Before becoming a member of a golf course, you should consider the following key factors: price; non-member fees vs member fees; location; the friendliness of existing members; whether or not you want a golf handicap; the quality of facilities; and your access to those facilities.
Full Answer
How do you become a member of a golf club?
Your proof could be a diploma or a transcript. Finally, background checks are a common requirement of golf clubs. If that's the case with of the club you hope to join, the membership staff probably has a specific protocol that they use for obtaining this information.
What if I don't know any members of a golf club?
If you don't know any members, call the golf club and ask if it is possible to take a tour before applying. It won't be quite the same as playing a round of golf with a friend, but it will still give you a good feel for the club. County club fees vary widely.
What questions should I ask before joining a golf club?
Here are 31 questions to ask before joining a club, to make sure you’re making the right move for yourself and your family. 1) Do you want a golf club or a country club? For starters, understanding the difference between a golf club and a country club is important.
Is joining a golf club a good way to progress?
Joining a golf club is a great way to progress in the game and it needn’t break the bank. Here we look at 7 cheap ways to become a golf club member. Becoming a golf club member is a great way for those starting out in the sport to progress in the game, to meet fellow golfers, to obtain a handicap and to start playing competitively.
What does being a member of a golf club get you?
The main benefits of joining a golf club include: being given a handicap and permitted to enter competitions; inclusion in special events; access to an unlimited amount of golf; convenience of your fees being direct debited; and reciprocal rights to play at other sister clubs at a discounted rate, or without charge.
How does joining golf clubs work?
At most clubs, there is a one-time fee that you must pay in order to become a member. This initiation fee is often the largest lump sum that you will have to pay to the club. Some clubs refund this amount if you leave the club, but not all do.
Do golf memberships make sense?
Of course the fundamental question you need to ask yourself is how often do you play golf and if you play at least once a week, it will probably save you money but if only play occasionally and are thinking of getting more involved, getting a membership probably won't make sense straight away, unless you are sure you ...
How much should I spend on a golf membership?
Annual dues tend to run in a range of $1,000 - $5,000 per year or roughly $100-$400 per month (depending on the type of membership: Family, Individual, Corporate, Out-of-State) although there many clubs that fall outside of either end of that range. Typically, the annual dues cover unlimited use of the golf course.
How do you get invited to a country club?
Many clubs require that you receive a reference from a current member before you will be allowed to apply.A current member may approach you with the suggestion that you join his or her club. ... You can look among friends and acquaintances for a reference. ... You can inquire with the golf club.
Are golf memberships negotiable?
Depending on how actively the club is recruiting members, you may have more room to negotiate than you think. Common things to ask for when you join are: Lower initiation fee. Guest passes.
Is golf worth the money?
This question will vary for all golfers, but for the most part, golf is worth it. You can learn to play golf with a lower budget, but golf will be expensive for many players. If you are enjoying yourself and you can afford it, continue to play golf.
How do you justify a golf membership?
They include:Hours of “unplugged” time with your spouse, children, friends or business associates.Exercise and continued challenge/development in the game of golf.The peace of being outdoors for long periods of time.Lifelong friendships that develop by spending hours with people who love the game as much as you do.
What is a 5 day golf membership?
It allows the time-rich to contribute less to the running of the club but to play every day Monday to Friday. They play in the mid-week competitions, senior matches and other events, they turn up for Sunday lunch at the club to join family members who have enjoyed their one round of the week.
Are country clubs for the rich?
There are some things that money can't buy. Membership to one of the world's most exclusive golf and country clubs is the most sought-after privilege for the rich and famous, and yet it is nearly impossible for the wealthy to become members.
How much is a golf club?
How Much Do Golf Clubs Cost? A Giant Guide With 32 ExamplesCLUB TYPEMENWOMENFairway Woods$242$185Hybrids & Utility Clubs$195$180Irons$886$612Wedges$111$1184 more rows
What do you wear to a Country Club interview?
Gentlemen should wear a suit (not a sports jacket and slacks) with a white shirt and tie. Ladies should wear equivalent business attire with an appropriate length skirt and closed toed shoes. Please be conscious of trying to be relaxed and, most importantly, prepared for your interview.
What does 10.5 mean on a driver?
