Best Golf Situation in America?

[drhoda]

I live on a golf course in a small town in Arkansas. Dues are $125.00/month. Course is probably a 8 on a scale of 10. We've got brand new championship bermuda greens. Fairways could use a little more topsoil but other than that a really good course.

 

We've only got about 300 members. 125 members who play golf and probably only half of them regularly. I never have to get a tee time or wait to tee off.

 

My backyard is the #6 and #7 Fairway. As long as there are no golfers coming down 4 or 5 or late in the evening then I can hit all the shag balls I want. I can jump in my golf cart and pick the balls up quickly or play 4 or 5 holes any evening behind my house....or go chip balls on any green I choose. I also work 5 mins from my course so I come home for lunch every day and can even hit a few balls then if I like as well.

 

I know this is not Augusta or Pebble Beach but I still feel like it is a slice of golf heaven. I don't know what I like most....no tee times, 5 mins from work, or my backyard driving range. In addition, the members here are all middle, upper middle class folks. Not a county club snob among them, very friendly not pretentious folks. Homes are all in the $150 - 300,000 range.

 

Anyone got a better golf situation or value? I'd love to hear it!

[jswaykos]

Why don't you just shut up? LOL... I'm jealous. I was going to say "San Diego" is the best golf situation in America, but some nicer courses will run that much per round, let alone unlimited play per month!!

[sgniwder99]

Yeah, that's pretty good. You definitely suck.

[In2Bate]

I have a similar situation. I live adjacent to the golf club (no homes allowed near or on the course EVER). I can ride a golf cart to the clubhouse. It's a top 50 club also with about 300 members/150 local. I pay more $/month but it's a solid 10/10 course and practice facility (i.e. ProV1's on the practice range). I am blessed.

[tbowles411]

[quote name='sgniwder99' timestamp='1309904500' post='3366888']
Yeah, that's pretty good. You definitely suck.
[/quote]
+1

As a senior Wrx member, I speak for all of us and want to say, we are jealous and hate you with all that we have.

[RJ1670]

[quote name='In2Bate' timestamp='1309905072' post='3366916']
I have a similar situation. I live adjacent to the golf club (no homes allowed near or on the course EVER). I can ride a golf cart to the clubhouse. It's a top 50 club also with about 300 members/150 local. I pay more $/month but it's a solid 10/10 course and practice facility (i.e. ProV1's on the practice range). I am blessed.
[/quote]

It's a top 50 club and it only has 300 members? Is it top 50 in the county? Or are you talking country?

[misterlau]

As a New Yorker with easy access to Bethpage, looking at your rates and real estate prices.....

SHUT UP AND GET OUT OF HERE!

[Swingie]

To say I am a little jelous is like saying Bill Gates has a little money...
Can I come visit?

[mcmski]

That's pretty good, but you have to live in Arkansas so I don't know if it's worth it...

[rlynham]

This thread sucks.

[Night train]

Wouldn't bother me a damn bit to live in Arkansas, good chance I'm going to move their when I retire. Branson MO is also in the running, no big cities for me.

[In2Bate]

[quote name='RJ1670' timestamp='1309967454' post='3368874']
[quote name='In2Bate' timestamp='1309905072' post='3366916']
I have a similar situation. I live adjacent to the golf club (no homes allowed near or on the course EVER). I can ride a golf cart to the clubhouse. It's a top 50 club also with about 300 members/150 local. I pay more $/month but it's a solid 10/10 course and practice facility (i.e. ProV1's on the practice range). I am blessed.
[/quote]

It's a top 50 club and it only has 300 members? Is it top 50 in the county? Or are you talking country?
[/quote]

COUNTRY. Yes, there are about 300 members. 18 holes. No pool. No tennis. No tee-times. If I'm playing as a single on a weekday afternoon, it's unusual for me to see anybody else out there. I'm miffed if I have to wait for the group ahead of me.

[mckennwa]

I assume he's talking about Victoria National. I've been there, and it's a beautiful track. No doubt 10/10. However, I have heard there are some changes and things going on there. Has that had any effect?

I've played there a few times, and boy, as tough as it is, I can see why not many recreational golfers hang out there.

