Private membership, Pros/Cons and General Opinion

[acyowen]

My fiance and I just recently moved to the area where I am 99% sure we will be settling down in. If not exactly here then really no more than 30 minutes away. I am probably within 10 minutes of two different private/semi-private clubs that I am considering joining. I like to play and practice golf as much as I can since it gives me something to and get better at. I have worked out the math on monthly dues and I am well within my range on those. They are both roughly the same per month and the cost is something I would easily go through with range balls and tee times alone if I didn't have a membership . Initiation fee isn't really a concern for either. Joining any private club worth it is going to have a fee, though one is cheaper than the other. 

 

I wanted to get pros, cons, opinions, and just general thoughts from those of you who have joined a private club, or if you haven't then why you haven't joined a club. We originally lived in Dallas, Texas where any good tee times was insanely hard to get, so I always told myself once we got back to where we would live forever that I'd get a private membership just for convenience alone. 

Edited July 23 by acyowen

[caniac6]

Not really clear from your post whether you want to join a private, or semiprivate. I was a member at a semi, and it was ok, but it’s basically a glorified public course. I am at a private now, and a regular game, and pace of play are the biggest differences vs a semi. Also, we have much better practice facilities.

Edited July 23 by caniac6

[goaliedad30]

As noted above, "semi-private" is "public course, with access to practice facilities and tee times. You'll play at public course pace, and randomly be paired with everyone from great people to yahoos ... 

 

Private clubs you will have regular games, easy access (including 9 holes after work, or even just practice then play 3 holes, plus whatever other amenities they offer. It's a community.

 

Having been a private club member for 50+ years (thanks Dad for the early years!), I wouldn't trade it for the other experience. YMMV ...

[Drwoods2017]

Would be a lot more helpful if we knew what area you were talking about as well.  Maybe someone could give you a better idea of actual tee time policy at the places or how crowded they are.

[bluedot]

I’ve belonged to both, and IF money isn’t a limitation, there’s no comparison for golf and amenities.  Private clubs typically offer dining, swim and tennis, sometimes a fitness center, better course conditions, ease of making tee times, and better practice facilities that are included in your dues.  Yes, those dues are higher, but that’s a lot of added value.  
 

Of course, we’re talking in generalities here; there are lots of possible variations. Some private clubs are member-owned, while others are for-profit, with pros and cons both ways.  And some semi-privates treat members like they are part of a private club, while others treat members as money already in hand and favor the public because they are paying a higher rate.

 

As Drwoods2017 said, if you’re comfortable sharing more detail about the particular area and courses, perhaps you might get more help.

[WesternRacing]

Personally, I wouldn’t consider a semi-private unless it was an exceptional course (e.g., Pasatiempo).  But, I wouldn’t join just any private club.  There are a lot of things to consider when picking a club, other than it just being close to where you live.  Quality of the course, in terms of design/playability and conditions.  Is it a course that you could play regularly without getting tired of it?  Overall facilities, depending upon what you value.  Character of the membership, from overall size to age/demographics, etc.  Ownership structure and financial stability.  Stability of leadership, particularly golf operations (Head Pro/Superintendent).  Important to do some homework before you decide.

[caniac6]

Our course was closed for 8 months last year for a major renovation. Make sure to ask about future plans for the course. Recently, due to mismanagement by the superintendent, we have completely lost one green, and have significant damage on others. Getting a feel for the competence of management can’t be stressed enough. Look how clean facilities are. Make sure landscaping is weed free, and maintained well. Pay very close attention to detail. I

 

Edited July 24 by caniac6

[acyowen]

 

On 7/23/2025 at 5:27 PM, caniac6 said:

Not really clear from your post whether you want to join a private, or semiprivate. I was a member at a semi, and it was ok, but it’s basically a glorified public course. I am at a private now, and a regular game, and pace of play are the biggest differences vs a semi. Also, we have much better practice facilities.

 

On 7/23/2025 at 5:51 PM, goaliedad30 said:

As noted above, "semi-private" is "public course, with access to practice facilities and tee times. You'll play at public course pace, and randomly be paired with everyone from great people to yahoos ... 

 

Private clubs you will have regular games, easy access (including 9 holes after work, or even just practice then play 3 holes, plus whatever other amenities they offer. It's a community.

 

Having been a private club member for 50+ years (thanks Dad for the early years!), I wouldn't trade it for the other experience. YMMV ...

 

23 hours ago, Drwoods2017 said:

Would be a lot more helpful if we knew what area you were talking about as well.  Maybe someone could give you a better idea of actual tee time policy at the places or how crowded they are.

