The Eighty Club

[Tommy Williamsen]

Anyone know anything about this group?

[Mark Kiely]

The founder is a member here. From what I know, it's a collective of private club members who organize outings and/or invitations to each other's clubs.

[Jake Marvin]

http://breakingeighty.com/club


If this is what you're referring to, it looks like it has a few similarities to GCA... of course, in a pay-to-play format. I'll refrain from verbalizing any judgements or suspicions I have about the motives of the club.

[Tommy Williamsen]

http://breakingeighty.com/club


If this is what you're referring to, it looks like it has a few similarities to GCA... of course, in a pay-to-play format. I'll refrain from verbalizing any judgements or suspicions I have about the motives of the club.

That is it. I was referring to the club that seems to a part of it.

[Ryan Hillenbrand]

Looks like a great idea to me, where's the problem? Lot's of people like sharing their club and good fortune and not protecting it like a secret society. About 1/10 the price of Outpost

[Brian Finn]

Looks like a great idea to me, where's the problem? Lot's of people like sharing their club and good fortune and not protecting it like a secret society. About 1/10 the price of Outpost

For those interested in this sort of thing, I would suggest you check out Thousand Greens (www.thousandgreens.com).  It has a similar core model, but one key difference:  NO COST.  The website also shows the clubs at which participants are members.  There are a large number of top clubs represented.

[Sean Ogle]

Hey guys,


I was wondering if I'd ever see The Eighty Club mentioned on here.


My name is Sean Ogle and I'm the Founder of it, happy to answer any questions, or give insight into motives/why it was started.


But I very much want to make sure I'm not soliciting anyone here, or breaking any rules.


This is a special place, and I know it doesn't look kindly on self promotion. So Ran and crew, feel free to delete this if it is an inappropriate response.


But the short version of it, is I realized there are a lot of people like me that generally meet three criteria:

• They are proud of their home courses, and like to show them off to people who haven't experienced them.
• They like to travel and experience new clubs and places
• They like to geek out about golf with likeminded people online

Our group is much more about relationships and people than it is about access. Yes everyone is a member of a private club, but the primary benefit of the group is being able to build you golf network, and have a built in community of people you can reach out to when you travel.


We do a handful of small loosely organized events a year, and our members do many more outings they set up on their own or through the site.


I did want to create a place where people were a little bit more open about sharing their Club, or being able to ask for connections, but this still has to be done with a respect for our members and community.


Thousand Greens, Outpost, and the community here at GCA are all fantastic - and each one a little bit different. So I'm just happy that we've been able to cultivate a community that has so many generous people that have made for many great conversations, and even better rounds of golf.


I'll leave it at that, because like I said I don't want to step on any toes or break any rules of the forum here.

[Daryl David]

Looks like a great idea to me, where's the problem? Lot's of people like sharing their club and good fortune and not protecting it like a secret society. About 1/10 the price of Outpost

For those interested in this sort of thing, I would suggest you check out Thousand Greens (www.thousandgreens.com).  It has a similar core model, but one key difference:  NO COST.  The website also shows the clubs at which participants are members.  There are a large number of top clubs represented.

And there is also:


https://www.boxgroove.com/

[Steve Lang]

Sean, I've played Crosswater in Sunrise,... any reason why the pic there, home course?

[Joe Hellrung]

Sean,

Where does the $500/annual dues fit into your online course on building a niche website that brings in $500 per month? 

Hey guys,


I was wondering if I'd ever see The Eighty Club mentioned on here.


My name is Sean Ogle and I'm the Founder of it, happy to answer any questions, or give insight into motives/why it was started.


But I very much want to make sure I'm not soliciting anyone here, or breaking any rules.


This is a special place, and I know it doesn't look kindly on self promotion. So Ran and crew, feel free to delete this if it is an inappropriate response.


But the short version of it, is I realized there are a lot of people like me that generally meet three criteria:

• They are proud of their home courses, and like to show them off to people who haven't experienced them.
• They like to travel and experience new clubs and places
• They like to geek out about golf with likeminded people online

Our group is much more about relationships and people than it is about access. Yes everyone is a member of a private club, but the primary benefit of the group is being able to build you golf network, and have a built in community of people you can reach out to when you travel.


