Course Membership

[Longdriver295]

I'm trying to decide if i should join my Local home course. The course I play 90% of the time is a Hybrid 9 holes. 2 different sets of tees for 18 holes. One time around you may play the hole as par 4 and the next time from different tee is a Par 5. Anyhow, I'm in SC where winters are fairly Mild can have 1 or 2 snows. The Membership fees are 1200 up front For year or 110 a Month. Cart fees are 8 bucks 9 holes 15 for 18 holes. I play roughly 3 times a week sometimes 4 in warmer months. I pay 20 bucks for 9 holes or 28 for 18, but I usually only play 9 holes when I play occasionally will play 18. Would a Membership like this be worth it?

[Bigarch]

 

I'm just messing with ya.  I go through the same thing every year trying to figure out if I come out better or worse with my local club.  The last 2 years I decided against it because I didn't want the commitment. 

Edited February 15, 2023 by Bigarch

[596]

If you play 2x per week x 52, x an average of $24 per round you'll spend $2496 per year. If the cart is included in your membership, it is much cheaper to join.  If the membership is only greens fee, then it would be almost a wash.  

 

Even if it's a wash, I'd join as member. Just for the convenience factor. 

[Longdriver295]

2 minutes ago, 596 said:

If you play 2x per week x 52, x an average of $24 per round you'll spend $2496 per year. If the cart is included in your membership, it is much cheaper to join.  If the membership is only greens fee, then it would be almost a wash.  

 

Even if it's a wash, I'd join as member. Just for the convenience factor. 

Cart fees are not included they are 8 and 15 bucks. And as I said above I 2 rounds a week would be a Minimum as I'm usually playing 3 to 4 rounds per week. So maybe on an Average due to winter months it may come put to 2 rounds a week

[david.c.w]

IMO financial benefit is a small part of the membership experience.  While it sounds like this is a yearly membership you can drop anytime, I would still venture to guess that the intangibles bring the most benefit.  Convenience, comradery, competitions, etc are more important to me than cost.

 

[Longdriver295]

1 minute ago, david.c.w said:

IMO financial benefit is a small part of the membership experience.  While it sounds like this is a yearly membership you can drop anytime, I would still venture to guess that the intangibles bring the most benefit.  Convenience, comradery, competitions, etc are more important to me than cost.

 

The 1200 up front is a non refundable fee. So if I pay that way if I drop anytime then I lose my money. Now the 110 a month if I chose to pay that way then yes I could drop anytime and not lose anything. 

[david.c.w]

2 hours ago, Longdriver295 said:

The 1200 up front is a non refundable fee. So if I pay that way if I drop anytime then I lose my money. Now the 110 a month if I chose to pay that way then yes I could drop anytime and not lose anything. 

 

Month to month sounds like a no-brainer.  Up front is only a 10% discount.  Not worth it.  

 

What do you pay after you become a member?  Golf included but pay for cart?  Do you get any benefits being a member?  Better tee times?  Range balls?  Tournaments?  Pro shop or Grille discount?

 

 

[Longdriver295]

18 minutes ago, david.c.w said:

 

Month to month sounds like a no-brainer.  Up front is only a 10% discount.  Not worth it.  

 

What do you pay after you become a member?  Golf included but pay for cart?  Do you get any benefits being a member?  Better tee times?  Range balls?  Tournaments?  Pro shop or Grille discount?

 

 

Cart fees 8 bucks for 9 holes, 15 bucks for 18 holes. Priority Tee times over general public, Tournaments, Pretty sure discounts on Range balls. 

[Longdriver295]

Also meant to say this is a public course not private. I also have 3 more courses all within a 25min drive from me. 

[deadsolid...shank]

To me, the month to month is a no brainer. If you can stop and start. For instance, if you had an injury or something that prevented you from playing for a while. Can you skip paying that month, then when you’re ready to go again, restart the payments?

 

The biggest perk (for me) for having a membership or pass is the ability to go out and play just a few holes.  You’re not always locked into 9 or 18.  If there’s any space out there, I do an awful lot of two hole rounds.  

[Longdriver295]

4 minutes ago, deadsolid...shank said:

To me, the month to month is a no brainer. If you can stop and start. For instance, if you had an injury or something that prevented you from playing for a while. Can you skip paying that month, then when you’re ready to go again, restart the payments?

 

The biggest perk (for me) for having a membership or pass is the ability to go out and play just a few holes.  You’re not always locked into 9 or 18.  If there’s any space out there, I do an awful lot of two hole rounds.  

Pretty sure you can't stop and start like that. They want payment whether you play or not.

[deadsolid...shank]

4 minutes ago, Longdriver295 said:

Pretty sure you can't stop and start like that. They want payment whether you play or not.

Ok, sorry, I misread the earlier post. 

