Best National Memberships 2023

[monty09]

20 hours ago, Dancin said:

Being slammed in winter is a big issue at many Florida privates now that more people are working remotely. They heavily oversold memberships based on assuming only a certain percentage of the members would be around at different times during winter. That was fine in the past but now with remote work being allowed these clubs are discovering almost all their members are spending the whole winter in FL instead of just a month or two and members struggle to get tee times. TPC Treviso Bay in Naples is a big example of that. I think they have something like 600-700 members who are mostly spending the whole winter there now.

 

 

agree big time.... I play in Naples some winters and use to be dead for the most part.. now its tough to even get a good dinner resv

[oneunderbogey]

On 8/23/2023 at 11:50 AM, StudentGolfer4 said:

Regardless of what we think of the cost associated with dormie network, I doubt the members really care. 
 

I know 10-15 guys that are members and none of them blink at the cost or price structure. All but 2-3 of those members only use the properties 3 times a year max. If you’re paying close to 8k (650x12) for single digit rounds a year the cost is an afterthought. And I can assure you none of these guys are charging their guest for any of the trip. 

 

Those are the members they want and are moving towards but definitely not anywhere near 100% of the members they currently have.   

[Robber6656]

On 8/24/2023 at 2:10 PM, Dancin said:

Being slammed in winter is a big issue at many Florida privates now that more people are working remotely. They heavily oversold memberships based on assuming only a certain percentage of the members would be around at different times during winter. That was fine in the past but now with remote work being allowed these clubs are discovering almost all their members are spending the whole winter in FL instead of just a month or two and members struggle to get tee times. TPC Treviso Bay in Naples is a big example of that. I think they have something like 600-700 members who are mostly spending the whole winter there now.

Treviso is a bundled community. EVERYONE that live there is a member. Chelsea system....

[CHRISTOPHER DESANA]

On 8/23/2023 at 12:29 PM, jibbs1082 said:

 

Chechessee Creek Club (low country)

Succession (low country)

Old Memorial (Tampa)

 

Any of these (3) are no brainers IMO.

 

 

I am currently in contact with Chechessee. Have not played the curse just took a quick drive back there while visiting a buddy in the area who has played it and liked it. Going to have to figure it out between now and retirement.

[coreymitch5]

On 11/19/2023 at 6:00 PM, CHRISTOPHER DESANA said:

I am currently in contact with Chechessee. Have not played the curse just took a quick drive back there while visiting a buddy in the area who has played it and liked it. Going to have to figure it out between now and retirement.

Any news on their pricing?

[Husker4theSpurs]

New Nationals for Dormie are $10,000/yr + initiation. Go the auction route if you can find one as it's basically a year trial. Auctioned memberships provide a tax deduction for Dormie Network and those along w regional and national memberships are kind of filler for when the signature members don't book up the courses. They are in a process of churning thru members a bit as there's not a ton of incentive for them to keep them.

You can also join as a signature for 80 room night commitment per year with 2 designees. Generally have to sign a 4 yr contract.

 

They're creeping more and more toward solely a corporate model. You're apt to run into difficulty booking some weekends due to campus takeovers. You might have your weekend cancelled if a corporation wants to take over the campus after you've booked.

 

The new stay and play all inclusive at GrayBull and Dormie Club are $1150 + taxes and fees for one night two days (probably $1300 or so?) and includes a noon to noon all inclusive food and drink and forecaddie ... and you're not guaranteed all day play on either day ... mostly due to possibility of bumping into a campus takeover either day. You can look at it two ways ... Dormie Club and GrayBull will be the premiere sites that demand a premium to play even by the member ... or you have access to two less courses for your dues. Two days, one night of golf at Dormie Club cost a member $275 + cost of whatever they drink and eat in 2023. For 2024 that will be approximately $1300.

For courses that aren't stay to play they tend to load them up with unaccompanieds. They do have limited regional memberships if you live too close to one of the courses, but you're generally taking a back seat to any of the persons staying on site as they can book tee times up to a year out versus 30 days for a regional or national not staying on site.

[Gmoney777]

On 8/23/2023 at 12:29 PM, jibbs1082 said:

 

Chechessee Creek Club (low country)

Succession (low country)

Old Memorial (Tampa)

 

Any of these (3) are no brainers IMO.

 

 

Any more info on Old memorial nat membership? Would be extremely interested.

