I’ve had a surprising amount of individuals ask me about joining country clubs in the last four months.
With golf undergoing a bit of a renaissance, you might be considering joining one yourself.
Over the previous decade of Boca beach club membership, I’ve learned a lot about what to look for in a new golf club, things to think about that you may not have considered, and what questions to ask before joining a country club.
This post addresses all of them.
I’ll discuss some of the difficult things I’ve learned as a result of not asking the correct questions early on. But my aim is that this post helps you discover the proper club for your needs and turns membership in a country club or golf club into a rewarding experience rather than a chore.
DO YOU WANT A GOLF CLUB OR A COUNTRY CLUB?
To begin, it is critical to grasp the distinction between a golf club and a country club.
These names are sometimes used interchangeably, although in general, a country club has more amenities and a larger social environment aside from golf. A country club would often have a pool, tennis courts, pickleball courts, a gym, and other amenities.
They’re frequently more family-oriented, with a stronger emphasis on social events rather than just golf-related activities.
A golf club, on the other hand, is a club that focuses solely on golf. Typically, you won’t find all of those extras, and the social events are centered on the golf course rather than anything else.
And you might not care if they have the course you want, but it’s something to think about.
IS IT A GOLF COURSE YOU LIKE TO PLAY?
If you don’t like the golf course, it doesn’t matter how good a deal a club offers. It will not be worthwhile for you. I joined the first club since it was quite inexpensive. What’s the issue? The golf course was not my favorite. When you have a large slice, you can only manage so many dogleg lefts. So make sure you play a practice round on the course and that you’ll like playing it regularly.
IS THE COURSE WELL-MAINTAINED?
Some people will be more concerned about this than others. Take, for example, Yale’s Golf Course. Usually, a touch rough around the edges, but because the course is so wonderful, it’s easy to overlook.
Biarritz Yale Hole #9Yale’s famous Biarritz hole. Other courses can compensate for design flaws with a well-maintained course and a positive experience.
If the course isn’t adequately maintained, it might indicate other financial difficulties you should inquire about before enrolling.
DOES THE COURSE HAVE A GOOD REPUTATION IN THE AREA? NATIONALLY?
This isn’t a significant concern, but the reputation of your club might influence the remainder of your golf career.
For example, the first club I worked at was not well-known globally and had a bad reputation locally. They increased their guest costs by 50% not long after I enrolled, so my non-member friends were hesitant to join me because it was a high price for a mediocre course.
My present club has an excellent local and national reputation. It’s a place that visitors want to visit, and local friends consider it a treat when they can make it out.
Not to add that because of our club’s high reputation, it may be simpler to obtain my pro call and get me on places when I tour.
Consider what’s most essential to you in this situation. You may not be concerned, but if you are, I’ve discovered that this has a greater influence than I anticipated.