We do a handful of small loosely organized events a year, and our members do many more outings they set up on their own or through the site.


I did want to create a place where people were a little bit more open about sharing their Club, or being able to ask for connections, but this still has to be done with a respect for our members and community.


Thousand Greens, Outpost, and the community here at GCA are all fantastic - and each one a little bit different. So I'm just happy that we've been able to cultivate a community that has so many generous people that have made for many great conversations, and even better rounds of golf.


I'll leave it at that, because like I said I don't want to step on any toes or break any rules of the forum here.

[Frank M]

Sean,

Where does the $500/annual dues fit into your online course on building a niche website that brings in $500 per month? 

I’m not sure if I’m assessing the tone of this response correctly, but why are so many people against the idea of making money by offering people a product or service they want? When did that somehow become offensive?


If people find benefit in something and want to pay I say go ahead. And if someone can offer people want they want I also say go ahead.

[BHoover]

Sean,

Where does the $500/annual dues fit into your online course on building a niche website that brings in $500 per month? 

I’m not sure if I’m assessing the tone of this response correctly, but why are so many people against the idea of making money by offering people a product or service they want? When did that somehow become offensive?


If people find benefit in something and want to pay I say go ahead. And if someone can offer people want they want I also say go ahead.

Well said

[Joe Hellrung]

Sean,

Where does the $500/annual dues fit into your online course on building a niche website that brings in $500 per month? 

I’m not sure if I’m assessing the tone of this response correctly, but why are so many people against the idea of making money by offering people a product or service they want? When did that somehow become offensive?


If people find benefit in something and want to pay I say go ahead. And if someone can offer people want they want I also say go ahead.

I will kindly decline the invitation to defend my question, lest this turn into an internet slap fight. 

[Frank M]

Joe: slaps were already taken before my question, I'm just trying to understand why.

[Mike Hendren]

Perhaps some among us are a little embarrassed to be sitting at the kid's table at Thanksgiving, especially when we know the correct spelling of The Good Doctor's last name.

Then again, as Johnnie Paul famously told Sheriff Taylor, "It ain't a club unless you can keep someone out."

Bogey

[Kalen Braley]

These virtual setups sound like a more formalized way of facilitating reciprocal play, which has been happening since pretty much the beginning of the private club structure.


I guess I just don't understand the controversy here, but maybe i'm missing something....

[Tim Martin]

These virtual setups sound like a more formalized way of facilitating reciprocal play, which has been happening since pretty much the beginning of the private club structure.


I guess I just don't understand the controversy here, but maybe i'm missing something....

Kalen-Reciprocal play is usually facilitated by a PGA professional on behalf of one of their members and does not require a member of said club to be involved in the transaction. The model at The Eighty Club bypasses the pro and attempts to accomplish same through the member and also requires the member to play with the prospective “guest” if I understand correctly. I can only imagine how often some of these members will get armed for play and this will increase on a scale commensurate with the course’s ranking. If you are a member of an iconic club be prepared to be pestered incessantly.

[Jeff Schley]

There are about 5 sites I'm aware of now including The Eighty Club with the others:

Boxgroove
Eligio
Outpost
Thousandgreens

I have personally never used them, but a friend has used Thousandgreens and likes it. I think there is such a market as once you get your website up and connections with enough members or courses it should be sustainable.  Which will win out I don't know. The Outpost and Eighty Club seem to be on the top, but Eligio is 10k plus a year I think as well, but doesn't require any membership at a private club to reciprocate.

[Tim Martin]

The Outpost Club seems to do it best and handles everything for their members as far as arrangements. You can’t put a price on that.

[John Kavanaugh]

The Outpost Club seems to do it best and handles everything for their members as far as arrangements. You can’t put a price on that.

I had a caddie recently ask me if it was worth the $10,000 he was told it cost to join the Outpost Club. That's a price.

