Which Golf Course Membership

[iacas]

That is true, the basic concept of a membership is to play enough to cover the membership price. That would basically be over 57 rounds a year with out considering free driving range use.

Plus, with a membership, you can play four holes, seven holes, 12 holes… or whatever. You can play a three-hole loop. You can do all sorts of stuff like that, which is nice.

[Lihu]

[QUOTE name="saevel25" url="/t/79210/which-golf-course-membership#post_1095446"] That is true, the basic concept of a membership is to play enough to cover the membership price. That would basically be over 57 rounds a year with out considering free driving range use.[/QUOTE] Plus, with a membership, you can play four holes, seven holes, 12 holes… or whatever. You can play a three-hole loop. You can do all sorts of stuff like that, which is nice.

That flexibility is really great. I've enjoyed it so far.

[CarlSpackler]

Plus, with a membership, you can play four holes, seven holes, 12 holes… or whatever. You can play a three-hole loop. You can do all sorts of stuff like that, which is nice.

This is why I've enjoyed memberships in the past. Great practice on course, even if I didn't have time to get a whole 9 / 18 in. When I belonged to the (sh)city courses, I could run out to Kittyhawk and play 4-5 holes on the executive at lunch or before a round to warm up. I'm tempted to join again this year. $850 unlimited play (walking) on Kittyhawk (2 - 18 hole regulation courses + 18 hole executive), Community (2 - 18 hole regulation courses), or Madden (18 hole regulation). That's a lot of options for the dollar, but conditions certainly aren't as nice as the other two courses. For $850 though, I got a LOT of golf in and it wasn't so expensive that I felt pressured to only play there. The downsides are that the courses aren't as nice and range balls are not included. It would be nice if pass holders would get a discount at least. You also need to invest join the Men's Assoc ($25) to get into GHIN, but that's chicken scratch.

It's never an easy choice.

[saevel25]

This is why I've enjoyed memberships in the past. Great practice on course, even if I didn't have time to get a whole 9 / 18 in. When I belonged to the (sh)city courses, I could run out to Kittyhawk and play 4-5 holes on the executive at lunch or before a round to warm up. I'm tempted to join again this year. $850 unlimited play (walking) on Kittyhawk (2 - 18 hole regulation courses + 18 hole executive), Community (2 - 18 hole regulation courses), or Madden (18 hole regulation). That's a lot of options for the dollar, but conditions certainly aren't as nice as the other two courses. For $850 though, I got a LOT of golf in and it wasn't so expensive that I felt pressured to only play there. The downsides are that the courses aren't as nice and range balls are not included. It would be nice if pass holders would get a discount at least. You also need to invest join the Men's Assoc ($25) to get into GHIN, but that's chicken scratch.

It's never an easy choice.

The reason I was choosing being the two listed is to play a tougher course. Those three courses are not really that tough.

[CarlSpackler]

The reason I was choosing being the two listed is to play a tougher course. Those three courses are not really that tough.

That's for sure. Wasn't trying to change your mind. My vote is still Beavercreek between the 2.

[RH31]

I wouldn't worry about a few extra bucks or a few minutes drive time. I'd go with what I thought was the nicer facility especially if I liked

the layout of the course more. The indoor part was a bonus as well. I voted Yankee

[NJpatbee]

I would select Beavercreek due to the lack of additional cart fees and the distance.  Living in the NY Metro I am very jealous of those fees!

[saevel25]

After going on my golf trip for the spring it is time to get a golf membership. I want to play regularly at a tougher course. Unluckily Dayton seems to be the starter golf course mecca of Ohio. There are a few options though.

