What would you do?

[Beastmode Broker]

Chosing a course to purchase membership

so last year I was a "free lancer" so to speak
no membership, gofled where i wanted instead of one place
was just ok......handicap srtayed the same, and i got to know all the local courses quite well (some i despise now too)
heres my dilema:


Course "A"
a couple buddies i golf w regularily have memberships here
well one is actually a pro there
golf w these guys minimum once a week
but i had a memby at this course the year before and i was bored of it by August
mens night blows there and the guy running it wont do anything about it
usually in good shape and rarely is under water
fees are good around $1700 for the year (which is like 5-6 mnths here)

Course "B"
I know NO ONE here
but it has two tracks, full 18's as well
one of my fac tracks in the city
always in great shape, but holds water bad when it rains a lot
never golfed a mens night here, but there is a GREAT one once a week
A LOT of the better goflers in the city are members here
fees are about $2600 for the year


last year i did 60 rounds w/out a membership and spent approx $3000 on fees
year before i did 75 rounds, and paid $1400 (fees now $1700) for the membership and another $700 on other course fees when i got bored
wifey has given me the go to do whatever i want, but im stuck

what are your thoughts???

[Barto78]

[quote name='enis750' timestamp='1326301351' post='4065375']
so last year I was a "free lancer" so to speak
no membership, gofled where i wanted instead of one place
was just ok......handicap srtayed the same, and i got to know all the local courses quite well (some i despise now too)
heres my dilema:


[b]Course "A"
[/b]a couple buddies i golf w regularily have memberships here
well one is actually a pro there
golf w these guys minimum once a week
but i had a memby at this course the year before and i was bored of it by August
mens night blows there and the guy running it wont do anything about it
usually in good shape and rarely is under water
fees are good around $1700 for the year (which is like 5-6 mnths here)

[b]Course "B"
[/b]I know NO ONE here
but it has two tracks, full 18's as well
one of my fac tracks in the city
always in great shape, but holds water bad when it rains a lot
never golfed a mens night here, but there is a GREAT one once a week
A LOT of the better goflers in the city are members here
fees are about $2600 for the year


last year i did 60 rounds w/out a membership and spent approx $3000 on fees
year before i did 75 rounds, and paid $1400 (fees now $1700) for the membership and another $700 on other course fees when i got bored
wifey has given me the go to do whatever i want, but im stuck

what are your thoughts???
[/quote]

Join the 2nd course. You'll likely meet a bunch of people there if you go to their men's night. Also, if you are a good golfer and aren't annoying, i can't imagine you'd have a tough time getting a game or getting in the regular Saturday group.

[Beastmode Broker]

[quote name='Barto78' timestamp='1326301922' post='4065435']
[quote name='enis750' timestamp='1326301351' post='4065375']
so last year I was a "free lancer" so to speak
no membership, gofled where i wanted instead of one place
was just ok......handicap srtayed the same, and i got to know all the local courses quite well (some i despise now too)
heres my dilema:


[b]Course "A"
[/b]a couple buddies i golf w regularily have memberships here
well one is actually a pro there
golf w these guys minimum once a week
but i had a memby at this course the year before and i was bored of it by August
mens night blows there and the guy running it wont do anything about it
usually in good shape and rarely is under water
fees are good around $1700 for the year (which is like 5-6 mnths here)

[b]Course "B"
[/b]I know NO ONE here
but it has two tracks, full 18's as well
one of my fac tracks in the city
always in great shape, but holds water bad when it rains a lot
never golfed a mens night here, but there is a GREAT one once a week
A LOT of the better goflers in the city are members here
fees are about $2600 for the year


last year i did 60 rounds w/out a membership and spent approx $3000 on fees
year before i did 75 rounds, and paid $1400 (fees now $1700) for the membership and another $700 on other course fees when i got bored
wifey has given me the go to do whatever i want, but im stuck

what are your thoughts???
[/quote]

