Awesome membership opportunity -- what say you?

[PhilsRHman]

So the country club I worked at through high school and college and basically learned the game on is struggling for members, as are all private clubs. This is very much a golf club, not a country club. No pool, no tennis, no fancy food (just a grill with sandwiches, burgers, etc). But the golf course layout is fantastic, 138 slope, 74.8 rating, hosts the State Open qualifier. Conditions were always the biggest issue, but they just put a couple million into it and had an architect come in to freshen it up, new tees, bunkers, etc.

Typically a full membership there is just shy of $5000, which is probably as cheap as you'll find for a completely private course in central/north NJ, but still way more than I'm willing or able to spend. But, get this, they're offering full memberships for golfers up to 35 years old for $1500, to get more young golfers out, I guess to build a base for the future. Plus, if I join now for 2010, I get the rest of this year, too. There are no monthly minimums. Only added charges would be for carts, but half the reason I want to join is so I walk more and get into better shape.

So, any thoughts? My fear is playing the same course over and over, although that's balanced with having a place I can always go to, have a tee time, and especially the fact range balls are included. Another problem is that if I want to bring friends, it's $85, which is a lot more than they would pay at the county course, and I'm not sure they would recognize that they're playing at a place worth paying double for.

At this point, I'm thinking it's a no-brainer, especially since I'd say my average round of golf is about $75. That would mean I need to play 20 times between now and next December for it to be worthwhile financially. But I'm afraid there are some nagging questions I'm not even thinking of. Anyone out there think of anything I should check out?

[Bug Bunny]

Sounds like you know what ya need to do!!!!!! Sounds like a great deal!!!

[CG031]

Sounds awesome. I say go for it if you can afford it.

Care to share what club it is? If you don't want to put it out there publicly, PM me. Or, if you don't feel comfortable saying don't worry about it. Being from NJ, I was just curious.

[PhilsRHman]

Sounds awesome. I say go for it if you can afford it.

I guess there's no problem posting that it's Glenwood CC, in Middlesex County (

www.njgolfclub.com ). They've also got some junior memberships that are like $700 if it's something you're interested in. If anyone's interested, do me a favor and shoot me a PM, because I think if I join, I get some sort of credit if I refer people to the course.

[Shindig]

Anyone out there think of anything I should check out?

Is it an equity club? If so, can they charge you assessments? That would be a deal-breaker for me (especially at the moment).

[CG031]

Wow. That course looks awesome. That's my kind of course, too. And for 700 dollars that's a great price.

Sadly, it's too far way. I think Old Bridge is like over an hour from me, so that's too much of a hike to be a member at.

Judging by the pictures it reminds me a little bit of Basking Ridge Country Club if you've ever played there...I love that course.

[NativeTxn]

I'm in a similar situation. The Country Club my parents belong to has a membership for people like myself (under age 40).

For full country club membership/privileges, I could pay $250 to join (instead of the normal $1,000 for this particular membership, and I'd get a "coupon" for $5,000 that I could apply toward converting my membership to a regular membership at age 40). Then it would be $262/month. Only additional above that would be cart fee of $16.50 if I chose to ride. It would include unlimited range balls at the 10-acre driving range and unlimited usage of the 2-acre short game area.

The club has 3 different 18-hole courses, and I'd have access to all of them, plus access to the pools, tennis, etc. (as I said, it'd be a full privilege membership). That being said, I'd really only use golf, grill/restaurant, and pools.

If I played twice a week and went to the range twice a week, it would come out about the same over the course of the year as if I played twice a week at the public courses my friends and I go to and going to the range twice a week (only issue is right now, I typically hit the range 1-2 times a week, and if I get a round it, it's usually one a week).

Another problem is that if my friends wanted to join me in a round, it would run them $30-$70 depending on which course we played and the day we played. The highest publics that we usually play typically run about $42 and that includes a cart, so I'm not sure that they would be as eager to come play with me.

And if we went and played elsewhere, I think I might feel like I was wasting money by not playing at the club.

In any event, I'm in a similar boat to you, so I feel your "pain."

I think I may hold off for now, because now, if I can't get around to playing during the week I'm not out any money, but if I had a CC membership and didn't get around to playing, I'd probably feel like I was wasting money that way each month.

So, I'm in a bind at the moment. But as for you, since there are no monthly minimums once you join, it sounds like you should go ahead and pull the trigger! ;)

[jho786]

PM sent. I joined this past weekend at Glenwood and loved it.

[David in FL]

Is the $1500 an initiation or is it the annual dues? If it's initiation, what are the monthly dues?

[jho786]

It's $1500 and that's it. That gets you unlimited green fees and practice use (no xtra charge for balls). Only other charges are cart, locker and handicap service.

[inthecup]

We joined a club this year. I think you are not considering several other very positive aspects of a private club. The service you get at a private club is one thing. There are also a different type of people that are members at a private club. There can be very positive business relationships built at a club. The one thing that strikes me is that everyone is there to have a good time and that is the attitude. It is a club. You will meet all kinds of people and build a different social circle from it. I can show up Saturday morning and find a group to play with, all good guys.

[denver_nuggs_15]

I've never played at Glenwood, but my friend is a member there. Have you played the course before? I heard it's kind of easy, but they're doing a lot of renovations on the course IIRC. It definately sounds like a good deal if you play more than 20 times and throw some practice in, too.

