National Memberships

[Ben Sims]

Having to move so often for the military makes a national membership very attractive.  The biggest reason I haven't done it that I haven't found a course that is good enough to justify the cost.  I could spend the same money on plane tickets and green fees for all the other great course I haven't seen.

The key for me is affordability, combined with other courses nearby that are worth seeing.  Places like Palmetto and Hidden Creek are tops on the list.  Anybody know anything about Palmetto's National Membership?

[JC Jones]

Having to move so often for the military makes a national membership very attractive.  The biggest reason I haven't done it that I haven't found a course that is good enough to justify the cost.  I could spend the same money on plane tickets and green fees for all the other great course I haven't seen.

The key for me is affordability, combined with other courses nearby that are worth seeing.  Places like Palmetto and Hidden Creek are tops on the list.  Anybody know anything about Palmetto's National Membership?

ben,

I understand Palmetto is reasonable but if I recall correctly from the great presentation at the Dixie Cup, they have a waiting list for their national membership.

Not sure if you hav looked at it or not but I'd take a look at Kingsley.  There are plenty of good publics around it to play, Crystal Downs is nearby if you've got a connection and the place is amazing.  The only thing stopping me is my wife and Mike Sweeney.

[Mac Plumart]

I figured I'd bump this...just 'cause...

Y'all probably now, that as I mentioned in the beginning of this thread, I was looking to join a club as a national member and I pulled the trigger earlier this year.  Frankly, I could not be happier.

I joined a middle of nowhere destination course and I love it.  I love golf in general, but, to me, the golf-centric escapes are perfect.  Get there and golf, golf golf.  Nice accomodations, nice food, some other things to do...but essentially it is a break from reality, a true vacation, with a focus on golf.

There are many good golf destination courses in the US...

I joined Dismal River, but I've visited Ballyneal, Sandhills, Rock Creek, Chechessee Creek, The Honors Course, Pete Dye Golf Club of WV...and they are all awesome.  And for sure, there are more...Kingsley comes to mind, right away.

Also, I've seen some great "regular" clubs adding accomodations for national members.  Baltusrol and Inverness come to mind.

I don't know where Yeamans or Holston Hills fits, but they look really good as well and I know they have national member deals.

Oh yeah, and if I had the money I'd join Sebonack in a heart beat and I'd consider Sage Valley...but I don't have that available coin...but it is nice to dream.

I bring this up because memberships are available and affordable, given the economic climate.  I remember my last trip to Long Island and a guy was talking about how back in the 80's (I think he said the 80's) they were giving away memberships to Shinnecock.  I think we are in one of those times NOW!!!

Good luck!!

[Jud_T]

Mac,
Congrats!
Of course unlike some here we'll be expecting you to honestly admit which course is better

[Mac Plumart]

FYI,

I've recently become aware that Rivermont has National Memberships available.  Like the regular memberships, they are VERY affordable.  And, of course, the golf is really good.  If you visit Atlanta with any regularity at all, I'd recommend checking the membership details out.

[Bill_McBride]

Having to move so often for the military makes a national membership very attractive.  The biggest reason I haven't done it that I haven't found a course that is good enough to justify the cost.  I could spend the same money on plane tickets and green fees for all the other great course I haven't seen.

The key for me is affordability, combined with other courses nearby that are worth seeing.  Places like Palmetto and Hidden Creek are tops on the list.  Anybody know anything about Palmetto's National Membership?

ben,

I understand Palmetto is reasonable but if I recall correctly from the great presentation at the Dixie Cup, they have a waiting list for their national membership.

Not sure if you hav looked at it or not but I'd take a look at Kingsley.  There are plenty of good publics around it to play, Crystal Downs is nearby if you've got a connection and the place is amazing.  The only thing stopping me is my wife and Mike Sweeney.

How can Sweeney blackball you if he's not a member?   