Join the 2nd course. You'll likely meet a bunch of people there if you go to their men's night. Also, if you are a good golfer and aren't annoying, i can't imagine you'd have a tough time getting a game or getting in the regular Saturday group.
[/quote]


im worried that my buddies i regularily golf with would be pi$$ed that I joined another club
and more than likely wouldnt get the early Saturday am (5am) invite ... which is uaually an awesome time
all of us are good golfers ranging from +1's to 4's

but at the same time, that course really gets boring over time

[Fore_Man]

[quote name='enis750' timestamp='1326301351' post='4065375']
so last year I was a "free lancer" so to speak
no membership, gofled where i wanted instead of one place
was just ok......handicap srtayed the same, and i got to know all the local courses quite well (some i despise now too)
heres my dilema:


[b]Course "A"
[/b]a couple buddies i golf w regularily have memberships here
well one is actually a pro there
golf w these guys minimum once a week
but i had a memby at this course the year before and i was bored of it by August
mens night blows there and the guy running it wont do anything about it
usually in good shape and rarely is under water
fees are good around $1700 for the year (which is like 5-6 mnths here)

[b]Course "B"
[/b]I know NO ONE here
but it has two tracks, full 18's as well
one of my fac tracks in the city
always in great shape, but holds water bad when it rains a lot
never golfed a mens night here, but there is a GREAT one once a week
A LOT of the better goflers in the city are members here
fees are about $2600 for the year


last year i did 60 rounds w/out a membership and spent approx $3000 on fees
year before i did 75 rounds, and paid $1400 (fees now $1700) for the membership and another $700 on other course fees when i got bored
wifey has given me the go to do whatever i want, but im stuck

what are your thoughts???
[/quote]

[b]Damn, I wish I had your problem!!!!![/b]

I vote for option 2, and recruit a couple of your buddies to follow you.

[Beastmode Broker]

Course 'B' also has a waaay better practice facility
i actually practice here like 3 days a week when im not playing

[Ham Solo]

Course "B" all the way.

[Skaffa77]

Course B hands down.

I don't belong to a private or semi-private course...I'm a free-lancer. Personally, I don't really care about the socializing aspect of a club or the prestige...it's all about the golf and course. The only way I would ever "belong" to a specific place is for the course. With that said, I also don't want to be somewhere that has a bunch of jerks either.

I understand your concern with your buddies, but I don't know that they would be pissed. If they like playing golf with you, you'll continue to get the invite. If they decide to exclude you because you join another course, it makes me wonder about how strong of a friendship you had with these guys. Personally, I'd think they'd like to get some variety in their rotation (your course, their course, etc).

[againstthegrain]

Course B. Don't think twice about it.

[tbowles411]

[quote name='Skaffa77' timestamp='1326303344' post='4065593']
Course B hands down.

I don't belong to a private or semi-private course...I'm a free-lancer. Personally, I don't really care about the socializing aspect of a club or the prestige...it's all about the golf and course. The only way I would ever "belong" to a specific place is for the course. With that said, I also don't want to be somewhere that has a bunch of jerks either.

I understand your concern with your buddies, but I don't know that they would be pissed. If they like playing golf with you, you'll continue to get the invite. If they decide to exclude you because you join another course, it makes me wonder about how strong of a friendship you had with these guys. Personally, I'd think they'd like to get some variety in their rotation (your course, their course, etc).
[/quote]
THIS. Friends are important, but ultimately, you have to do what you want to, and place your money where you want to, regardless of their wishes. Don't let them influence where you want to go, if you really don't want to.

Think of it this way: You want a Mustang Shelby. BAAAD. You're dreaming of it and stare at the brochure every waking moment. You have the money and the deal all locked up, but your best friend comes up and says, "Dude, you really need to get a Corvette. I want you to get a Corvette or I'll never forgive you." Who is he to say that? Until he's making the payments, he doesn't get a vote.

[eric_b]

I'd say Course A if you just want to have fun (cheaper and you play with your buddies) and Course B if you're serious about your game (sounds like a better track, more variety and superior practice facilities).

IMO, it looks like from your OP that you're more in the market for Course B.....and I would +1 that as I'm all about the practice facility and improving my game.

Good luck!

[farmer]

Is flooding a regular concern, or just every year or two? If you get bored with "A", "B" has two courses and better practice facilities, so unless it floods every couple of weeks, "B" is the winner.

