Help Me Choose a Country Club

I'm finally in a position to join a country club but I'm having a hard time deciding between two. I was hoping some of you guys with more experience in this area could help me decide.

Here are the facts:

Myself

- Mid to late 20s

- Single

- 7 handicap

- Like occasional competitive rounds

- Main motivation for joining a club is having better practice facilities and a less crowded course nearby. There's 1 grass range within 15 minutes of my house and I would consider it just passable.

Club 1

- On my way to and from work

- 6 miles (10 minutes) from my house

- Amazing practice facilities

- Indoor practice areas (great since I can't play year-round here)

- Relatively "younger" membership

Club 2

- Right across the street, I can see the club house from my living room.

- Good practice facilities, but no short game "complex"

- No indoor practice areas

- Relatively "older" membership

- Dues are $70 higher than Club 1 (more or less the same initiation).

Which club would you join? I really like both courses; but in the end it's coming down to ultra-convenience vs amazing practice areas. I would also not know any members at either club.

Thanks!

How do the courses compare to each other?

With the information you have listed I would go with option #1 without a doubt. However, I think the course is the biggest factor.


I am familiar with the Cincy area as I live fairly close. PM me with course names if you would rather not list here.

good luck

An equity club? If no, as in no down stroke just an annual fee, join the one with the course that appeals most to you and has the practice facility you like. You can always change the following year without a haircut.

Do you have a group that you play with now? Same age range? Where would they be tempted to join after seeing what you have done?

[quote name='dearth12' timestamp='1431900216' post='11574998']
How do the courses compare to each other?

With the information you have listed I would go with option #1 without a doubt. However, I think the course is the biggest factor.


I am familiar with the Cincy area as I live fairly close. PM me with course names if you would rather not list here.

good luck
[/quote]

Dearth, just PM'ed you. I won't play Club 1's course until Wednesday, but I've heard great things. I've played at Club 2 and it's a great course as well, a bit tough to walk though.

[quote name='Phreddy' timestamp='1431900459' post='11575016']
An equity club? If no, as in no down stroke just an annual fee, join the one with the course that appeals most to you and has the practice facility you like. You can always change the following year without a haircut.

Do you have a group that you play with now? Same age range? Where would they be tempted to join after seeing what you have done?
[/quote]

Phreddy, I think they're both non-equity clubs but I'd have to check. Both do have an initiation fee so switching after one season wouldn't be great for me financially.

I have a foursome that I typically play with now that's the same age range. One guy had back surgery over the winter and he was the only one with a similar handicap so we haven't playing as often as usual. I see the joining a country club as an opportunity to meet new people and get more rounds going.

I think 1 of the 3 might be tempted to join. The other two just got engaged so they're trying to save up for a wedding and house; luckily for me, I'm single and already own a house haha. At Club 1 I'm allowed to have up to 7 guests at once so I could still play with my normal foursome a couple times each month and I've already accepted the fact that I'll probably be playing elsewhere a couple times a month.

Given the the non-mentioned factors being somewhat equal, to me it's a pretty easy choice.

Course 1

It's a bit farther, but still close.

Cheaper.

Better chance of similar aged groups.

And mainly, the indoor practice area. As long as winter seems to be anymore, being able to work inside sounds like a great feature.

OP, care to share the names of the two clubs in question? Looking to join myself in the next year when the little guys get out of daycare.

Thanks!

[quote name='pu_golf88' timestamp='1431900844' post='11575054']
[quote name='dearth12' timestamp='1431900216' post='11574998']
How do the courses compare to each other?

With the information you have listed I would go with option #1 without a doubt. However, I think the course is the biggest factor.


I am familiar with the Cincy area as I live fairly close. PM me with course names if you would rather not list here.

good luck
[/quote]



Dearth, just PM'ed you. I won't play Club 1's course until Wednesday, but I've heard great things. I've played at Club 2 and it's a great course as well, a bit tough to walk though.
[/quote]


I just replied. Hope it was of some help.

Club 1 all day. It seems like the only advantage for number 2 is distance. If club 1 was 30 minutes or more away I could see this being a tougher decision, but 10 minutes is nothing.

[quote name='Chief Illiniwek' timestamp='1431904787' post='11575302']
Club 1 all day. It seems like the only advantage for number 2 is distance. If club 1 was 30 minutes or more away I could see this being a tougher decision, but 10 minutes is nothing.
[/quote]

I tend to agree with you. I joined a public course a couple years ago that was 30 minutes away and it was a terrible choice, didn't want to make that mistake again.

Sounds like everyone is in agreement with Club 1 which is the one I was leaning towards. Nice to hear that the ultra convenience of Club 2 doesn't outweigh Club 1's benefits.

As others have said, 10 minutes is nothing to get, what sounds like, the better facility. Plus, being a more walkable course is a big plus to me.

However, equity versus non-equity would be a major swing vote one way or another. An equity club will be a money sink, and unless they're offering you an incentive laced, non-equity deal, I'd run away as fast as possible. Unless you have that kind of disposable income of course

Are you a walker or a rider, and what are the cultures in that area at these clubs? To me (young-ish walker), that's more important than the rest of it, since these clubs you mention are both close by. Having a ton of young people does nothing for me if none of them walk.