[Dan Byrnes]

If anyone can provide me details on the national membership at Kinloch I would appreciate it.  Please message me.  I am considering Hidden Creek as well but not sure if it's south of me enough for solid winter golf.  Kinloch may not be as well but it's a great place.  Both the assistant and head pro of my course have worked and caddied at Old Memorial in Tampa and that is appealing but the initiation costs were still pretty high.

Dan

[JC Jones]

Having to move so often for the military makes a national membership very attractive.  The biggest reason I haven't done it that I haven't found a course that is good enough to justify the cost.  I could spend the same money on plane tickets and green fees for all the other great course I haven't seen.

The key for me is affordability, combined with other courses nearby that are worth seeing.  Places like Palmetto and Hidden Creek are tops on the list.  Anybody know anything about Palmetto's National Membership?

ben,

I understand Palmetto is reasonable but if I recall correctly from the great presentation at the Dixie Cup, they have a waiting list for their national membership.

Not sure if you hav looked at it or not but I'd take a look at Kingsley.  There are plenty of good publics around it to play, Crystal Downs is nearby if you've got a connection and the place is amazing.  The only thing stopping me is my wife and Mike Sweeney.

How can Sweeney blackball you if he's not a member?   

He is the all powerful.

[PCCraig]

If anyone can provide me details on the national membership at Kinloch I would appreciate it.  Please message me.  I am considering Hidden Creek as well but not sure if it's south of me enough for solid winter golf.  Kinloch may not be as well but it's a great place.  Both the assistant and head pro of my course have worked and caddied at Old Memorial in Tampa and that is appealing but the initiation costs were still pretty high.

Dan

Old Memorial is a pretty great set-up and club with a very solid membership. Plus its close to the airport and a metropolitan area, which makes it exponentially easier to get to.

[Jud_T]

The quality of golf per $$ available now on the National Membership scene versus 5 years ago is simply phenomenal.  Anyone who's been considering it, has at least a couple extra bucks and isn't pulling the trigger now is nuts IMO...

[JC Jones]

If Musgrove Mill makes it through, I think their offerings will be quite appealing.

[Mac Plumart]

Jason...

There is no doubt you will be right.  Deals are so good right now it is almost obscene.  It might make some sense to simply pick your favorite "dream" club or "dream" area and go for it.

[Mike Sweeney]

How can Sweeney blackball you if he's not a member?  

Bill,

Ignore JC, he is simply upset that I was cheering for Duke last night for Coach K's 903rd win, which came at the expense of JC's Michigan State.

The fact that I WAS cheering for Duke shows how the world can change very quickly, and in this instance it actually was not directed at JC or MSU. We have a family friend who now plays for Duke. Ouch!!

[JC Jones]

How can Sweeney blackball you if he's not a member?   

Bill,

Ignore JC, he is simply upset that I was cheering for Duke last night for Coach K's 903rd win, which came at the expense of JC's Michigan State.

The fact that I WAS cheering for Duke shows how the world can change very quickly.

You're a bad human being and people don't like you.

[John Foley]

What I am amazed by is the price structure of some of these "deals" for national memberships these days.

I looked at two (not seeking them out, but was asked during visits and was shown the details) and was amazed how expensive they we're given the state of the development at the time.

I think the price of seclusion (no matter how great the golf course is) as the hook to attract the golfer  is way overthought by owenership these days. 6 years ago (post internet bubble - pre housing bubble) it may have been a very different landscape, but i thnk these deals will just get better & better over time.

Still LOTS of empty houses in PHX & LV.

[Jud_T]

John,

Not sure which memberships you've seen, but the ones I've seen are extremely reasonable in relation to equivalent upscale public golf if one plays more than a couple rounds a year.  Price can't go below cost, and if cost is all you care about, what the hell are you wasting your time on this site for? 

[Mark Chaplin]

What are you talking at a very good club for national membership? I'm assuming national is say 100-150 miles from the club.

[Dave Givnish]

Dan

Contact Kinloch.  Their membership director can help.  When we played there in June, I was surprised at how reasonable the fees have become.  That said, I think that they do a bid-ask on the memberships so my info from June is out of date.

