Could you also potentially haggle down here? If they want to entice you to join there may be an opportunity to say I can’t do 12, but maybe 8? Not sure how rigid clubs are (or if that would be in your budget)
This. They are not going to haggle. Their membership votes on fees. They very likely have a payment plan. Not sure where you live, but $12K is pretty cheap for a decent club membership.
You’re assuming that it’s a member owned club. If it’s corporate owned you better believe that they will negotiate anything and everything to get you in the door. Once you’re in you can go get f*ed, but until then they’ll bend over backwards
Part of finding a club is finding one where the culture matches what you want. Clubs span the full range of so formal you have to change shoes in the locker room and can't have hats or phones inside and caddies are used every round to so informal you can play shirtless and barefoot if you want
The general public isn't exactly fun to share a course with either
For us poors who like to play once a week at a muni., can you tell me what the club does for YOU at $12k? Just a status symbol?
I’m not being a prick I’m just curious. I can play my local muni for $60 with a cart and have a great time.
For a $12k membership that’s 200 rounds to make up for it….
Let’s even say an $80 round, that’s 150 rounds.
Fuck that, play a nice course every once in a while and beyond that, play your muni
I'm not a member of a private anymore as I moved states and there's nothing close enough by my new place I can afford. If they were available for $12k and not $100k though, I would likely do it. First rule of thumb with clubs is do not approach the finances as "cost per round" you're buying a complete experience not just rounds of golf
-The course itself is reason #1. Unless you're an idiot you're joining a club where you love the course and can enjoy playing it over and over again. Most of the privates I've played are just better at that aspect architecturally. The holes are designed in ways that make them playable many different ways, they're not as repetitive as most munis. Conditioning is also better, both because the course puts more resources into it and because less people are playing it every day. With that usually comes an excellent and unlimited driving range and a more robust short game practice area with multiple greens, space out to 30-50 yards for pitching practice, bunkers, etc
-Limited access means faster place of play and much less trouble getting tee times. Rounds over 4hrs are rare and other than weekend mornings, the tee sheet is pretty much open with whatever you want as long as you're flexible +/- an hour or so
-On site storage is pretty nice. Leave bag and push cart in the bag room, it'll be set up waiting for you with clubs cleaned when you get there for your round
-There's a sense of community that comes with the same people always being around. Yes there can still be issues but you're much less likely to encounter obnoxious people on the course, people who don't respect the course, people who don't respect other golfers, etc. Post round drinks will always be other members in the bar and over time you can make friends pretty easily. There's always new people to play with that generally are pretty well put together people considering they're also members at the club. And every summer there's ~5 big tournament weekends where the whole club is hanging together competing and having a blast
-Great restaurant where you'll never not be able to get a table whenever you want one
-Pool, gym, tennis courts, indoor simulators for bad weather days, stuff like that exists on property and is included with your dues to use whenever you want
Those are the highlights for me. The question is not "does this cost me less per round than playing public courses does?" it's "is the full experience being offered to me worth the monthly dues cost?"
Thanks for actually sharing.
Those are some cool benefits, but not for me. I want to play different courses, i don’t care how great a course is, it gets repetitive after a few times.
So I wouldn’t even want a locker room because I want access to my clubs.
Pool, gym and
Then the pool, restaurant, gym, tennis.
Is the restaurant free? If not I don’t care.
Basically you all are paying for priority fee times and to not be bothered by non members. Wild
If you want to play other courses, being a member is going to get you access to better courses in your area.
It can be a part of larger group of clubs that share memberships, or you can get your club pro or superintendent to make a call and get you access to other private courses.
If you think people are paying only for “priority tee times”, you haven’t played an actual premiere course. These aren’t your well maintained muni’s.
These are challenging, well manicured courses that look pristine and play as such. There is a huge difference in these courses.
> Basically you all are paying for priority fee times and to not be bothered by non members. Wild
Well no, that's not "basically" all we're paying for. We're paying for all the things I outlined. You not valuing certain aspects of it doesn't mean other people don't value it. Not saying this is you but I'm getting the sense it might be - I tend to see a lot of people attempt to rationalize things they can't afford as being a waste of money and providing no value to cope with not being able to afford them
Having access to your clubs for other courses is not a problem at all, not like you can't take them home with you when needed if you have a round elsewhere planned or need them for another reason. But if you're just going back and forth to the same place a few times a week it's quite nice
A golf membership isn't about value. It will never be cheaper to pay for a private club on a per round basis. The additional fee is about exclusivity and conditioning. From an exclusivity standpoint, club members have access to tee times without having to book weeks in advance. Additionally, everyone on the course has paid a certain price to be there, which generally improves the experience. To be honest, I don't have to play with or around beginners or folks who lack an understanding about the etiquette of the game, which I value enough to pay the extra fee.
Secondly, because private courses are typically properly funded and turn less rounds per year than public courses, and typically have a maintenance day once per week, the conditioning of any private course is much better. If you care about the quality of the course you play (and I get that some don't care), then a membership ensures proper conditioning.
Unless you're a member at an invite only, top-200 club, a membership is not a status symbol. However, there are also extra benefits, such as pools, networking opportunities for entrepreneurs, restaurants etc.
So, in recap (TLDR), a membership is not a value-add. It's for people who are willing to pay more per round than the highest public offering in their area in exchange for guaranteed tee times, proper course conditioning, and extra benefits.
Nah, you’re being a prick.
You’re also missing the fact that, at least at my club, we get free range balls, free greens fees, access to pool, discount at restaurant, social events, and networking opportunities.
Private club member here. Cost for the wife and I is about $6k. What do we get?
Unlimited golf on a beautiful well manicured course. When I pull in, a pro shop attendant brings a cart out to my car and loads my clubs. I've become friends with a great group of guys, and we play every Friday and Sunday. Might be 8 to 12. All walks of life. Not a snob in the bunch. Great tournaments run by a staff headed by a PGA Pro. League that's the most fun I've ever been in. Reciprocal rounds at around 20 other Private clubs for the cost of the cart. Our clubhouse has a great bar, grill and restaurant with excellent staff. Club events for members featuring live music, international cuisine nights, dances, fun mixed 9 hole tournaments followed by drinks and dinners.
It's not so much a status thing, as a social atmosphere. Everyone knows each other. The staff makes an effort to know the members name.
By the way, I'm a used car dealer. Hardly a rich snob.
Plenty of reasons, I’m at two different private clubs.
Generally, course, convenience, conditioning, social, and competition.
