Last Updated on April 6, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
As a golf professional turned membership director turned country club member, I know a thing or two about the benefits and downsides of joining a country club. Some people (who are not members of a club) think the grass is always green.
It’s pretty green, but not as green as you think!
I’m going to break down for you the benefits and downsides of joining a country club so that you can make the best decision for yourself and your family. I’ll tell you a little secret right now; this is not all about the money; there is much more to it.
Benefits of Joining A Country Club: TLDR
Don’t have time to read all of my benefits, downsides, and stories of living and working in the golf industry, bookmark this and come back later. Here is the 10,000-foot overview of what you need to know.
- Country clubs have really good golf course conditions, activities to keep you busy whenever you have time off from work, and a limited number of people so you can enjoy access to the services.
- On the downside, country clubs require a significant investment, and the level of service and quality of service is not always as good as you think it should be. In addition, some people can be a major problem at a country club, enough to cause you to find another club.
Benefits of Joining a Country Club
Some of the benefits of joining a country club are very obvious.
I won’t bore you with the details. However, you may not have even thought of a few of these benefits unless you have already been a club member or worked at a country club.
Get Your Party On
Country clubs have parties and events almost all year long. Some of these are great, and some are cheesy, but you can always find something to do.
New Year’s Eve is a really big one. Get ready to pay quite a bit more money, but if you want to impress some friends, this is where they pull out all the stops.
At our club this past year there were live animals, poker, and for all, I know live animals playing poker. It’s not an event I prefer to attend, but I give a lot of credit to the staff that can pull a country club party together.
Networking (For Free?)
I guess nothing in life is free, including country club membership. However, just by being around your club, you are getting in some extra networking time.
Most members of the club are also members of your community, and it’s a great way to meet the right people at the right time. Even if that is a tee time!
Become A Better Version Of Yourself
Country clubs often have excellent fitness facilities and access to trainers and classes. The fact that you are already paying your dues is all the more reason to get out of bed and use the facilities each day!
Never Stop Learning
There are many smart people at a country club, and smart people love to learn. Country clubs offer opportunities to learn about new sports (golf, pickleball, tennis, etc.). However, some clubs and events allow you to pick up some new skills and add some depth to your life.
It’s Like High School (Or College) All Over Again
Meeting friends in school is easy; then you find a job and become friends with coworkers, then you have neighbors and become friends with them. However, this does limit the number of people you meet and have access to, a country club can open the door to hundreds of new friends.
Where Somebody Knows Your Name
You know that feeling of comfort when somebody knows your name? At the best country clubs, you will have this happen. Staff members learn members’ names and are TAUGHT to use them when possible.
No More 5-Hour Rounds
I can’t guarantee that you will never have another 5 hour round of golf. However, you should not be playing 5-hour rounds at a country club with limited membership.
Most clubs aim for 3:45 or 4 hours.
If you go at the right time of the day as a single or twosome, expect less than 3-hour rounds.
Discounts on Merchandise
Most country clubs offer a member discount in the golf shop.
For some unknown reason, many members still think shopping at Dick’s Sporting Goods or Amazon is cheaper. This is almost always not the case.
Be sure you are smart about pricing the club out first; also, talk to the pro if you see a deal; many times, they will help by bringing the price down for you. Their goal is to serve the membership.
The Extra Touch
Country clubs have that extra level of service that many people like:
- What a shoe shine in the locker room?
- Need the concierge to set up a dinner reservation for you?
- Running late for a tee time? Have valet take your car for you.
- Don’t want to lug your clubs back and forth to the club; keep them there!
- Need new grips- they can do that too.
Holiday Traditions
Country clubs take holidays quite seriously.
Typically there are several seatings for meals, buffet options, events for children, and more. If you want to create something for your family that centers around the country club, it’s easy to do.
Family Friendly (Without Being Disney)
Country clubs are family-friendly, but they are not a zoo. (At least they shouldn’t be).
Your kids can swim in the pool, run and play nine holes with their friends, participate in golf camp, and have some chicken fingers after their tennis lesson.
Clean Bathrooms and Facilities – Highly Maintained
If public restrooms and facilities tend to freak you out, you will feel right at home at a country club. The good ones smell like bleach, and for clean freaks, bleach is a good thing! The facilities are usually kept in good order, with people working almost around the clock to maintain things.
Kids Camp Options
In many areas of the country, kids’ camps are a major reason to join a club. Many of these camps only take members, and they are really fun camps with things like golf, tennis, swimming, and more all incorporated into the kid’s day.
Reciprocity At Other Clubs
If your golf club is undergoing a renovation, or you are simply out of town and want to play a course that has a relationship with your own, there are options for reciprocity at other clubs.
Take A Break From It All
Country clubs should be your escape, the place to go when you finish your responsibilities, and you get to do the things you WANT to do.
Personalized Service and Attention To Detail
Is Yuengling your drink of choice after a round of golf? Like your hamburger with no bun? After a little time, the staff at a country club will get to know you. They will remember your likes and dislikes, even before remembering your name.
This attention to detail helps you feel as though you get great value from your membership, and it is a pretty good value.
Community Feel (Lifestyle Opportunities)
The country club feels like a community. In addition, some of these clubs are located within a community. If you want the lifestyle of taking the golf cart from your house over to the clubhouse, you can easily find that from hundreds of country clubs.
Downsides of Joining A Country Club
My list of benefits of joining a country club is pretty extensive. In fact, if you already paid your deposit on your country club membership, you may want to stop reading now. If not, here are some downsides to look out for; remember, these downsides are not universal, but you can run into these issues.
It’s Like A Mortgage Payment
Your dues bill will likely be as much or more than some people’s mortgage payments. Unless you have a good amount of discretionary income, it’s too stressful to figure out how to pay for a country club membership.
Some Events Are Packed
Some events at a country club get quite a bit of attention and will fill up before you have a chance to get involved. Things like the member guest or the Christmas Day brunch may take a lot of advanced planning to capitalize on a spot.
The Dreaded Capital Improvements
When your country club needs to overhaul the kitchen or replace the roof, it could cost you a bit. Some clubs do a better job of keeping their financials intact than others.
Difficult People
Country clubs screen their members. They often make them go through an interview process or be friends with a member before they can join. However, this is not a perfect science. There could still be some really difficult people that end up impacting the experience you have at your club.
Not much you can do here; just be aware of it.
The Fishbowl Concept
Being a country club member can be a little like living in a fishbowl. Your kid gets a speeding ticket? Did your brother end up in some legal trouble? It’s going to spread around the club. For some people, this is nothing to worry about. For others, it can be a bit troublesome.
Closures Never Fall On The Right Days
Sometimes country clubs close for special events, and it’s incredibly frustrating as it always seems to fall on a day when you have family in town or a day off from work, etc. Just be aware that joining a club does not mean 365-day access to the course.
Golf Course Renovations
Renovations at a golf course can be a major problem. If the entire course needs to be done, expect to spend an entire year away from the golf course you love. Renovations are necessary, and in the end, you benefit, but if you don’t have more than one golf course to play at your club, be sure to ask about this during the joining process.
Final Thoughts
The benefits of joining a country club go well beyond the quick play and fast greens. Understanding the entire process helps you feel like you can get better value at the club and enjoy your time there.
In the end, most country club members say that despite the downsides, they still like the experience and would recommend it to anyone.
