taking me somewhere to play that would be great. 

[Double Mocha Man]

2 minutes ago, Sandy Divot said:

If I were a member of a private club, and invited a guest, I would pay for my guest. If he wanted to reciprocate by taking me somewhere to play that would be great. 

Spoken like a man who truly knows the meaning of gift-giving.

[ghalfaire]

On 5/30/2019 at 6:20 AM, Zekez said:

See my post above regarding this.

Of course it is courteous to check on any and all expectations.  Where I seem to disagree with most of you is that if i was fortunate enough to belong to a private club I would in  no way shape or form expect my guest to pay for anything.  And I would refuse any offer they made. C'est la Vie.

I think the difference lies in the assumption (possibly wrong) that someone who belongs to a private club is wealthy enough to afford providing a round of golf to a friend that said friend could never afford.  That's what friends are for after all!

I don't want to poor mouth anyone but, while I am not poor I certainly am not wealthy either.  Also, it isn't just one friend a year that asks if I would invite them, it is usually several a year.  I just can't really afford to pay a dozen green fees a year for friends to play.  The charge at our club for guests, if you play with them,  is approaching $100/round + cart fees if they choose to ride,  If I don't play with them it is even more expensive.

On 5/30/2019 at 6:49 AM, David in FL said:

That assumption can be completely wrong.  Not every wealthy person is a member at a club, and, not every club member is wealthy.  Many simply prioritize it in their lives, for whatever personal reason.

There are also a lot of times when guests aren’t even personal friends at all.  Again, a wide range of circumstances can lead to an invite to play at a club.

Amen!  I joined the club as the nearest non par 3 public course is 20 mile away and a 40 minute drive (one way) and I really don't like that course.  So the nearest public course that I enjoy is 28 miles from my house.  If you're playing 3-4 times a week the trip gets old.  So, after a few years of doing the trip and in spite of propensity to not like spending my money, I opened my wallet and joined a private club 5 minutes from my house.  I have not really regretted the decision, but it can be a stain on the budget at times.