Question for people who have played ultra-exclusive courses like...

[deronsizemore]

I played West Lake last year right before the Masters and it was extremely nice. Felt like I was a PGA Tour pro walking in there the way I was treated. Everyone working was there to cater to your every need and didn't act as if we didn't belong simply because we didn't roll up in a 200k vehicle.

Talked with one of the workers there who was an older gentleman that worked at Augusta National for 20 years and listened to his stories on the range about Tom Watson hitting balls there before the Masters. The previous head pro from Augusta National was on the range giving free lessons as he always does (according to the staff).

According to the gentleman we talked with on the range, a lot of the pros practice there before Augusta to just get away from the media and have some time alone. Said it was one of Tom Lehman's favorite courses. Nick Faldo has just walked out of the clubhouse as we were finishing our round, so it's pretty exclusive.

The clubhouse was the biggest clubhouse I've ever seen. Locker room looked amazing with all wooden lockers with engraved name tags.

No ProV1's at the range though.

[Dr_Fu_Manchu]

when I go to the 'nouveau riche' courses such as Kingsmill and the Tradition courses in Williamsburg (they aren't private, but they cater to a high-end demographic), I see 45-year old guys that are going through mid-life crises with their new Ping sets and new bags that probably set them back $3k, and they still can't break 90. Then me and my friends show up with our beat-up blades, beat-up woods, 10-year old bags from college, and putters we got off E-bay, and shoot 75's. That has to piss them off, it would me if I were them. :)

I doubt that anyone is getting pissed because you play well with older equipment. I imagine that they're out there doing the same as you: enjoying the weather, friends, the course, etc.

In fact, I bet a majority aren't even thinking twice about it. Not that I am "nouvea riche", but I hardly pay attention to anyone else when I am playing, sometimes that includes my playing partners. I hope I am right and if I am wrong, that's the kind of place I would steer clear of, regardless of how nice the course is. Or I would go just to continue to piss them off.

[cougar978]

I doubt that anyone is getting pissed because you play well with older equipment. I imagine that they're out there doing the same as you: enjoying the weather, friends, the course, etc.

I'm not saying all of them are like that, there's just a select few that seem to think that plunking down a ton of money for equipment and lessons from some 'guru' is going to magically turn them from a 25 into a 5. If you put enough work and proper practice into the game, you can be a 'self-made' player, which is far more fulfilling than the flip-side.

[RC]

courgar987, that just goes to show different people have different perceptions when trying to guess what other people are thinking of them. It never dawns on me that anyone cares what equipmemt someone chooses to play -- seems to me people tend to notice great golf shots regardless of the clubs. I've not seen the attitude you are talking about, so obviously golf covers a broad landscape of how people react to each other.

[2bGood]

I just don't care enough to try, really. I could live beyond my means and try to fit in with those people, but it just doesn't suit me. I do well in a low-key job that makes good money, drive my beat-up Jeep (that's been paid off for 5 years), own my condo and don't have a ridiculous mortgage payment.

You can look the part with out spending (much) money. Tuck in the shirt, real golf shirt, real golf bottoms (must be pants at some places). Good golf manners never hurt. Basically if a members knows you will not embarass them you have a much better chance of ending up at their course

[bogeyhitter25]

Just played The Country Club (the Primrose 9-hole course, though) and they have literally hundreds of NXT's all around the putting green and short game area. They also give away tons of free stuff. I grabbed 3 divot tools, a couple ball-markers, scorecards, and bought a towel. It's so sick playing such nice courses.