A 10.5-degree driver will be best for golfers who have a slower swing speed or don't hit the ball on an upward attack angle. Average golfers typically hit downwards on the ball and they don't have the fastest swing speed, and since that's the case, a 10.5-degree driver is likely the choice.
How does a driver fitting work?
A Driver Fitting is a detailed process. It involves the customization of all the major aspects of a driver that can affect the playability, feel and overall performance of the club. Our trusted advisors use industry-leading TrackMan* technology to elevate your game.
What club should I use on a par 3?
Use a 9-iron on a short par-3 of about 130 yards. The 9-iron will help you get loft on the ball, and that's important because you want the ball to come in high and soft. If you come into the green high and soft, your shot is much less likely to bounce off the green.
How does an iron fitting work?
0:065:33Iron Fittings at Golf Galaxy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe fit you for lie angle. We should fit you for your shaft both type and stiffness will fit you forMoreWe fit you for lie angle. We should fit you for your shaft both type and stiffness will fit you for the proper grip size and the set makeup.
Do you need a reference from a club before applying?
Many clubs require that you receive a reference from a current member before you will be allowed to apply. A current member may approach you with the suggestion that you join his or her club. This can be the easiest way to gain a reference since the member is seeking you out. However, you can't count on this happening.
Do you need to turn in documentation for a club?
Clubs that cater to a particular demographic may have specific characteristics that they seek out in their members. If that's the case with the club you're applying to, you may need to turn in documentation that backs up what you have claimed on your application.
Do golf clubs require background checks?
Finally, background checks are a common requirement of golf clubs. If that's the case with of the club you hope to join, the membership staff probably has a specific protocol that they use for obtaining this information.
What is social membership?
This type of membership does not allow for any golfing rights, but it will give you the use of the clubhouse and the chance to participate in social functions.
Do you need credits to play Saturday Medal?
A game at off-peak times may cost relatively few credits, while a start in the Saturday Medal would require more credits. A flexible membership suits those who wish to become a golf club member but are unable to commit to playing on a regular basis.
Can you pay a green fee to play golf?
If you do want to play some golf occasionally, you can pay a green fee, which would be at a cheaper member’s guest rate at some clubs. Again, this type of membership is a good stepping stone towards full membership.
Can you play counting rounds in the World Handicap System?
With the new World Handicap System, you’ll be able to play counting rounds wherever you play so retaining your handicap will not be a problem.
Why do you need a golf club membership?
A golf club membership can help you save money in the long run (if you play regularly), add extra convenience and freedom to tee it up whenever you want, and provide a great opportunity to meet people through social events and competitions.
How often do golf courses run competitions?
Many courses run competitions several times a week and, for a small additional fee, you can join and win prizes in the pro shop or vouchers to spend in the clubhouse.
What is reciprocal golf?
Most golf clubs have a reciprocal rights program for members where you can play at a range of other courses, both intrastate, interstate or even internationally for a reduced fee, if any fee at all.
What is the importance of the greens and fairways in golf?
When becoming a member at a golf course, the greens and fairways – while they are crucially important – are only one element to factor in. Courses vary when it comes to the quality of clubhouse facilities, access to gyms, practice ranges, coaching and member perks.
Is a golf membership worth it?
But before you dive in and hand over a bucket load of money (some memberships will cost you thousands) you need to determine whether, for you, a golf membership is worth it. For anyone who plays golf regularly, a golf membership is definitely worth it. It is important you take into account how often you play, what you can afford and ...
Can you be a member of multiple clubs at the same time?
As long as you can afford it, you can be a member wherever you please and at multiple clubs at the same time. Keep in mind, though, that one club will have to be selected as your ‘home club’ where your handicap is held.
Why is it important to have an exclusive golf membership?
If that is something you think you could benefit from, then an exclusive golf membership is a great way to put yourself in front of people that matter, make the right kind of friends and find people to play golf with.
How to get a handicap in golf?
To get a golf handicap, you need to submit 3 scorecards to the club where you are a member. An official handicap will allow you to enter tournaments and competitions where you have the chance of victory and possibly even winning some prizes.
What happens when you pay membership to a golf course?
When you pay a membership to a Golf Club, you can expect a course to be in pristine condition. A lot of the better courses that house the professional events will be membership only and by joining a golf club you can get hands on access to the best courses in the world. A lot of the public courses can get run down and while they will still help you ...
How many hours of practice do you need to become an expert in golf?
