Just Not A Club Kinda Guy

[John Kavanaugh]

I'll either have to have no friends, no money or no health before I got no club.

[archie_struthers]

 


Feel almost exactly the opposite regarding club membership. It’s great fun for me and the competitive side of golf drew me to it from the start. Just going out and playing for the love of the game sounds great but rings hollow for many.


So many of us played sports 🥎 growing up and it became a comfortable way to meet and interact with others. Nothing was more fun for me than playing basketball 🏀 with my friends and would still be my choice for recreation if able. Alas most of us would be in the hospital if we played into our fifties (40’s, 30’s?)


Say you get done work one day and don’t have time to play 18 holes but have the option of driving to your club and walking “the loop” or just hitting some balls and chipping and putting. It’s so nice to do.


Obviously price is a factor but golf is one of the only things I know of that costs less than it did 20 years ago if you aren’t too picky about where you join. Sure cheaper than fishing around here at the beach 🏖

[John Kavanaugh]

You can't go to a movie and call the people in the theater your friends. Just last week one of my opponents in a member/guest asked me how do I possible have any friends. My response was that is why I play poker and golf. When it comes to golf and poker you really don't have to like a guy to show up and spend a few hours having fun.

[archie_struthers]

 


Jaka just too prescient re: friends. Likewise they wouldn’t hang with me if they couldn’t rob me a little

[A.G._Crockett]

I joined my first private club way back in the early '80's; I was looking for an affordable way to play a lot of golf, and didn't really want or expect much else.  I ended up belonging to several different clubs over the next 30+ years as clubs changed ownership or prices or whatever.  When I moved back to NC four years ago, there just weren't affordable private options that worked for me, so I have a "membership" at UNC Finley; good golf course, and great guys to play with, but it's a reduced fee package and in NO way to be confused (which I did at the outset) with a true membership.
And you know what?  I miss the heck out of a club.  I miss the regular games, I miss the regular groups, I miss sitting around with a pitcher of beer while $3 makes it's way around the table to settle bets; I miss it all, and I miss it a LOT more than I thought I would.  It turns out that there ARE other ways to play a lot of golf affordably, but there aren't great substitutes for the other stuff that a club offers.  Which is why there are clubs in the first place, I suppose.

[John Kavanaugh]

I joined my first private club way back in the early '80's; I was looking for an affordable way to play a lot of golf, and didn't really want or expect much else.  I ended up belonging to several different clubs over the next 30+ years as clubs changed ownership or prices or whatever.  When I moved back to NC four years ago, there just weren't affordable private options that worked for me, so I have a "membership" at UNC Finley; good golf course, and great guys to play with, but it's a reduced fee package and in NO way to be confused (which I did at the outset) with a true membership.
And you know what?  I miss the heck out of a club.  I miss the regular games, I miss the regular groups, I miss sitting around with a pitcher of beer while $3 makes it's way around the table to settle bets; I miss it all, and I miss it a LOT more than I thought I would.  It turns out that there ARE other ways to play a lot of golf affordably, but there aren't great substitutes for the other stuff that a club offers.  Which is why there are clubs in the first place, I suppose.

AG,


I find that very touching and is my greatest fear as I face retirement.

[archie_struthers]

 




A.G.  you hit the nail right on the head...wish you could play with us here in Jersey (South)

[Duncan Cheslett]

I joined my first private club way back in the early '80's; I was looking for an affordable way to play a lot of golf, and didn't really want or expect much else.  I ended up belonging to several different clubs over the next 30+ years as clubs changed ownership or prices or whatever.  When I moved back to NC four years ago, there just weren't affordable private options that worked for me, so I have a "membership" at UNC Finley; good golf course, and great guys to play with, but it's a reduced fee package and in NO way to be confused (which I did at the outset) with a true membership.
And you know what?  I miss the heck out of a club.  I miss the regular games, I miss the regular groups, I miss sitting around with a pitcher of beer while $3 makes it's way around the table to settle bets; I miss it all, and I miss it a LOT more than I thought I would.  It turns out that there ARE other ways to play a lot of golf affordably, but there aren't great substitutes for the other stuff that a club offers.  Which is why there are clubs in the first place, I suppose.

That sounds exactly like what you will find at most private members' clubs in the UK.


The big difference is that the average cost over here for full membership giving unlimited golf is less than $1500 per year. Most clubs don't have initiations.


Most clubs are also desperately short of members.

[John Kavanaugh]

I am a member of three private clubs that all cost less that $1,000 per year. None of which I have yet to play this year. $500, $500, $800 specifically. My Dad told me once, "Just because you may not enjoy playing somewhere you still do everything you can for those who do." Given the role that golf has played in my life how can I not spend $3 a day to keep the game going where I live. Not to mention each place pours me a nice drink and doesn't complain about my cigar.

[Daryl David]

I'll either have to have no friends, no money or no health before I got no club.

+1

[ChipRoyce]

I am a member of three private clubs that all cost less that $1,000 per year. None of which I have yet to play this year. $500, $500, $800 specifically. My Dad told me once, "Just because you may not enjoy playing somewhere you still do everything you can for those who do." Given the role that golf has played in my life how can I not spend $3 a day to keep the game going where I live. Not to mention each place pours me a nice drink and doesn't complain about my cigar.

Very cool - mind naming the 3 clubs?

[Kalen Braley]

Kavanaugh,

It really warms my heart that you're so concerned for these 'lesser clubs" whose members i'm guessing are already somewhere between well-off and wealthy. 

