Private Club Memberships

[Iowa Hawkeye]

I think that (if you're in the market and can afford it) that living in a CC is a good way to go. A few around here have the membership included in the price of the home(tacked on to your homeowners fee or w/e), at a large discount. You get all the benefits of the club + the gated community safety/class. It's almost like you get to play, hit the range, take lessons etc for nothing and are still able to play elswhere whenever you feel like it. But I don't make enough to afford a house inside, and I'd hate living inside the gates. Grew up on a farm and plan on raising my kids on one.

[alf174]

I believe that if you were ever going to join, now is a good time with most clubs waiving the initiation fees and lowering the monthly spending minimums; I'm definitely checking a few out.

edit: and make sure to read the fine print

[Smarf]

I was looking into the various clubs around the area and I guess no one told these folks the economy is in the tank.

Most of the courses around here are 30 to 60 dollars in green fees, up to 80 or 90 on the weekends. The memberships usually have a 1000 - 5000 initiation fee and 150 to 300 per month member fee. A few of them will wave the initiation fee if you put a little down and pay in good standing for six months. Usually if you play more than 4 or 5 times a month it pays for itself.

[Ed_Bighead]

...The memberships usually have a 1000 - 5000 initiation fee and 150 to 300 per month member fee.

That really doesn't sound too bad at all. I'm pretty sure the country club I worked at last summer (to which my girlfriend's family belongs) had an initiation fee in the 30,000 plus range. The majority of the people that worked there were big name business people in the area (I often saw billboards for their company/business as I drove to work, which I found interesting). But then again, her father makes upwards of 3/4 of a million, so he can afford it >.

[alf174]

That really doesn't sound too bad at all. I'm pretty sure the country club I worked at last summer (to which my girlfriend's family belongs) had an initiation fee in the 30,000 plus range. The majority of the people that worked there were big name business people in the area (I often saw billboards for their company/business as I drove to work, which I found interesting). But then again, her father makes upwards of 3/4 of a million, so he can afford it >.< Not me though, this country doesn't care enough about it's teachers to pay them well

In my experience, the type of memberships that have a $30K+ up front cost is actually buying an equitable stake in the club. The other types with a $1K to $5K up front cost are premium memberships; you get everything except you don't own a piece of the club. (the $ amounts are examples)

[Clambake]

One thing nobody has mentioned yet is that some clubs are actively working to get younger members to get the average ages less than something measured in geologic time periods. A while back in Los Angeles, the Bel Air CC was offering memberships for $30k for people under 40 with good financing terms; their regular rate was over $80k at that time.

As others mentioned, look hard at the economics and ask about every possible dime you'll have to spend at the club, like gratuities, food/beverage minimums, etc.

FYI, the clubs here in San Diego area are not cost effective from my perspective. The nicer equity clubs are all $125k-150k initiation with monthly dues of $1200+ and food/beverage minimums. There are a couple non-equity clubs that are $30k-50k to join but the courses aren't nearly as nice. Hopefully there are better bargains in Washington state!

[Ed_Bighead]

I also forgot to mention that the club was much more than just golf: pool, tennis, social events, etc. They also required that you spend money on food/drink every month. It was a really nice course though; I wish I had gotten a chance to play it more.

[P3R3]

I wish there was an affordable CC in Los Angeles, but so far all I see is 50,000$ + intiation fees and $700 /month. :(

[2bGood]

I belong to one. not a cheap club (15K to get in the door). But I love it. 3 hour rounds at best 4 1/4 at worst. Great conditions. Locker, showers, clubs clean and ready when I show up. If you can afford it, this is the way to play.

[Clambake]

I belong to one.

Man, I would kill if there were clubs in my area at that price! Here a cheap club is $50k but just not that great, while the nice ones are well over $100k and have monthly dues of $1200-1500. If there was a decent one at $15k with reasonable dues I'd join in a heartbeat.

[2bGood]

Man, I would kill if there were clubs in my area at that price! Here a cheap club is $50k but just not that great, while the nice ones are well over $100k and have monthly dues of $1200-1500. If there was a decent one at $15k with reasonable dues I'd join in a heartbeat.

