Dabble here an there, or strictly a club player?

[Clubswinger21]

I like to know that I can go to a course and shoot my handicap, plus I get bored of playing the same course over and over again. I'll probably play around 75-100 rounds per year but for those reasons I will most likely never be a member. What about you, are you a member or do you like to explore different course's?

[Just Blaze]

There are so many good reasonably-priced courses around here that I would feel too confined if I was locked into one. Then again, if the fees continue to drop, especially at a course that offers permanent tee times, I'd probably consider it.

[wtd]

For now I'm a dabbler. My wife and I are house-hunting now. Once we find a place and get settled in, I'll look for something nice close to home. I'm lucky enough to be within 45 minutes of 30 or so public courses (some obviously better than others), so I do I like to take advantage of the variety. The downside is that I can't just show up whenever and play a few holes, or hit balls on the range. I'm sure the cost works out about the same now, but I have a feeling I'd play and practice more if it was all paid for in advance.

For those of you who do have club memberships, out of curiosity, what's the going rate in your area?

[allin]

Is the advantage of a club the fact that it is kind of like Cheers?, a place where everyone knows your name. The available competition? Better course conditions? Chance to practice and play a lot. Private clubs often trade limited access to other private clubs. If you can answer these kind of questions then you know whether a private club is for you. Several of the privately owned public courses in my area offer season memberships that allow almost unlimited practice and play for considerably less than a private membership. Usually Friday, Sat., and Sun. before 1:00 are excluded. I had a permanent Sat. AM Tee time at one course and a season pass at another one year. It was ideal.

[MountainHip]

Golf in my area is over $100.00/round.
Unless I drive 1.5 hours to Calgary.
I am a member, and play the same course 60-70 times/year.
I Usually get in about 6 rounds on other courses.

[cdriver]

My situation is ideal for me. I am a member at a private course that has a bunch of "sister courses" owned by the same management company. Membership in my course gives me access to play all the other courses with no greens fees. At my home course, we have good practice facilities with range, chipping and bunker areas with a real green to use, a putting green for putting practice and I get unlimited range balls and cart usage.

At the other courses, I have to pay for the cart and practice balls, but they will make a tee time for me and any guests I want anytime. There are about 8 courses locally and 12 more located within a few hours drive of here. Plus, my club pro can get me reciprocal privileges at a lot of exclusive private course around the country. It is a pretty nice deal for the money.