[greyman09]

Check out Waynesville Inn and Golf Club. 

[Facej20]

Check out Firestone for National memberships. 

[TennisAndGolf]

On 12/25/2023 at 3:57 PM, Gmoney777 said:

Any more info on Old memorial nat membership? Would be extremely interested.

national membership is at least $70k initiation with $9k annual dues.

[Gmoney777]

18 hours ago, TennisAndGolf said:

national membership is at least $70k initiation with $9k annual dues.

Decided to go with concession national membership. Fantastic deal compared to old memorial. That might be the highest national membership in the world😂

[Schley]

On 8/23/2023 at 7:50 PM, StudentGolfer4 said:

Regardless of what we think of the cost associated with dormie network, I doubt the members really care. 
 

I know 10-15 guys that are members and none of them blink at the cost or price structure. All but 2-3 of those members only use the properties 3 times a year max. If you’re paying close to 8k (650x12) for single digit rounds a year the cost is an afterthought. And I can assure you none of these guys are charging their guest for any of the trip. 

Of course those guys don't blink, they are still members!  😀

On 8/23/2023 at 7:52 PM, Dancin said:

I believe Old Barnwell and Tree Farm are already full and on waiting lists

Yes, however inquire as I don't believe the wait should be that long.

On 2/9/2024 at 12:53 AM, Gmoney777 said:

Decided to go with concession national membership. Fantastic deal compared to old memorial. That might be the highest national membership in the world😂

I'm sure you are kidding, but no there are some quite a bit higher. Not for people looking for value, but quality.

[Gmoney777]

On 2/10/2024 at 7:40 AM, Schley said:

Of course those guys don't blink, they are still members!  😀

Yes, however inquire as I don't believe the wait should be that long.

I'm sure you are kidding, but no there are some quite a bit higher. Not for people looking for value, but quality.

Yes just joking around. Can’t knock om because it is amazing, but don’t think it’s worth 70k to play a few times a year. Would be much easier to find a member who’d take you out the same amount of rounds. Just my opinion though.

[TennisAndGolf]

On 2/8/2024 at 3:53 PM, Gmoney777 said:

Decided to go with concession national membership. Fantastic deal compared to old memorial. That might be the highest national membership in the world😂

can you DM me on the national membership? I know the initiation was silly at old memorial but the post Covid national membership dues I’ve seen are all…questionable to say the least

[CHRISTOPHER DESANA]

On 8/23/2023 at 12:29 PM, jibbs1082 said:

 

Chechessee Creek Club (low country)

Succession (low country)

Old Memorial (Tampa)

 

Any of these (3) are no brainers IMO.

 

 

I looked at Chechessee recently, was hoping to love it but did not. Great vibe, so so course in so so condition.

[CHRISTOPHER DESANA]

On 11/22/2023 at 9:00 PM, coreymitch5 said:

Any news on their pricing?

If you DM me I can share

[CHRISTOPHER DESANA]

Anyone have info on Savanah Golf Club? Looks like a nice old school course that is getting a major renovation by Gil Hanse. They may be looking to generate some revenue. Would also be interested in Yeamans Hall as I have a few friends in the area.

[ND2005]

1 hour ago, CHRISTOPHER DESANA said:

I looked at Chechessee recently, was hoping to love it but did not. Great vibe, so so course in so so condition.

I played it last summer and the conditions were pristine, and it’s a very fun low country track. It is definitely “understated” but the type of course I could play over and over 

[CHRISTOPHER DESANA]

12 hours ago, ND2005 said:

I played it last summer and the conditions were pristine, and it’s a very fun low country track. It is definitely “understated” but the type of course I could play over and over 

Glad you enjoyed. I was hoping it was as good as Hidden Creek, a course here in Jersey built by the same designers. Again loved the vibe.

[jibbs1082]

On 3/23/2024 at 7:39 PM, CHRISTOPHER DESANA said:

I looked at Chechessee recently, was hoping to love it but did not. Great vibe, so so course in so so condition.

 

This is a fair assessment. The hang, and cottages to crash overnight are the draw for a nat'l membership IMO.

 

Succession would win out condition wise for sure.

 

 

[billyspan]

Any information on National Membership options for Colorado and west clubs?  Rodeo Dunes?!?  Thanks!