Beavercreek GC

Cost: $1999 (Lump) or $2300 (Installments)

Benefits: Carts included, 14-day advanced tee times

Distance: 18 miles round trip or 15 minute drive one-way

Course: Rating: 73.3, Slope: 130 at 7000 yards (recently downgraded, use to have a higher slope rating)

Yankee Trace GC

Cost: $1995 + $150 (Range)

Benefits: No Carts ($7.00 per 18 holes, not a bad rate)

Distance: 30 miles round trip or 30 minute drive one-way

Course: Rating: 73.6, Slope: 136 at 7100 yards (tougher 2-9's combined)

As for practice facilities,

Yankee Trace: 8/10 - huge driving range, indoor hitting area, short game area

Beavercreek: 4/10 - limited range golf balls on a short driving range

Golf Courses,

Yankee Trace: 8.5/10, consistently rated the best public course in the area since I've been in Dayton.

Beavercreek: 7.5/10, rated close to Yankee

Cost Analysis - Assuming going to the range 3 times a week and playing 4 times a week (two-9 holes, 2-18 on weekend)

Beavercreek GC

Weekly rates: $25 (9-holes), Weekend Rates: $40 (average before 2:00 pm rate and after 2:00 pm rate), Driving Range Medium Bucket $6.00

Weekly Cost: $50+$80+$30 = $160

Break Even Point: 12.5 weeks

Yankee Trace GC

Weekly Rates: $22, Weekend Rates: $32, Driving Range: $6.00

Weekly Costs: $44+$64+$30 = $138

Break Even Point: 16.5 weeks, assuming added cost of gas and added cost of riding a cart.

Shockingly Yankee has some really really good rates in the afternoons. $27 for 18 holes with a cart

Maybe I can talk Yankee into throwing in that Range pass for me

Question is, the price difference is $1999 versus $2150 + $7.00(cart)/play, but you get a better practice facility, indoor hitting stalls, and short game facility.

I think I'd rate Yankee the slightly better golf course. I'm kinda starting to lean towards Yankee. I should make up my mind soon. If Yankee can throw in the range pass I'd think I would go with them.

[SavvySwede]

Have you looked at each of the club's calendars? You want to make sure they aren't running leagues or something during times you are most likely to play. You should also pop in at various times to check out the pace of play situation.

[iacas]

In addition to what @SavvySwede said, two things are knocks against Yankee Trace:

• It's farther. I'll take a quick drive over to Whispering Woods because it's ten minutes away (tops). Driving out to play Green Meadows at 25-30 minutes is a once-a-month type thing. Plus there's extra automotive (car) gas to get there.
• The $7 will gnaw at you every time you play.

If you play 50 times, that's another $350.

Give each of those the weight they deserve, and kind of come up with what you feel is the actual total cost to play at each, and go from there.

[saevel25]

In addition to what @SavvySwede said, two things are knocks against Yankee Trace:

It's farther. I'll take a quick drive over to Whispering Woods because it's ten minutes away (tops). Driving out to play Green Meadows at 25-30 minutes is a once-a-month type thing. Plus there's extra automotive (car) gas to get there.

The $7 will gnaw at you every time you play.

If you play 50 times, that's another $350.

Give each of those the weight they deserve, and kind of come up with what you feel is the actual total cost to play at each, and go from there.

That's true. The fact Yankee has some great green's fees, only $27 dollars after 3pm on weekends would make it a good choice to play every once in a while as a change of pace. Yea I think Beavercreek is still the best value.

Yea I think that beavercreek is still the best option.

[iacas]

Yea I think that beavercreek is still the best option.

You can always change your mind next year. It's not like you're locking yourself in to a lifelong membership with an initiation fee.

[saevel25]

That is true

[CarlSpackler]

The real courses are the private ones.

[Mac62]

I'd give serious consideration to if/how much you like to practice during the winter.  If you don't like taking a full layoff from golf during the winter months, Yankee Trace's indoor range would be a significant advantage (not to mention the short game practice area for the rest of the year as well).  Depending on how many cold/snowy months you have there, you may get a lot more use out of your membership than at Beavercreek, where it appears you'd be essentially shut out during all those months.

[saevel25]

Update, just got my membership to Beavercreek GC today :) #goingtoplaylostofgolf

[iacas]

Update, just got my membership to Beavercreek GC today :) #goingtoplaylostofgolf