Great club.  If they overseed, you'll be able to play there most of the year.

Think about coming out west.  There are some good options in Phoenix.

Dave

[Dan Byrnes]

Thanks. I'll give them a call.  I have an aquientence at Desert Forest  and he raves about it and showed me their program which looks great, the downside is more travel from Albany NY to get there weather is great though better than the rest.   Can fly out in the am from Albany and be in Tampa to play at noon.   Richmond is tougher to get to but loved Kinloch when I visited a couple days last summer.  A guy I met at my clubs member guest is a Richmond guy and a member. Hidden Creek is drivable and convienient for friends in NY, NJ and DC for weekends but weather might not cut it.
Dan

[David Wigler]

Thanks. I'll give them a call.  I have an aquientence at Desert Forest  and he raves about it and showed me their program which looks great, the downside is more travel from Albany NY to get there weather is great though better than the rest.   Can fly out in the am from Albany and be in Tampa to play at noon.   Richmond is tougher to get to but loved Kinloch when I visited a couple days last summer.  A guy I met at my clubs member guest is a Richmond guy and a member. Hidden Creek is drivable and convienient for friends in NY, NJ and DC for weekends but weather might not cut it.
Dan

Dan,

Desert Forest is amazing golf and a legit top 100.  The thing that gets forgotten is that from March - November it is a 3 hour time change and from Nov - Mar it is 2 hours.  Either way, an early morning flight and car service to the course easily includes 27 holes same day, should you want.  Tampa is the same time zone, so on your watch it may take longer to get to Tampa than Scottsdale.  The other issue for me was weather.  Tampa and Scottsdale are almost identical in temperature but Scottsdale has about 100 less days of precipitation, so I know I am not going to get rained on, for my quick sneak away.  All that written, I would say it is a matter of aesthetics to your eye.  If you prefer water hazards to frame shots, Tampa is the way to go.  If you prefer the look of the Desert, you cannot go wrong in Scottsdale.

[Wade Whitehead]

Dan:

I highly recommend visiting Ballyhack.  Please PM me if you'd like to hear more or set something up.

WW

[Lawrence Largent]

Holston Hills has a great deal.  Currently offering 500 dollar up front fee and if you're outside 120 miles 125 a month.  If anyone has any info on Yeamans Hall please IM me.

Lawrence

[Tim Martin]

Thanks. I'll give them a call.  I have an aquientence at Desert Forest  and he raves about it and showed me their program which looks great, the downside is more travel from Albany NY to get there weather is great though better than the rest.   Can fly out in the am from Albany and be in Tampa to play at noon.   Richmond is tougher to get to but loved Kinloch when I visited a couple days last summer.  A guy I met at my clubs member guest is a Richmond guy and a member. Hidden Creek is drivable and convienient for friends in NY, NJ and DC for weekends but weather might not cut it.
Dan

Dan-If you are looking for a warm weather escape I don`t know if either place is for you in the winter months. If not Hidden Creek would seem like a far easier trek from Albany with at least nine months of the year with average temps of fifty or better. Except in really bad years you got a pretty good shot of playing year round. If you enjoy gambling you also get the casinos and some great beaches. You would have to play HC and make the comparison to Kinloch as far as the golf.

[Bill Gayne]

"That said, I think that they do a bid-ask on the memberships so my info from June is out of date.

Dave

Dave,

In general terms, how would a bid ask system work for club memberships? I've never heard of an auction for memberships.

Thanks

[John Foley]

John,

Not sure which memberships you've seen, but the ones I've seen are extremely reasonable in relation to equivalent upscale public golf if one plays more than a couple rounds a year.  Price can't go below cost, and if cost is all you care about, what the hell are you wasting your time on this site for? 

Jud,

The two I speak of are newer and are most likely in tougher financial situation tahn established course who is down and wants to increase numbers.

I really wonder if the UK model would work here without the members who are still around revolting.