What do you think is better PUBLIC or PRIVATE?

[Golf is to hard]

For about half of my golfing life i have belonged to a nice privet club with a tavern, pool, putting green, chipping green, ect. But I still remember those days of hopping from course to course and the excitement of each hole because you have never played them. In a way i miss that but im not looking back even though sometimes playing the same course 4 times a week can get boring but I still think there is no better way to improve your short game than to join a CC. But all and all it is a toss up for me.

So POST what you think.........

[lamebums]

If I could afford it, I would join a private club. It'd be an excellent opportunity to get to know other people like myself (in such a case--needless to say I'd be...a rich guy if I could join a CC), make golfing friends, as well as provide an excellent place to make a business deal, especially if I were asked to by someone.

It wouldn't stop me from hitting public couses - I will always play at public courses, because there's so many more of them - it's a great thing when you don't know exactly where to place and bounce your ball off every hill imaginable to get the best lies possible. And, they're cheaper, of course.

[Dent]

I am part of a CC. I dont like the people there, i dont like some of the workers, and i dont like all the egos and bragging there. If i would id go to a different country club but all my friends are there. The last week of golfing I kinda get tired of playing the course. But its great cause after being a member there for 3 years you really know the course.

[ActionJackson]

I can/could afford a CC but with public courses like Los Verdes, which I call pebble beaches little public brother, lol, why bother? There are a multitude of very well maintained public courses at least 7 that I can name right now within 30 minutes driving distance, and alot of 9 hole, 3 pars as well which on a weekday cost about $7 U.S. to play....they are fun for a quick play after/before work or practicing short game. As far as golfing season?...this is Southern California, there are no weather "seasons" really except for a few extra days of rain in Jan/Feb....we've had Christmas at 90 degrees....it's always golf/sports season here.

-Adam J.

[iacas]

I play at two private courses (see the sig). The one also happens to be public, actually, but I have a membership.

For me, with the amount of golf I play, a country club type thing only makes sense. It saves me money, even factoring in that we pay dues during the winter.

And I still have enough time and money to play some local public courses a few times per month if I choose.

Nobody can answer this question for you. We don't know your tastes, habits, or financial situation.

[Mhinderaker]

For me, at my age (15), it just simply doesn't make sense to have a junior membership at a club when I can pay 400$ to the city, and be able to play any city course (there are 7 within 20 minutes of my house) for free Monday - Thursday, Friday before noon, Saturday and Sunday after sunday.

So yeah I'm pretty lucky to live in Salt Lake City.

[Dent]

For me, at my age (15), it just simply doesn't make sense to have a junior membership at a club when I can pay 400$ to the city, and be able to play any city course (there are 7 within 20 minutes of my house) for free Monday - Thursday, Friday before noon, Saturday and Sunday after sunday.

Good point, but where i live some of the courses owned by the government are not cared for and i dont want to pay 21 bucks for a course that doesnt even have a green on the 12th hole (which is actually true on a course near my house). The only courses close to my house are all little par 3 courses, and the one that is close is really in bad shape because the government doesnt care about it.

[Matt P]

There are a lot of great public courses around south east Michigan, however, most of the better ones take a little bit of driving 30-60 minutes to get to. There are a few really nice CC nearby, but I don't have anywhere near the money to be able to join them. Some have initiation fees of 10-20K and up. One question I have for the CC members, do your monthly dues also account for your green fees, or do you have to pay more for that. I imagine you would have to pay for a cart if you want one. If I hit the lotto or if my children like to play golf (long time away) then I can see my self paying, but right now I don't have the option, and I like to play a variety of courses.

[hurley9192]

most fully private clubs the green fees are paid for...our fees are about $500/month and that entitles you to full use of all facilities including tennis, pool, workout and dining.

[tigerwho?]

Privet all the way. You get fast greens and all the practices you need.