[Tim Martin]

The carry cost for Outpost is the trade off for them arranging everything. I’m not saying $10,000 is cheap but there is no groveling, letters, sucking up to members, networking, charity auctions and playing with people you don’t know. It essentially eliminates the quid pro quo part of these transactions which if I’m not mistaken is an enviable position to be in after you hole out at Merion.
 

[BHoover]

The carry cost for Outpost is the trade off for them arranging everything. I’m not saying $10,000 is cheap but there is no groveling, letters, sucking up to members, networking, charity auctions and playing with people you don’t know. It essentially eliminates the quid pro quo part of these transactions which if I’m not mistaken is an enviable position to be in after you hole out at Merion.

TMart, I’ve been meaning to ask if you want to host me at Fishers Island this summer?

[Brad Tufts]

They are all interesting models, which is fine as long as those involved know what they are getting into.


I have a couple buddies who are Outpost guys, and their experiences have varied.  It seems to be the events are where it's at for the OC...a pre-planned trip with great venues and experiences already lined up.  I hope to attend one as a guest someday if one of my friends will have me!


I have experience with Boxgroove, and it's generally been good through maybe 6-7 total rounds.  I travel for work, so it's useful to play on weekdays here and there when you want/need a quick round at a nice place.  There is a big difference between the "boxgroove clubs" where you can just request a time, or the "member clubs" where people can network and ask other members to take them out.  I have only played rounds at the "boxgroove" clubs...I have had a few member requests to play my home course, but with a tight schedule and little ones at home I can't take time off for random hosting rounds at this point in my life.  Because of my lack of time for this, I have never asked another member for a hosting round through BG.  However, I can see myself later in life with fewer responsibilities being more than happy to take random guys out that want to see Tedesco. 


While Boxgroove has good ideas, the # of new clubs willing to be bookable "boxgroove clubs" seems to have slowed considerably.

[Tim Martin]

The carry cost for Outpost is the trade off for them arranging everything. I’m not saying $10,000 is cheap but there is no groveling, letters, sucking up to members, networking, charity auctions and playing with people you don’t know. It essentially eliminates the quid pro quo part of these transactions which if I’m not mistaken is an enviable position to be in after you hole out at Merion.

TMart, I’ve been meaning to ask if you want to host me at Fishers Island this summer?

Is that code for Shennecossett?

[Matthew Prince]

These virtual setups sound like a more formalized way of facilitating reciprocal play, which has been happening since pretty much the beginning of the private club structure.


I guess I just don't understand the controversy here, but maybe i'm missing something....

Kalen-Reciprocal play is usually facilitated by a PGA professional on behalf of one of their members and does not require a member of said club to be involved in the transaction. The model at The Eighty Club bypasses the pro and attempts to accomplish same through the member and also requires the member to play with the prospective “guest” if I understand correctly. I can only imagine how often some of these members will get armed for play and this will increase on a scale commensurate with the course’s ranking. If you are a member of an iconic club be prepared to be pestered incessantly.

Uggh ... this post is so characteristic of the knee-jerk cynicism found on this message board, not to mention the assuredness with which one can opine on something he knows nothing about.  First of all, to say the Eighty Club "bypasses the pro" is such a spin ... one aspect of what the Eighty Club does is to introduce members to one another so they can network and get to know each other and hopefully arrange to play each other's courses. There is nothing sinister about that.  Second, the member is never required to play with any "guest" (side note: I love the pejorative quotation marks - in what way is this person not an actual Guest?).  Third, as an Eighty Club member and member of what may be considered a somewhat "iconic" golf club, I can assure you that I have never been pestered the least bit, let alone incessantly.


The Eighty Club is a community of like-minded golfers who belong to private golf clubs. There is an active message board (with 0.0001% the snarkiness and one-upmanship found here), there are occasional events, and there is the ability to network and make friends. Nothing about this is sinister - yes, there is a cost to join, which is entirely one's prerogative to weigh against what the club offers. But speaking as someone who has been a member of the Eighty Club since the beginning, I can tell you that I've made solid friends through it and played numerous enjoyable rounds of golf both in the US and GB&I with other members, as well as enjoyed the active discussion board. In many ways it's a breath of fresh air.