[596]

Depends on your disposable income!

I'd join B and play A whenever I had a chance to play with the friends. But that will cost you more, but if money isn't a problem, so what?

I'd join A and play B once in awhile to relieve boredom if money is a question.

[MichiganMike]

And herein lies my biggest reluctance to join a club. I feel like it kills your flexibility. With all the struggling clubs out there today, I think many could really help themselves by signing more reciprocal play agreements. It would be a huge selling point with me if I could play more course without having to pay everytime I played away from home.

[Pweb44]

Sounds to me that deep down you really want to play course B with your membership money so go that route.

If your friends are really your friends they will understand and may join you from time to time at course B and you can go out with them on course A say once or twice a month just to play with them. Real friends if you say to them "I enjoy playing golf with you guys but I really prefer the other course so this year I'm going to join course B" they will understand. Your true friends will understand and support you in your decision and if they don't then you need to wonder if they really are your friend. Besides if you join course B and decide that you would rather play more with friends then the following year you can go backand join course A to be with your friends.

[eric_b]

[quote name='MichiganMike' timestamp='1326305773' post='4065857']
And herein lies my biggest reluctance to join a club. I feel like it kills your flexibility. With all the struggling clubs out there today, I think many could really help themselves by signing more reciprocal play agreements. It would be a huge selling point with me if I could play more course without having to pay everytime I played away from home.
[/quote]


+1......times infinity.

[sheppy335]

I would go "B" good friends would understand!

[cardoustie]

I would go with B. I had the exact same problem 6 yrs ago and went with B. Found 20 new awesome guys to play with, men's nights (core group of 100 guys) and Saturdays are killer. And playing at a better course has paid off for the game. Does B's price include free practice? What happens when it floods? Money back? Privileges elsewhere?

[Beastmode Broker]

thanks for the replies so far

 

my bud's are good guys for sure, but CHEAP when it comes to playing other courses than their home track

so them playin w me at my new course, would be slilm to none

and green fees are a bit pricy if not a member there

 

on another note, i may not want to pay extra $$ out of pocket, if im in 3 deep in a membership either

I can still practice at course 'B' for free, regardless of being a member or not

im in in 3 large for a membership, it doesnt leave much room to play anywhere else

 

money isnt a real issue, i can afford to buy either one no problem

BUT justifying playing anywhere but your home track, becomes hard to think about

as i am sure, is a valid concern for ANYONE who has a membership anywhere, right???

 

see the dilemma??

[Woodridge]

If you're not sure, I'd freelance it again this year. Wait until you find a club that you're positive about joining. It may end up being neither of these.

[AndrewO]

I'd go with Course B based on what you've said. You are less likely to get bored there, you will almost certainly meet new people to play with, and who's to say you can't keep playing with your other buddies as well? Go with B.

[FATC1TY]

Join both.

Just kidding. Join B. Invite your buddies to go out to play there, and you guys can flip flop it around a bit when you do play together.

[marmooskapaul]

I don't know? You can play a lot of "freelance" golf for $2600. I would think about doing that again.Does that price include cart and range?
Paul

[Beastmode Broker]

[quote name='marmooskapaul' timestamp='1326383655' post='4071167']
I don't know? You can play a lot of "freelance" golf for $2600. I would think about doing that again.Does that price include cart and range?
Paul
[/quote]


includes range and free storage if i want it
i dont use a cart (only 31, ill walk till my body wont let me), so that part doesnt matter to me
course 'A' doesnt not include range, which is about $450/year on top of the $1700

[ChipDriver]

[quote name='enis750' timestamp='1326301351' post='4065375']
so last year I was a "free lancer" so to speak
no membership, gofled where i wanted instead of one place
was just ok......handicap srtayed the same, and i got to know all the local courses quite well (some i despise now too)
heres my dilema:


[b]Course "A"
[/b]a couple buddies i golf w regularily have memberships here
well one is actually a pro there
golf w these guys minimum once a week
but i had a memby at this course the year before and i was bored of it by August
mens night blows there and the guy running it wont do anything about it
usually in good shape and rarely is under water
fees are good around $1700 for the year (which is like 5-6 mnths here)