[monty09]

On 8/24/2023 at 1:10 PM, Dancin said:

Being slammed in winter is a big issue at many Florida privates now that more people are working remotely. They heavily oversold memberships based on assuming only a certain percentage of the members would be around at different times during winter. That was fine in the past but now with remote work being allowed these clubs are discovering almost all their members are spending the whole winter in FL instead of just a month or two and members struggle to get tee times. TPC Treviso Bay in Naples is a big example of that. I think they have something like 600-700 members who are mostly spending the whole winter there now.

 

 

looking at a place in naples and the golf there is WELL BID 

[Dancin]

2 hours ago, billyspan said:

Any information on National Membership options for Colorado and west clubs?  Rodeo Dunes?!?  Thanks!

The information for Rodeo Dunes is public. $75k founder fee, get your money back in 30 years (if they don't go bankrupt), free preview play until they are open to the public, $5k annual dues when the first course opens for public play. Preferred founder tee time blocks, advanced tee time booking before the public, guests get 50% off public rates and founder only tournaments once they are open to the public. While not announced I'd say there is a strong potential at some point they build a mostly private course like Sand Valley did and offer free initiation if you agree to forego some amount of the return of your founder fee.

If they succeed in creating Ballyneal/Bandon level designs, it's a very good deal even with the 75k downstroke for a public resort but that is the big question. They certainly have the land for it as those Roggen dunes have been looked at longingly by golf architects for over 20 years. The concern was always where do you get enough employees from.

Key question to ask is what restrictions exist on how much they can raise the annual dues. Being 45 minutes from an international airport is going to be a huge advantage over Bandon and Sand Valley and I have no doubt they will do booming business if they have good designs.

Edited April 17, 2024 by Dancin

[Eg5404]

On 2/8/2024 at 4:53 PM, Gmoney777 said:

Decided to go with concession national membership. Fantastic deal compared to old memorial. That might be the highest national membership in the world😂

Would you mind DM’ing me Concession’s details as well?

[BirdieRoll]

In the Midwest, Lost Rail outside of Omaha may still have some National Memberships available.

 

Mapleton GC is under construction in Sioux Falls, SD. They are offering National Memberships as well.

 

I say this as a good thing - I suspect Mapleton will be very similar to Lost Rail - same architect, Scott Hoffman.

[CDM]

On 4/17/2024 at 11:41 AM, Dancin said:

If they succeed in creating Ballyneal/Bandon level designs

 

Bandon is excellent, if Rodeo is even 75% of what Bandon is and that close to an international airport it will be successful.   

 

Ballyneal not sure on level of design, I mean it is Doak design I think?   

 

Edit:  I have heard it is "suspect" is all I am saying    🤔

Edited April 19, 2024 by CDM

[act0fgod]

On 4/19/2024 at 9:13 AM, CDM said:

 

Bandon is excellent, if Rodeo is even 75% of what Bandon is and that close to an international airport it will be successful.   

 

Ballyneal not sure on level of design, I mean it is Doak design I think?   

 

Edit:  I have heard it is "suspect" is all I am saying    🤔

Do you trust that person and their opinion on golf?  I wouldn't.  From my perspective whoever told you Ballyneals design is suspect is who I'd say is suspect.

 

Lots of people would say Ballyneal is Doaks best work.

Edited April 20, 2024 by act0fgod

[CDM]

2 minutes ago, act0fgod said:

Do you trust that person and their opinion on golf?  I wouldn't.  From my perspective whoever told you Ballyneals design is suspect is who I'd say is suspect.

 

Lots of people would say Ballyneal is Doaks best work.

 

Sorry I was joking and messing with some peeps........🙃 its great course, played it many times.  

 

Now do I trust the person........ N O P E...  LOL 

[billyspan]

Stonewall in PA (36 holes, Doak) used to have very affordable national memberships.  Went up there many times.  Fantastic, but shortish season.  Unsure what things look like post-COVID. 

 

Brambles?

[urjc22]

On 4/17/2024 at 11:59 AM, billyspan said:

Any information on National Membership options for Colorado and west clubs?  Rodeo Dunes?!?  Thanks!

If you are looking west, a club you may want to check out is Brambles.  Is it an awesome course (Coore / Crenshaw) with a fantastic and welcoming membership.  Not to mention, it is a stones throw away from wine country and much more.  There is only one membership option but the dues structure is low.