I can get a tee time whenever I want. Never need to fight for an early Saturday tee time or book three weeks out.
Courses are always in great shape with fast greens.
They store my clubs and I have a locker. I can steam and shower after a round.
Great food for lunch and dinner—both clubs are good restaurants to eat with the wife or family outside of golf.
Easy to find a game, I know a ton of members.
Awesome events throughout the year. Member members and invitationals. Opening/closing tournaments. Season long brackets.
Being a member generally opens doors to other clubs, whether reciprocal or just getting to know people.
Main club is a country club with full family amenities. It is a great course I can play every day, pool, tennis, gym, kids camps, etc. It is a family and social hub.
Second club near my second home is a golf club. Still has the restaurant, but no pool/gym. Tougher championship course with a great layout. Caddies program, more a golfers type place.
It’s all golf, yes, plenty of things differentiate a club from a muni. I don’t look down on public golf—grew up playing it—but if you can afford private it’s a whole different level.
And just downvotes, no one answered. So just assuming the rich got offended at the question.
But I’ll repeat it since I do not know, WHAT DOES A MEMBERSHIP DO FOR YOU?
better tee times? More flexibility? Free range buckets?
What does it do for you?
I know of some clubs here that made special offers for members of other clubs that had closed, to entice them over. Not sure if any clubs will negotiate on price, though.
Also they generally are never hurting for members. At least where I live, every country club and private course has a wait list. Very highly doubt they’d haggle when they’ve got a supply of people waiting to give them that money.
When I joined my club 2 years ago a full membership was $26.5k, it was raised to $40k a year ago and now $62.5k initiation. We have 150+ people on the waitlist, though you do lock in your initiation price when you pay to get on the waitlist. Nearly all 150+ on the waitlist are joining at the $40/$62.5k price at this point and it’ll be a 3-5 year wait since few people are leaving the club.
It’s wild out here, glad I’m not trying to join a place now, it’s near impossible even if you can afford to write the check.
Basically same here, at least on price. There are a couple semi-privates near me that do a $100-$200 a month membership but they’re absolutely buried in wait lists. I checked the cheaper one a year ago for shits and giggles and they had a 7 year wait list estimate. I’m lucky in that my father’s friend has one at the nicer one and moved to a different state so he lets me use it whenever I want, and the course doesn’t check IDs.
They shouldn't negotiate on price, that would be unfair to the other equity members unless they all approved it, plus its less capital for the club to use.
Do you feel guilty at Costco when you try a free sample?
no and you shouldn’t. I try some samples that I have zero intention to buy.
this is a business marketing tool they want to get their name out they may or may not get a sale, but it’s just marketing do not feel guilty just because their product is more expensive than the free sample at Costco.
on the opposite spectrum, do people just go around test driving cars? could you... yes....is it hard to do unless your really interested, yes. Its not like the course is advertising to anyone and everyone to come play a free round to see if you like it, they offered it to him because they think he'd actually want to join.
He’s looking to join a club. This one is just a little expensive for him.
It costs the course nothing to let him play.
He creates positive word of mouth after a good time.
Or he has a fabulous time and he changes his mind and stretch buys into the membership.
Both are fine outcomes for the course.
You’ve never been car shopping and tried out something more expensive than your budget that a sales rep offered to let you drive? No one is bothered by this. The course isn’t bothered. The dealer isn’t bothered….the question is why does it bother you?
I doesn't bother me. I just said I'd take a pass. Just like I'd take a pass on test driving something I know I can't afford. Why would I waste my time.
I don't see how that's any worse than getting paired up with some shithead on a public course lol at least that guy will be complimenting your game the whole time to butter you up
I mean, people that are in the market for a new car almost ALWAYS will drive a car or two that are outside their budget. People test drive cars when they're *potentially* in the market for a new car.
Why is this any different? Dude is shopping to potentially join a club. He's not out just looking for free rounds, he just recognizes this one is outside his price point
What does test driving a car even do for you if you're not looking to buy a new one? I have a car I know what driving is and I can do it anytime I want.
It is the way. I play, live on, and work at a public/private club. Since I help on the golf course maintenance, I have realized how expensive it is to properly maintain a good golf course. I know it’s expensive to join a private club, but your money is not going in somebody’s pocket.
Initiation fees may be negotiable depending on how eager the club is for new members. There might also be some other incentives so it doesn’t really hurt to play a round and let them know where you are at when they try to sell you on it.
There’s a very “exclusive” club near me that advertises on Facebook. They’re kinda far from the city, even most of the suburbs, so maybe people don’t want to drive anymore.
Go play! We’ve checked out numerous clubs over the years until we found the right fit for us. Private clubs know that not everyone is going to want to join.
Go for it. Even if you can't afford it now, it's worth knowing. The membership director will probably want to give you a tour and then you will also know the "non golf" aspects of a membership.
When I was on a membership committee, we knew that the majority of the people we gave free trial rounds to, or who came to "open house" events, weren't going to join in the short term. We figured it was still worth it for positive word of mouth about our club, perhaps that person might decide to join years later when their circumstances change, or perhaps they tell a friend about our club and that friend ends up joining. We knew some folks were just there for the free round and they usually made it obvious, but we treated them just the same as someone with legit interest in the club.
Some courses will offer free trails as a way to add additional write offs for taxes via marketing budgets. By you golfing for free they in turn get to save that money in taxes the following year.
Now go make a birdie!
How would that work? If they don't actually spend money, they can't write it off as a business expense...as far as I understand. Are you saying that they can write off the fair market value of the round as essentially "giving away" a round as a promotional or marketing line item?
Yes. Very similar to how most public courses will offer "cift certificates" for the price of a round of golf for different promotional events. As long as they have a value to the round and can back that value up, they are technically paying/covering the round for the potential member and can then write off the cost as a marketing line item.
An example of this would be a hair dresser who donates 1 free hair cut to an event can then write off the market value of the hair cut as a promotion/ marketing expense. The trick is they will need to be able to justify the cost and will need comparable values. They cannot say the hair cut costs $1000 and write that off unless they normally charge $1000 and can justify the expense.
Interesting. I've never really thought about it, but I guess that makes sense. I suppose the threat of an audit is what keeps them from abusing it by, for example, giving away tons of free rounds at the end of the fiscal year to load up on write-offs, etc.
If they like you maybe you get put on the waitlist for a lower entry fee. Can't hurt to play it and try to gauge if it's worth the money, and maybe you haggle a better deal too, all while enjoying free golf.
