Country Club Members - Do you get bored of the course?

[tjumper78]

i play the same county course 25-30 times a year but i never get tired of it, even when i play it 2 days in a row, sometimes even 3. just need to play the other county courses (since we have 5) and some new courses here and there.

[daphenom121]

Thanks for the replies guys. Main reason I am looking to join is to have a set place where I can always get a tee time. I live in southern California and it is very tough to get an early tee time around here and not have a 5 hour+ round. Another reason I am looking to join is to meet more players since most of my friends do not golf. I think the thing I don't like about the current course I play is that there is no real strategy involved in most holes and I tend to hit the same clubs off the tee/approach almost every time I play.

[Golfnuck]

[quote name='daphenom121' timestamp='1425933312' post='11110159']
Thanks for the replies guys. Main reason I am looking to join is to have a set place where I can always get a tee time. I live in southern California and it is very tough to get an early tee time around here and not have a 5 hour+ round. Another reason I am looking to join is to meet more players since most of my friends do not golf. I think the thing I don't like about the current course I play is that there is no real strategy involved in most holes and I tend to hit the same clubs off the tee/approach almost every time I play.
[/quote]

I have been a member of a country club since 1998.

I do not get tired of playing the same course. I usually play around 90 rounds at my club and 20 rounds at other courses in the area.

It is important to chose a course that you like. Personally I like variety in elevation so the course that I chose has lots of elevation changes. Something on a hot day there is too much elevation to walk up.

I play with the same group of guys every Saturday and Sunday morning usually between 6:30am and 7:30am.

We have an on-line tee time reservation system and it is on a lottery basis but I usually get within 30 minutes of the time I want.

I have never not been able to find a tee time.

Our club has a stated maximum time for a round. It is 4 hours and 10 minutes.

We utilize a time clock system to keep track and if you exceed that time you will get a warning notice from the Board of Directors. On a third occurrence you will have your booking privileges suspended for a week and upon more occurrences within the same playing season, the suspensions expand to a month and finally to three months.

When you join you will realize that it is not only the availability of early morning tee time but that you can play less than 18 holes when you don't have time for a full round. It is unlikely that you would do so if you have to pay every time.

As others have said you can not ever justify a private club financially. It will always be cheaper to pay as you go.

Up here in Vancouver, Canada private clubs are quite expensive and we do not have any equity clubs. In other words the initiation fees are 100% non refundable and they are between CAD$50,000 to CAD$100,000.

If you could join an equity club at least you have a shot at getting your initiation fees back.

[Wriggles]

When I joined a very modest country club in 1997, I thought the course looked too easy. I, too, thought I get tired of playing the same course time and time again. Well, it's 2015, and every round is a challenge, and I found the course is not easy.

I love the fact I can play almost everyday, not worry about tee times, skip to uncrowded holes, and basically do whatever I want, as long as it is not to the detriment of others.

I'll cry if the club ever goes under, it's been having financial problems since I joined.

[THenman]

Some courses are boring playing once a year others can be played a 100 and not get boring. It depends on the layout, your game, course condition, weather, etc.

Course I belong to; when I joined in the early 80's was one where on a calm day I'd hit every club in my bag if I had a reasonable tee shot on every hole. Add in wind and severe greens and I doubt I get bored by it. (Plus it's been revised 2x since I joined.)

[NV825]

Not necessarily a CC member but my regular course near my house is a pretty easy muni with 27 holes (Red, White & Blue 9's). It's perfect because I always switch it up and any one of them could either end up being the front-9 or the back-9.

[generally john]

[quote name='NV825' timestamp='1425938010' post='11110627']Not necessarily a CC member but my regular course near my house is a pretty easy muni with 27 holes (Red, White & Blue 9's). It's perfect because I always switch it up and any one of them could either end up being the front-9 or the back-9.[/quote]

Agree, member on a semi private 36 hole course. Does not get boring with the two courses and different tees from time to time. Big plus is o save money at the end of the year due to the number of rounds I play. Would be bored no doubt if it was just 18 holes

[bullie76]

I was a member of my club for 27 years but last year reduced my membership to a limited round package. Mainly because I bought a vacation condo and thought I wouldn't need a full membership. But I just rejoined because I missed playing as much as I used to play with my old buddies. I probably still won't play as much on this course as I did 3-5 years ago, but look forward to playing more than last year. So no, I haven't gotten bored with my club. I have always played just enough elsewhere to give me some variety.

[lumberman2462]

If you ever feel like you're getting bored at your home course I'd suggest upping the wager(s) - play for enough cash and you'll get un-bored quickly.

[boom boom40]

Yeah always having a game and if you go out there and the place is dead so you can just go play a few holes are big pluses for me.