[Doublebuck]

[quote name='drhoda' timestamp='1309901157' post='3366772']
I live on a golf course in a small town in Arkansas. Dues are $125.00/month. Course is probably a 8 on a scale of 10. We've got brand new championship bermuda greens. Fairways could use a little more topsoil but other than that a really good course.

We've only got about 300 members. 125 members who play golf and probably only half of them regularly. I never have to get a tee time or wait to tee off.

My backyard is the #6 and #7 Fairway. As long as there are no golfers coming down 4 or 5 or late in the evening then I can hit all the shag balls I want. I can jump in my golf cart and pick the balls up quickly or play 4 or 5 holes any evening behind my house....or go chip balls on any green I choose. I also work 5 mins from my course so I come home for lunch every day and can even hit a few balls then if I like as well.

I know this is not Augusta or Pebble Beach but I still feel like it is a slice of golf heaven. I don't know what I like most....no tee times, 5 mins from work, or my backyard driving range. In addition, the members here are all middle, upper middle class folks. Not a county club snob among them, very friendly not pretentious folks. Homes are all in the $150 - 300,000 range.

Anyone got a better golf situation or value? I'd love to hear it!
[/quote]

As long as you have a great group of like minded fellas' to go along with it, well then it doesn't get any better. Access and a good group trumps golf course quality if those two aspects are lacking.

[In2Bate]

[quote name='mckennwa' timestamp='1309999868' post='3370265']
I assume he's talking about Victoria National. I've been there, and it's a beautiful track. No doubt 10/10. However, I have heard there are some changes and things going on there. Has that had any effect?

I've played there a few times, and boy, as tough as it is, I can see why not many recreational golfers hang out there.
[/quote]

The club has improved with new owners. Lots of improvements to the clubhouse and also to the course.

It IS a hard track but hitting good shots and making pars is very satisfying. Very fun.

[travark]

Whereabouts in Arkansas? I'm getting ready to move pretty close to a course in Fayetteville that sounds similar -- Though I want to say it's $135/month. I've only played the course once during a tourny a while back, but I could definitely get into a daily pop-in on the way home from work.

[SurfDuffer]

My situation:

Private course 5 minutes from the house. 8 out of 10. The course has hosted tour events in the past. The crowd is seasonal so 9 months out of the year its deserted. My company pays for my membership and all I pay for is food.

If I need a change of pace I go to the other course my company pays for memberships at which is 25 minutes from my home. This is actually a slightly better course but isn't as convenient due to the drive and the longer rounds. I can play all the free golf I want there as well including carts.

[mcmski]

How do I get a job like that?

[SurfDuffer]

[quote name='mcmski' timestamp='1310053312' post='3371838']
How do I get a job like that?
[/quote]

Sales career with a good boss who understands how valuable golf is for doing business. Did I mention that they payed for my foursome in an LPGA Pro-Am the last two years. Its all about networking, meeting new people and entertaining existing clients. The golf and company car are the best perks I have in my job and without them I might be doing something else.

[drhoda]

[quote name='Doublebuck' timestamp='1310000098' post='3370279']
[quote name='drhoda' timestamp='1309901157' post='3366772']
I live on a golf course in a small town in Arkansas. Dues are $125.00/month. Course is probably a 8 on a scale of 10. We've got brand new championship bermuda greens. Fairways could use a little more topsoil but other than that a really good course.

We've only got about 300 members. 125 members who play golf and probably only half of them regularly. I never have to get a tee time or wait to tee off.

My backyard is the #6 and #7 Fairway. As long as there are no golfers coming down 4 or 5 or late in the evening then I can hit all the shag balls I want. I can jump in my golf cart and pick the balls up quickly or play 4 or 5 holes any evening behind my house....or go chip balls on any green I choose. I also work 5 mins from my course so I come home for lunch every day and can even hit a few balls then if I like as well.

I know this is not Augusta or Pebble Beach but I still feel like it is a slice of golf heaven. I don't know what I like most....no tee times, 5 mins from work, or my backyard driving range. In addition, the members here are all middle, upper middle class folks. Not a county club snob among them, very friendly not pretentious folks. Homes are all in the $150 - 300,000 range.

