Driving Range Membership

[eeLad]

So I'm considering getting a membership this year, and the price is $350. You get unlimited use of the range and short game areas including pitching, chipping, sand traps, and putting. It sounds like a good deal for me because this year I'm really planning on cutting a big chunk off of my handicap. I'm in Canada if the price is different here than it is in the states. It's $11 for a large bucket at the place, and normally $5/hour for the short game area.

I'm more wondering what other people are paying for memberships if anyone else has one and whether or not I should look around more. Thanks to anyone who can offer some advice.

[MA5Bergey]

To be honest, the driving range I use is free. I go to a public course with a range, and the only money you pay is the money for a bucket (chipping and putting greens are free). It's a pretty decent range, too.

[wrx_junki]

To be honest, the driving range I use is free. I go to a public course with a range, and the only money you pay is the money for a bucket (chipping and putting greens are free). It's a pretty decent range, too.

Where in NY is this!?

To the OP, I think $350 is a great deal. If you go 3 times a month, you will have went your money's worth. Personally, I'd look for a cheap annual membership at a course if possible. Playing all you want beats practicing all you want.

[MA5Bergey]

Where in NY is this!?

Fishkill Golf Course...It's only a 12 hole (par 3 course) but you get unlimited use of the range so long as you buy a minimum purchase (i.e. a small bucket or larger), and as long as you have your own balls to use, you can use the putting green and chipping green free of charge.

[goblue107501]

To me, it seems a little steep. $30 a month doesn't seem that bad, but when you consider that you will really only get 6 months out it creeps up to almost $60.

If you already go to the range a couple of times a week and are spending that money anyway then do it. If it were me, I wouldn't do it for that much just because I don't think I would spend that much time at the range. I would rather take that money and spend it on a course. It sounds good now, but it might become a burden to think that if you don't go 5-6 times a month you are wasting your money.

[deronsizemore]

$350 is a heck of a deal. This range: http://manowargolf.com here in Lexington is $750 for just the range ball membership. They have "full" membership where you get 4 lessons, short game area, club fitting, and discount off items in the clubhouse for $1,150 per year which I think is crazy. If I'm paying that much, I'd rather get a membership to a course. People pay it though, obviously, because it's always packed out there.

[NoGimmies]

My experience is that most range memberships are much more than $350...

It depends upon the type of course, of course ( hee-hee!), but if the range balls are good quality and you have the ability to use a short-game area as well? That is awesome!

It does sound quite reasonable to me and if you have a lot of free time for the rest of the season and can get in several 2-3 hours sessions every week, you'll not regret it.

Good luck!
- Micah

[CarlSpackler]

I have never looked into range memberships around here. I just go bucket by bucket. My course does not offer membership for the range, but use of putting green and short game area are free using your own balls.

[youngskip40]

Seems to me that $350 a month isn't too bad. If it's a private club and this is a House or Social membership, make sure you ask if there are any food minimums or assessments, sometimes there are.

I don't know of any driving ranges around here that offer memberships. Plenty of private clubs that offer social memberships that include use of the practice facilities, but most of them are all in all $500-1000 a year at least.

I've considered doing something like that, because the amount I practice and the amount I'd like to practice are not equal due to finances. If I want to hit at least 2 buckets of balls each time I hit the range, that's $20, give or take. If I want to hit the range at least 2-3 times per week, that's $40-60 spent on the driving range that week, at least.

Even if I only practice every other week, or the equivalent of 6 months (I usually squeeze 9 months out of the season at least), at 2 range trips per practicing week that's just a shade over $1000!


Depending on how much you practice, you could break even in a month or 2. And I'll bet your game will reflect the unlimited practice too!

I say go for it, sounds like a great deal if the facilities are pretty decent.

[buttuh]

Good for you. My hom course, Oak Creek, charges $1,500 a year for unlimited range and short game practice area.

[mtsalmela80]

Hey I play in Fishkill! I got my first ever birdie there the other day. It was on hole three. I went off the tee to the back of the tiered green, and somehow picked the right line, and shot across the green, down the tier, and in the hole!

Love that course cuz its quick and open late.

[Fourputt]

So I'm considering getting a membership this year, and the price is $350. You get unlimited use of the range and short game areas including pitching, chipping, sand traps, and putting. It sounds like a good deal for me because this year I'm really planning on cutting a big chunk off of my handicap. I'm in Canada if the price is different here than it is in the states. It's $11 for a large bucket at the place, and normally $5/hour for the short game area.

I guess I'm glad that I'm not in Canada. Here on both of my home courses a large bucket is $7 and there is no charge or requirement for using the other practice areas. My only real interest is in the short game stuff... for me hitting balls on a driving range is the ultimate soporific.

If I had to pay an hourly rate or buy a membership, then I'd just end up never practicing. Or I'd find a way to make my own chipping range the old fashioned way using a basket as a target.

[gobluemich]

I guess I got a steal at $150 for an individual then $50 for each family member after, until 4 then it's free after that. I broke even real quick considering a large bag of balls is $10.