I don't get bored because at my course I could shoot anywhere from 65-80 on a given day. The wind is a regular feature out there. There are multiple opportunities to score and several you need to play safe. Lots of decisions to make based on the wind that day. With as much as I like to play its a no brainer for me.

[WaltonW]

I had same concern before joining a private club

After joining, I quickly forgot as never got tired of playing the same course. Can always play different tees too

Other considerations may be flexibility with tee-times, pace of play, course conditions/greens keeping staff, easy to walk, etc.

Finding right course is paramount, would not want to be locked into a course and that's poorly maintained and undercapitalized

[Chomper]

I joined a private club last year, have played 20-30 rounds, and I cannot imagine getting bored at the club. It is a very hard course with tricky greens.
I was a member of a 36 hole public course, much different feel, and I was also challenged, but some holes did get a little routine.
I play most, but not all, of my rounds at my club.
When I go to other places, I really enjoy the golf, but am constantly thinking about how much easier and more forgiving the away places are as compared to my place.
And I score better away from my club. Which helps the wallet.

[alfriday]

I grew up playing the course I belong to now. I have been a member as an adult since 1992. Does it get boring? Not really. There are many fun activities for me and my spouse--tournaments, best balls, two balls, etc. The course changes enough during the spring and summer that I have very different shots in August than in April.


It's a bit like being married: familiar isn't the same as boring.

Although, I have gotten to the point that I don't so much read putts as remember them.

[landolakes]

I don't get bored, and have several friends at other cc. We all treat each other to a round on avg every couple of weeks

[KARL M]

Costs for joining clubs, may be less now than it was 10 years ago. The downturn in the economy a few years back, led many of our local private courses to dropping initiation fees altogether.

Semi-private courses can also offer good value. Becaue they have revenue sources from more than just member dues, they can offer more reasonable dues. The semi private courses offer the family atmoshere of a private club with the occasional inconvenance of outside tournaments.

My local course break even point to cover membership is 39, 18 hole weekend rounds. Playing 26 weekend rounds and 26 9 hole rounds makes it easy to break even $ wise with paying greens fees. All play beyond that is free. Once you pay you play, as much as your spouse will allow.

[Greasegun]

I recently rejoined my CC, after a year hiatus. I do get tired of the same old course, but not as much as I get tired of playing 5 hour rounds on public courses that are all beat up. If you have friends to play with at your club that makes a big difference.

[Obee]

Depends on the course. The two courses I've belonged to over the years never got boring for me, but that might have more to do with the fact that I'm usually playing a competition or some kind or I'm betting a decent amount of $$$, so that tends to keeps things ... interesting .... LOL

[deadsolid...shank]

[quote name='Obee' timestamp='1426000446' post='11114727']
Depends on the course. The two courses I've belonged to over the years never got boring for me, but that might have more to do with the fact that I'm usually playing a competition or some kind or I'm betting a decent amount of $$$, so that tends to keeps things ... interesting .... LOL
[/quote]

Funny how that same old tee shot or 150 yard approach shot are so much more interesting if there is some $$$ riding on it.

[Rock Chalk Jayhawk]

No.

[Chilidog]

[quote name='ChipDriver' timestamp='1425912053' post='11107721']
[quote name='daphenom121' timestamp='1425910065' post='11107565']
I am planning to play a round at the country club to try it out. Anything I should keep in mind while playing it? I was thinking of seeing how varied the tee boxes are and if they are at different angles, etc.
[/quote]

Keep track of several holes and how many ways you could play the hole but still make par?

A course gets boring if it has a lot of holes that 1) don't require any imagination and 2) force you to play the hole in a specific way.

As a quick example - a flat island green par 3 with maybe 150 carry with no wind and no bailouts. You're either on the green with a 2 putt par; or your in the water, hitting 3 from the drop zone. That can get boring quickly.

Compare that to #8 at Pebble Beach. There are a multitude of ways to play that hole.
[/quote]

You literally just described the most feared par 3 in golf as boring...TPC Sawgrass.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='Chilidog' timestamp='1426010570' post='11115805']
[quote name='ChipDriver' timestamp='1425912053' post='11107721']
[quote name='daphenom121' timestamp='1425910065' post='11107565']
I am planning to play a round at the country club to try it out. Anything I should keep in mind while playing it? I was thinking of seeing how varied the tee boxes are and if they are at different angles, etc.
[/quote]

Keep track of several holes and how many ways you could play the hole but still make par?

A course gets boring if it has a lot of holes that 1) don't require any imagination and 2) force you to play the hole in a specific way.

As a quick example - a flat island green par 3 with maybe 150 carry with no wind and no bailouts. You're either on the green with a 2 putt par; or your in the water, hitting 3 from the drop zone. That can get boring quickly.