Anyone got a better golf situation or value? I'd love to hear it!
[/quote]

As long as you have a great group of like minded fellas' to go along with it, well then it doesn't get any better. Access and a good group trumps golf course quality if those two aspects are lacking.
[/quote]


That is one of the greatest things about this club. It's full of a bunch of good old boys as well as local lawyers and doctors who aren't on ego trips. John Daly used to play here a lot if that tells you anything.

[drhoda]

[quote name='mcmski' timestamp='1309970421' post='3369020']
That's pretty good, but you have to live in Arkansas so I don't know if it's worth it...
[/quote]


Hey Arkansas is well kept secret. We've got great scenery, tourism, housing prices, etc. Our economy and unemployment rate is doing much better than the national average. We are one of only 4 states to have a budget surplus. When was the last time California had a budget surplus?...

[mcmski]

[quote name='drhoda' timestamp='1310403316' post='3382103']
[quote name='mcmski' timestamp='1309970421' post='3369020']
That's pretty good, but you have to live in Arkansas so I don't know if it's worth it...
[/quote]


Hey Arkansas is well kept secret. We've got great scenery, tourism, housing prices, etc. Our economy and unemployment rate is doing much better than the national average. We are one of only 4 states to have a budget surplus. When was the last time California had a budget surplus?...
[/quote]Touche. Our state government is terrible, I'll give you that.

[Conrad1953]

Don't EVER move..

[dansrixon]

Arkansas is a well kept secret! especially for golf!

Great deals on some golf courses that would cost of furtune to join anywhere else in the country...and dare i mention Hot Springs Village and the deals on some excellent courses there! Probably the best golf retirement location in the country.

[kabal57]

Wow, lucky you. When I used to live in NC (Fort Bragg) there was a super nice course nearby, 100/mo walk on fees, I would give it a 7.5-8/10.. it was in awesome shape.
Unfortunately they let it go to hell and it's a shadow of it's former self

The next house I buy WILL be on a golf course.

[kiteman]

that's cool. i always see houses on golf courses and they always have nice pools and people are always sitting by their pool drinking at all odd times of the day. ah the life, but wearing helmets at all times wouldn't be fun

is is just me, or do any of you like playing multiple courses? i get a little bored just playing one all the time.

[pitch]

OK. I'll play.
Live just outside Orlando on a Golf Digest 4 star rated course. One of the few tracks in Florida that has elevation changes and views. Membership fees are $3100 per year. That includes all golf, range plan and cart trail fee. No food allotments.
Just off my yard is hole 12. Nice par 4. I use it as a range but do not hit shots into the greens or from the fairway. Gotta keep it nice.
Just under 100 members. They still like a lot of the seasonal tourist play. But I have standard 7:00 am tee times on Sat. and Sun. And the members have times blocked at 8:00 Mon., Wed. and Fri.
Only bad thing is that there are about 4 days a year when it's just too cold to play. Won't go out if it's colder than 45*. Oh, and the occasional hurricane.
But I have no intention of moving!

[Parrotheadgolfer]

[quote name='mcmski' timestamp='1310405329' post='3382203']
[quote name='drhoda' timestamp='1310403316' post='3382103']
[quote name='mcmski' timestamp='1309970421' post='3369020']
That's pretty good, but you have to live in Arkansas so I don't know if it's worth it...
[/quote]


Hey Arkansas is well kept secret. We've got great scenery, tourism, housing prices, etc. Our economy and unemployment rate is doing much better than the national average. We are one of only 4 states to have a budget surplus. When was the last time California had a budget surplus?...
[/quote]Touche. Our state government is terrible, I'll give you that.
[/quote]
Our state government is awesome...where else can a guy use his unemployment debit card at pebble beach?

[smandrews]

I think i have it pretty good. I live on an Air Force base. My 18 hole course cost me $200 for a year membership and i live across the street from it.

Course is about a 7/10 but its not very busy since its only open to people who can get on the base.

I get done with work and I can get out and play 18 holes in the evening, decent practice facility too.