Have you ever considered joining a golf club? Perhaps you are ready to take your casual friendship with the game of golf to the next level and commit yourself to a yearlong (or multi-year in some cases) relationship with your favorite local course. However, while there are undoubtedly many pros associated with becoming a golf club member, this arrangement isn’t for everyone. For those contemplating membership at one of the courses along the Alabama Gulf Coast, golfers should consider whether these benefits outweigh the flexibility of paying green fees whenever desired.
Many courses offer several memberships to fit every lifestyle, ranging from an all-inclusive package to social options or family memberships. Be sure to choose the right membership for you if you join a golf club. Let’s look at some benefits of joining a golf club before highlighting why sticking to a non-member status may be the preferable option.
Flexibility to Play Frequently
One of the key benefits of joining a golf course is that you can play as many rounds as you like, given that your membership includes unlimited access to the greens. Depending on whether you are joining a club that is considered private (meaning only those with a membership can play) will likely also determine whether this benefit will offer less traffic than public courses that allow the general public to pay green fees.
The general recommendation is to join a private golf club if you are willing to invest in the cost of a membership, given that memberships at public courses will still face the difficulty of finding available tee times.
The deciding factor of joining a golf club will likely be the amount you intend to play. If you plan on teeing up weekly or even more frequently, joining a golf club will probably save you money, dependent on the cost of the membership. However, if you only take out your clubs occasionally, your “pay to play” green fee option is better.
Ready to Get a Golf Handicap
While you can always claim to have a golf handicap based on your self-scoring, to have an official USGA-approved handicap, you must submit three scorecards to the club where you are a member and receive your handicap index the next day.
If you desire to take golf to a more serious level, this is the step to take, as your ultimate goal will be to reduce your handicap to reflect the improvements in your game. However, the main benefit of an official handicap is the ability to enter tournaments where you can win prizes.
Unlimited Use of On-Site Facilities
Whether you join a member-only private club or a public course that allows memberships, the range of on-site facilities will vary widely. From spa resorts to gym facilities, a driving range and practice facility to swimming pools and more, the variety of available amenities in addition to the course itself may be a deciding factor, especially based on your interest levels in taking advantage of these additional benefits.
Whatever your particular tastes, you should be able to find a club that fits perfectly with your personal needs. Of course, when you become a member, you will likely have full access to everything available, so be sure to take advantage of it!
Family Memberships
Many golf clubs offer both individual and family memberships. This is an excellent way for your whole crew to get involved. What better way to spend an afternoon than by heading to the course with the entire family and enjoying a round of golf? Spending quality time with your spouse and kids, teaching them how to play, is a rewarding experience that may help justify purchasing the membership.
It's best to check with each golf club to determine what constitutes a family membership. Many will vary, and there may be limitations regarding when a spouse or children can play during the week.
Play Other Courses for Less
Many golf memberships will also offer reciprocity with other local courses, especially if they have a similar affiliation. For example, if you choose to become a member at Craft Farms, you will have the opportunity to play Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club for less than half the regular green fee.
Pay-to-Play Option
Joining a golf club is certainly not for everyone. The financial commitment is usually a significant factor in determining whether it’s feasible to join. If you decide to join a golf club, the likelihood is that you will want to play this course to get the best value out of the membership. However, another disadvantage of this is losing the ability to play a variety of other courses. Prefer to play a range of courses in your region? A “pay to play” green fee is likely your better option.
The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast has such a variety of incredible courses that you could justify wanting just to pay to play each time, so you can visit each one. However, several courses in the area offer memberships. If you come to Alabama’s beaches regularly or stay for long periods, a membership to your favorite course may be worth it.
Grab your clubs and explore all 15 of the remarkable courses in and around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!