Compare that to #8 at Pebble Beach. There are a multitude of ways to play that hole.
[/quote]

You literally just described the most feared par 3 in golf as boring...TPC Sawgrass.
[/quote]

I think boring is the wrong word... fear is better. Actually #8 at PB is, for sure, easier than #17 at Sawgrass... Miss the green and you can still get up/down to save par. Miss the green on #17, you're more than likey in the drink, only other option is long on the cart path forcing a testy pitch that is difficult to control if the pin is in the wrong spot. Pebble Beach is easy and short, if weather is NOT in.

Also, course designers typically tell people from the tee, how to play the hole. Thinking a hole should have multiple ways it can be played, suggests the hole is wide open and or has many bail out areas, therefore makes it easy.

[Sooner7x]

Ive never not had a home club, so it's hard for me to compare.

In general I don't feel a need to go play elsewhere just to play something different. I get enough variety playing friends clubs, traveling ect...

I really enjoy having a nice locker room, staff who knows you, playing with friends from the club, club run tournaments ect...

[Fozcycle]

I won't get bored until I am breaking Par every time I play. I run a Saturday game where we average 35 to 45 players. We Shotgun Start and have a small game with two 36 hole tournaments a year. About 60 percent of the players are not members of the golf club. Those of us that are members, get reciprocal priveleges at two other courses about 40 minutes away owned by the same group. I played and ran this saturday Game for 5 years at Pebble Creek before I became a member. The non-members get a flat rate for play every Saturday morning of the year. In Florida, the rates skyrocket in the winter then fall in the summer to accommodate the Snowbirds.

[Shilgy]

I guess I am not that good because I don't get bored. If I was hitting from the previous days divots yeah I would be bored. But nature does her thing and the wind is a bit different or it's cooler or warmer. The pins are moved and so are the tees. If you are too bored as some have suggested play different tee boxes or get your club to move the tees more each day. I have always believed that just because this hole is on the card at 400 and that one at 360 there is no reason it can't be 420 and 340 one day and still be fine for handicap posting.

[dpb5031]

I never tire of my home course. I thought I might,back when I first joined 20 years ago, but I still enjoy every round.

Our greens are typically very good to excellent, so that's a factor. Another thing is that our greens are large, so plenty of different hole locations plus numerous tee boxes, so the course plays differently every round.

[ChipDriver]

[quote name='Chilidog' timestamp='1426010570' post='11115805']
[quote name='ChipDriver' timestamp='1425912053' post='11107721']
[quote name='daphenom121' timestamp='1425910065' post='11107565']
I am planning to play a round at the country club to try it out. Anything I should keep in mind while playing it? I was thinking of seeing how varied the tee boxes are and if they are at different angles, etc.
[/quote]

Keep track of several holes and how many ways you could play the hole but still make par?

A course gets boring if it has a lot of holes that 1) don't require any imagination and 2) force you to play the hole in a specific way.

As a quick example - [b]a flat island green par 3 with maybe 150 carry with no wind and no bailouts. [/b] You're either on the green with a 2 putt par; or your in the water, hitting 3 from the drop zone. That can get boring quickly.

Compare that to #8 at Pebble Beach. There are a multitude of ways to play that hole.
[/quote]

You literally just described the most feared par 3 in golf as boring...TPC Sawgrass.
[/quote]

With respect - please re-read what I wrote.

17 is not flat, and has wind in your face that swirls...it's the wind and the terrain (it is steeply sloped from back to front and tiered) that make this hole a challenge. Likewise the wind on #8 at PB is what makes it an incredible hole. I've played both several times.

[WalleyeDave]

No. My home home course has two courses, so I change it up if I get bored. I still found the time to play 15 or 20 different courses last year. I did get in about 100 rounds all together.
Only 1 inch of snow left here, come on weather.
Good golfing to all.

[MaxBuck]

[quote name='daphenom121' timestamp='1425906283' post='11107231']I was thinking of joining the local country club and was wondering if you guys ever get bored playing the same course most of the time?
[/quote]Absolutely not.

The key to joining the right club is to find a course that you can play several times a week and still find it challenging, enjoyable and interesting. I'm lucky enough to have found such a course.

[KLeC]

I have a membership in the Nashville area, but still play 3 other courses on a fairly regular basis. What does help the membership approach is getting involved in some regular games. It adds a new dimension and challenge to playing the course.

[Lexicographer]

Not bored yet. Not in the least bit. Here are some course/facility features that I think can help keep things fresh:

1) Multiple sets of tees that you would realistically play from - Most of my rounds are from the 'members' tees, but the occasional round from the middle tees or from the tips is fun
2) Greens with enough undulation/levels/bunkering to where a different hole location presents a different challenge for the short game as well as for the approach shot
3) A facility with more than 18 holes. My club has 36, so that goes a long way to ever getting burned out at one course.