Try this: flip a coin. Heads, you join. Tails, you don't. Think about how you'd feel if you landed a tails. Or a heads. That should show you which decision you really want to make. Good luck.

[jho786]

I've never played at Glenwood, but my friend is a member there. Have you played the course before? I heard it's kind of easy, but they're doing a lot of renovations on the course IIRC. It definately sounds like a good deal if you play more than 20 times and throw some practice in, too.

Denver, I played 45 holes this weekend and it's not easy at all. From the blue tees, it's just shy of 6600 yards (72.8/134) and from the black it's 7005 (74.8/137) and requires you to shape the ball both ways. There are lots of bunkers and hazards too, four consecutive holes on the back 9 play through and around a huge pond. The course was renovated last year but I wasn't a member then so I wouldn't know what it was like before but the older members say that the course is much better. Personally I love the course and so far I am very happy with my decision to join.

[PhilsRHman]

I pulled the trigger and joined a few weeks ago. I couldn't be happier. I've eliminated the "OK, I want to play, but where, when, with who ..." then try to organize a tee time, etc. When I want to play, I hop in the car, know I'll meet someone on the range to play with, or maybe it will be so quiet I can zip around the course by myself. At least twice I've played in the afternoon and finished a round in under 2.5 hours. And even during a morning round with another member and behind a few groups we played in 3.5 hours. Much better than the 5.5 hours I'd gotten used to.

More than anything though, my scores have been off the charts for me. Over the past 6 years, my handicap had ballooned above 13 after playing in the mid-single digits when I was in my early 20s. Suddenly now, I've got a driving range, putting green and short game area that I can use as much as a I want. I haven't put in any major practice time, but 30 minutes a couple times are really paying off already. Especially when I discovered I was holding my putter way up in my finger tips and was way too handsy in my putting stroke. I needed a couple session on the putting green to get used to the adjustment, which is something I'd never do when I was always just playing "whereever" you know? Here, I feel like part of a club. I can just arrive, have something to eat, BS in the pro shop, hit the practice green, hang out a little more, head to the range, see if anyone's around to play, decide if I want to just warm up or put in a serious practice session, etc. It's been really fantastic. Being about to get there at 4 p.m. and get in 18 holes by 6:30 really opens up the chance to sneak extra rounds, too.

My scores are really showing it, too. I went from a lot of rounds in the upper 80s to low-mid 90s. While I've still posted 4 rounds of 88/89, I've also shot 82, 80, 81, 77. Yesterday I shot 80 with two doubles and a three putt, so I felt like that round should have been in the 70s.

It's amazing how playing more simply helps you find a comfort zone. I'm not sure if part of it is how tough this course is (6600 yards, 72.80 rating; 134 slope from Blues and 7000/74.60/137 from Blacks) that forces me to focus more, play smart off the tee (a wayward drive on any hole here will leave you in lots of trouble, unlike places where you can be 50 yards right/left and still have a wedge to the green from the other fairway), etc. It could also be the comfort factor of playing a course I really know well from my high school/college days, great pace of play, etc. All I know is that even when I was a 6, I might have been hiting the ball much better, but I don't think I understood all the tricks of both the short game and mental game I have under my belt now.

[WUTiger]

PhilsRHman,

Sounds like you found a good one. Sign up now, and if they return to monthly fees when the economy improves, chances they'll waive initiation fee for those who joined up and helped them in tight times.

As for your friends, I imagine at least some of them would pay the extra $$ to play an upscale course. Also, it may be famous. I would love to play some of the second-tier clubs in the St. Louis area, because they have a rich tradition, and were built before 1950 - back in the era of imagination when you had to find a course in the lay of the land, rather than moving a hundred-thousand cubic yards of dirt for one short par 3.

Also, don't worry about "playing the same course" all the time. See if your golf club "swaps rounds" with other clubs in the area so you could play away for reduced cost. Also, clubs in some cities have informal summer leagues in which two or three foursomes from your course play away matches at other clubs in the area every couple of weeks.

You might talk to the club manager and ask him if "swap rounds" and summer leagues are in play.

[mbole]

Man, I'm 20 right now and that seems like a GREAT deal for the junior membership. Would stink not being able to play the early morning on the weekends, but for 750, you can't go wrong. I am currently a member at the Texas A&M; Campus course, which is not great by any means, but it is nice to be able to walk out there whenever I want and play a few holes. And it looks way crappier than that course but it is the same price.

I have come accross a CC here in College Station, Texas that allows unlimited use of their facilities(golf, range, pool, tennis...etc.) for only 1400 a year and was wondering if it would be worth it. Currently my membership doesn't allow me to hit on the range, and it has shown as every now and then I need to go and work out some swing faults, but would rather not pay for anything so I just deal with it and play a round.

I guess what I am trying to say is: Congrats on finding a good club!

[PhilsRHman]

As a young guy, I would suggest looking into getting a part time job at a local course. That was the best thing I ever did. Not only was the money great as a college kid, but the work was enjoyable (cleaning carts, helping members with their bags, cleaning their clubs when done, etc). If you find a place with a liberal policy for playing as an employee, you'll have the chance to play and practice a ton, plus you'll have great access to the pros to pick their brains, get impromptu lessons, etc. I still look back on the years I spent in the cart barn as some of the most fun of my life. And it was definitely the foundation for a game I can play and enjoy the rest of my life.