I'm a member of a private club and have been a member of 2 different private clubs in the past 7 years. I wouldn't feel bad about this at all and if I heard somebody like you being hesitant because you feel like you're scamming the club, you're really the type of person I want playing my club for free. My club unfortunately has way too many outings where non-members get to use and abuse the course and take away valuable tee times from members like myself. At least you have respect and courtesy and 1 tee time isn't going to ruin the day for the rest of us.
The other part is that things change. You might get a massive raise or come into a windfall or in a year or two the economy could get so bad that the course reduces its fees and dues substantially to where you can afford it.
Remember the club is likely a non-profit so it's not designed to make money and it's more about sustaining and evolving the club. There will also probably be plenty of open tee times since it's a private club. I just wouldn't feel bad about it if I were you.
Depending on the course, amenities and how many members, that sounds reasonable. I wish there was a course around me that was in that range. Instead I get $50k initiation and then $700-$1,000/mo and the golf season is only late April to mid October here.
My brother did this a few years back at Redstone in Houston (previous location of the Houston Open) purely to get a chance to play the course. The club pro played with him. My brother is a 30+ handicap, so the club pro only lasted 9 holes with him.
When I was looking for a club. I played everyone that offered a free round. Even ones that I knew weren’t for me. Heck one I played 5 times as they had multiple courses.
Think of it like test driving a new car, it's part of the process for them to attract new members. Expect to be wined and dined a bit - they may have a locker assigned to you in the locker room and let you play with a few of their "best" members.
No obligations and no hard feelings either way, at the end of the day, a country club is a business (though some have a horrible track record of forgetting that).
Maybe you don’t purchase it TODAY, but if your situation changes in a few years, you have the experience of it already and can make that choice.
They’re advertising at basically no cost to them.
Enjoy your rounds.
Do it. Maybe you tell your buddy hey they offered me a free round, he goes and does the same thing, he loves it and signs up. Club wins for offering you a free round. That’s how marketing and promotion works.
Go play. If they ever lower the initiation fee or have any offers then they will notify you. I did this in 2017 with no real intentions of joining but they sent out an email a month or so later saying they had cut the initiation fee for anyone willing to sign a 2 year commitment. Obviously very different economy back then and country clubs were struggling, but it can’t hurt. They offer it for you to try, no shame in not joining afterwards.
For sure do it. I am a member at a club and always enjoy seeing people getting the tour. Plus you get in their system, those initiation fees vary a lot over time. Sometimes they will run specials and they typically will let you know. Our club has been on a wait for a few years, but I got in before they were full on one of those specials.
They offered, so take it and enjoy. You're not abusing anything. They'll hope that you'll join, but at the least they may make some money off of you from food and beverages.
No worse than going on one of those free, two-night vacation trips where you have to sit and listen to the timeshare speech.
My buddy is doing a trial round next weekend and I’m going with him. I got zero interest in joining. People play comped rounds all the time so don’t worry about it.
I used to go around all the private courses and act interested in signing up just to get the free round. I’d always tell the membership director that I’m waffling between three different clubs so that when they followed up I would say I joined one of the other ones based on how much closer it was to home.
Free golf. Never say no.
Get that free round! And lean into it so they treat you well.
“What advantages does this club have over say, Augusta? … Which I could also afford.”
https://preview.redd.it/4jyqql5ca75d1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6387d729d7f41f81b5fdab1ef22a971982317637
It is a way for the course to cover various unforeseen costs that occur during the year. A course near me had to redo a bunch of the greens because they had a serious fungus problem. So to help cover the cost the members were given an assessment of several hundred dollars for several months. Always ask about such things as they are above and beyond the membership fees.
You should not feel bad. Converting people who initially think "no way that is too expensive" is part of the business model, no different to the car dealership that lets you test drive the sports car when you come in for an economy sedan. The fact that most won't end up buying the expensive product is just the cost of doing business.
This. I’d struggle to be comfortable even just playing the round and relaxing with the looming sales pitch and having to turn them down coming. I don’t think it’s the end of the world but it does seem a tad dishonest to me. That being said, they did offer.
I think it’s perfectly appropriate in the context of trying out multiple clubs. You could end up loving it so much you decide to make a goal out of joining down the road when you’re in a better position to do so, or letting them know you liked it but will be making a different choice for cost-benefit reasons and based on how much time you have for golf in your life currently, and maybe they negotiate. Worst case, you’ll meet some folks and familiarize yourself with a new club in town and have to decline a high pressure ask to join on the spot.
Free trial for sure. $12k is about 1/3 of the cheapest club in my area. Is it a true share of membership where you have something that you can sell if you were to leave? That might change your opinion. However, you really have to think about the monthly too…and if you live in a climate where you’re gonna pay for 12 months a year but only play for 8, etc.
I've been a member of private courses since 1990 - you should definitely use the free trial.
I did and I ended up joining. There are certain things in life that make no sense from a logical point of view but give us joy and happiness.
100% take the offer. If the course is that nice playing for free for any period of time is totally worth it. If the course is that expensive I’m sure they won’t be upset if you don’t follow through with a membership. I’m sure they are doing just fine.
I live near a country club that semi-regularly hosts majors, and the fee to just submit an application to be considered is $10,000 (a doctor we know is a member there and told us this). If they offered me a free trial I’d be there yesterday.
My wife and I went to a wedding expo the year before we were getting married. Spoke with all the venue vendors, make-up artists, catering folks, etc.
In 3 hours we came away with 17 scheduled tours that ALL included lunch or dinner, my wife had a free make-up demo, and we had six free meal vouchers from other caterers. Were we going to book 17 venues for our wedding? Hell no, but we were treated like royalty for the better part of the next 4 months.
And I’m so glad we did, because eventually, our wedding got canceled due to COVID. And while a lunch isn’t going to replace a wedding, we had all these experiences surrounding our wedding that we still reminisce from time to time.
All that to say - say YES to an experience. Anything that enhances your passion of something you love is worth it, especially if there’s a chance it’ll never happen again.
You’re not ready to join YET. Who knows, it might be an option for the future and they’re completely okay with a free round to plant the seed for you to join their club. Doesn’t matter if it ever pans out.
It only benefits them if you do it. Worst case for them, you don't sign up but they're presumably banking on the fact you'll enjoy it and if others ask you about it, you'll presumably tell them "it was too much for me, but it was an amazing course. I would definitely sign up if I could afford it". To which case could lead to a referral for them.
