COMMUNITY

I've looked into joining country clubs in the past and like you, I wouldn't think I would want to play the same course over and over again. Though I do play 1 course more than any other.

I have looked into the pricing on these and most of the time it works out if I was just to play there and pay the regular green fees instead of all the "other" charges this particluar country club was going to charge. ie. food and beverage minimums.

We are lucky and we have a card that allows you to play 4 different courses for $24.95 per round (w/cart) any day of the week for a year. All 4 of these courses have green fees ranging from $35 - $60 depending on the time of week and year. Card costs $100 to purchase.

You also get 2 free rounds of golf at the course you buy the card at, free range balls for the year, 10% off in the clubhouse and free case of golf balls as well.

Its not a bad deal for us around here and I use it as much as I can. Good luck on the choice if you want to do it or not.

I would love to join a local country club. If not for the year round golf, at least for the driving range priviledges and hopefully they would have a reciprocal program to play other private courses that you can't get on now because your not a member. I would check into that 1st to see if they have that--

I've been a member of my country club for a couple of years, and I really enjoy it. You have to weigh in all the pros and cons before deciding, though.

My club was quite reasonably priced, especially for my age bracket. It's a great golf course with a good amount of challenge, so it doesn't get boring if I play it a lot. It's always in good shape, as most private clubs are. And what I found was that I was spending just as much to play 6 to 7 rounds on the more upscale public tracks each month. So for me it was a pretty easy decision. Because, on top of golf, I can go to the driving range any time I want (the balls are already out there), use the pool and tennis courts, eat in the grill, get discounts on pro shop merchandise, etc. Here's the website for my club... www.oakmontclub.com (no, it's not THE Oakmont!).

In addition, most private clubs host lots of fun member-only tournaments and golf outings throughout the year. Ask the head pro about special golf events

But that's MY situation. Yours might be different. You have to ask yourself a couple of questions:

1 - How much money do I spend on rounds of golf already?
2 - Does that amount roughly equal or exceed the monthly dues at this club?
3 - Will I make use of the amenities (because you're paying for 'em!)?
4 - Do I like the atmosphere and the people at the club? Some private clubs are snooty, some are not.
5 - Finally, and probably most important, do I like the golf course?

Talk to the head pro at the club and ask him any questions you may have. Private clubs are always looking for new members, especially in this economy, so they will often give you a pretty good deal on membership. Also, ask to play the course. If they know you are looking at membership, they'll probably get you on for free. Then you can check the course out to see if you enjoy it.

I belong to a country club as well. For me at least the benefits are such:

1) I can play an 18 hole round in under 3 hours and thats walking.

2) The fairways and greens are magnificently maintained, which means when I putt I feel ultra confident that all I need is to get my putt rolling on-line.

3)Great practice facilities with a putting green, a chipping green and a bunker work area

4) A pool for the family

5) I can take my wife and kids out for 6 holes of golf and it doesn't cost anymore money

6) Next year at the age of 6 my daughter can join the junior golf clinics which cost $45 for the entire summer of lessons, rounds etc.

7) The club caters to my needs. I play in the National Hickory Championship which is a pre-1900 golf tournament. My club cuts a green for me and me alone to practice on...with a stimp of 3.

8) We also have the best teaching professional in the state.

9) Great food.

10) A workout facility, massage therapists, a physical trainer, and sports therapists all working on-site. Some of these you might get...to get them all in one is fantastic.

I joined one this past Jan. for the first time since I was in highschool. To be honest with you I have become bored with it playing the same course over and over and over. But I really didnt do my research and since then I have ben slipping off to another course everyonce in awhile that is by far a better course with the pool and so on. Got to talking to them and there memberships are about the same as what Im paying now for a muni that every tom dick and harry hits into you at. Plus its much cleaner. I can hit a ball a little out of the fairway and find it where as the one I am a member at I take a lost ball it seems every 2 holes due to pine cones, leaves, pine straw and so on. Ive even lost a ball in the middle of the fairway a couple times. Memberships have the advantages but I would suggest doing your research first. Its about like getting married, and since I've been divorced twice already you can tell I dont research much.