Looks like you have two good choices

It sounds like #1 is a no-brainer, especially given that's it's on the way to a from work. My rule of thumb is anything outside of 15 minutes is too far if you plan on ever using the practice facilities (so both would qualify), but I have a wife and kids. I used to play at a club 25 minutes from my house before my daughter was born, and I only played golf there. Probably used the practice facilities 5 times in 2 + years.

The biggest things you need to look at is culture, how busy (easy) it is to get tee times, and get a feel for the financial situations of the two clubs. I had a friend join a club that had a "younger" membership and hated it. Club was way too busy at the times he wanted to play, and he didn't feel like the club did enough to help him integrate with the other members. I doubt that's the situation at Club #1, but keep an eye out for red flags like that. Make sure you check out at the times you would normally play.

BTW, an indoor practice facility is a HUGE plus in my book.

Good luck!

Pick the course that will be your favorite.

The fancy veneer of "country club" will wear off very quickly and become a money-pit that you will hate, if you don't like the golf course. If you don't like the course, neither will your friends, nor your guests. Your family will pick up on the "meh" factor and they won't enjoy the club's amenities either. It will become a money-suck.

Thanks for all the feedback. I prefer to walk so having a membership that likes to walk would be nice, I'll definitely need to look into more.

Bazinky, good point, if it's too busy at the time I want to play it's not going to be worth it. I've scheduled my tour for a little earlier than I'm typically out of work, hopefully I can hang around and see how busy it gets.

[quote name='pu_golf88' timestamp='1431954892' post='11577942']
Thanks for all the feedback. I prefer to walk so having a membership that likes to walk would be nice, I'll definitely need to look into more.

Bazinky, good point, if it's too busy at the time I want to play it's not going to be worth it. I've scheduled my tour for a little earlier than I'm typically out of work, hopefully I can hang around and see how busy it gets.
[/quote]

Hanging around is a great idea. Probably will give you a good feel for how "friendly" the place is, too. I like to see how a club handles a stranger. If it's tough to strike up a conversation with people, that's not a good sign.

[quote name='bazinky' timestamp='1431957810' post='11578242']
[quote name='pu_golf88' timestamp='1431954892' post='11577942']
Thanks for all the feedback. I prefer to walk so having a membership that likes to walk would be nice, I'll definitely need to look into more.

Bazinky, good point, if it's too busy at the time I want to play it's not going to be worth it. I've scheduled my tour for a little earlier than I'm typically out of work, hopefully I can hang around and see how busy it gets.
[/quote]

Hanging around is a great idea. Probably will give you a good feel for how "friendly" the place is, too. I like to see how a club handles a stranger. If it's tough to strike up a conversation with people, that's not a good sign.
[/quote]

IMO the OP should never be "hanging around" or by himself while he's at the club. The membership coordinator or another member ought to be with him so that there is no awkwardness and gives him a chance to meet other members; and likewise it allows other members to put their best foot forward.

#1. As long as course conditions and price are about the same.

I'd gladly drive 5 or 6 miles for an amazing practice area and indoor facility.

I'd also rather play with a membership closer to my age. No offense old guys!

[quote name='Chief Illiniwek' timestamp='1431904787' post='11575302']
Club 1 all day. It seems like the only advantage for number 2 is distance. If club 1 was 30 minutes or more away I could see this being a tougher decision, but 10 minutes is nothing.
[/quote]

+1

Which course do you like better? How many members at each? Which has better amenities/food, would you use these with your family outside of golf?

From what I have read, I would go with #1 but the most important factor is the golf course and the membership. I think how well you relate and interact with the membership is more important than the overall age.

I'll find out more about Club 1 this Wednesday, but I've heard good things about the course. I've played Club 2 and really like the course. Both are Donald Ross design's so I have a feeling I'll like either one. I should know more about how I feel about Club 1 later this week, but on paper it seems pretty close to perfect.

If you like the course, option #1 sounds great!
Check on F&B minimums - so you aren't surprised down the road.
10 min is nothing - and on the way home from work is even better!!

[quote name='pu_golf88' timestamp='1431898736' post='11574884']
I'm finally in a position to join a country club but I'm having a hard time deciding between two. I was hoping some of you guys with more experience in this area could help me decide.

Here are the facts:

[u][b]Myself[/b][/u]
- Mid to late 20s
- Single
- 7 handicap
- Like occasional competitive rounds
- Main motivation for joining a club is having better practice facilities and a less crowded course nearby. There's 1 grass range within 15 minutes of my house and I would consider it just passable.

[b][u]Club 1[/u][/b]
- On my way to and from work
- 6 miles (10 minutes) from my house
- Amazing practice facilities
- Indoor practice areas (great since I can't play year-round here)
- Relatively "younger" membership

[b][u]Club 2[/u][/b]
- Right across the street, I can see the club house from my living room.
- Good practice facilities, but no short game "complex"
- No indoor practice areas
- Relatively "older" membership
- Dues are $70 higher than Club 1 (more or less the same initiation).

Which club would you join? I really like both courses; but in the end it's coming down to ultra-convenience vs amazing practice areas. I would also not know any members at either club.

Thanks!
[/quote]If your mind is made up on joining, join Club 1. Hopefully, clubs in Ohio think more of their members than clubs in Georgia.

You'll be happiest if you figure out which one of the two has a group of guys that you will enjoy playing golf and socializing with the most. Perhaps club#1 since the membership is generally younger?

I have a feeling that it's going to be tough to get a feel for the membership after just an afternoon.