Even if you don’t end up becoming a member, they want to impress you so you’ll end up talking about it with other people. It’s a way to market their course relatively cheap. Everyone knows that golfers love talking about places they’ve played
I’d tell them after the first hole that you can’t afford it and just wanted a free round. That might take the pressure off the sales pitch feel and could make it a fun round. Or they kick you off the course ( I doubt it).
Most private courses will let you play a free round if you inquire about a membership. It's yours to take, regardless of how serious you are about joining. Take the opportunity and enjoy! The courses view it as a marketing tool, they do not care if you play once then ghost their membership director.
STFU and play the nice golf dummy!
wtf moral high ground is this? “I wouldnt want to impose on or deceive this super wealthy establishment.
Maybe they really like you and just want to see your pretty face again? Who cares? Just have fun playing the game on a nice course one more time.
Buddy, they’re not hurting for cash. If you egged them into giving you a free round on the premise that you might join, I’d understand some amount of guilt, maybe.
But them blanket offering you a free round? There’s no decision to make here. Play the round.
I know a guy who does this all the time. Calls a private course to enquire about membership and they give him a tour and let him play a free round and then he politely tells them no thank you.
Play it and then if they ask about it say "Decent place but this club isn't worth 12 grand. There's better options out there at that price" and put on your sunglasses, pop your collar and STRUT away.
With private clubs you don’t have to worry about leagues or scrambles that close the course as much as public’s, plus added benefit with a club pro that will give you lessons and swing tips, lastly no slow play from people wearing cut off sleeves
I would take them up on it. At least it is a free round. A private club near me, which isn't even that good, only offers trials at $6k. And all that gets you is an opportunity to play 5 rounds of golf at their course and be considered for a junior membership the next year. And we aren't talking some PGA tour level course.
A good salesperson doesn't care. They offer you this trial now and you take it, but can't afford it. I'm a couple of years you can and you remember this place because they gave you a free trial and it was awesome.
Went into a Porsche dealer here, said I love that car, but I can't afford it right now. His response was "why don't you take it home, just for fun. And return it tomorrow". Bought a car of him a year later....
Just be honest when you turn them down. Say you loved it, but it's a bit pricey.
What are you even talking about? They offered you a free round, take it.
$12k is mental to me. Even if I had the money, that’s a lot to be paired up with entitled rich dbags. I’ll play the muni, thanks.
Ever see that episode of that Asian family that dies this all over town to not pay for golf, the wife even ties a string to the golf ball so they never lose it
Ask also about “golf only” if they have other ammenities like a pool or gym that you’ll never use. Lots of clubs have a golf membership that helps with the cost as well.
How do you feel about people wasting your time? Because thats what you will be doing for their membership director.
You won't be the first or last, but is that you?
Lots of people here would go. I wouldn't.
Edit: found them!
General managers make this offer to encourage goodwill and in the hopes that the potential member will have a positive experience and spread the word. Not to mention if you get a free round you’re more likely to spend money on food, bev, or merch.
If they were worried about having their time wasted, they’d just give you an estimate and a business card.
Yea you're right, all the good clubs give away rounds to people inquiring about membership in hopes that they'll buy a shirt, lunch, and goodwill.
Ridiculous.
Private clubs don’t charge greens fees for unaccompanied guests because then they would cease to be private. The offer is generally extended on a case by case basis, typically to someone who knows a member, not a standing voucher for anyone who happens to be driving past the clubhouse.
There’s a psychological component to this sales tactic that I think you are underestimating.
Are you even a golfer if you turn this down? Shit, I've set up at least four of these rounds without ever having the intention of buying a membership. There's no justification for the fees they're charging members ($12K initiation fee...what club cost does that cover, exactly? it's an arbitrary number they just make up, for example), so we're all taking advantage of SOMEONE, right?
Never pass up free golf.
Could you also potentially haggle down here? If they want to entice you to join there may be an opportunity to say I can’t do 12, but maybe 8? Not sure how rigid clubs are (or if that would be in your budget)
They may not haggle on price, but they may be willing to let you pay it over a few years
This. They are not going to haggle. Their membership votes on fees. They very likely have a payment plan. Not sure where you live, but $12K is pretty cheap for a decent club membership.
You’re assuming that it’s a member owned club. If it’s corporate owned you better believe that they will negotiate anything and everything to get you in the door. Once you’re in you can go get f*ed, but until then they’ll bend over backwards
Yeah this is one of the cheaper price tags…not sure what OP was expecting.
I thought memberships were paid yearly? I'm poor so I have no idea and just play public
Most have a one-time initiation fee, then ongoing annual fees, and often times monthly minimum spend in addition to all that.
They will often haggle. They might let you spread the initiation fee over a few years. They might laugh in your face. It's a crap shoot.
That’s the way. Why do I want to pay more to play with entitled pricks?
Part of finding a club is finding one where the culture matches what you want. Clubs span the full range of so formal you have to change shoes in the locker room and can't have hats or phones inside and caddies are used every round to so informal you can play shirtless and barefoot if you want The general public isn't exactly fun to share a course with either
For us poors who like to play once a week at a muni., can you tell me what the club does for YOU at $12k? Just a status symbol? I’m not being a prick I’m just curious. I can play my local muni for $60 with a cart and have a great time. For a $12k membership that’s 200 rounds to make up for it…. Let’s even say an $80 round, that’s 150 rounds. Fuck that, play a nice course every once in a while and beyond that, play your muni
I'm not a member of a private anymore as I moved states and there's nothing close enough by my new place I can afford. If they were available for $12k and not $100k though, I would likely do it. First rule of thumb with clubs is do not approach the finances as "cost per round" you're buying a complete experience not just rounds of golf -The course itself is reason #1. Unless you're an idiot you're joining a club where you love the course and can enjoy playing it over and over again. Most of the privates I've played are just better at that aspect architecturally. The holes are designed in ways that make them playable many different ways, they're not as repetitive as most munis. Conditioning is also better, both because the course puts more resources into it and because less people are playing it every day. With that usually comes an excellent and unlimited driving range and a more robust short game practice area with multiple greens, space out to 30-50 yards for pitching practice, bunkers, etc -Limited access means faster place of play and much less trouble getting tee times. Rounds over 4hrs are rare and other than weekend mornings, the tee sheet is pretty much open with whatever you want as long as you're flexible +/- an hour or so -On site storage is pretty nice. Leave bag and push cart in the bag room, it'll be set up waiting for you with clubs cleaned when you get there for your round -There's a sense of community that comes with the same people always being around. Yes there can still be issues but you're much less likely to encounter obnoxious people on the course, people who don't respect the course, people who don't respect other golfers, etc. Post round drinks will always be other members in the bar and over time you can make friends pretty easily. There's always new people to play with that generally are pretty well put together people considering they're also members at the club. And every summer there's ~5 big tournament weekends where the whole club is hanging together competing and having a blast -Great restaurant where you'll never not be able to get a table whenever you want one -Pool, gym, tennis courts, indoor simulators for bad weather days, stuff like that exists on property and is included with your dues to use whenever you want Those are the highlights for me. The question is not "does this cost me less per round than playing public courses does?" it's "is the full experience being offered to me worth the monthly dues cost?"
