Public v. Private Golf

[Dan Kelly]

tommy Williamsen --

I think that's the best case for private-club membership I've ever read.

Too bad it's so damned expensive -- too expensive for the likes of me. And I'm not poor. And I'm not whining.

Thanks. Next time I drive past some mostly empty golf club, I'll imagine it's someone like you out there, enjoying your club for lots of good reasons.

[Tom Renli]

Very interesting topic for me, as I would like to find a club that works for me.  I believe I live in one of the worst private club markets in the world - Scottsdale.  Due to the travel industry, high end daily fees dominate.  The clubs seem to fall into one of two categories:

$100k+ - more of a money club than a golf club.  Typical member is Joe Smith, owns/semi retired Smith Lumber in Mid West, 60, children gone, 20 handicap, this is his third or fourth club.  Great guy to do business with, this is a golf club, I am there to play golf.

Second tier $50k clubs - Gainey, Moon Valley.  Courses do not seem to be any better than daily fees from a pace, routing nor conditioning perspective.  I was a junior member for a couple years at Gainey and did play (12 holes at 6pm type) and hit balls much more.

The alternatives in this market that have developed are:

Golf card - Troon offers an annual pass to play the approximatley 15 properties that they manage at 50% off.

Member for a year - TPC and Superstition Mountain offer annual membership for about $5k plus mandatory cart fees.

[Jeff Shelman]

I'm joined a club when I moved back to Minneapolis and don't regret it in the least. We have very nice practice facilities and a course that is much better than it ever had been thanks to some very good changes. I've met a lot of great people and had a great time.

My reasons for joining a club are similar to those of many people who have already posted. We have tee times at my club, but every third tee time is left open for walk-ups. That means, I can come out at virtually any time and get out in short order. I never make a time unless I'm bringing out guests. I also love being able to play on short notice and in the evenings. We have a group that plays almost every Tuesday after work. We try to tee off between 4:30 and 5 (depending on the time of the year), we walk and we finish without any difficulty.

Sure it's not cheap, but to me it's worth it. A round of golf at my club almost never takes more than four hours.  The course is almost always in good shape. Is it going to host a U.S. Open? Absolutely not, but it is a good challenge and you have to hit good shots to score. The state four-ball was at my club this past summer and the scores were pretty high. In 2003, we had a US Am qualifier. One-over for 36 holes got in a playoff. At another club across town on the same day it took 7-under to get into a playoff.

 I really like that I don't have to worry about calling around for a weekend tee time or worry if somebody in my group cancels at the last minute and we might get billed for it.

I could go on and on, but that's probably enough.

Since we live in the same town Jason, I'd certainly be willing to take you out to my club and/or let you know about the costs, etc. While we're pretty close to full, I know we have some membership programs.

Send me a message if you're interested.