Will be retired and moving to a new area

[weten2]

Like the title says in the not too long distant future I will be retiring and moving to Columbus, OH where my daughter lives. I have belonged to a country club and have had regular groups to play with at public courses and wonder what to do in a new area not knowing anyone. The CC is a nice way of meeting people, playing in tournaments and unlimited golf. However CC's are more expensive and many are pretentious.

Anyone been in this situation? What worked for you to make golf buddies and play 2-3times/wk and enjoy your golf? Did public courses organize groups and tournaments to your satisfaction?

[freddyottawa]

I played a few courses where I live after I moved here and then joined the one I enjoyed playing the most. A bit of luck was involved I guess, but it was one of the best golf decisions I have made. I believe I could not have joined another club with so many great members to play with. When I joined, I didn't know anyone and now when I turn up at the course, it's almost a guarantee that there is someone there that I enjoy playing a round with.

I didn't join a private club (pretty sure I wouldn't fit in with that crowd) and i'm sure I could have joined a nicer course than i'm at now, but the members make the course for me and I lucked out in that regard.

Good luck in finding something that works for you.

[Fozcycle]

I lived in rural Winnfield Louisiana for 5 years, where the only golf was a private country club......so i joined.


I have lived in Central florida for the past 25 years and there are so many courses to play that there is really no need to join a private club. Each course has a local group that plays a game every week...some on weekdays, some on weekends. I run a Saturday game at Pebble Creek in Tampa and participate, when I can, in a Tuesday game at Babe Zaharias GC....

I am sure that there are public courses in columbus that offer regular games on weekdays and weekends.

Your best bet is to check them out.......you may find a friendly group at a public or muni course without all the extra cost of a private club.

[ruascott]

Most courses will offer Seniors league on a weekday morning for retired guys. Just sign up for a couple at courses you like for the first year and see how that goes. That will get you out twice right there. Then you could look at buying a membership at the one you like the most. Considering you'll be playing a lot during slow periods on weekday morning, a nice public course could be a great option for a membership at a much cheaper price than a private club.

[golferlaird]

Take your time when you get there. Play all of the courses.
I joined my club a little too fast because of the location and now they nickel and dime me to death. Raising dues the year I joined, added food minimums the next year, assessments, etc. I do have a nice group of guys to play with and enjoy it but the value is not there and from what I've seen, every course had a good group of guys. I wish I would have joined a different club or stayed playing public. I cant quit because I built a house on the 16th fairway. Ooops

[rvgolfer]

Gotta like the above advice,,just take your time. Evaluate not only the courses, but the costs of playing various courses, and get advice from players you run into on the course. One thing I have found in retirement is that instead of change coming more slowly, health issues, family issues, budget issues and a host of other issues seem to cause changes to occur more frequently. So try to retain as much flexibility as you can.

[1player]

Go to munis n semis n resorts
Hit range
Ask starter
U got any skin games I can play in
He'll find u the weekly open skin game at each course
Eventually
A group that needs to replace someone will adopt u
Have fun

[weten2]

[quote name='1player' timestamp='1347143703' post='5608741']
Go to munis n semis n resorts
Hit range
Ask starter
U got any skin games I can play in
He'll find u the weekly open skin game at each course
Eventually
A group that needs to replace someone will adopt u
Have fun
[/quote]
Player;
I play skins with my buddies and I'm curious how this goes at the Muni's with new people? Are you ever hustled? I assume there is good and bad experiences. Do you only use USGA handicaps or can you use Player Link?

[weten2]

Thanks for all the replies. This has been thought provoking causing me to make a post in the Classic section: [url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/725287-golf-in-retirement/"]http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/725287-golf-in-retirement/[/url]