[Treats]

5 hours ago, Longdriver295 said:

The 1200 up front is a non refundable fee. So if I pay that way if I drop anytime then I lose my money. Now the 110 a month if I chose to pay that way then yes I could drop anytime and not lose anything. 

Month to month is a no brainer. You'll play more as a member...guaranteed.

So you'll easily play 14+ times a month....that's $7.85/rd.

If you get bored playing the same course...especially it's only 9 holes...then quit.

Just join...there is NO RISK.

Hopefully you find 6+ regular playing partners to rotate and golf with.

Have fun and join.

[Longdriver295]

1 minute ago, Treats said:

Month to month is a no brainer. You'll play more as a member...guaranteed.

So you'll easily play 14+ times a month....that's $7.85/rd.

If you get bored playing the same course...especially it's only 9 holes...then quit.

Just join...there is NO RISK.

Hopefully you find 6+ regular playing partners to rotate and golf with.

Have fun and join.

But I have to add cart fees to that 7.85

[Treats]

6 minutes ago, Longdriver295 said:

But I have to add cart fees to that 7.85

You can't walk?...or is it cart mandatory?

$15 for a cart is cheap.....we pay up to $56 a cart at some courses here.

I walk 98% of the time....I want the exercise...besides...I hate carting.

[Longdriver295]

1 minute ago, Treats said:

You can't walk?...or is it cart mandatory?

$15 for a cart is cheap.....we pay up to $56 a cart at some courses here.

I walk 98% of the time....I want the exercise...besides...I hate carting.

Yes I can walk but I'm limited on that due to some health issues. Plus my wife has some health issues and she goes and rides in the cart with me when I play. 

[cristphoto]

I personally wouldn't join that course since it only has nine holes, despite the variable tee boxes.  So if everyone played the course twice (using each box) I would think the greens would show a lot of wear.  Nine holes would affect tee times greatly.  For instance if you had a 9am tee time and another group had an 11am tee time, who has priority when the 9am makes the turn.  Just a lot of clutter I would think. Eighteen holes gives you more variety and options. Also, when they aerate with only nine holes you're screwed.  Eighteen hole courses can do the front nine one week and the back nine later, so you have less impact on your round.  

[Longdriver295]

4 minutes ago, cristphoto said:

I personally wouldn't join that course since it only has nine holes, despite the variable tee boxes.  So if everyone played the course twice (using each box) I would think the greens would show a lot of wear.  Nine holes would affect tee times greatly.  For instance if you had a 9am tee time and another group had an 11am tee time, who has priority when the 9am makes the turn.  Just a lot of clutter I would think. Eighteen holes gives you more variety and options. Also, when they aerate with only nine holes you're screwed.  Eighteen hole courses can do the front nine one week and the back nine later, so you have less impact on your round.  

They put in new Diamond Zoiysa greens so no wear, Don't even make ball marks. And the Earlier Tee time making the 2nd round has Priority. I run into that a lot just going to play if someone is turning to play 2nd time I have to let them go. 

[AzRoger]

1 hour ago, Longdriver295 said:

Pretty sure you can't stop and start like that. They want payment whether you play or not.

My golf course offers both options, a yearly membership and a month to month that you can start/stop as desired, but the month to month is a lot more expensive on a yearly basis (~50%). The only ones that use it are the snowbirds that come down for the winter.

We used to have a local course that is similar to yours, play the same 9 twice from different tees, but it's now shutdown. I wasn't a member and for me playing it got old very quick, but as long as you know what you're getting yourself into.

[david.c.w]

10 hours ago, Longdriver295 said:

But I have to add cart fees to that 7.85

 

If you are quibbling over $7.85 then you are only setting yourself up for frustration.  

[Longdriver295]

14 minutes ago, david.c.w said:

 

If you are quibbling over $7.85 then you are only setting yourself up for frustration.  

Lol I'm not doing that. I'm just trying to decide if joining this course is worth it With it being ONLY 9 holes and a Public Course. I know I can save some Money that's not what I'm questioning. 

 

Also if the carts was included in that I would jump all over it! But I still have to pay cart fee Everytime I play. 

Edited February 16, 2023 by Longdriver295

[Abh159]

3 minutes ago, Longdriver295 said:

Lol I'm not doing that. I'm just trying to decide if joining this course is worth it With it being ONLY 9 holes and a Public Course. I know I can save some Money that's not what I'm questioning 

 

 

I'm typically a strong proponent against "joining" public golf courses, but if it will save you money why wouldn't you do it?

 

I guess I don't get why this is so confusing for you. Don't join = spend more money; Do join = spend less money.

 

Seems pretty simple...

[Longdriver295]

3 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

 

 

I'm typically a strong proponent against "joining" public golf courses, but if it will save you money why wouldn't you do it?

