Country clubs are an american standard

[w0lverine]

They live or die by the economy.  that is to say financially but the standards and legacies of country clubs go back forever.  There is way more good than bad.  The point is the desire to join a club and play unlimited golf will always be in demand.  We just need a republican president to help stimulate that market.  That is my opinion!!

tell me what you think

[LuciusWooding]

I don't see how the president's party affiliation makes a difference. We have one that plays a lot of golf so that's a plus, anyway. The game will never grow under the country club system, and no new country clubs are going to be built. I am not surprised so many are closing down since public courses so often offer memberships at a better rate and there are many more to choose from.

People don't have the same lifestyle anymore. We're too busy to play a lot of golf in most cases for those who can afford it, and the country club lifestyle doesn't appeal to everyone. There are plenty who want to play golf casually and country clubs are too big an investment for almost any casual players. Not to mention, many clubs have a bad reputation because some are exclusive of certain groups; even though that's a small minority now, people associate them with snobbery and most people don't want to be a part of them. People basically play in leagues or groups that they organize if they want to, and you basically run into the same group of people if you habitually play the same course at the same times.

On Long Island, we have some of the most exclusive and prestigious clubs around, as well as a lot of old money families. I will probably never be able to play Shinnecock Hills unless I qualify for a US Open, earn billions in the stock market, save a Kennedy's life or pay 5 figures at a charity auction, despite the course being an hour away. Yet I can play Bethpage Black which is 15 minutes away, for under 70 bucks as long as I'm willing to wait in line (Or I can go 15 minutes the other way and play and practice for free at my course). Both are amazing courses that are literally ancient by American standards, but one is willing to be enjoyed by actual golfers while the other would rather remain an enigma.

For me, public courses are better due to the lower costs and more open atmosphere. I don't really play golf to socialize with other golfers, and I do play unlimited golf during off peak times. I don't have a locker for my clubs there, or overpriced merchandise, and they don't manicure the course like some places, but I don't really care as long as they keep cutting the grass.

[iacas]

Please leave politics out of it all. This isn't the Grill Room.

[BuckeyeNut]

Public courses have closed the gap on the "Upscale Golf" experience.   At one time, joining a club was almost necessary for an upscale golf experience.   Today......many public courses can compete head to head on an even playing field.

[newtogolf]

I don't think you join a country club solely to play golf.  You join it for social and professional networking where golf, tennis and pool are  added benefits.

When you factor in the cost of initiation fees, annual fees, food / beverage minimums, green fees, locker fees and cart / caddie fees the average member could never play enough rounds to drop the average cost per round below $100, at least here in NY.

It is nice to have a very well taken care of course with pace of play enforced and good bunch of guys to swap stories with on the 19th hole but I've been to plenty of nice muni courses and had great times there too.

[keyglobal]

Public golf isn't worth playing, I'd rather just hit balls on a range than play on a public course. I only play golf at the CC, I don't attend any functions, rarely make my food minimums, it's all about the golf.

[jdb1911]

Luckily I live in the Los Angeles area and I don't have to join a country club to play great golf courses. I can travel less than 20 minutes up to 2 hours and play some world class courses in Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, San Diego, Orange County and of course LA. So thankfully I have no idea what the draw is to belong to a country club

[BuckeyeNut]

I think keyglobal is just being a dumbazz to make the point that he is one with his third post

[LuciusWooding]

This site is a better community than a private club anyway.

[Dloy]

I just dropped a club membership. Yes, it was nice that I could leave the house and tee it up in 10 minutes. But, for what ever reason, I didn't play any more golf than before joining. And, I didn't really embrace the club mentality. Just not a "clubbie". I enjoyed some of the regulars but didn't join to make new friends or chum around in the bar. Even though you pay (big) to join, and have significant monthlies, everything else is still extra. Regular golf is not but if you sign up to play in any tournament or event, that's all extra. Didn't like the pro staff sucking up to me. But probably the biggest thing is that THAT IS WHERE YOU PLAY 90+% of the time. No regrets really but I'm just a blue collar player and enjoy meeting regular folks at various courses.

