Who's a member of a PRIVATE CLUB out there?

[jcard71]

I figured it would be cool to see who belongs to a privtae club and the biggest reason why?

For me, there are many reasons, but the #1 is being able to play a round in a little over 3 hours with the same foursome every weekend!

[Big_M]

I'm not currently, but I'm looking into joining one when I move. I would be interested in hearing what everyone pays for membership and what it includes. Also, if anyone knows a good club in the area just North of Charlotte, NC... please share.

[golfEnthusiast]

i am not a member of a private club, but i work at one.

i am still in college, but as soon as i can afford it, i will join one. I love the whole social atmosphere of a private club; how everyone knows each other. You could be on one hole, and see some people on another hole and be like, "oh hey there's mike and jim!" Also, the weekly leagues that go on at the club i work at are alot of fun, as are all the other social events. It's a great way to meet people, and make good contacts.

[jcard71]

  Big_M said:

I'm not currently, but I'm looking into joining one when I move. I would be interested in hearing what everyone pays for membership and what it includes. Also, if anyone knows a good club in the area just North of Charlotte, NC... please share.

My place is $4,750 annual dues and that includes unlimited golf and driving range and practice area...

[LBlack14]

I work at a Private Club with playing priveleges other than JUST Mondays and I'm a Member at a Semi-Private Club.

[Jeepthrills]

I am not a member at this time. I have always said my goal was to join a club by my 40th birthday. I have just under 3 years so I need to get on it. We are on a waiting list for a course in North West Michigan, but it is hardly a private club. Membership is only $375 for a couple for the year. It includes unlimited greens fees. Carts are $9 per person for 18 holes. I doubt we'll get in this year, but 09' looks good. By then I am hoping to have most weekends off and plan on going up to our place more frequently. We would have to play 25 rounds between my wife and I to have it pay for itself. That may not happen in 08' anyway.

[wingchamps]

Cost of our club is about $4k per year. Other charges add another $40 per month. I always walk but carts are $14 if you ride.
Club is golf and bar/restaurant only, not other frills, which makes for a great golf atmosphere. Definitely worth the fast rounds, open availability of play and getting with a regular group.

[marpr]

i am a member of a Private GC in Sydney. The Royal Gof Course. (unlimited playing/practice)

[b_diddy746]

Our Family belongs to a private club in Carmel, IN. It is called Crooked Stick, John Daly actually won his only PGA championship there! I saw it!! :) I dont know quite what the dues are but, i do know that the initiation fee is probably 80K. It blows my mind, but the club house is very nice, and the course itself is probably the best in Indiana....

[JMMARICH]

I have been kicking the idea around and contacted a few local clubs to my area. Here is what I was quoted this week:

Club #1 - 3 yr/10k promisary note commitment. 315 a month for being under 35 plus (includes 40 minimum of food). 18 holes, weight room, club, tennis, and pool.

Club #2 - 5k initiation. 350 month for Golf/range (crappy range)/pool/tennis. Also have 40 minimum a month for food. I like this club better, but I just found out they voted to close the course for 9 months for an overhaul. But I was told "Don't worry though, you can still use the clubhouse!". After the course reopens, 7500 to join.

--Josh

[FortAsel]

I'm a member in one. I don't pay anything, and I can get free tokens for balls for free. Plus, every year they give us, the juniors 3/4 polos with they're logo so that we can represent them. It's pretty cool.

[Big Lex]

I belong to a private club in northern NJ. It is what I've heard people call a "second tier" club, which I guess means it's a very nice golf course, but not one with any sort of national recognition or even statewide recognition beyond that of avid golfers.

I pay about 8k/year in dues, and there is a $110/month food minimum. A few other charges creep in, and I usually eat more than the minimum (taking guests to dinner, etc.), and I play in a couple of events that the club charges for, making the total yearly expense probably about 12k. The initiation fee is pretty small, about 15k, and I think this is probably negotiable, as many clubs in this part of the country are having trouble keeping adequate numbers of members and are giving breaks on dues and fees.

For me, it's a fine line as to whether it's worth it. Certainly the main benefit is vastly improved golf access relative to public courses, at least in my part of the US. In the warm weather, when I can play that weekend round in 3 hours, or play 4 holes after work in 40 minutes, the membership definitely seems worth it. I absolutely loved having the membership this summer. But it is alot of money, and if life gets busy and you can't play golf for a few weeks, you feel like you're pouring money down the drain. So some times during the year I love it, other times I'm not so sure.

Someone mentioned the social aspect. I think the social aspects of club membership are potentially fantastic. Seeing your buddies each weekend, sharing ownership in something you all love, eating together and partying with your families, etc. Of course, if the membership at your club is not "your kind of people," you will feel uncomfortable and out of place, so you sort of have to know the place before you join.

I enjoyed 2007 at my club and paid my dues for 2008, but to be honest it's year to year for me as to how long I'll continue.

If you decide to join somewhere, be sure you play the course (more than once if possible), and try to spend some time there to get a feel for the membership. Also, try to get some sort of "trial" membership, if possible, where you have a year or two to see how you like it before you commit money to any sort of buy-in.

[mancest]

I am, there aren't any other options within about 25 miles. Only a 9 holer, but I paid my annual dues for everthing (this includes 240 for food) and it was 1600. No range, only 9 but some differing tees to play a little different on the back and I can get on whenever I want. Can't complain for that kind of money!

[cbe_golfer]

So this thread is where you rich guys hang out.
Just kidding.

I will be a member one day. win a lottery or something..wait..win the masters..that'll get me into one.

[bogeyme]

  cbe_golfer said:

So this thread is where you rich guys hang out.

That would get you into one of if not the best Private Club. My aunt and uncle are members at a semi private club in Tennessee. I think they get unlimited golf, and pool. The best part is they are pretty much nieghbors to the golf course so when ever I travel down that way it takes me a whole minute to get to the course. They also have their own golf carts so I'm on the course as soon as I get there. I'm not sure how much they pay but I know I drop $35 a round when I play down there.

[Striper]

I belong to one here in Atlanta. Montly dues are about $300 a month. It's a full club with golf, tennis, pool, and clubhouse facilities.

You are more likely to get a deal in the off season (now) than when the weather starts warming up.

[jcard71]

  Striper said:

I belong to one here in Atlanta. Montly dues are about $300 a month. It's a full club with golf, tennis, pool, and clubhouse facilities.

My club is more in line with what you're paying. Every year the dues creep up a little, but with the economy the way it is, I don't kow how much longer they can do that.. Last year it was $4,500 and it went up to $4,750 this year. Im with the guy that said, while Im playing I think the money is sooooo worth it, but now in the New England winter...not so much.

[Lost Ball]

Lost Ball is a member of a private club and enjoys the benefits of the course, food, and members.