 

I guess I don't get why this is so confusing for you. Don't join = spend more money; Do join = spend less money.

 

Seems pretty simple...

Saving money is great! The thing I'm leary about is it only being 9 holes. It gets crowed quick in warmer months where they have to turn people away. I have played over there (on weekends) where there were 2 groups waiting on Tees. Through the week it's not that bad. I just don't want to get tired of just playing 9 holes 95% of the Time. But I guess the good thing about it if I join month to month I can just stop the membership wherever I get ready. But it's not where you can stop paying a month (Due to whatever) and then start back the next month.  But if I joined yes for just playing the 9 holes Plus a cart I would save about 4 bucks a round if I averaged 14 rounds a month

[Abh159]

5 minutes ago, Longdriver295 said:

Saving money is great! The thing I'm leary about is it only being 9 holes. It gets crowed quick in warmer months where they have to turn people away. I have played over there (on weekends) where there were 2 groups waiting on Tees. Through the week it's not that bad. I just don't want to get tired of just playing 9 holes 95% of the Time. But I guess the good thing about it if I join month to month I can just stop the membership wherever I get ready. But it's not where you can stop paying a month (Due to whatever) and then start back the next month.  But if I joined yes for just playing the 9 holes Plus a cart I would save about 4 bucks a round if I averaged 14 rounds a month

 

Okay so then it's only going to save you money if you play it exclusively which I guess you don't do now and don't really seem like you want to? Either way I think you're making this wayyyyy harder than it needs to be...

 

Do you want to play all of your rounds at this one course? Yes = join, No = don't join

[david.c.w]

7 minutes ago, Longdriver295 said:

Saving money is great! The thing I'm leary about is it only being 9 holes. It gets crowed quick in warmer months where they have to turn people away. I have played over there (on weekends) where there were 2 groups waiting on Tees. Through the week it's not that bad. I just don't want to get tired of just playing 9 holes 95% of the Time. But I guess the good thing about it if I join month to month I can just stop the membership wherever I get ready. But it's not where you can stop paying a month (Due to whatever) and then start back the next month.  But if I joined yes for just playing the 9 holes Plus a cart I would save about 4 bucks a round if I averaged 14 rounds a month

 

you are already playing 4 times a week in the summer.  You would already be sick of it

 

Just do the month to month and bail when it goes south.  

[Longdriver295]

2 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

 

Okay so then it's only going to save you money if you play it exclusively which I guess you don't do now and don't really seem like you want to? Either way I think you're making this wayyyyy harder than it needs to be...

 

Do you want to play all of your rounds at this one course? Yes = join, No = don't join

I usually play at minimum 3 days a week weather and all permitted. I do play other courses but probably 90% is at this course. I have 3 other public courses within a 25min drive of me 

[Longdriver295]

2 minutes ago, david.c.w said:

 

you are already playing 4 times a week in the summer.  You would already be sick of it

 

Just do the month to month and bail when it goes south.  

The advantage to this is Just saving a few bucks a round if at best I play 3 days a week. I was member at this course for years then they sold it and made it 9 holes as it's going to be a Camping resort. They done away with some holes on the back 9. They kept 6 holes on front and 3 holes on back. The rest of course is going to be a par 3 course and campground. 

[Roody]

Me personally, no way would I join a 9-hole course. All other variables like cost per round savings, etc - doesn't matter. I prefer playing a full 18 when I get out over just 9. I know you said they have different sets of tees, but it still wouldn't be my cup of tea. 

I think like many have said in this thread: if you don't think you'll get sick of playing this course over and over, then join. 

[Longdriver295]

4 minutes ago, Roody said:

Me personally, no way would I join a 9-hole course. All other variables like cost per round savings, etc - doesn't matter. I prefer playing a full 18 when I get out over just 9. I know you said they have different sets of tees, but it still wouldn't be my cup of tea. 

I think like many have said in this thread: if you don't think you'll get sick of playing this course over and over, then join. 

I wish I could play a full 18 everytime I play but health problems limits me to only playing 9 holes 90% of the Time. I play 18 with my brothers but that's only maybe once or twice a month. But again I do have 3 other courses near me I can go play 9 at those if I want. That's what kina of has me hesitant. I will just have to way my options and make a decision 

Edited February 16, 2023 by Longdriver295

[ReidE5]

My only reservations about becoming a member of a local club is the fact that I get bored easy and like to play different courses as much as possible.  When I first started golfing 1.5 years ago I got a membership at a cheap muni so I could get the most reps possible to learn quick.  It was $89 per month with only a $1 service fee each time you played. No cart fee, no initiation fee or anything.  Rounds are usually $40 or so there for 18 with a cart so it was a no brainer. 

 

 

I have started playing the Robert trent jones courses lately since there are a few really good ones that are 1-5hrs away.  Hard to beat the quality of those courses for the money.