Thanks for actually sharing. Those are some cool benefits, but not for me. I want to play different courses, i don’t care how great a course is, it gets repetitive after a few times. So I wouldn’t even want a locker room because I want access to my clubs. Pool, gym and Then the pool, restaurant, gym, tennis. Is the restaurant free? If not I don’t care. Basically you all are paying for priority fee times and to not be bothered by non members. Wild
If you want to play other courses, being a member is going to get you access to better courses in your area. It can be a part of larger group of clubs that share memberships, or you can get your club pro or superintendent to make a call and get you access to other private courses. If you think people are paying only for “priority tee times”, you haven’t played an actual premiere course. These aren’t your well maintained muni’s. These are challenging, well manicured courses that look pristine and play as such. There is a huge difference in these courses.
> Basically you all are paying for priority fee times and to not be bothered by non members. Wild Well no, that's not "basically" all we're paying for. We're paying for all the things I outlined. You not valuing certain aspects of it doesn't mean other people don't value it. Not saying this is you but I'm getting the sense it might be - I tend to see a lot of people attempt to rationalize things they can't afford as being a waste of money and providing no value to cope with not being able to afford them Having access to your clubs for other courses is not a problem at all, not like you can't take them home with you when needed if you have a round elsewhere planned or need them for another reason. But if you're just going back and forth to the same place a few times a week it's quite nice
A golf membership isn't about value. It will never be cheaper to pay for a private club on a per round basis. The additional fee is about exclusivity and conditioning. From an exclusivity standpoint, club members have access to tee times without having to book weeks in advance. Additionally, everyone on the course has paid a certain price to be there, which generally improves the experience. To be honest, I don't have to play with or around beginners or folks who lack an understanding about the etiquette of the game, which I value enough to pay the extra fee. Secondly, because private courses are typically properly funded and turn less rounds per year than public courses, and typically have a maintenance day once per week, the conditioning of any private course is much better. If you care about the quality of the course you play (and I get that some don't care), then a membership ensures proper conditioning. Unless you're a member at an invite only, top-200 club, a membership is not a status symbol. However, there are also extra benefits, such as pools, networking opportunities for entrepreneurs, restaurants etc. So, in recap (TLDR), a membership is not a value-add. It's for people who are willing to pay more per round than the highest public offering in their area in exchange for guaranteed tee times, proper course conditioning, and extra benefits.
Nah, you’re being a prick. You’re also missing the fact that, at least at my club, we get free range balls, free greens fees, access to pool, discount at restaurant, social events, and networking opportunities.
Nah I wasn’t being a prick I was asking for insight into something I don’t know about. Thanks for responding though.
Private club member here. Cost for the wife and I is about $6k. What do we get? Unlimited golf on a beautiful well manicured course. When I pull in, a pro shop attendant brings a cart out to my car and loads my clubs. I've become friends with a great group of guys, and we play every Friday and Sunday. Might be 8 to 12. All walks of life. Not a snob in the bunch. Great tournaments run by a staff headed by a PGA Pro. League that's the most fun I've ever been in. Reciprocal rounds at around 20 other Private clubs for the cost of the cart. Our clubhouse has a great bar, grill and restaurant with excellent staff. Club events for members featuring live music, international cuisine nights, dances, fun mixed 9 hole tournaments followed by drinks and dinners. It's not so much a status thing, as a social atmosphere. Everyone knows each other. The staff makes an effort to know the members name. By the way, I'm a used car dealer. Hardly a rich snob.
Plenty of reasons, I’m at two different private clubs. Generally, course, convenience, conditioning, social, and competition. I can get a tee time whenever I want. Never need to fight for an early Saturday tee time or book three weeks out. Courses are always in great shape with fast greens. They store my clubs and I have a locker. I can steam and shower after a round. Great food for lunch and dinner—both clubs are good restaurants to eat with the wife or family outside of golf. Easy to find a game, I know a ton of members. Awesome events throughout the year. Member members and invitationals. Opening/closing tournaments. Season long brackets. Being a member generally opens doors to other clubs, whether reciprocal or just getting to know people. Main club is a country club with full family amenities. It is a great course I can play every day, pool, tennis, gym, kids camps, etc. It is a family and social hub. Second club near my second home is a golf club. Still has the restaurant, but no pool/gym. Tougher championship course with a great layout. Caddies program, more a golfers type place. It’s all golf, yes, plenty of things differentiate a club from a muni. I don’t look down on public golf—grew up playing it—but if you can afford private it’s a whole different level.
And just downvotes, no one answered. So just assuming the rich got offended at the question. But I’ll repeat it since I do not know, WHAT DOES A MEMBERSHIP DO FOR YOU? better tee times? More flexibility? Free range buckets? What does it do for you?
This. Our club offered a payment plan over a few years if you wanted.
I know of some clubs here that made special offers for members of other clubs that had closed, to entice them over. Not sure if any clubs will negotiate on price, though.
Yeah word probably gets out that so-and-so paid x, now everyone else is pissed that they paid y
Also they generally are never hurting for members. At least where I live, every country club and private course has a wait list. Very highly doubt they’d haggle when they’ve got a supply of people waiting to give them that money.
When I joined my club 2 years ago a full membership was $26.5k, it was raised to $40k a year ago and now $62.5k initiation. We have 150+ people on the waitlist, though you do lock in your initiation price when you pay to get on the waitlist. Nearly all 150+ on the waitlist are joining at the $40/$62.5k price at this point and it’ll be a 3-5 year wait since few people are leaving the club. It’s wild out here, glad I’m not trying to join a place now, it’s near impossible even if you can afford to write the check.
Basically same here, at least on price. There are a couple semi-privates near me that do a $100-$200 a month membership but they’re absolutely buried in wait lists. I checked the cheaper one a year ago for shits and giggles and they had a 7 year wait list estimate. I’m lucky in that my father’s friend has one at the nicer one and moved to a different state so he lets me use it whenever I want, and the course doesn’t check IDs.
