membership, good idea?

[kleraudio]

So I played a local muni today, which Ive never played, but prices have gone way up here in Florida, and this was the most affordable. It was 27 bucks to ride 18, so not too bad...

Anyways, the TSA (Tampa Sport Auth) has 3 courses in the area, of which Ive only played one, but heard decent things about 1 of the other 2.

I look online today and their membership is 107 bucks a month. Free to walk and 15 bucks to ride. 7 day/week playing priveleges, anytime as well too. And they let you walk even on weekends.

So If I walk I can play unlimited golf for 107 a month. The course is kept up OK, not the nicest Ive played, but definitely not the worst Ive played.

Its not very long, 6300 from the back tees, but thats ok I think.

What do you guys think? Just throwing it out there, wanna see what you guys would do..

Thanks!

Jim

[kfowler]

Is one of them Babe Zaharias? I think my dad was looking at the same thing.

I played the Babe often when I was growing up. I think it's been redun recently. My dad said it was ok but nothing to write home about. I'd say it's your standard FL muni.

[uttexas]

Just looked at golfnow.com/tampa you can play Rocky Point, Babe, Apollo Beach, and Rogers Park all for under $14 per round (depending on time and day). So I'd say the $107 is a good deal as long as you play more than eight rounds a month.

[eltigre-21]

i have also been looking at memberships and that is a good deal if you like to walk.. i have found a few good deals down here by me that is a little more expensive.. but they wave cart fees so thats cool you can basicly just walk on.

[kleraudio]

  uttexas said:

Just looked at golfnow.com/tampa you can play Rocky Point, Babe, Apollo Beach, and Rogers Park all for under $14 per round (depending on time and day). So I'd say the $107 is a good deal as long as you play more than eight rounds a month.

Yea , thats true but to play on a Sat or Sun morning its 35 bucks. If I play a round on Sat and Sun, thats 8 rounds at 35 = 280 just in greens fees for morning rounds, which is what I'd play with a membership. Even if I played only Sat mornings I'd get my $ worth.

Only problem I see is, Ill be stuck to that course for the year because I only put aside 25 bucks a week for a round. Gotta keep within my budget. I'd actually save money by doing this, but i'd be stuck to those courses. Which is OK I guess, there are other courses which I really like that are nicer, I can just play those twilight during the summer for under 20 bucks.... and still play whenever at those 3 muni's. I dunno what I'm gonna do, Im just liking the fact that they let you walk so you can really play all you want for just 107/month. Anyone from Tampa interested in this? If we get a few people together, Im SURE they will waive the 150 initiation fee if like 2-4 of us sign up at the same time. I just dont know if its a good idea or not (for me I mean)......

[kpaulhus]

at least you get 3 courses. Im getting on in Jacksonville for 160 a month at one course. It is right down the road from my office, so I can get 9 in almost every afternoon. twice on the weekends. I figure at least 15 rounds a month. A usual round is 30 after 1pm so I think its def worth it.

I hear ya about Tampa prices going up. Im playing apollo beach tomorrow at 11 am for $25.

Klraudio, wanna get a round in tomorrow? None of my usuals want to play and Im playing as a single at 11 am. Let me know man I wanna see the Mizunos!

[kleraudio]

Oh and all those really cheap tee times on golfnow are in the middle of the day during the week. which is impossible for most people that are younger than 65. I work M-F but only until 3pm... So even in the winter I can get 9 in before it gets dark.

[kleraudio]

  kpaulhus said:

at least you get 3 courses. Im getting on in Jacksonville for 160 a month at one course. It is right down the road from my office, so I can get 9 in almost every afternoon. twice on the weekends. I figure at least 15 rounds a month. A usual round is 30 after 1pm so I think its def worth it.

Damn man, I wouldve definitely played, but the notice is too short. The wife gets all my time tomorrow dude!

Lemme know though man next time your around, we definitely have to get out sometime. Hell, maybe I'll be a member at those courses soon and get you on for a little cheaper. Oh, and its a bit dangerous at Rocky Point on the weekends! Had like 3 balls fly right at us today, its wide open and no one seems to be able to hit it straight. Good luck tomorrow!

[kpaulhus]

Thanks man. Im in Tampa twice a month to see the GF and I have to play every weekend so Ill shoot ya a PM next time Im down.

[Supermanwoot]

If you get free range balls then do it. If not then its not the best deal but if you play 10 times a month it might be worth it. I like hitting a lot of balls at the range so the unlimited balls really sold me. I go through 40 buckets in a month and a half so thats over the cost of my monthly fees.

[kleraudio]

Yea man, that would be nice, I dont think it includes range though. I know the other one they offer does, its a bit cheaper, but you HAVE to ride. and thats 20 bucks a round...

I'll call em tomorrow and see if they will throw in range balls. If they do, then I guess its a done deal. 107 bucks for all the golf and range I can handle, that would be nice.

Jim

[2bGood]

If you do get a membership you will likely play way more golf as now you will be wasting money if you don't play rather then spending money if you do play. On barrier to golf will be removed from golf. This could be good or bad. I play out of a mid scale private club - great course full club house etc, 4 figures to join - (the high end clubs are more like 5 figures around here) and I love it. We have 450 full play members and I now know about half of them pretty well, so I can always find a fun game.

Go check out the club, play a few practice rounds, meet some people before you decide to join.

[kleraudio]

Thank 2bgood, you are probably right in that I'll play more golf! Which is always good. This is a membership to the 3 muni's in the area. Nothing private or anything like that. The course is in decent condition and there are some challenging holes.....

The one thing that concerns me is that I'll pretty much only be able to play those courses on a regular basis because, hell, Im already paying for it ya know and I wont be able to play some of my other "regular" courses that I have been playing.

[2bGood]

  kleraudio said:

Thank 2bgood, you are probably right in that I'll play more golf! Which is always good. This is a membership to the 3 muni's in the area. Nothing private or anything like that. The course is in decent condition and there are some challenging holes.....

I have just one course to play with my membership and I haven't really found it an issue just playing the one track, it really rather nice, the pro's know name, the waiters know my after round drink, store my clubs there, locker etc. I know why they call it a "home" course. Even with out that it interested to play the same course for the bulk of your rounds - providing the course is well designed. It never truly plays the same, and I can't say I get bored of it. It also makes the od field trip to another course that much more special. Haveing unlimited golf is great and I could never going back to pay to play.

(we have recipricals at several courses but the not really the same as being a member at them so that why I just say one course)

[GaijinGolfer]

If you intend to play golf a lot, a membership is the only way to go. However, if you dont play at least 3 rounds per week, a membership really isnt worth the money and then you are kind of forced into playing the same courses all the time, which can get kind of boring after a while.

[CVAL]

what course in jacksonville?

[uppi]

Dang, I really need to move down to Florida. Not only do you get to play all year around but your Green's fees are rediculously cheap! I would jump for joy if I could find rates that you guys are complaining about. Seems like around here you cant get a tee time for less than 40 dollars anymore, and thats just for your average run of the mill muni

[kleraudio]

Dude if I had to pay that much everytime I wanted to play golf, I'd find another hobby!!

Thats rediculous, 40+ for a muni???

Glad I live down here! 115 per month and I can play my local muni as much as I want.

Jim