Golf Club Membership options

[OnTheMoney]

Hello

I'm interested in being a member at a country club but I'm stuck between these two options:

1) $3K at a local Public course which includes unlimted golf range and no cart fees. Also it includes the same privilege at two other public courses. All three course are OK but not very challenging.

2) $2.5K at a private course and $80 per month for food mininum. It does not include cart fee so I will have to pay a $22 cart fee for ever round. However the course is very challenging.

I personally hate having to have money everytime I want to play golf so the membership is good but is playing very easy courses worth it.

Your thoughts.. Would you join three alright courses for the prices of one difficult course.

[Yukari]

Hello

That would depend on how much I actually play. If I were to play at least twice a week, I would go with the first option--a lot cheaper and you can play different courses. However, it maybe that option (1) will be more crowded, meaning slower pace of play and hard to get tee times.

But based only on variety and $$$, I would pick #1.

[iammpspeer]

I would pick option two. The reason for this is because I know the top three courses in my area. They are always crowded with duffers etc. and the facilities suck. But my current CC is very nice, private, can be croweded, but nothing like a public course. And the facilities rock!

So it really depends what you are looking for. The pub courses here arent BAD, but I like the private feel and atmosphere.

[Big_M]

I would hate playing 90% of my rounds on one course, but three I could handle. How much do you play... $3000 isn't all that cheap. I know I can play some real nice courses for $20-30 a round if I play during the week, walking at some. So essentially I could play 100 weekday rounds for under $3000. I don't always walk, and I play weekends sometimes... but I can play the same courses for $10-15 more on weekends if I look for deals and buy discount cards, etc. Bottom line... I don't usually spend $3000 a year on greens fees and I play 50-60 times a year. The unlimited range is nice, but I can still hit the range a fair bit and spend under 3K a year.

Someday I might join a private club, but it won't be to save money. I will join because my family can use the pool, tennis, etc; it is convenient and less crowded; and all the other benefits of being a member at a private club.

[kpaulhus]

I joined the private club since it has a gym and pool and tennis. Sometimes I ask myself why I chose to play the same course all the time, but then when I think about it I was paying $35 a round for about 60 rounds a year=$2100....where as my club is 175 a month...or $2100 a year. So really the club option is better because it includes the gym and tennis and pool, as well as the games and friends I make playing at the club.

[jamo]

Does number two include unlimited range privileges?
Either way i would take number 1. More variety, and if you really need a challenge every so often you can go find a challenging public course.

[kpaulhus]

^ +1.... Range is where you can get better so that's def a plus.

[OnTheMoney]

I would hate playing 90% of my rounds on one course, but three I could handle. How much do you play... $3000 isn't all that cheap. I know I can play some real nice courses for $20-30 a round if I play during the week, walking at some. So essentially I could play 100 weekday rounds for under $3000. I don't always walk, and I play weekends sometimes... but I can play the same courses for $10-15 more on weekends if I look for deals and buy discount cards, etc. Bottom line... I don't usually spend $3000 a year on greens fees and I play 50-60 times a year. The unlimited range is nice, but I can still hit the range a fair bit and spend under 3K a year.

In my area, all the price points for a round of golf including cart fees vary between $45 - $65. The three public courses in option 1# cost $45 on the weekend and $35 on a weekday. Golf season is basically from March - October and I play on average 3 to 4 times a week. So at 32 weeks in the golf season and 3 times per weeks is 96 rounds of golf. Now 96 rounds at the minimun $45 is about $4,320. Also, I like to practice so you can only imagine the additional cost for range balls at $11 a large bucket and I practice about 5 times a week. The cost per round for non-members in option #2 is $80 and you need to be invited. Big_M you make a valid point for your location but I thinks its expensive in my area thats why I looking for a membership.

[David in FL]

If having to "have money" every time you play is the issue, it's worth mentioning that most, if not all private clubs will allow (some insist) that you simply sign for your expenses, whether in the pro shop, the club house, or on the course. You'll be billed at the end of the month. No cash required.....

.....except of course to pay any bets you might lose on the course! ;)

[Yukari]

In my area, all the price points for a round of golf including cart fees vary between $45 - $65. The three public courses in option 1# cost $45 on the weekend and $35 on a weekday. Golf season is basically from March - October and

And your HC is 18???

[meenman]

I would choose the private club, not because it is more challenging.

Most private courses are in much better shape than their public counterparts.

Also public courses need to book tournaments to make money. Not only can this take away a time that you want to play, numerous times after tournaments there is needless damage done to courses.
The jokers that only get out once/twice a year to drink heavily with their buddies have very little respect for the fact that it is your home course.