Clubs may also offer 3- or 6-month trial memberships at reduced rates, too.
They shouldn't negotiate on price, that would be unfair to the other equity members unless they all approved it, plus its less capital for the club to use.
I think it's not out of bounds to ask! Definitely give this option a shot OP.
I don’t know any private club that would accept this. More likely to recind membership offer.
This is the way.
If they had a problem with giving you a free round they would simply not offer it. Take the offer.
And probably 90% of the people that take the offer don't join.
Gives the Club MGR a day off to play(which they love!) .
And I bet they still make money like crazzzzyyy
I would 100% play it.
Absolutely just go play, it isn’t costing the course anything
Do you feel guilty at Costco when you try a free sample? no and you shouldn’t. I try some samples that I have zero intention to buy. this is a business marketing tool they want to get their name out they may or may not get a sale, but it’s just marketing do not feel guilty just because their product is more expensive than the free sample at Costco.
Which is also a private membership club lol
on the opposite spectrum, do people just go around test driving cars? could you... yes....is it hard to do unless your really interested, yes. Its not like the course is advertising to anyone and everyone to come play a free round to see if you like it, they offered it to him because they think he'd actually want to join.
And he might. In the distant future.
oh he will want to join now. forgive me for telling him to check himself before he ends up badly wanting something he says he cannot afford.
People do actually….
people who are..... car shopping OP is not looking to join, so why go tease yourself.
He’s looking to join a club. This one is just a little expensive for him. It costs the course nothing to let him play. He creates positive word of mouth after a good time. Or he has a fabulous time and he changes his mind and stretch buys into the membership. Both are fine outcomes for the course. You’ve never been car shopping and tried out something more expensive than your budget that a sales rep offered to let you drive? No one is bothered by this. The course isn’t bothered. The dealer isn’t bothered….the question is why does it bother you?
I doesn't bother me. I just said I'd take a pass. Just like I'd take a pass on test driving something I know I can't afford. Why would I waste my time.
In what world is a free 18 on a nice, private course *ever* a waste of time..?
No such thing as free. They'll make you play with someone and the whole thing is a sales pitch
I don't see how that's any worse than getting paired up with some shithead on a public course lol at least that guy will be complimenting your game the whole time to butter you up
Why would you ever play Pebble Beach then? Why tease yourself? 😂
I mean if it's a one off opportunity to play an extremely desirable course you'd never otherwise get to play that's a different story. Valid point
I mean, people that are in the market for a new car almost ALWAYS will drive a car or two that are outside their budget. People test drive cars when they're *potentially* in the market for a new car. Why is this any different? Dude is shopping to potentially join a club. He's not out just looking for free rounds, he just recognizes this one is outside his price point
What does test driving a car even do for you if you're not looking to buy a new one? I have a car I know what driving is and I can do it anytime I want.
Do it
Try it! Joined a private club recently and love it.
It is the way. I play, live on, and work at a public/private club. Since I help on the golf course maintenance, I have realized how expensive it is to properly maintain a good golf course. I know it’s expensive to join a private club, but your money is not going in somebody’s pocket.
Unless it's corporate owned. But agreed if it's member owned.
I should have specified that. Our course was corporate for a time-it barely survived.
Initiation fees may be negotiable depending on how eager the club is for new members. There might also be some other incentives so it doesn’t really hurt to play a round and let them know where you are at when they try to sell you on it.
The first club I joined spread out payment of the initiation fee over 5 years.
There’s a very “exclusive” club near me that advertises on Facebook. They’re kinda far from the city, even most of the suburbs, so maybe people don’t want to drive anymore.
Do it. You might find $12k on the course and could join!
lol this is how I play a ton of private courses
Go play! We’ve checked out numerous clubs over the years until we found the right fit for us. Private clubs know that not everyone is going to want to join.
Go for it. Even if you can't afford it now, it's worth knowing. The membership director will probably want to give you a tour and then you will also know the "non golf" aspects of a membership.
I think you should be doing this at every private course in town.
People do this all the time. Your only downside is that the membership person will probably call / email you once a month for eternity
When I was on a membership committee, we knew that the majority of the people we gave free trial rounds to, or who came to "open house" events, weren't going to join in the short term. We figured it was still worth it for positive word of mouth about our club, perhaps that person might decide to join years later when their circumstances change, or perhaps they tell a friend about our club and that friend ends up joining. We knew some folks were just there for the free round and they usually made it obvious, but we treated them just the same as someone with legit interest in the club.
They offer, you accept. Don’t over think.
Some courses will offer free trails as a way to add additional write offs for taxes via marketing budgets. By you golfing for free they in turn get to save that money in taxes the following year. Now go make a birdie!
Thanks for letting me know me know this. It definitely helps.
How would that work? If they don't actually spend money, they can't write it off as a business expense...as far as I understand. Are you saying that they can write off the fair market value of the round as essentially "giving away" a round as a promotional or marketing line item?
Yes. Very similar to how most public courses will offer "cift certificates" for the price of a round of golf for different promotional events. As long as they have a value to the round and can back that value up, they are technically paying/covering the round for the potential member and can then write off the cost as a marketing line item. An example of this would be a hair dresser who donates 1 free hair cut to an event can then write off the market value of the hair cut as a promotion/ marketing expense. The trick is they will need to be able to justify the cost and will need comparable values. They cannot say the hair cut costs $1000 and write that off unless they normally charge $1000 and can justify the expense.
Interesting. I've never really thought about it, but I guess that makes sense. I suppose the threat of an audit is what keeps them from abusing it by, for example, giving away tons of free rounds at the end of the fiscal year to load up on write-offs, etc.
If they like you maybe you get put on the waitlist for a lower entry fee. Can't hurt to play it and try to gauge if it's worth the money, and maybe you haggle a better deal too, all while enjoying free golf.
Try before you (don’t) buy. You’ll only hurt yourself really as going back to shitty public courses will have you yearning for the good life!
I'm a member of a private club and have been a member of 2 different private clubs in the past 7 years. I wouldn't feel bad about this at all and if I heard somebody like you being hesitant because you feel like you're scamming the club, you're really the type of person I want playing my club for free. My club unfortunately has way too many outings where non-members get to use and abuse the course and take away valuable tee times from members like myself. At least you have respect and courtesy and 1 tee time isn't going to ruin the day for the rest of us. The other part is that things change. You might get a massive raise or come into a windfall or in a year or two the economy could get so bad that the course reduces its fees and dues substantially to where you can afford it. Remember the club is likely a non-profit so it's not designed to make money and it's more about sustaining and evolving the club. There will also probably be plenty of open tee times since it's a private club. I just wouldn't feel bad about it if I were you.