[Tim Martin]

Kavanaugh,

It really warms my heart that you're so concerned for these 'lesser clubs" whose members i'm guessing are already somewhere between well-off and wealthy.

Kalen-How do you come to the conclusion that someone that paid $500 or $800 for an annual golf membership is “somewhere between well off and wealthy”? Guys that fish off a pier pay more for bait.

[John Kavanaugh]

The clubs are:


Lawrence County Country Club. Played by both Adam Clayman and Nigel Islam.


Olde Country Club of Vincennes. Formally The Elks. An old L&M design.


Quail Creek Country Club. Home of the Heath Open. A PGA Tour Event for many years.

[Tommy Williamsen]

There are many reasons to belong to a golf club (which is very different from a country club). On one level there is the camaraderie of friends, companions, and competitors. There are other things as well. I like inviting a guest knowing what his favorite food is then calling the club to be certain that it is available when we eat dinner. I like getting to the club and the pro telling me that X is on the practice tee, if I'm looking for some kind of match. I like making a last minute decision to play, get to the club and walk out on the tee without a tee time. If the first tee is busy just jump in a cart and drive to an open hole. I like it that sometimes when a single catches our group, he just drives around us rather than inconvenience us  while he plays through. There are so many little things that make a club an enjoyment that we can't get in many places.


I remember once when I was on a ski trip I decided to cook salmon for dinner. I called the chef at the club, who is known to all the members, and asked for advice. She was tickled I asked her and I was thrilled with the way the salmon tasted. She then swore me to secrecy about the recipe. In some ways a club can be an extension of your home.

[John Kavanaugh]

Kavanaugh,

It really warms my heart that you're so concerned for these 'lesser clubs" whose members i'm guessing are already somewhere between well-off and wealthy.

Kalen-How do you come to the conclusion that someone that paid $500 or $800 for an annual golf membership is “somewhere between well off and wealthy”? Guys that fish off a pier pay more for bait.

I believe they are a similar demographic to the members of U.K. clubs. Basically just good people that love golf. It is not at all uncommon to see a big turnout anytime donations of time or money are needed.

[Mike Sweeney]

Kavanaugh,

It really warms my heart that you're so concerned for these 'lesser clubs" whose members i'm guessing are already somewhere between well-off and wealthy.

Kalen-How do you come to the conclusion that someone that paid $500 or $800 for an annual golf membership is “somewhere between well off and wealthy”? Guys that fish off a pier pay more for bait.

I believe they are a similar demographic to the members of U.K. clubs. Basically just good people that love golf. It is not at all uncommon to see a big turnout anytime donations of time or money are needed.

Nice job Kalen! You turned a Monopolist into a sympathetic figure. 

[archie_struthers]

 


Kalen I'm jumping on the pile. Would snarky fit when describing your last post?

[Kalen Braley]

Kavanaugh can take it....


I guess I need to make sure to do a Dan Kelly and use Emoticons next time!        

[John Kavanaugh]

Kavanaugh can take it....


I guess I need to make sure to do a Dan Kelly and use Emoticons next time!        

I'd be shocked if anyone believes that you were joking. It's a common misperception that the US doesn't provide affordable club golf. You were mistaken. No big deal.

[Bernie Bell]

Given the role that golf has played in my life how can I not spend $3 a day to keep the game going where I live. Not to mention each place pours me a nice drink and doesn't complain about my cigar.

More than one way to be a custodian of the game.  And all that without a Mackenzie bag or head covers for alignment sticks.

[Mike Hendren]

I am a member of three private clubs that all cost less that $1,000 per year. None of which I have yet to play this year. $500, $500, $800 specifically. My Dad told me once, "Just because you may not enjoy playing somewhere you still do everything you can for those who do." Given the role that golf has played in my life how can I not spend $3 a day to keep the game going where I live. Not to mention each place pours me a nice drink and doesn't complain about my cigar.

This all day.  Just looked at the website for the modest "club" where I grew up.  Senior single can join for $372 and pay $64/month. Dues were $15/month in the 70's.  The forestation is awful, but with a crew of four and a weekend I could knock out the 33 trees I've counted that need to go.  What's left is simple golf at its 3,000 yards of firm and fast fairways and tiny pushed up greens.   I drive 6 hours round trip once a year to pay my $30 and go around a couple of times by myself.  County has 15% unemployment rate and the club is dying a slow death.  If I was any man at all I'd join.  Barney would.

Maybe we should hold the Dixie Cup there with a work day added on.

Bogey
Class of 76

[Kalen Braley]

Kavanaugh can take it....

I guess I need to make sure to do a Dan Kelly and use Emoticons next time!        

I'd be shocked if anyone believes that you were joking. It's a common misperception that the US doesn't provide affordable club golf. You were mistaken. No big deal.

Its all good JK, wouldn't be the first time that's happened...

P.S.  What were the initiation fees and/or special assessments on those places over the years?  Or minimum F&Bs?

[Mike Hendren]

Kalen, stay in your lane.  I'm guessing the F&B minimum at LCC is an 8-pack of Miller Ponies and one Stewart Sandwich a week.  Perhaps Barney knocks down his share of pork rinds too. 

Bogey

[Kalen Braley]

Kalen, stay in your lane.  I'm guessing the F&B minimum at LCC is an 8-pack of Miller Ponies and one Stewart Sandwich a week.  I'm guessing Barney knocks down his share of pork rinds too. 

Bogey

Its all good Bogey, I've stated from the start I've never belonged to a private club, just a mens club at a public course....

Just asking questions..