Last Updated on March 29, 2023 by Britt Olizarowicz
If you think that joining a country club is all fun and games, think again. There are plenty of reasons not to join a country club (that go beyond just the cost!).
Now, before I ruffle any features, not all of these negatives will apply to all golf clubs. However, as a former golf membership director and a current member of a country club, these are things that everyone looking to join a country club should know.
Reasons Not To Join A Country Club
I’ll be honest, I like country clubs (the good ones) and think they are worth joining. However, if you were looking for a reason not to join, these would certainly be some of the top ones:
Some Country Clubs Are Stuffy
If you don’t like that stuffy feel, be careful where you join. Of course, you have to kind of expect that you will need to tuck your shirt in and limit profanity, but there is a level of stuffiness that goes higher than this.
When you are more of a laid-back person, you may end up feeling as though you are out of place.
Talk to some members when you tour your country club before joining; you can usually get a good feel for what the people are like.
You Just Barely Can Pay The Dues
Cost is too broad of a reason not to join a country club.
Barely paying the dues is a bit more involved than that.
Let’s say the dues to a country club are $1000 a month. You have the money to cover this $1000 a month, but it only leaves you with a little left in spending money. Don’t do this to yourself.
You will get to the club and want to have lunch with friends, grab a new golf wedge for your bag, or play in a tournament with an entry fee. Make sure that the country club you join is within your means.
Limited Access Times
A country club that I once worked at was letting golfers go out to play starting at 7:30 am.
People loved this and enjoyed getting a round of golf in (even just nine holes) before work started. The problem was, it didn’t last.
The grounds crew soon realized that they were not able to complete their work before the crowds started playing and appeased the homeowners that lived in the course. Those early 7:30 times were moved to 8:30, and people were less than thrilled.
From a logistics standpoint, I get it, but it’s still limited access.
Expect this to happen when there are special events or when your golf course needs renovation. It won’t often be, but it happens enough to at least understand how limited access times could impact your time spent on the golf course.
You Get Bored Playing One Golf Course
How many golf courses do you play on a consistent basis?
If you play one repeatedly, chances are you are a country club person and will have no complaints about joining.
However, if you are someone that plays 20 different courses and doesn’t mind traveling from one to the next, then you will want to be sure to join a club that has more than one golf course.
I have always found it interesting to play a golf course from a different set of tees from time to time. Of course, you have your standard tee that you establish your handicap from. Once a month, choose an entirely different tee and play a round.
It’s fun to see the course from another angle and can help if you get bored playing the same course over and over again.
Interestingly some golfers love a private club with just one course; others look for 2, 3, or more.
Golf Is Not A Long-Term Love For You
Golf is one of the most addicting sports.
If you have the golf bug, you know how this can be. Not all golfers get the bug.
If you are afraid that golf may be something you do for the next five or six years and then move on, it’s best to avoid joining a club. The initiation fee at a golf club is often non-refundable, and you may pay $15,000 or more to walk away from it just a few years later.
Joining a country club should feel like a long-term commitment (because it is). Keep this in mind if you are trying to evaluate the positives and negatives of being a club member.
Like-Minded People Annoy You
Are you tired of being surrounded by people that are just like you?
Country clubs are notorious for having very little diversity and being filled with like-minded people. Some find comfort in this; others are ready to get out there and experience more of what the world offers.
When joining a country club, talk to the membership director or golf professional about the types of people who belong to the club and what you can expect. They will have to be politically correct in their answers, but the good ones will at least be honest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few of the more commonly asked questions about why not to join a country club.
Why do Millennials not join country clubs?
Many millennials do not have the money to join a country club. Clubs offer junior memberships and incentives to help these millennials get through their “broke” years and eventually settle into the highest income-producing period of their lives.
Why are country clubs not popular?
Country clubs are still quite popular; there are currently close to 9000 country clubs in the United States. Some smaller country clubs have sold to develop their real estate or because the membership couldn’t keep the club from going under. At the same time, new clubs are being built.
Why are country clubs struggling?
Some country clubs struggle because of the amount that people must pay to join, combined with their lack of time to use the club. Even wealthy people are not going to join a club that they have no time to use it. Remote work is starting to help people save a bit on their commute time and add that to their club time.
Bottom Line: Should I Join A Country Club?
The country club decision is a big one. Try to consider both cost and social factors before you decide which club is the best for you. Another thing to look for is a trial membership. Some clubs may offer a two to three-week membership for a reduced fee (or even for free). You can get a good idea of what to expect when joining a country club.