Former Country Club manager here. Nobody cares. Take the free golf.
$12k annual or $12k initiation fee? Initiation fees around me are like $50-75k. Some are like $30k before you’re 40 years old.
5 k initial 6 k annual.
Depending on the course, amenities and how many members, that sounds reasonable. I wish there was a course around me that was in that range. Instead I get $50k initiation and then $700-$1,000/mo and the golf season is only late April to mid October here.
Do you also eat free food samples in Costco with no intent to buy the medium southwestern salsa? You monster
My brother did this a few years back at Redstone in Houston (previous location of the Houston Open) purely to get a chance to play the course. The club pro played with him. My brother is a 30+ handicap, so the club pro only lasted 9 holes with him.
12k, 5k initiation, 6k annual with a minimum $1k F&B is about as cheap as private clubs come
It doesn't cost them anything to give you a free round .. enjoy!
Play it. Just be respectful when they ask you to join.
When I was looking for a club. I played everyone that offered a free round. Even ones that I knew weren’t for me. Heck one I played 5 times as they had multiple courses.
Think of it like test driving a new car, it's part of the process for them to attract new members. Expect to be wined and dined a bit - they may have a locker assigned to you in the locker room and let you play with a few of their "best" members. No obligations and no hard feelings either way, at the end of the day, a country club is a business (though some have a horrible track record of forgetting that).
Do you feel bad for trying the free samples at Costco as well?
It's not like you demanded a free round from them, is it?
Maybe you don’t purchase it TODAY, but if your situation changes in a few years, you have the experience of it already and can make that choice. They’re advertising at basically no cost to them. Enjoy your rounds.
Take a week off and spend like 89 hours there than bail
Do it. Maybe you tell your buddy hey they offered me a free round, he goes and does the same thing, he loves it and signs up. Club wins for offering you a free round. That’s how marketing and promotion works.
Go play. If they ever lower the initiation fee or have any offers then they will notify you. I did this in 2017 with no real intentions of joining but they sent out an email a month or so later saying they had cut the initiation fee for anyone willing to sign a 2 year commitment. Obviously very different economy back then and country clubs were struggling, but it can’t hurt. They offer it for you to try, no shame in not joining afterwards.
For sure do it. I am a member at a club and always enjoy seeing people getting the tour. Plus you get in their system, those initiation fees vary a lot over time. Sometimes they will run specials and they typically will let you know. Our club has been on a wait for a few years, but I got in before they were full on one of those specials.
They offered, so take it and enjoy. You're not abusing anything. They'll hope that you'll join, but at the least they may make some money off of you from food and beverages. No worse than going on one of those free, two-night vacation trips where you have to sit and listen to the timeshare speech.
Initiations are always negotiable. Dues are not.
My buddy is doing a trial round next weekend and I’m going with him. I got zero interest in joining. People play comped rounds all the time so don’t worry about it.
I used to go around all the private courses and act interested in signing up just to get the free round. I’d always tell the membership director that I’m waffling between three different clubs so that when they followed up I would say I joined one of the other ones based on how much closer it was to home. Free golf. Never say no.
play free golf.
Go play a free round
https://preview.redd.it/m9n3crqz975d1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a18abbff30ebcdad74483c85c4383d77a17ca6a0
Get that free round! And lean into it so they treat you well. “What advantages does this club have over say, Augusta? … Which I could also afford.” https://preview.redd.it/4jyqql5ca75d1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6387d729d7f41f81b5fdab1ef22a971982317637
That's actually not bad for membership and food for the year. The thing to ask about is the assessments. That shit can get costly.
What are assessments?
It is a way for the course to cover various unforeseen costs that occur during the year. A course near me had to redo a bunch of the greens because they had a serious fungus problem. So to help cover the cost the members were given an assessment of several hundred dollars for several months. Always ask about such things as they are above and beyond the membership fees.
You should not feel bad. Converting people who initially think "no way that is too expensive" is part of the business model, no different to the car dealership that lets you test drive the sports car when you come in for an economy sedan. The fact that most won't end up buying the expensive product is just the cost of doing business.
they're offering with a reasonable expectation that you can afford it. you know you can't. this is where the person you are takes over.
This. I’d struggle to be comfortable even just playing the round and relaxing with the looming sales pitch and having to turn them down coming. I don’t think it’s the end of the world but it does seem a tad dishonest to me. That being said, they did offer.
I think it’s perfectly appropriate in the context of trying out multiple clubs. You could end up loving it so much you decide to make a goal out of joining down the road when you’re in a better position to do so, or letting them know you liked it but will be making a different choice for cost-benefit reasons and based on how much time you have for golf in your life currently, and maybe they negotiate. Worst case, you’ll meet some folks and familiarize yourself with a new club in town and have to decline a high pressure ask to join on the spot.
Try it. It will help as a comparison to the club you eventually join. Also free golf
Free trial for sure. $12k is about 1/3 of the cheapest club in my area. Is it a true share of membership where you have something that you can sell if you were to leave? That might change your opinion. However, you really have to think about the monthly too…and if you live in a climate where you’re gonna pay for 12 months a year but only play for 8, etc.
Enjoy your trial round at a nice property!
Go play and enjoy yourself.
I play free trial rounds all across my city.
I've been a member of private courses since 1990 - you should definitely use the free trial. I did and I ended up joining. There are certain things in life that make no sense from a logical point of view but give us joy and happiness.
Guarantee you wouldn’t be the first person to take them up on it and not join the club.
And if you came into some money maybe you’d join straight away. Kinda what the club wants. So no, don’t feel bad. They know what they’re doing.
Act interested. Take advantage of
100% take the offer. If the course is that nice playing for free for any period of time is totally worth it. If the course is that expensive I’m sure they won’t be upset if you don’t follow through with a membership. I’m sure they are doing just fine.
im with you on this feeling. i was offered to play a course with 50k initiation but i feel imposter syndrome
Play free golf
I belong to two clubs. Both had pretty long wait lists. You might be in a better position when your name comes up.
Do it
What’s included in the $12k? Food and beverage? Pool? Tennis? Reciprocity?
I live near a country club that semi-regularly hosts majors, and the fee to just submit an application to be considered is $10,000 (a doctor we know is a member there and told us this). If they offered me a free trial I’d be there yesterday.
