Course Membership

[Gipper]

I am about to sign up for an annual membership in Indianapolis. I found a course that offers a walking rate of $650 with a $100 discount if signed up by March 1st. This sounds like a steal to me. The price includes the driving/practice range and has no restrictions. I am in just my second year of serious golfing and think this is a deal too good to pass up. The course has 18 holes designed by Gary Player and 9 holes of par 3's. I figure I can walk the par course during busy times and play the regular course when available. Is this too good to be true?

[billchao]

That's an amazing deal. I'd love to find something like that around me. How is the course? Is it in good shape? Will it be busy during the times you have available? How often do/will you play?

[JonMA1]

I'm not experienced to know what's a fair price, but I will say there's nothing like having an unlimited membership if you have plenty of time to take advantage of it.

I would confirm that there are absolutely no restrictions. Other than that, if you can afford it go for it.

[Gipper]

I am just moving to Indy so I know little about the course. I will be able to play early in the mornings or in the evening. I drove by the course and it looked good but you never know. But for a person who is just starting I think even if the course is not perfect getting to play often is huge.

[MrFlipper]

Sounds great! Just a couple thoughts---

Are the courses fun enough that you can play them over and over without getting bored?

How many memberships are they selling? If they are going to have too many members it will be hard to get on.

To me, it sounds like just the practice facility will pay for this all by itself.

[Gipper]

I am not sure how many they are going to sell. That is my thought, the range alone will pay for it self. My goal for the end of the 2015 season is to average in the 90s. I doubt I will get board and think this is a great opportunity to get lots of swings in.

[MrFlipper]

Sounds like a plan!

My guess is they are offering a smoking deal to get membership numbers up faster, better to have a bunch of members at a lower price than just a few at higher prices. Plus if the experience is good you will re-up for a little bit higher price each year.

Having a range and practice greens easy to access is really gonna help your game. Have fun!

[Beachball]

Gipper, what course is it that's making that deal?   I live just North of Indy but I've played a few of the courses in the downtown area.  I would say that is a pretty good deal but its not going to be one of the better courses would be my guess.  Still, I would take that deal.

[Joe Cartpath]

Unlimited practice is great!...IF you actually have the time to take advantage of it. Can you spare the time from work, family, etc., to practice 2 or 3 times a week? Is the course close to where you'll be living or working to make that easier to accomplish? The price sound terrific....IF you use the facilities enough.

What is the golfing season in Indy? Here, in Memphis, we can play 12 months...although less frequently from about December-February. That still leaves us a solid 9 months to play a LOT.

I've had annual memberships at three different courses over the years.

The first course I LOVED, the practice facilities were limited, but the price was great. The lack of practice facilities didn't bother me since I wouldn't have gone that far to use them often. I eventually got tired of driving 15+ miles each way to play golf, so I didn't renew.

The next one was very close to home, just as cheap, and also lacked practice facilities. I quit that one after only a few months. I hated the course. It was a subdivision course with houses right against the fairways...closer than any course I've ever played. The layout just wasn't fun at all....two of the holes actually played in the opposite direction that they were originally designed. Two other holes were altered (probably to avoid hitting houses) so that the best way to play one par 5 was to hit a 5 iron off the tee, then a 3 wood into another fairway, then a wedge to the green!

After I left that one, I joined one that was also close to home - but cost somewhat more. It had a good practice facility and unlimited range balls were part of the deal. I could practice on the way home from work...and even at lunch on occasion. I played about 130 rounds a year there for three years, and it's still one of my favorite courses. I finally quit after 3 years simply because I felt that I needed to play almost all my golf there to make the expenditure worthwhile....and I eventually tired of playing the same course almost exclusively. My membership expired 12/31/1999 and beginning 1/1/2000 I played 35 different courses before I ever repeated one :)

Sorry for the long post, but I hope it illustrates some of the things to consider when purchasing a membership...

[Gipper]

Gipper, what course is it that's making that deal?   I live just North of Indy but I've played a few of the courses in the downtown area.  I would say that is a pretty good deal but its not going to be one of the better courses would be my guess.  Still, I would take that deal.

Southern Dunes down southwest of the city... I am just in my second year of golfing and I am willing to shoot for quantity over quality of availability right now. Their clubhouse actually looks really nice and reviews of the course were decent.

[Gipper]

Unlimited practice is great!...IF you actually have the time to take advantage of it. Can you spare the time from work, family, etc., to practice 2 or 3 times a week? Is the course close to where you'll be living or working to make that easier to accomplish? The price sound terrific....IF you use the facilities enough. What is the golfing season in Indy? Here, in Memphis, we can play 12 months...although less frequently from about December-February. That still leaves us a solid 9 months to play a LOT. I've had annual memberships at three different courses over the years. The first course I LOVED, the practice facilities were limited, but the price was great. The lack of practice facilities didn't bother me since I wouldn't have gone that far to use them often. I eventually got tired of driving 15+ miles each way to play golf, so I didn't renew. The next one was very close to home, just as cheap, and also lacked practice facilities. I quit that one after only a few months. I hated the course. It was a subdivision course with houses right against the fairways...closer than any course I've ever played. The layout just wasn't fun at all....two of the holes actually played in the opposite direction that they were originally designed. Two other holes were altered (probably to avoid hitting houses) so that the best way to play one par 5 was to hit a 5 iron off the tee, then a 3 wood into another fairway, then a wedge to the green! After I left that one, I joined one that was also close to home - but cost somewhat more. It had a good practice facility and unlimited range balls were part of the deal. I could practice on the way home from work...and even at lunch on occasion. I played about 130 rounds a year there for three years, and it's still one of my favorite courses. I finally quit after 3 years simply because I felt that I needed to play almost all my golf there to make the expenditure worthwhile....and I eventually tired of playing the same course almost exclusively. My membership expired 12/31/1999 and beginning 1/1/2000 I played 35 different courses before I ever repeated one :) Sorry for the long post, but I hope it illustrates some of the things to consider when purchasing a membership...

