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 But you get what you pay for, and if less crowded fairways, seeing the same people on a frequent basis and having a makeshift home away from home is what you desire, then joining a private club might be worth the expense. With the cost of memberships ranging from little or no money down to upwards of $250,000 for initiation fees, and monthly dues from the hundreds to the thousands, it is a big decision. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to joining a country club, so potential members need to do their homework by visiting prospective clubs and talking with members and employees. Here are some things to investigate before making a commitment: The golf course and playability • Who does my membership cover? Find out what playing privileges each member of the family has when looking at a country club. Are children welcome, and does the club offer junior programs? Some courses have clearly defined days for when men and women can play, or designate days for the primary or secondary members. If you like to play with your spouse, ask whether there are restrictions on when couples can play together. “You need to understand who gets to play and when,” said Diana Brown, membership director at Dove Canyon. Brown encourages potential members to play the course with their spouse, significant other or business partner — if the membership is going to be corporate — to see if they like it. “Our course is difficult and challenging,” she said. “People need to know that.” Shirley Barto, membership director at Old Ranch Country Club, said the most frequent question she gets concerns playing privileges. “While everyone can play every day, we have times that are specifically for the primary member, whether that be the man or the woman,” she said. “For example, a couple couldn’t go out together early on a Saturday morning; they would have to wait until after 11 a.m.” • Do I like the golf course enough to play every time I go out? Enjoying the golf course is an important consideration when looking at country clubs. After all, you’ll be playing the course day in and day out. If it isn’t enjoyable, then you’ve wasted your money. Most country clubs will offer you a complimentary round of golf so you can experience what they’re selling. You should insist on this before making a deal. • Can I walk or am I required to take a cart? Many new courses require players to take a cart. If you prefer walking, find out if that’s allowed. And ask if you can use a pull cart. • How often are tournaments held? Many private clubs set aside Mondays for outside tournaments when the club is traditionally closed. Ask about club events as well, because that could limit the amount of time you can play. Most clubs have a yearly calendar of events. Check it out. • How about tee times and the guest policy? Members of private clubs don’t always get tee times whenever they want. Find out how far in advance you can book a time, and ask if there is a lottery system for weekends and holidays. Explore the guest policy as well. Some clubs limit guest play on weekends to afternoons only. Others allow guests anytime but limit the frequency. “We only allow the same guest once a month,” said Barton, the membership director at Old Ranch Country Club. “I tell them they joined the club, and guests that come out more often than that are riding on their coattails and we don’t allow it.” Carl Reul, general manager at Alta Vista, said potential members should also ask how many rounds are played at the course each year. “We have some original members at our club that are on a plan where they pay if they play,” he said. “So technically, they are members but they don’t play too often because they have to pay full green fees every time they go out. So, you can better determine how difficult it will be to get a tee time if you ask about the number of rounds rather than the actual number of members.” Social Aspect and Facilities • What facilities am I entitled to use? Do I have reciprocal privileges anywhere? Take a tour to see what’s included in your membership. In addition to golf, some clubs offer tennis, swimming, workout facilities and dining options. Check to see if a golf membership includes those other activities. There may be supplemental costs. Find out if the club has reciprocal privileges with other facilities. If you travel a lot, you may consider joining a club that operates courses throughout the country. If you have to meet a food and beverage minimum, make sure you’re happy with the dining options. Look at the menu and check out the prices. Dolores Virtue, membership director at Newport Beach Country Club, said potential members should inquire about the course and clubhouse as well. “I always offer up information about how well-maintained our course is. We budget a substantial amount of money to keep the course in great shape, and I think it shows,” she said. “We are celebrating our 50th anniversary so we are a mature course and people should know that our vegetation and trees show that.” Virtue also fields questions about plans to rebuild the clubhouse. “The answer to that is yes,” she said. • Is it an active membership? What are the demographics and ages? Spending time at the club and observing the people will give you an idea about whether you’ll feel comfortable or not. If you know members, spend time with them at the club to get a feel for the place. If you don’t know anyone, ask members you see what they think of the club. Check out the driving range and dining facilities. Are they full of retired people who will be there all the time? Is it the weekend hot spot for working folks? Will the facility be comfortable for your children? Do most of the people live close and hang out, or does it appear that people come to play golf and then go home? Financial aspect • Is the club is equity or non-equity? Non-equity members hold a license; equity members own stock in the club. If the membership is equity, find out the sale prices for the past several years. If non-equity, ask if there is a refundable portion of the initiation fee. Also find out if the club has had any assessments in the past and what they were. Ask about the financial health of the club and get as much information as you can. If the club is non-equity, find out who the management company is and do a background check. John Tyler, membership director at The Golf Club of California, recommends that people ask about the club’s long-term vision. “Many young clubs have long-term plans. Once they reach their trigger number for capacity, they may offer the club for sale to the membership,” he said. “And if the membership chooses not to purchase the club, then it may be sold to an outside source. It’s good to know what the plan is when choosing a golf club.” Tyler considers membership to his club a luxury item and not an investment. “I get people who come in with a notepad and others that come in with their checkbook,” he said. “We’re non-equity, and while that may change at some point, I wouldn’t look at this as an investment, but rather an opportunity to play golf.” • What’s the policy for leaving the club? An exit strategy is good to have when joining a country club. Investigate whether the membership is transferable, and if it is, what are the costs. If the club is equity, ask how long memberships are up for sale before a buyer is found and whether you can find a buyer yourself or have to go through the club. Also, find out if you can walk away from the membership at any time without penalty. • What are the monthly dues and minimums? What do they cover and when was the last time they were increased? Find out what’s included in the monthly dues and investigate potential hidden costs. Carol Morrisey, membership director at Coto de Caza, said while initiation fees and monthly dues are important, there are other things to consider. “People should want to know about the dues, additional fees for lockers, carts, range balls, bag storage, etc. I also want to make sure they understand the food and beverage minimums so they can make the best financial decision,” she said. Morrisey also said the social aspect of a club is important to many members. “I think people join a club for the camaraderie, the social aspect and the ability to find a golf game just about anytime,” she said. n |
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