[b]Course "B"
[/b]I know NO ONE here
but it has two tracks, full 18's as well
one of my fac tracks in the city
always in great shape, but holds water bad when it rains a lot
never golfed a mens night here, but there is a GREAT one once a week
A LOT of the better goflers in the city are members here
fees are about $2600 for the year


last year i did 60 rounds w/out a membership and spent approx $3000 on fees
year before i did 75 rounds, and paid $1400 (fees now $1700) for the membership and another $700 on other course fees when i got bored
wifey has given me the go to do whatever i want, but im stuck

what are your thoughts???
[/quote]



Decide which is more important to you:

Friends
Golf

If I wanted good golf - I'd go with the majority and join B But - it is clear from your other posts that you don't want to take their advice....fair enough.

Then join A...you get to keep your golf friends....and you will have $900 to spend on B.



One question: how much did you spend as a "free lancer"?? Arbitrarily I'm assuming it was $4,000 or more? Otherwise none of this makes much sense.



This isn't rocket science.

[RRFireblade]

Pay to be bored?

Gotta be #2.

Or stay freelance and just sniff out better deals if its the money issue.

[hef63303]

Both. It is only money. They make more of it every day.

[Bodee]

thanks for the replies so far

 

my bud's are good guys for sure, but CHEAP when it comes to playing other courses than their home track

so them playin w me at my new course, would be slilm to none

and green fees are a bit pricy if not a member there

 

on another note, i may not want to pay extra $ out of pocket, if im in 3 deep in a membership either

I can still practice at course 'B' for free, regardless of being a member or not

im in in 3 large for a membership, it doesnt leave much room to play anywhere else

 

money isnt a real issue, i can afford to buy either one no problem

BUT justifying playing anywhere but your home track, becomes hard to think about

as i am sure, is a valid concern for ANYONE who has a membership anywhere, right???

 

see the dilemma??

 

The way I see it is this....Option A is the winner here. If it was me, I would practice at Opt. B and play with my buds at Opt.A. For the same reason you got bored with Opt. A, don't you think the same might happen with Opt. B as well??

[bigmoneyp]

I freelance, mostly because I play with the same 4-6 guys all the time and none of them have memberships. If I was in your shoes I would pick option B mostly because it has two courses and a better practice facility. However, I would only join if I could get a buddy or two to join with me.

[Trugravity]

I'd vote for option B, but prior to making the move have a heart to heart with your buddies about why you're doing it. Further, why not invite them to make the move with you??? Doing so will leave no doubt regarding your value of the friendship.

FYI - I just switched clubs for the 2012 year (cost $3300 versus $2150 but is in far better condition, gets less play/outings, has a fantastic lounge that is as good as any sports bar in town) and this is exactly what I did with a couple of good buddies. So far, neither of my buddies has made the move but I've played some at the new club and the membership has been great. Both clubs are non-equity, so there will be opportunity should I decide to return to the first club.

[asong77]

[quote name='FATC1TY' timestamp='1326337322' post='4069115']
Join both.

Just kidding. Join B. Invite your buddies to go out to play there, and you guys can flip flop it around a bit when you do play together.
[/quote]

Oh man, what I would give to join TWO clubs for only $4300 around here in the NYC area. Sorry OP, you called it a dilemma, but I can't sympathize with you...it's kind of like asking me whether you should buy the Porsche or the Ferrari...

Seriously though, to answer your question, which really isn't a question but rather seeking validation of whichever option you're already leaning to in your mind:

Option A:
[color="#1C2837"][size="2"][b]i had a memby at this course the year before and i was bored of it by August[/b][/size][/color]

Option B:
[b][color="#1C2837"][size="2"]it has two tracks, full 18's as well[/size][/color][/b]
[color="#1C2837"][size="2"][b]one of my fac tracks in the city[/b][/size][/color]
[color="#1C2837"][size="2"][b]waaay better practice facility[/b][/size][/color]
[size="2"][color="#1c2837"][b]
[/b][/color][/size]
[size="2"][color="#1c2837"]Think of it from a perspective of a 6 year old...the answer is a no brainer. [/color][/size]