Poll: Do you play on a public or private course?

[stevejason]

I have a $750 membership that includes both municipal courses in my city. Unlimited play, no cart.

[Saig55]

If I join a private course , is there a real advantage for my grandson?  I'm not sure exactly what they offer but I would like for him to have some perks I did not growing up.  Especially with accessability to a course and maybe instruction.  He is only 2 at this time but trying to think ahead.

I normally like to play many different courses but would basically play one if I thought he would benefit.

What are your thoughts...?

[dak4n6]

Originally Posted by Saig55

If I join a private course , is there a real advantage for my grandson?  I'm not sure exactly what they offer but I would like for him to have some perks I did not growing up.  Especially with accessability to a course and maybe instruction.  He is only 2 at this time but trying to think ahead.

I normally like to play many different courses but would basically play one if I thought he would benefit.

What are your thoughts...?

My son picking up golf and joining his HS team was the driver for us joining a local resort CC (my wife gave me a mandate: "You have to play more golf with Ryan." I was like, "Ummm, I think I can do that.."). $2400/yr for a family twilight package - 36 holes, they let twilight members out a full hour before their actual twilight rates begin, unlimited range tokens, pool, gym, game room. What a great deal.

Now my wife plays a lot, and my daughter (12) is learning. We have pretty much become Country Club bums. We just hang out there. It's a great atmosphere, and we are getting to know everyone. I have been playing for 25 yrs, but I never knew what that scene was about, and it's pretty cool.

[hendog]

I play private. The country club here has 5 courses in all, 4 of which are accessible to regular golf members. 1 is reserved for the most premium membership (Deerwood which is the course where the 18th hole of the US Open in the movie Tin Cup was filmed). One of the other courses is the Forest course where most of the Tin Cup US Open scenes were filmed and the Island Course which is the course in the background when Roy knocks the pelican off its perch.

Anyway,  It is one of the best deals I think you can find for what you get. There are people who drive 40-60 miles to play here because it is so inexpensive. Initiation is around $1500 but there are always deals and specials where you can get in for one months payment or even get a free month. For the plan I have I pay 300 per month for access with only minor limitations. For example on Sat I can't play 2 of the courses before 12. But there are 2 others that I can so it is really no issue at all. A cart will cost $20 each time out so that can add up if you play a lot but you can walk for free and that is what I do for most of my practice. I try to limit it to 1 cart per week max. They also have the Golf Advantage school which is a driving range and practice facility with instructors, fitting equipment etc.

There is always a course to play on and they are very nice and offer good challenges. In addition there is a giant water park, fitness center and a lot of tennis courts.

I cancelled my membership for a short time due to financial reasons and it was a very tough 8 months.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by Saig55

If I join a private course , is there a real advantage for my grandson?  I'm not sure exactly what they offer but I would like for him to have some perks I did not growing up.  Especially with accessability to a course and maybe instruction.  He is only 2 at this time but trying to think ahead.

I normally like to play many different courses but would basically play one if I thought he would benefit.

What are your thoughts...?

You would have to check with the course to see if "grandson" counts as family under their membership policies.  I've never been a member of a private club, but most I've had any contact with wouldn't count that.  "Guests" always have to pay for a green fee.

[Clambake]

Originally Posted by Fourputt

You would have to check with the course to see if "grandson" counts as family under their membership policies.  I've never been a member of a private club, but most I've had any contact with wouldn't count that.  "Guests" always have to pay for a green fee.

For example, here is language from one of our local private clubs:    " Family Memberships provide full golf membership for parents and children living at home under 23 years of age."

I hear the words "grandson" and "country club" put together and I immediately think of the image of Spaulding throwing up through the roof of the Porsche in Caddyshack......

[BuckeyeNut]

I've had an annual pass at various public courses over the past 12yrs......unlimited play with no restrictions.  I also belonged to 2 private clubs in the 1990s....each choice has their benefits.

[Topper]

Public Courses

Typically $20-$30 to walk 18.  Add 10-20 for a cart if you ride.

I played a really nice public course during vacation where the fairways and tees were watered.  One of the only completely green courses I've played in a while given the heat and lack of rain.  Cost was $55 with a cart....expensive for me but it was vacation.  Oh.....and this included replays where you only need to pay a cart fee if you used a cart.

There's a nice Jack Nicklaus course that I can play for $45-$75 with a cart.   At the high end, are the Turning Stone courses which are $90-$125 with a cart.

I've looked at Private Courses and Public Courses that offer unlimited play memberships and cannot justify the cost given the limited rounds that I play and my desire to play a variety of courses.  I love going to different courses each weekend.

[JaxBomber17]

Only ever played public and semi-private, and I try to stay under $40 a round, although I'll definitely spring for a pricey round at a nice course a few times a year, and I'm a Groupgolfer Florida member (you should join your state's Groupgolfer site if you haven't already. It's free, and it's like Groupon for golfers. My buddy in Melbourne and I are playing a course down there that generally charges $80 for $36 next month), so I use that a lot.

I'm about to join a country club just two miles down the street from my apartment. I'm under 40 (24), so it's $195 a month for unlimited range balls and walking, as well as access to the gym, locker room, clubhouse, etc. $20 to ride, but I prefer to walk and apparently so do a lot of the members. Works out to $45 a week over 52 weeks. Definitely worth it for me; I'd hit range balls every day I don't play if they're free. It's one of the courses at which they played the Greater Jacksonville Open before Pete Dye built the Stadium course and it became the PLAYERS. I'm waiting on the call to set up my tour right now. Beyond excited.

[dsc123]

Originally Posted by JaxBomber17

Only ever played public and semi-private, and I try to stay under $40 a round, although I'll definitely spring for a pricey round at a nice course a few times a year, and I'm a Groupgolfer Florida member (you should join your state's Groupgolfer site if you haven't already. It's free, and it's like Groupon for golfers. My buddy in Melbourne and I are playing a course down there that generally charges $80 for $36 next month), so I use that a lot.

I'm about to join a country club just two miles down the street from my apartment. I'm under 40 (24), so it's $195 a month for unlimited range balls and walking, as well as access to the gym, locker room, clubhouse, etc. $20 to ride, but I prefer to walk and apparently so do a lot of the members. Works out to $45 a week over 52 weeks. Definitely worth it for me; I'd hit range balls every day I don't play if they're free. It's one of the courses at which they played the Greater Jacksonville Open before Pete Dye built the Stadium course and it became the PLAYERS. I'm waiting on the call to set up my tour right now. Beyond excited.

That sounds like a great deal!

[JaxBomber17]

Originally Posted by dsc123

That sounds like a great deal!

It's by far the best I found in Jacksonville, especially for the condition the course appeared to be in, and add the fact that it's less than five minutes away...in the long run, it'll save me a lot of money lol. In addition to playing a round on just about every off day at various courses, I hit a $10 bucket at my university's range several times a week, and that's a 15 minute drive.