It interesting the range of entry fee's for these clubs. I live in a major centre and we 12 private clubs. Four of them are $50K - $100K to join and the rest are around $20-$25K (I joined at a good time when it was bit lower). I often here of clubs with no joiing fee and $200 or $300 a month dues in more rural areas.

I should add we have few public/private clubs in the area where you can pay a flat rate to golf all you want. It not the true private club experience but cost per round is a better deal.

[BigBoy]

i have a question for you guys - how does one go about finding the costs associated with joining clubs? Seems to me they keep it close to the vest, and you have to call or meet with them even to get a ball park, or rely on word of mouth.

Maybe I'm too proud, but I'd hate to meet up with a membership person at the club to inquire about a membership, only for them to tell me there is a 50k initiation fee. Then what, just get up and leave? Be polite and stick around? Stick around and pretend to get turned off by something else?

[alf174]

i have a question for you guys - how does one go about finding the costs associated with joining clubs? Seems to me they keep it close to the vest, and you have to call or meet with them even to get a ball park, or rely on word of mouth.

Many of them have the terms documented with membership applications online. Check their website. Others, that are so exclusive, may require you to already know a current member. I couldn't find anything related to a membership application for

Oakland Hills .

[2bGood]

i have a question for you guys - how does one go about finding the costs associated with joining clubs? Seems to me they keep it close to the vest, and you have to call or meet with them even to get a ball park, or rely on word of mouth.

Most will send you a membership package if you call them up. The package will have he initiation fee (though these days when you meet with them you find it often lower than published).

Of course meeting with them is not so bad as if they really do think you are are in the market to join the club, they tend to take you out for a round on the course.

[jimmysworking]

I just joined a club in Kent not far from Tacoma. They are starting to bring more young members in. We were social members (dining privileges only) for a couple of years and we always seemed to be the youngest couple around in our mid-thirties. Now it doesn't seem like that anymore. That is one of the things to look at when you preview a club, Will you feel like you fit in with the crowd?

We have a beautiful course that is well maintained. I love being a member there as I can hit as many balls on the range as I want, play as many holes as I want (played just three today as that is all I had time for). The pace of play is better than anytime I have noted on most of the local muni courses. I don't have to worry about a big, fat, drunk guy in cut-off jean shorts and no shirt getting ticked off because I am waiting for the group ahead of me to play.

Some people worry that they will get bored playing just one course, but there are reciprocal relationships with other clubs, tournaments, and other events to keep it interesting. Maybe when I have been playing longer and get more skilled it will be an issue. There are many members who are very skilled and have been playing for a long time that still like to play our course so I don't think it will be a problem.

Sorry I rambled, but if you would like more information let me know.

Jim

[Wazzu8]

I work at a Country Club about 30 minutes outside of Seattle. While there is a lot of older people, there are more younger couples becoming members. It's around 450/month and initiation is 8-12?

Dues are only 325/month for 22-34 year olds.. Also you have to spend a certain amount at the restaurant/lounge.

Two putting greens, a chipping green with a bunker and a grass range.

[ibigler]

I was just wondering what you guys pay for your golf memberships or what they cost if you dont belong to any...

My home course is part of a county program, so we get discounted greens fees at 5 courses. And it costs like $35 to join this program and it only reduces the rates about $5.

The main course up by me (north NJ) is very difficult to get into and costs a butt load. you need to be invited to join my a current member and get three recommendation letters from other members, you have to provide proof that you make at least $200,000 a year and i believe it costs $75,000 a year with a one time $30,000 joining fee.

I mean that is just absurd. I wish we had more public courses up here

[Shripe]

Yikes, that's excessive. Given how I'm just working on Milwaukee County Parks' golf courses right now, I've not had a ton of experience with memberships, though there are discount cards you can buy here for courses (even as good as Brown Deer, a PGA-caliber course that hosted the Greater Milwaukee Open/US Bank Championship) to get hefty discounts on the greens fees. However, my game's not quite to that level yet. ;)

I know there are country clubs around here, I just haven't looked into qualifications/costs at all, though.