I am not sure how long the Indy golf season is but my schedule is flexible enough that I should get plenty of opportunities.

[Beachball]

I've never played that one but used to play at Winding River which is right around the corner from there.  I just looked at the website and it looks like a pretty nice course.  At that rate, I would certainly jump on that.  As for the golf season in Indy, it really just depends.  As long as the courses are open you can play pretty much year round if you don't mind playing in the cold.  Most courses though seem to close in December and open back up in March.  You can find places that might be open earlier but it really just depends on the weather.

The one thing you will find in Indy is that in the summer you can play a lot longer into the evening.  In the height of the summer we will have sun well past 9pm since we are about as far West but still in the Eastern time zone.  I've been able to tee off around 6:30 pm and still get in 18 in the summer depending on speed of play.  Some nights I don't tee off until around 7:30 and easily get in 9 plus a few extra holes.

Unlimited practice is nice but in my opinion you will get better faster by playing.  Especially being in your second year of playing.  My daughter just finished her second season of playing and one of the things her teacher told us in the beginning was he wanted us playing and that he'd rather see us getting swings in on the course than on the range.  In fact, he many times would take her out on the course for lessons so he could put her in different situations.  Its really helped her progress.  You might find if you play later in the evenings that you won't be as pressed with crowds so you can really take your time and not worry about holding someone up.  Also, in July and August when its really hot, playing later is a bit nicer especially if you are walking.

The only thing to watch for with any course you join is understanding their schedule if they have leagues.  My course only has a few so there is only one night during the week that I typically can't start until 7:30 and then Saturday mornings is the Mens league so if I play its usually later in the afternoon.

[Gipper]

I've never played that one but used to play at Winding River which is right around the corner from there.  I just looked at the website and it looks like a pretty nice course.  At that rate, I would certainly jump on that.  As for the golf season in Indy, it really just depends.  As long as the courses are open you can play pretty much year round if you don't mind playing in the cold.  Most courses though seem to close in December and open back up in March.  You can find places that might be open earlier but it really just depends on the weather.   The one thing you will find in Indy is that in the summer you can play a lot longer into the evening.  In the height of the summer we will have sun well past 9pm since we are about as far West but still in the Eastern time zone.  I've been able to tee off around 6:30 pm and still get in 18 in the summer depending on speed of play.  Some nights I don't tee off until around 7:30 and easily get in 9 plus a few extra holes.   Unlimited practice is nice but in my opinion you will get better faster by playing.  Especially being in your second year of playing.  My daughter just finished her second season of playing and one of the things her teacher told us in the beginning was he wanted us playing and that he'd rather see us getting swings in on the course than on the range.  In fact, he many times would take her out on the course for lessons so he could put her in different situations.  Its really helped her progress.  You might find if you play later in the evenings that you won't be as pressed with crowds so you can really take your time and not worry about holding someone up.  Also, in July and August when its really hot, playing later is a bit nicer especially if you are walking.   The only thing to watch for with any course you join is understanding their schedule if they have leagues.  My course only has a few so there is only one night during the week that I typically can't start until 7:30 and then Saturday mornings is the Mens league so if I play its usually later in the afternoon.

l The league question is one I want to get figured out before I commit. I know as a walker Saturday and Sunday mornings are not really a good option but even getting swings in on the 9 hole par three course may be an option during these busier times.

[Gipper]

Do any of you have just walking memberships? I know that restricts the amount one can golf but I was wondering how often you are able to get out? My job is flexible so I could go out super early some mornings or play most evenings.

[MrFlipper]

Do any of you have just walking memberships? I know that restricts the amount one can golf but I was wondering how often you are able to get out? My job is flexible so I could go out super early some mornings or play most evenings.

I wouldn't worry about that, all the clubs I have ever belonged to had no riding requirement, we walked all the time, especially saturday morning men's club. And I'd sure recommend you join the men's club, great way to meet members and new friends, even if you don't always play in their tournaments. It's usually free anyway.

There should be no restriction on you if you want to walk.

If you want to pay extra for a cart, that's fine too, but I rarely ever did, and was never pressured to use a cart, ever. I've always believed in walking

[Gipper]

I have looked at the men's club but I am nervous to join due to my handicap. I am newer to golf and want to make sure everyday players don't have to put up with me.

[MrFlipper]

I guarantee you there are others in the men's club in your situation.

Just talk to the pro or whoever sets up the tee times, tell them your concerns. They will pair you up with folks of your handicap or with better players who won't be upset, and avoid pairing you with the low handicappers who don't like to play with folks who are new to the game. Even better, consider a playing lesson with the pro, not only do you learn the course but you get a new friend right away!

Everybody started new sometime

[Dave2512]

Really depends how the club is managed. Some are so small they can't pair by flights just have to play with another member to post a qualifying score that week. The only time the went off in flighted groups was in the tournaments. At both courses I play most the men's club is kind of clique-ish. Two years now I've tried to find someone that can play late in the day during league but I can't get anyone to break ranks. I am very friendly with all the guys, many are rangers, but they stick to their usual groups. Last year I saw guys waiting in the clubhouse hoping to find a club member to pair with so maybe I'll join this year. I wouldn't care how well they golfed.