Is a Golf Membership Worth It? (The Pros and Cons)

I believe two of the best ways to save money on greens fees and golf, in general, is to either work part-time at a club or buy a golf membership at a semi-private or fully private club. Today I’ll discuss the latter. However, is a golf membership worth it?

I will break down what I’ve learned about being a member at several private golf courses and weigh the pros and cons of having a golf membership. When we finish, hopefully, it will be easier to make the correct decision that best fits your current circumstances and lifestyle.

A Golf Membership Explained

Golf memberships differ in some respects, but one thing that remains the same is paying any required initiation fee and keeping up with your monthly dues will cover your greens fees, and you will gain access to unlimited golf. From there, you may have to pay cart fees and food minimums; however, the good news is some golf clubs do not require members to pay for food minimums, and others do not require an initiation fee for new members.

Overall, a country club membership is much less than simply paying for each round individually, especially if you play a lot of golf. The more you play, the more money you can potentially save over time by having the membership.

In the past, I played a lot of golf, and a membership made sense for me to have, but even if I decide to play one round of golf a week nowadays, depending on where I play, it might still be cheaper for me to have a golf membership.

One thing to keep in mind is that most golf memberships do not cover cart fees, which can vary in price depending on whether or not a golf club uses electric or gas-powered golf carts. That said, I have been a member at a golf club in the past that included cart fees in the monthly dues for a slightly higher rate, and it more than evened out for the amount of golf I was playing at the time. So, keep this in mind when searching for a golf club to join and starting a membership.

Regardless of whether cart fees are part of the monthly membership dues, I always recommend occasionally walking to save money on golf, slow down the game, and enjoy being outside in nature. I’ve found that walking the golf course on occasion helps me to connect with the game again and enjoy the process of playing a round. It’s also a great way to step away from any troubles you may have going on in your life and reflect on where you are and where you’re going—it’s meditative.

Golf Membership Types

Another thing to remember when considering a golf membership is whether or not you want to do a single, junior, or family membership. If you have a spouse and children that would like to play golf, then the family membership may be the best choice; however, even if your family members do not play golf, they may still be able to use the other perks of the membership such as the pool, tennis courts, or gym if they are available and on the property of the golf club you’re considering.

Junior memberships may sound obvious, but few golfers realize that some country clubs consider anyone under 35 or even 40 years old a junior member. The benefit of getting a junior membership if you fall in the age category is the ability to save money on monthly dues and possibly avoid food minimums and a joining fee. Sometimes junior members will have the joining fee waived—this is all part of encouraging younger people to join and ensure the club’s future.

A lot of golf clubs will also offer equity club memberships. Not only does this give members invested interest in how the club does monetarily, but it also gives members a say in the day-to-day operations and the ability to vote on specific topics when necessary. Although it’s usually not required, a stockholder or equity membership in a country club may be something to consider when looking at joining a club and becoming a member, especially if you plan on staying a member for an extended period and have an interest in seeing the club and community grow and prosper.

Pros of a Golf Membership

There are many expenses associated with playing golf; some are not so bad, while others can set you back in terms of money spent on the game. One of these expenses is greens fees. Greens fees paid with a membership will save a golfer money every month if they play more than once a week, and for those who play several times a week, it will be even more beneficial to have a membership.

Golf memberships will also open doors for golfers that may otherwise be unavailable. When you join a golf club, not only are you saving money, but you’re also becoming part of a community of golfers. Many of your fellow members may be willing to help you out, not only with golf but with other things that may be going on in your life, because being a golf club member is one of the best forms of networking. There are bound to be numerous social events scheduled throughout the year at the club.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it, one of the best things about playing golf for me over the years has been the people I’ve met, some I’m still lucky enough to call my friends.

Additional perks that sometimes come with a golf membership, depending on the golf club, are access to a pool, tennis courts, locker room access, premium tee times, discounts on golf instruction, and even access to a gym if available on the property. Usually, a private golf club will have several amenities outside golf to keep its members satisfied and entertained when off the course. For instance, I’ve known golfers who will book a tee time and play while their significant other goes to the pool, allowing both to enjoy the membership.

Cons of a Golf Membership

Like anything else, having a golf club membership has a few negatives. One of these is potentially tying yourself into a contract with a golf club for a select amount of time. Generally, this is a term of one year; however, it can vary from club to club. I have heard of instances when clubs will allow new members to go without signing a contract. It depends on what’s going on at a club at any given point and what they expect from new members in terms of commitment.

Another potential con to getting a golf membership is paying the initiation fee, which can sometimes be expensive; however, plenty of clubs with joining fees are more than reasonable. For instance, I have become a golf club member in the past at a course where there was a one-time joining fee of a couple of hundred dollars added on to the annual dues, usually paid through a monthly membership fee—keep this in mind so you can plan accordingly and join the right golf club that fits your budget and lifestyle.

Other potential expenses include paying for food minimums, meaning a certain amount must be spent on food in the golf club’s grill or restaurants. I’ve had memberships at clubs where this was required; however, more often than not, I have not been required to meet food minimums at other facilities where I was a member. This is another one of those situations where it depends on the golf club, so it’s essential to do your research and ask questions before joining.

Is a Golf Membership Worth It? (Final Thoughts)

Throughout my golf career, I’ve had the opportunity to be a member at several different facilities and have found it to be one of the best ways to save money on golf. Although it has its drawbacks, being a club member has many more positives than negatives, and it is a great way to meet fellow golfers and grow your social circle.

If you’re on the fence about whether or not to get a golf membership, I say do your research and go for it if it seems reasonable and fits your budget. I believe you’ll find it’s a good decision and it will encourage you to practice and play golf regularly.