Find out the different membership rates (local, regional, national) and you may find 1 that will better suit your pocketbook, or golf game. For example- local is 30miles or less from clubhouse, regional 31-60miles, and national is 61+ miles. How would this be better? You may find out that on regional and national memberships they waive the "minimum purchase" that is required monthly. So that money saved goes into the equation. I have a feeling you will already travel to play golf 40miles away on weekends like most of us. It is just part of the game to get up and travel and play 18. However, its not part of the game to travel and practice. Last I checked, its free to go to any golf course and chip and putt close to the house, or after work. 2nd, you may find a course that has a much better layout, and more enjoyable to play. Plus the staff and members may be more to your liking. As EddieGarrison mentioned, you also may find that a club farther away may offer "sister memberships" to other facilities state, or nation wide. Most courses fall under some type of Umbrella management, and honor discounted rates, or free play with there other course with a membership.
Just have to get more actual data on what you are willing and able to do with other clubs, versus the local 1 next to your house. I was a member of a club back in the mid to late 90's, and I drove 45miles to it. I qualified for the regional membership. With that said, after joining the club, I found myself working more and more closer to the club in traveling for construction. Some weeks, or even months, (pending on the size of construction project) I was only 10 or so miles from the club. Granted there was a great Golf Academy (3 courses) 8 miles from my address that I could of joined, but the club farther away just had more to offer for less money in the long run. After my 1st year of being a member, my wife and I split, and I relocated even farther from the club. I then qualified for the National membership, and I still drove 90+ miles on Saturdays and Sundays to play there. It was worth the drive, and my rate was cheap. Members can bring a guests to play, so my bud chipped in for gas. Oh yeah, I still would end up working construction sites 30miles or less from the club.

I will add to that...

I would say that you are better positioned now than perhaps ever or at least since the Great Depression to name your terms, especially if you have several country club options. Most clubs are bleeding members. My own club was down members until they enacted there current membership drive with specials.

One special is 1/2 membership dues for a year.

I would see if you can negoitate your terms...initation fee, monthlys etc.

For instance lets just say the inititaion fee is $6000 and your monthly is $500. I would see if you could get them to drop the initation all together and maybe get your monthly to $400.

What ever you do...don't pay sticker price. You can probably hit up the most exclusive clubs in the whole country and only a few are not looking for members. Bear that in mind when you sitdown with your prospective club.

I could tell you what I renegoitatied with my club, but I'd have to do it in private. I am sure they would prefer me to keep it off the boards.

Out here in the Phx. area, I am seeing Country Clubs advertising on TV. I have never seen this before, and now they are promoting membership specials everywhere. Obviously due to the economy. No minimum purchase fees for 3months with a purchase of 1 year membership. Secondly, country clubs are now going semi-private or even public to bring in some type of revenue. Golf courses are hurting for revenue, and Lyin is correct, "barter" you price with the club. Negotiate and flex your military service. Good luck.

I am too "poor" to afford a country club membership. If I wanted to I could get one and waste all my year's money, but I'd rather play my public courses which are in the shape of private courses and have some similaraties to country clubs. I'm gonna steal some Lewis' reasons from above here: If alone, I can play in 3.5 hours walking. The fairways, greens, and teeboxes are in excellent condition, great driving ranges and short game and bunker practice area, no pool, but my neighborhood pool is 5 minutes from my house walking, one course has one of the best pros in Colorado, and all of them have great food.

My next door neighbor takes me golfing to a private course in the area a few minutes away and it's the only course he plays throughout the season unless he's on vacation. I'm not gonna waste my money to play one expensive course rather than 5 cheap courses which are still in great shape.

Thank you all for your replies

Hmm, it's always an interesting question to join a Country Club, especially for Socializing purposes etc. You get to meet new people to golf with, if they offer swimming etc., there are also incentives for the family. I have thought about this many times already, yet always come to the same answer for myself, which I wanna point out to you having read your post...Well, even if the rates they charge are reasonable, you still work full time, most likely 5 days a week, so you are pretty much limited on your golfing time during the week, which then leaves the weekends mostly. Then you should ask yourself if you are going golfing on both Sat and Sun every week? I just assume that's a no. So, since during the week, one works, all clubs usually have evening specials going, so that you can golf a quick nine for cheap. Since you probably won't golf every Saturday and Sunday, 40 - 100 USD is reasonable...However, if you join, you wanna get the most golf for the price you pay. Also, are your golf buddies thinking of joining? One should never forget that. Country Clubs often have limitations to when you can bring guests etc. and they usually would have to pay. So they always get the short end and might not wanna golf that much then. And, if they wanna golf somewhere else, you gonna wanna play and have to pay. It's always a balancing act, but to me these have always been the reasons to opt out on joining a CC...

In Quebec, country clubs are just too expensive... It's at least 4-5K per year + bar bills, etc. for only 6 months of golf. It's still less expensive for me to play public courses. Plus I can try many different courses and that's pleasant. Some public clubs are now offering discounts if you buy 20-30 parties, which is just perfect if you really like a course.