Benefits of country clubs?

[Anonymous]

Recently, multiple acquaintances have joined country clubs. They are not close enough that I can ask them why, but they are all people who I would not think would be the type and also the rest of their lifestyle doesn’t align with spending so much on this. (I’m sure that shows my bias, but I really am trying to understand if I am closed off to an idea that could be fun or helpful in some way.)

Are there professional benefits to joining? Is it really like the movies where people are making deals on the golf course? Do some companies pay for their leadership to join such clubs?

Have they gotten cheaper? I had thought it was a minimum 50-100k to join and then multiple thousands each month. That seems like a lot for the people I know, but of course I don’t know the ins and outs of their finances.

[Anonymous]

I’m just there for the tennis.

[Anonymous]

To golf on a nice course and not deal with the slow idiots on public courses.

No, they’re not any less expensive.

[Anonymous]

It's like going on a mini-vacation everytime I set foot on the property. A true refuge from the craziness of the world. Tennis, pool, fitness center, and fully stocked locker room. The service is amazing - everyone who works there goes above and beyond. The food is actually very good at ours and the bartender has a very heavy pour. Yes there are snobs and social climbers, but mainly in the young set, people my age (late 40s - 50s) are chill and friendly. We all just want to play our sport and relax with our friends/family in peace. It doesn't constantly reek of pot, have any litter, and there is always somewhere to park.

We pay for the convenience, the service, and the peace.

[Anonymous]

Golf and tennis, mostly. It's also nice to have a space that's not your home where you can easily host people for a wide range of events.

[Anonymous]

Also, we always have somewhere nice to go for holidays and celebrations. We don't have families who host us for these events, so it's like a little gift to ourselves not to have to throw the party.

[Anonymous]

We have a few friends through my DD's sports teams that belong to a CC that their neighborhood surrounds. They are either big tennis players or golfers and it's the convenience of it. I've been there as a guest a few times and it is really nice. They also have teenage kids that take advantage of the pool in the summer and the gym to workout.

There are some companies that will pay for C-suite types to have memberships. My past company did this for the local club, which was really nice. That club has hosted PGA events in the past and the course is really great.

I have no idea of the cost - I'm not in the DMV, but it's not insignificant.

[Anonymous]

Golf, tennis, pool.

It’s not complicated. People join them for those recreational facilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's like going on a mini-vacation everytime I set foot on the property. A true refuge from the craziness of the world. Tennis, pool, fitness center, and fully stocked locker room. The service is amazing - everyone who works there goes above and beyond. The food is actually very good at ours and the bartender has a very heavy pour. Yes there are snobs and social climbers, but mainly in the young set, people my age (late 40s - 50s) are chill and friendly. We all just want to play our sport and relax with our friends/family in peace. It doesn't constantly reek of pot, have any litter, and there is always somewhere to park.

We pay for the convenience, the service, and the peace.

Ha ha you called 50s young.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's like going on a mini-vacation everytime I set foot on the property. A true refuge from the craziness of the world. Tennis, pool, fitness center, and fully stocked locker room. The service is amazing - everyone who works there goes above and beyond. The food is actually very good at ours and the bartender has a very heavy pour. Yes there are snobs and social climbers, but mainly in the young set, people my age (late 40s - 50s) are chill and friendly. We all just want to play our sport and relax with our friends/family in peace. It doesn't constantly reek of pot, have any litter, and there is always somewhere to park.

We pay for the convenience, the service, and the peace.

Ha ha you called 50s young.

You clearly have never been to one. 40-50s IS young in that set. We have a lot of very old people at ours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Golf, tennis, pool.

It’s not complicated. People join them for those recreational facilities.

+1 and in the correct order. Community pools are around, both private and public, there are neighborhood tennis courts that aren’t hard to find, but golf, if you’re into it and/or need it for networking (yes, deals do happen on golf courses) is a lot harder to do regularly without a club.

[Anonymous]

I have a nice house and a cheap life otherwise. I spend most of my time at home, so I want my home comfortable. I don't need a luxurious car; I don't drive an hour or more each day.

Country club is the next step in that. But people who drive to country clubs are suckers. Living at a country club community is where it's at. Not a DMV thing though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's like going on a mini-vacation everytime I set foot on the property. A true refuge from the craziness of the world. Tennis, pool, fitness center, and fully stocked locker room. The service is amazing - everyone who works there goes above and beyond. The food is actually very good at ours and the bartender has a very heavy pour. Yes there are snobs and social climbers, but mainly in the young set, people my age (late 40s - 50s) are chill and friendly. We all just want to play our sport and relax with our friends/family in peace. It doesn't constantly reek of pot, have any litter, and there is always somewhere to park.

We pay for the convenience, the service, and the peace.

which one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's like going on a mini-vacation everytime I set foot on the property. A true refuge from the craziness of the world. Tennis, pool, fitness center, and fully stocked locker room. The service is amazing - everyone who works there goes above and beyond. The food is actually very good at ours and the bartender has a very heavy pour. Yes there are snobs and social climbers, but mainly in the young set, people my age (late 40s - 50s) are chill and friendly. We all just want to play our sport and relax with our friends/family in peace. It doesn't constantly reek of pot, have any litter, and there is always somewhere to park.

We pay for the convenience, the service, and the peace.

Ha ha you called 50s young.

Sorry, by grammar is off. The snobs are in the young set - 20s/30s. In my set, 40s-50s, it's chill.

[Anonymous]

The price to join a club in the DMV, and dues, will both vary greatly. You can spend what OP cites, or you can spend a lot more or a lot less. It just depends on the club.