[Dave2512]

IMO the success of a country club depends on how good the entire package is. I've lived on and around a club half my life. I've seen firsthand the ups and downs and it's rarely due to the economy or golf. What hurts quite a few is inconsistent food and bev service. Was a time my parents club had a great chef and the place was packed. Now we are lucky to get a decent breakfast of bacon and eggs and it's more than you'd spend at Denny's for lesser quality. Over time if this isn't fixed members get tired of paying a premium (dues) to be dissatisfied even if the golf is good.

[w0lverine]

I think most of the posts are great for perspective but some important points are forgotten.  yes, country clubs are expensive but they are an investment.  your 50,000 dollar membership equals a piece of stock in the club.  That being said in two years the value might be double, I've seen it!!  Many clubs start to offer discounts for next generation members which even strengthens the choice.  The reason people join country clubs is the same reason they send their kids to private school.  They have the money too, for one, and they want the best.  The environment is great to raise children for those you are younger members.  Very little trouble, the pros are endless and of course there are some cons but I bet they are much surpassed.

I am at a club now in Orlando that is by invitation only now I know that sounds a little pretentious and waspy but let me say this.  wouldn't you want to invite your friends to fish where the fishing is good?  Moreover, I've seen people form great business relations and start their own companies.  I know some members who networked with each other and now they just create boutique banks and sell them to bigger banks making millions together and traveling about.  All because they joined the club and met the clientele.  Its like joining an investment syndicate and with power comes opportunities, hookups.  you can tap into everyone elses connections.  Whether you like it or not making more money helps your retirement be more fruitful and the ability to tap into the talent pool with other successful people is very nice to think about.  I haven't forgot about golf either I wanted to bring in some other aspects of clubs that I think is why they still have a stronghold in some areas.  If you have time just take a look at south florida, specifically naples and palm beach gardens it will give you different opinions.

please respond and share.

[Rick Martin]

Public golf isn't worth playing, I'd rather just hit balls on a range than play on a public course. I only play golf at the CC, I don't attend any functions, rarely make my food minimums, it's all about the golf.

There are a lot of good if not great public courses in our country - and I've been to several country clubs here in FLA where I wouldn't return even if given a free round.  I don't think you can generalize about all golf courses either way.

[RH31]

I joined a local CC last fall. I was previously a member at other CC's in the past so I know what I'm paying for. For me, it's all about being able to play a nice course, more or less

when I want to. I know it's going to cost me a lot more, maybe double what I was paying to play public golf. Then again, I'll probably play 30+ more rounds than I would have.

I'm really looking forward to no 7;30 tee times and no 4.5- 5 hour rounds this year.

[Strausy007]

Public courses have closed the gap on the "Upscale Golf" experience.   At one time, joining a club was almost necessary for an upscale golf experience.   Today......many public courses can compete head to head on an even playing field.

This is spot on in my opinion.  I enjoy golfing, when I'm deciding where to play I'm not thinking about swimming in a pool or playing tennis.  I want to play a nice course for a good rate.  Liberty Mountain Sky Resort has a yearly card, for $380 you get unlimited greens fees after 2pm (they typically let you on anytime after 12:30).  We normally play in the afternoon and that course is in great condition.

[keyglobal]

Let me clarify. There is good public golf in the country, just not around where I live. Public golf around here is 5 hour rounds at low, low, low quality tracks. At our CC I walk 9 in 1:15-1:30 depending on how well I'm hitting the ball, which is grand.

[w0lverine]

I joined a local CC last fall. I was previously a member at other CC's in the past so I know what I'm paying for. For me, it's all about being able to play a nice course, more or less

when I want to. I know it's going to cost me a lot more, maybe double what I was paying to play public golf. Then again, I'll probably play 30+ more rounds than I would have.

I'm really looking forward to no 7;30 tee times and no 4.5- 5 hour rounds this year.

Have you ever been to south florida to play golf?  Are you ready to retire or close?

[w0lverine]

This is spot on in my opinion.  I enjoy golfing, when I'm deciding where to play I'm not thinking about swimming in a pool or playing tennis.  I want to play a nice course for a good rate.  Liberty Mountain Sky Resort has a yearly card, for $380 you get unlimited greens fees after 2pm (they typically let you on anytime after 12:30).  We normally play in the afternoon and that course is in great condition.

That is a perfect example of a gem.  They are all over the place.  It would be nice if you could share your golfing news on my forum (country club talk) so others can understand where the good things are.  The idea is to share personal stories about your love for golf and your home course