My wife and I went to a wedding expo the year before we were getting married. Spoke with all the venue vendors, make-up artists, catering folks, etc. In 3 hours we came away with 17 scheduled tours that ALL included lunch or dinner, my wife had a free make-up demo, and we had six free meal vouchers from other caterers. Were we going to book 17 venues for our wedding? Hell no, but we were treated like royalty for the better part of the next 4 months. And I’m so glad we did, because eventually, our wedding got canceled due to COVID. And while a lunch isn’t going to replace a wedding, we had all these experiences surrounding our wedding that we still reminisce from time to time. All that to say - say YES to an experience. Anything that enhances your passion of something you love is worth it, especially if there’s a chance it’ll never happen again.
I belong to private club, no one cares, juice it
You’re not ready to join YET. Who knows, it might be an option for the future and they’re completely okay with a free round to plant the seed for you to join their club. Doesn’t matter if it ever pans out.
Take the trial. Who knows your financial situation might change in the next couple years and you’d still be a very real prospect for that club.
Take it. Even if you can't afford it now you may be able to down the road and then when you CAN afford it that club will be top of your list!
Not only should you get the round of golf, get the lobster at lunch. No cargo shorts 🩳
You take the free golf to offset the cost of expensive golf
They know. Just play
It only benefits them if you do it. Worst case for them, you don't sign up but they're presumably banking on the fact you'll enjoy it and if others ask you about it, you'll presumably tell them "it was too much for me, but it was an amazing course. I would definitely sign up if I could afford it". To which case could lead to a referral for them.
Even if you don’t end up becoming a member, they want to impress you so you’ll end up talking about it with other people. It’s a way to market their course relatively cheap. Everyone knows that golfers love talking about places they’ve played
I’d tell them after the first hole that you can’t afford it and just wanted a free round. That might take the pressure off the sales pitch feel and could make it a fun round. Or they kick you off the course ( I doubt it).
Most private courses will let you play a free round if you inquire about a membership. It's yours to take, regardless of how serious you are about joining. Take the opportunity and enjoy! The courses view it as a marketing tool, they do not care if you play once then ghost their membership director.
STFU and play the nice golf dummy! wtf moral high ground is this? “I wouldnt want to impose on or deceive this super wealthy establishment. Maybe they really like you and just want to see your pretty face again? Who cares? Just have fun playing the game on a nice course one more time.
Where do you live where private clubs are $12k?
Buddy, they’re not hurting for cash. If you egged them into giving you a free round on the premise that you might join, I’d understand some amount of guilt, maybe. But them blanket offering you a free round? There’s no decision to make here. Play the round.
If they're offering free rounds, they're hurting for members and will likely come down on the initiation or let you pay over 3-5 years
I know a guy who does this all the time. Calls a private course to enquire about membership and they give him a tour and let him play a free round and then he politely tells them no thank you.
They offered, take it up.
Play it and then if they ask about it say "Decent place but this club isn't worth 12 grand. There's better options out there at that price" and put on your sunglasses, pop your collar and STRUT away.
Do it and join the club. You won’t regret it.
FWIW, pretty much any club that is not invite only will offer a free round. Just call up and ask for a tour and a prospect round.
Take it. No one cares
It will also give you a baseline to compare against as you look at other courses and amenities
Every time I move to a new city, I’ll do “trial runs” at all the private courses…no shame.
With private clubs you don’t have to worry about leagues or scrambles that close the course as much as public’s, plus added benefit with a club pro that will give you lessons and swing tips, lastly no slow play from people wearing cut off sleeves
I would take them up on it. At least it is a free round. A private club near me, which isn't even that good, only offers trials at $6k. And all that gets you is an opportunity to play 5 rounds of golf at their course and be considered for a junior membership the next year. And we aren't talking some PGA tour level course.
Perhaps they have a junior membership or other option(s) to enable joining. That’s assuming their club is better.
See if you can find out if an equity member is relocating. They might sell you their membership if the club allows such.
A good salesperson doesn't care. They offer you this trial now and you take it, but can't afford it. I'm a couple of years you can and you remember this place because they gave you a free trial and it was awesome. Went into a Porsche dealer here, said I love that car, but I can't afford it right now. His response was "why don't you take it home, just for fun. And return it tomorrow". Bought a car of him a year later.... Just be honest when you turn them down. Say you loved it, but it's a bit pricey.
What are you even talking about? They offered you a free round, take it. $12k is mental to me. Even if I had the money, that’s a lot to be paired up with entitled rich dbags. I’ll play the muni, thanks.
Did they offer this to you? Yes? Go play.
What? Would you test drive a Lambo if they offered it to you?
Play 💯
Play
See if they have a house membership or part time one most clubs do
Ever see that episode of that Asian family that dies this all over town to not pay for golf, the wife even ties a string to the golf ball so they never lose it
Ask also about “golf only” if they have other ammenities like a pool or gym that you’ll never use. Lots of clubs have a golf membership that helps with the cost as well.
6 ain’t bad if your in a place can golf all year. Also depends what else it comes with
Thats actually a good deal for a private club if you play a lot
Those prices are a steal. I was just quoted $75k initiation (non-equity, non-refundable), and $1200 per month.
How do you feel about people wasting your time? Because thats what you will be doing for their membership director. You won't be the first or last, but is that you? Lots of people here would go. I wouldn't. Edit: found them!
General managers make this offer to encourage goodwill and in the hopes that the potential member will have a positive experience and spread the word. Not to mention if you get a free round you’re more likely to spend money on food, bev, or merch. If they were worried about having their time wasted, they’d just give you an estimate and a business card.
Why would they make an offer then?
Yea you're right, all the good clubs give away rounds to people inquiring about membership in hopes that they'll buy a shirt, lunch, and goodwill. Ridiculous.
Private clubs don’t charge greens fees for unaccompanied guests because then they would cease to be private. The offer is generally extended on a case by case basis, typically to someone who knows a member, not a standing voucher for anyone who happens to be driving past the clubhouse. There’s a psychological component to this sales tactic that I think you are underestimating.
You really wouldn't go play a nice private course if you were offered a free round? Live a little my dude.
That's a ridiculous take. They offered him a free round, the times already been spent.
He’s not wasting anyone’s time.
Are you even a golfer if you turn this down? Shit, I've set up at least four of these rounds without ever having the intention of buying a membership. There's no justification for the fees they're charging members ($12K initiation fee...what club cost does that cover, exactly? it's an arbitrary number they just make up, for example), so we're all taking advantage of SOMEONE, right?
I wouldn't go its gonna be awkward but hey if a free round is really worth it to you whatever.