You will not get bored playing the same course. You will probably make a few new friends and have more options of people to play with.

[kpaulhus]

I would choose the private club, not because it is more challenging.

Thats a very good point. Coming from playing only public courses to joining the private club I noticed how much they prep and maintain the course. My course is closed every Monday for repairs and the Men's association meets once a month to discuss things like "Hole #4 is a par 4 playing 480 plus form the Blues, can we move the tees up to say 450ish so it is still the hardest hole, but some enjoyment is possible" or recently they discussed "the tree on #9 that really protects the hole. It has over grown and limits the number of pin locations. The grounds crew trimmed the tree and it is now an even tougher forced carry" Stuff like this kinda makes you feel good knowing that the people who play and know the course are there to make it as enjoyable and playable as possible.

[Lefty-Golfer]

If you have the option take the private club. There are so many benefits. the course will be in better condition, it won't be near as crowded, rounds will be faster, you will be able to get a game, other members take care of the course during play...you will not regret.

[Bump-n-MI]

And your HC is 18???

A little uncalled for, don't you think? This thread has nothing to do with his HDCP.

Back to the topic, I used the following criteria in choosing my club (in order): 1. Number of golfing members (my club has less then 270) 2. Ease of tee-times (I can pretty much walk-on any day of the week) 3. League and special events schedule (basically the course is open whenever I want it to be) 4. Tournament schedule (the more the better, we pretty much have something going every other weekend) 5. Snootiness (I grew up at a super snooty club, didn't realize until I got older that there were so many jackasses in the world. The members at my club are overly friendly and encourage youth participation) 6. Course layout (My club suits my needs to a T. Is it the nicest country club around? No, but the layout and upkeep are fantastic) 7. Facilities (pool, tennis, etc…)

[Lefty-Golfer]

I used the following criteria in choosing my club (in order):

Quoted for truth

[Chief Broom]

To the OP:

3K a year seems pretty high. If all you're getting for that is golf (albeit cart included) and it's only for 8 months out of the year that puts your monthly costs at $375. Given the numbers you've provided concerning local golf options and costs that number does make sense given the amount of golf you play (3-4 times a week plus near daily practice sessions), but you'll have to constantly play at that frequency for it to make financial sense. If something happens that limits your play it won't take much for you to be better off paying as you go. Now if that monthly cost came with other facilites you could use in addition to golf (gym, pool, restaurant/social scene) I'd be more willing to commit to that cost (3k over 12 months is 250/month). Private club membership usually requires an initiation fee, although these days some clubs are willing to waive that, so that also bears into your decision.

[OnTheMoney]

Hello

I appreciate everybody's feedback and I encourage more as I'm planning to make a decision very soon. Allow me to share some other reasons for membership. Last year, I purchased a package at a local public course that gave me unlimited use of the golf range and a $10 green and cart fee at 2 hours before sunset. I had the ability to practice as much as I wanted (at no cost) as well as go out on the course and play my favorite holes (for $10) or just hit driver off each hole for practice (for $10). I really enjoyed that package and my game began to really improve without the high dollar cost. However, my issue was many times I wanted to play my favorite holes or just hit drivers in the morning ( @$65) or afternoon (@ $45) instead of waiting until 4pm or later depending or when the sunset. So this year I began to start thinking about membership. If I want to play 3,9 or 18 holes I don't want to worry about the cost I just want the club house to through me the cart key and tell me to go have fun. Please note: the course was wide open during the times I wanted to just have fun. In option 2, the private club has that cart fee that is making me look at other private courses in the area, however my question is stil the same, would you join three alright courses for the prices of one difficult course. Thanks in advance.

[Dub]

I'm mulling over the pros and cons of membership in some of my areas courses right now, as well.

My favorite local course, hands down, is also the most $$$ ( imagine that!).

I had written it off initially but am now considering membership here very strongly.

They are waiving initiation fees, as are all the ones on my list.

The course is very walkable. No real estate intermigled within the course...just on the perimeter bordering three or four holes. Tees are close to greens.

Walkability will cut down on cart rentals when I opt to do so.

Range and practice facility usage is included...not add-on like the other courses.

Handicapping service is included.

Best bentgrass greens in the area.

Very scenic and peaceful place to tee it up.

Upscale facilities and overall positive experience every time I've been there.

I think I may have just found a new hangout...if I can pitch it to the wife!

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I suppose what I'm getting at is to take into account all the variables and then factor in where you best see yourself relaxing and having fun.

There are some courses that I wouldn't mind playing repeatedly. The harder courses will build upon your abilities by constantly testing you.

15 miles from my house is the only negative.