Course Membership, Is it Worth It?

[obiwan21]

I've been golfing on and off for 25 years but have only really gotten serious about the sport for the past couple years. I'm thinking of purchasing a course membership for $950 which includes carts and range use, but I'm having a hard time committing that kind of cash without some guilt. However, I probably golfed about 50-60 times last season, (which in WI was from April to Oct.) so I'm thinking perhaps a membership would be worth the investment. What do you think? And for info, courses around here charge an average of $30-40/18 w/cart, $20-30 w/o cart.

[wrx_junki]

You played about 50-60 times but was it mainly on the same course? Having a membership is nice but make sure you'll be happy with playing that one course quite often. I paid $500 just for a range card which probably will last me not even one year so for that reason alone I think the membership is worth it. If I ever get a membership at any course the one thing I'll want is a very good short game area. My vote is it's definitely worth it if the course is not a boring track and it has nice practice facilities.

[nevets88]

I think it's worth it - you would have saved at least a couple of hundred based on your play last year. Maybe the course has a relationship with other courses and you can play those as well? I agree with wrx, the range, if it's good makes it extra worthwhile. Plus you bypass the whole payment process everything you play and you might get to know some regulars.

I paid $500 just for a range card which probably will last me not even one year so for that reason alone I think the membership is worth it.

Where is this? Hamlet Windwatch is $750/year, but grass only on weekends during the season. Short game area is very good.

[ZEUS]

looking at the math you spend with a cart 1500 this past year. I say worth it!!! One thing that I have noticed is that people who have memberships tend to play more and take advantage more of the unlimited membership so you will probably be playing more than 50-60times next year.

[newtogolf]

If you played that course 50-60 times and you're okay with doing that next year then it's worth it. I am considering a similar offer for next year, but the course isn't great, I have alot of other courses locally to choose from, and the course is usually crowded so I'm not sure I'll want to play there enough to be worth it.

[casperino101]

my course membership is only £415 for the year! i play usually at least once a week sometimes twice,plus you get a handicap cert so ou can play in the opens at other golf clubs for next to nothing and you can win prizes! bonus!

[mship]

As others have said, I think it depends on the course. I got a pass at a local muni course this year for $500 with a mentality of quantity over quality. I wanted to play a lot and I more than got my money's worth.

The plan was to get a membership next spring at this club www.piperglen.com which I feel is by far the nicest in the area, though I haven't played any of the country clubs. They were running a special this fall where you get two years plus the rest of this year for $999 - plus another course, but it's 45 minutes away so I probably won't get there very often. Same price as the muni for two years. Plus, unlimited range and the indoor facility for this winter. Quite a deal. I was spending probably around $100/month this summer for the driving range alone.

So if it's a course you like and can play for the life of the membership it'll save you money.

[enis750]

that many rounds is worth it
i paid $1500 for a 6 months membership (like the OP, from April ro Oct is our season)
i golfed 75 rounds this year (60 of which at my home course)....so it paid for itself

its a hard hit at first, but its nice not having to pay each time you go
especially if the course isnt in great shape, it rains, or is super slow, you can always walk off and not be stressed about dropping $30-60 for that round

[stealthduffer]

From a financial perspective definitely worth it. Is it the sort of course you enjoy playing? Potentially other benefits including tournaments, social events, meeting new players? But the thing that I really liked when I was a club member was the ability to play multiple times a week without considering the cost. Nothing like getting a couple of quick "9's" in during the week to sharpen the game.

[nevets88]

StealthDuffer makes a good point. For those times you are busy, you don't feel like you're wasting money if you play shortened rounds. And not only 9 holes, you could play 6 holes for example.

[ejimsmith]

i wish a couple of my fav courses had memberships.

[ohiolefty]

It's worth it. Just make sure the course will test your game to the extent you'll want it tested to play there enough to make the membership pay.

I have a course membership at a place, along with my father, and its paid off. No practice facility, not the greatest course in the area by any stretch, but challenging, beautiful, and a course where I've had to learn how to play shots and devlop my game while tackling some tough green complexes.

[walk18]

Another thing to consider is some courses have twilight memberships for cheaper so if you like to play after work, that might be a way to go.

[thecanadiana]

Definitely worth it. You'll golf more. On days where the weather isn't the greatest I'll still go out and 'risk' getting rained on because it doesn't cost me anymore money. I can't count the number of days where I went out golfing expecting only to get 9 holes in because of the weather and ended up doing 18 or 27. Also, it's nice being a member because you meet a lot of people that have the same passion for golf.

[obiwan21]

Thanks for the responses guys. I took the plunge. I work 2nd shift and a rotating schedule so any option of an evening hours membership would have been out of the question. Now I just hope I get my $ worth next season both in quantity and quality.

[wrx_junki]

Where is this? Hamlet Windwatch is $750/year, but grass only on weekends during the season. Short game area is very good.

I'm out west on the island. Spring Rock on Denton Ave. You pay for $500 and you get $600 worth on the range card. $10 gets you 140, $15 gets you 220, and $20 gets you 300. Have a range closer by but I like the facility much better and it's also close to my gym.

Hamlet Windwatch I recently played for my first time. Nice short course except for that 240 yard par 3, lots of water. Think I might've hit a house with my provisional on the first tee.

Thanks for the responses guys. I took the plunge. I work 2nd shift and a rotating schedule so any option of an evening hours membership would have been out of the question. Now I just hope I get my $ worth next season both in quantity and quality.

Good luck and abuse it to the fullest!

[nevets88]

I'm out west on the island. Spring Rock on Denton Ave. You pay for $500 and you get $600 worth on the range card. $10 gets you 140, $15 gets you 220, and $20 gets you 300. Have a range closer by but I like the facility much better and it's also close to my gym.

Thanks for the info. Is it grass on weekends only? How is the short game area?