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#1. |
Do you
want to join a country club or a golf club?
Believe it
or not, there is a difference. Country clubs tend to
have a lot more to do than just play golf. Swimming,
tennis, fitness, dining, parties, networking and more
can be part of the country club setting.
A golf club tends to be strictly golf with a high
emphasis on member tournaments, outings, instruction and
practice facilities. |
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#2. |
Is the
golf course player-friendly - can all skill levels be
accommodated?
Whether
you are a new golfer or an advanced player, the last
thing you want to do is join a club with an impossible
golf course. Imagine playing the same course each week
and not having any fun. Think about, too, who you will
want to play with. If your family, friends or co-workers
enjoy playing with you but the course isn't very
friendly, it could be a challenge to get them out there. |
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#3. |
Are
there more than three tee boxes per hole?
This is a
good way to note firsthand a course's playability.
Limited tee boxes mean limited options for the average
golfer. Courses who cater to all skill levels tend to
have at least 5 teeing points on every hole. |
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#4. |
Check
the forward tees - are they randomly placed just to be
closer to the hole or was some thought given to the shot
required?
The
forward tees are the closest to the hole. You can play
from any set of tees you like, but there is a tendency
among beginner to intermediate amateur women to play the
"reds," which on most courses are the forward tees. You
know a course doesn't care much about women when these
tees are placed behind trees or way off to the side with
no real thought given to the shot it creates. If they
are not clearly marked or as well-manicured as the other
tee boxes, don't join that club. You are an
afterthought. |
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#5. |
How
many "forced carries" are there throughout the course?
So many
beautiful golf courses are great to walk but downright
upsetting to hit a ball around. A forced carry is a wide
ditch or patch of wildflowers or shrubbery or large pond
that crosses the fairway, forcing you to hit your tee
shot or approach shot over it. Count how many tee shots
will require you to hit the ball well over these
obstacles before finding the fairway. If you can't hit
the ball in the air far enough to clear them but you
really love the club, stock up on balls. |
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#6. |
How
many "open greens" are there on the course?
Similar to
the forced carry concept, how many greens have no
hazards in front of them? |
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#7. |
Does
the club have a ladies only day or ladies tournaments?
Ask the
pro for the golf shop calendar and count how many events
are exclusively for women or include women golfers. |
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#8. |
Is the
club family-oriented - are children welcome?
Depending
on whether or not you have children, this will be
important to you. Consider your extended family as well,
if you plan to invite them to accompany you to a club
function or to play golf. |
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#9. |
Are
there other amenities besides golf: pool, fitness, spa,
massage, holiday parties, fine dining, etc.?
Even the
serious golfer wants to get the most for their money.
Make sure you are comparing golf balls to golf balls
when evaluating clubs. |
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#10. |
Do you
already have friends that are members?
This can
come in handy when a sponsor is required for joining a
private club. Often times, you must be recommended for
membership by a current member. Joining a club with
familiar faces makes sense. |
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#11. |
How far
is the club from your home?
Do you
want to get away or really get away when you play
golf? If you're not big on driving more than 30 minutes
in any direction, that narrows your options. Having the
club close is a convenience many families enjoy for
instant entertainment and relaxation. |
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#12. |
Do the
fees fit your budget?
Not all
clubs are priced out of this world, but if it seems too
expensive, it probably is. Make sure you are ready to
commit to an initiation fee or stock purchase, plus
monthly dues. In addition, you will see charges on your
bill every month for dining, cart fees, assessments and
so forth. Ask if there are annual locker room fees or
driving range fees. Be clear on these before signing on the dotted
line. |
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#13. |
What is
your goal for joining?
If you
just want to play more, weigh it against hitting your
public course more frequently. If you want to meet new
people and enjoy all the amenities a private club has to
offer, you could be ready! As
a business professional keep in mind the amount of time
you have available to play a round of golf. Typically, a
public course is just that...public. Public courses and
high end daily fee courses are there to make money and
fill as many tee times as possible in a day, which can
equal slow play. Ask
the club pro what a typical tee sheet looks like in a
day during the week and on the weekends. You may find
that you can complete a round in 3 -3 1/2 hours (or well
under four) most days at a private course. |
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#14. |
Can you
play the course a few times before joining?
Take a
tour of the facilities and play a round of golf with the
Membership Director. Play again with friends who may
already belong. Ask to play on a league day with the
club's lady members. |
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#15. |
Find
out the club's tee time policies - what are the
restrictions, if any?
Talk to
the pro shop about who can play when. Some clubs do not
allow women or juniors on the course certain mornings
and weekend tee times. This may not bother you when
first joining, but if your goal is to play more and get
better, you might find this limiting. Also find out if
the course
has a "starter" on the first tee, or if it is more
casual in that you can just come out to the club and get
on easily. |
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#16. |
Ask
about cart fees and caddie rules.
Joining a
club generally means playing the course is part of your
membership fee. Carts are usually an extra charge and
caddies most definitely are, including tip. Keep this in
mind when making your tee times so you understand the
charges when your bill comes. |
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#17. |
Be sure
to understand the club's guest and kids' play policies.
As a
member, you enjoy many privileges. Your guests are not
members, so there are often charges associated with
bringing in guests. Some clubs allow you to bring the
same guest out for golf a few times at no charge, but
there is usually a cap on that. Leaving kids' unattended
is a no-no; familiarize yourself with where children can
play and if the club has a day care staff, explore the
possibilities. |
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#18. |
If I
don't like the club after I've joined, can I just walk
away?
If you
resign, it's possible you will have to continue paying
dues until a new member joins in your place. Talk to the
club about their cancellation terms and get to know
their team, facility, other members, etc. as best you
can before committing to membership. That is the best
way to ensure you've found the club and community that's right for
you. |