The main place I am considering joining is open to the public, but only if you are staying at the hotel. Pretty small hotel from what I can tell. Otherwise it is completely private and only members can play. I've driven by a lot of mornings ive been here and the course seems pretty wide open (so doesn't seem like a lot of hotel guests). So technically semi-private, but seems closer to private to me than not. Curious y'alls thoughts knowing that. I am going to meet them today and will try to ask as many questions as possible to give more context then. 

Edited July 25 by acyowen

[caniac6]

31 minutes ago, acyowen said:

 

 

 

The main place I am considering joining is open to the public, but only if you are staying at the hotel. Pretty small hotel from what I can tell. Otherwise it is completely private and only members can play. I've driven by a lot of mornings ive been here and the course seems pretty wide open (so doesn't seem like a lot of hotel guests). So technically semi-private, but seems closer to private to me than not. Curious y'alls thoughts knowing that. I am going to meet them today and will try to ask as many questions as possible to give more context then. 

I would think that if it’s a good course, in good shape, with available tee times, sounds pretty good. I would ask about playing, or, at least, get a tour of the course. 

[shankasaurus rex]

As others have mentioned, a semiprivate course is just a public course. Avoid unless it's your only option.

 

For a private course, I would definitely ask to play the course prior to joining, and would try to talk to as many members as possible to get a feel for the place. 

[NCgolf135]

21 hours ago, caniac6 said:

Our course was closed for 8 months last year for a major renovation. Make sure to ask about future plans for the course. Recently, due to mismanagement by the superintendent, we have completely lost one green, and have significant damage on others. Getting a feel for the competence of management can’t be stressed enough. Look how clean facilities are. Make sure landscaping is weed free, and maintained well. Pay very close attention to detail. I

 

Is this after the renovation they've already lost some greens?

[caniac6]

2 minutes ago, NCgolf135 said:

Is this after the renovation they've already lost some greens?

Yes. We closed for a week for course maintenance, which included an aerification of the greens with very small holes. The greens were pretty good prior to this. We received an email that said we lost one green due to misapplication of fertilizer. The damage on the other greens was due to overwatering, and scalping due to the greens being too soft. Basically, the superintendent screwed up the new greens in one week.

[bluedot]

21 hours ago, acyowen said:

 

 

 

The main place I am considering joining is open to the public, but only if you are staying at the hotel. Pretty small hotel from what I can tell. Otherwise it is completely private and only members can play. I've driven by a lot of mornings ive been here and the course seems pretty wide open (so doesn't seem like a lot of hotel guests). So technically semi-private, but seems closer to private to me than not. Curious y'alls thoughts knowing that. I am going to meet them today and will try to ask as many questions as possible to give more context then. 

That sounds good, depending on whether or not it will stay that way, and the length of commitment (if any) required of you.  

[NCgolf135]

On 7/25/2025 at 10:46 AM, caniac6 said:

Yes. We closed for a week for course maintenance, which included an aerification of the greens with very small holes. The greens were pretty good prior to this. We received an email that said we lost one green due to misapplication of fertilizer. The damage on the other greens was due to overwatering, and scalping due to the greens being too soft. Basically, the superintendent screwed up the new greens in one week.

Holy s***, I would be furious. Still haven't gotten over to MC post reno but need to sometime. 

[ShortGolfer]

Private membership isn't for everyone.  I talked to someone who said he didn't have the necessary social training, so they refunded his money.

 

My father taught me the basics of behaving yourself on the golf course in the 1970s.  I'm pretty good as a social golfer. 

I play better when I play with others versus practicing as a single.

Better decisions and a bit more focus to make good shots when I'm part of a foursome.

 

The three golf courses I play have distinctly different social communities.  Not that one is better than the others.  But it is quite obvious when socializing on the course.

Edited July 28 by ShortGolfer

[caniac6]

1 hour ago, NCgolf135 said:

Holy s***, I would be furious. Still haven't gotten over to MC post reno but need to sometime. 

The superintendent has been fired. The GM, who was the previous superintendent, is taking over for awhile. A new guy is coming in August 4th. There a lot of angry members right now. I’m going to hang in there, and see if things improve, but I’m thinking about leaving. Locker room is filthy. I prop open the on course bathroom doors with trash cans because they stink. Landscaping around the clubhouse and flower beds around the course are not being maintained. It’s a mess over there right now.

Edited July 28 by caniac6

[NCgolf135]

Jesus that sounds insane. I've always enjoyed the course and thought it was a good spot, with even more potential. Damn

[caniac6]

1 hour ago, NCgolf135 said:

Jesus that sounds insane. I've always enjoyed the course and thought it was a good spot, with even more potential. Damn

Things were better prior to the renovation. Just about everything has declined. I’m only staying because of the group I play with, but that might not be for too much longer.