country club memberships

[jamesj]

i just moved from kentucky to sugar land, tx (suburb of houston) and it seems like everywhere around here is a country club. i was wondering if its a good idea to join one of these.

also what kind of income should one be receiving in order to reasonably afford membership fees?

ive asked some clubs for fees and they range from $500 initiation and $100/month to $1500 initiation and $250/month up to $4000 initiation and $450/month.

what are the perks of joining clubs and is it really worth it? i don't really know that many people around here and i figure it would be a good way to meet new people and also play golf. i intent to try to play as much as i can, which can range from 3 days a week to everyday.

[SplooGe]

Man if fees were like that here I'd be a member. Around here your talking 15-50k equity memberships plus3-400/mo.

[Eracer]

i just moved from kentucky to sugar land, tx (suburb of houston) and it seems like everywhere around here is a country club. i was wondering if its a good idea to join one of these.

also what kind of income should one be receiving in order to reasonably afford membership fees?

ive asked some clubs for fees and they range from $500 initiation and $100/month to $1500 initiation and $250/month up to $4000 initiation and $450/month.

what are the perks of joining clubs and is it really worth it? i don't really know that many people around here and i figure it would be a good way to meet new people and also play golf. i intent to try to play as much as i can, which can range from 3 days a week to everyday.

Checks into the "asterisks." Clubs that offer low monthly might also require that you spend a minimum amount in the dining room each month, and the chef might not be any good. Or they don't allow walking, and charge you a ridiculous fee for carts. Push them to disclose all the fees.

[sssmokin]

My club in Wisconsin where I'm a member, requires you to purchase 3 shares of stock ($100 total). Then, each year for unlimited golf plus "rider fee" which I'll explain next, is $875 for single person. Rider fee means that each time you play 9 holes, it cost $3 for cart or $5 for 18 holes. You can also get a yearly cart fee for $300, where the cart fee is included in the membership. That doesn't pay if it rains for 40 days and 40 nights like it can, here in Wisconsin. Also, driving range fee is $100 more for unlimited use (balls included). There is no restaurant.........just a bar........and no required amount to spend per month/year. The thing here, is that in Wisconsin the golf season is so short compared to Texas, so you have to adjust your figures for that.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Ours was $5000 initiation and then about $3200 a year for my wife and I with cart fee. $2200 without cart fee. (Course only open April thru December)

The Nicklaus course down the road is $25k initiation and $365 a month without cart. We looked at it when they waived the initiation fee, but we simply liked our course better.

To us it is really all about golf. We have all the same perks whether we joined or not because we live in the community of the course. Just do the math on how many rounds you would have to play and decide if it is worth the money. While we didn't likely save any money, it is nice to be able to go out and practice, or play 5-6 holes in the evening and not cost anything extra. So in doing that we really saved alot of money because I likely play some 5-6 days a week, where my calculation on breaking even was for 2-3 days a week. Realize you can also probably eliminate alot of driving range fees by just practicing on the course.

Our old area was more of a Muni and was about $2k a year with no initiation and no carts included. But I mainly walked that course.

Alot of the Country Clubs have a whole other atmosphere, and we didn't consider joining ours until after we knew that the people didn't walk around with their nose in the air. That is just not our cup of tea, and the people who belong here and those that we know are just down to earth and have the same interests. Play a round of golf, go in for lunch and a few drinks, either stick around for happy hour our go to a friends house and enjoy the evening. We have always just been the "Play golf, have a few beers, enjoy the Company" type crowd.

[bryguy]

I paid a $375 intitation fee, and pay $75 a month for dues. $125 range fee, plus another $25 for our mens golf association fees(of which $10 pays for you handicap). Pay $11 per 18 for a cart. One of the best deals around here. Course is ope every day but Thanksgiving and Christmas(you can walk those days, but no carts)

[slickpitt]

Ours here is $185 a month... no extra fees. Gets you golf, cart, range, pool(s), and fitness center. Sweet deal

[clemsonhacker]

ours is 500 a year or 50/month...

[aceillini]

Here in central Illinois the local CC I belong charges 400 a month.This includes tennis,pool,swimming & golf.Cart is 9 for 9 or 15 for 18.Walking is allowed.There is no bar/food requirements.But at the end of the fiscal year there is usually an end of year assesment anywhere from 100 to 1000.

[sssmokin]

Neither course in my home town has tennis courts or a swimming pool. We have to jump in the lakes if we want to go swimming..........LOL.

[Res Ipsa]

OMG Where do you guys live?

Bay Area CA here.

I can't find a private CC within 40 miles of my house whose initiation fee is under 30k. Most are closer to 6 figures though.