The more we practice at something, the better we become and it has been said that 10,000 hours of practice will make us an expert in anything.
What happens if you have a course available all the time?
If you have a course available all the time the honeymoon period might end and you won’t fancy going out for around half as much as you thought you would or you just don’t have the time you thought you would.
Is it cheap to join a golf club?
Joining a golf club is usually not cheap, and the to make it financially worth your while you will have to play quite often. If you don’t get on the course, you are still paying a lot for the privilege of being a member without getting any real benefits.
Can public golf courses get run down?
A lot of the public courses can get run down and while they will still help you to improve your golf game, if you are going to commit to one club you may as well make it 1 with an awesome course.
How to Become a PGA Golf Pro
A PGA Golf Pro is usually someone who runs a golf course or has a golf-related professional and will be responsible for teaching, running tournaments, and other related tasks.
How to Become a Touring Pro
Becoming a touring pro requires much less formal coursework than becoming a PGA golf professional.
Final Thoughts
If you’re an avid golfer with a dream of making the game into your career, you have options to make this dream reality.
Member Age
The average member age is a good question to ask so that you can get an idea of the crowd. Some clubs are more traditional with older members while other clubs cater to younger members with more relaxed rules.
Tee Times
Make sure to find out if there are restricted Tee times with your membership. This is a question that is often overlooked.
Walking Restrictions
Some courses are more walker-friendly while other courses are pro-riding, meaning you'll need a golf cart for your rounds. Make sure to find out whether you have to pay a cart fee whether you walk or not.
Food Minimums
Don't forget that many clubs have food minimums that you're required to meet throughout the year. These minimums can range from $50 to $200 per month. If you don't think you'll be able to meet the minimums, a different club may be your only option.
Assessments
Learning about the age of the average member also makes sense to learn if there will be assessments in your membership in the near future. This is typical for clubs that have several older members that won't be around in ten years or so and therefore younger members will pick up financial responsibilities for the club.
What did Paul and Laura find?
Paul and Laura found a home they both fell in love with. They eagerly asked questions to the real estate agent about the golf operation and were given inaccurate information about the common practices of the club. In a nutshell, they purchased a home in a “bundled community” where every door had a membership included.
How many days a week did the Simmons play golf?
However, the Simmons’ wanted more concrete information, plus golf was extremely important to them. Playing five to six days a week was a must. Mens and ladies leagues, club championships and couples events were all on their “to-do list” as they searched for the perfect club.
Is purchasing a golf membership a personal decision?
Since purchasing a golf membership is such a personal decision, the answers to the questions below will help you make the most informed decision based on what is most important to you.
Who are Paul and Laura?
From a small town in upstate New York, Paul a retired factory worker and Laura a soon-to-be retired school teacher, they had little knowledge of the private club industry.
What are the pros and cons of golf?
Again these come with pros and cons. For instance, my home club is owned by an ownership group that is based out of state. Here are a few pros: 1 We don’t have to worry about assessments. 2 They pay for all capital improvements to the course and club. 3 No food or beverage minimums 4 Can resign at any time
How much is a monthly due to a golf club?
Monthly dues can range from a few hundred dollars a month up to $2,000 a month or more depending on the club. Most will likely fall in the $300-700 a month range.
What is a golf club?
A golf club on the other hand generally refers to a club that is all about the golf. Usually, you won’t find all of those extra amenities, and the social activities are more focused on the golf course than anything else. And you may not care if they have the course you want, but it’s worth considering.
What is the difference between a golf club and a country club?
Sometimes these terms are used interchangeably, but generally speaking a country club has more amenities and a greater social scene beyond golf. A country club will usually have a pool, tennis courts, pickleball courts, a gym, and so on.
What is non equity club?
A non-equity club is usually owned by an individual or a corporation. Again these come with pros and cons. For instance, my home club is owned by an ownership group that is based out of state. Here are a few pros: We don’t have to worry about assessments. They pay for all capital improvements to the course and club.
What is a country club?
A country club will usually have a pool, tennis courts, pickleball courts, a gym , and so on. They’re often more family-oriented with a greater emphasis on social events, as opposed to just activities revolving around the golf course. A golf club on the other hand generally refers to a club that is all about the golf.
Why are equity clubs good?
Equity clubs are great because the membership has a greater say in how the club is operated and where money is spent. But it’s not without its downsides.
