How To Join A Private Club

Q: Are club costs the same for everyone?
No. Each club has membership categories with slightly different fees depending on enrollment, access to facilities and revenue needs. Learning the membership limit in each category, and present totals, is one gauge of financial health. Most active golfers are regular or full members with unrestricted use of all facilities. These members pay the highest fees. Nearly every club supplements its membership with house or social members who have limited access to the course but might have full access to the pool, restaurant, card rooms and, perhaps, fitness center. A nonresident might pay less because they use the course less than a local member.

Q: I recently graduated from college and don't have a lot of extra cash. Is there anything for me?
Many clubs offer deals for juniors into their 30s, meaning you can get a much better price than anyone else on initiation and monthly costs. It's a way of attracting prospects who might become lifelong members. Juniors graduate to full status upon paying the difference in initiation or entrance fees.

44% of clubs seeing decreases in membership numbers have initiation fees of $7,500 or less

Q: Any other money concerns?
One word: debt. Nearly every club has some, whether it's a line of credit tapped for emergencies or a loan for big renovations. In most cases anything six figures or below is considered routine, but a debt of more than $1 million should get your attention. It might be worth looking into how the debt was accumulated, how much is retired annually and when it will be paid off. Even if the club has a plan to handle debt, interest charges bloat a budget. As a member you become responsible for it, and liable for lump payments if the board decides to wipe out the balance.

Q: So joining a club these days can be as easy as writing a check?
In some cases -- especially at the more desperate clubs -- if you can pay a few months' worth of dues upfront, there's a good chance you can get in right away. But even if you can become a member immediately, take a little time to fully evaluate a club and make sure you're ready for a long-term commitment.

Q: So how do I start the process?
If you know a member, there isn't a better place to start. If you don't know anyone at a particular club, then ask friends, co-workers, business contacts and others whether they know anyone who's a member. If you can't find a member, don't be afraid to call the club and ask to speak with the general manager or head professional. You might be surprised by their excitement at hearing from a prospective member.

‘59%
of survey respondents were optomistic about membership prospects in today's economy.
22%
were pessimistic about membership prospects’

Q: Is there a difference between a golf club and a country club?
Often there's little difference, but if a member tells you his club is a "golf club," he probably means the club focuses on golf above all else. If a place calls itself a country club, it probably indicates a more rounded environment, where your spouse and children can enjoy swimming pools, tennis courts and much more than golf. Some clubs cater to families, but others view spouses or significant others, and sometimes even kids, as guests. The best type of club for you -- pure golf club or country club -- depends on how you expect to use it.

Q: There's a club about 15 minutes from my house, but I really prefer the course at a club almost 40 minutes from home. How far is too far?
Distance from home should definitely factor in your club selection. Convenience is huge, according to almost every club member we spoke with. If there's a big-name club 40 minutes away, you might happily make that drive once or twice a week. Then again, if your family is going to use the pool and tennis courts and you want to play or practice three or four times a week, 30 minutes might become too far. Here's a test: Drive to the club, then drive home as if you'd forgotten something. Then turn around and drive back to the club. This will give you a good idea whether it's too far.

Q: I've just received my first invitation to play golf and visit a club I'm considering joining. What should I expect?
Here's where knowing a member and learning about the club as a guest is ideal. Nothing beats playing the course, eating a meal and touring the facility without anyone else knowing you might be interested in joining. If you're there as a guest of the manager or golf professional, your host will probably remind you of a salesperson, full of positive information about their club. Factor that in, and don't hesitate to ask questions.