Country Club Members, Is It Worth It?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Country clubs are for the socially insecure (don’t have and can’t make friends) or status conscious people.

+1. Not a popular but very accurate statement. It’s a social club - but you pay to enter.

You're paying for facilities that are not otherwise available, regardless of your willingness to pay.

They are available.

There are public and private pools.
There are public and private golf courses.
There are restaurants and skating rinks the public can access.

What you are paying for is access to consistent facilities when you want to access it (within reason of available tee times)

It wouldn't be for me and I don't understand why people do it, but to each their own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t have kids, definitely join! What else are you going to do with your time and money?

Travel

So good point. But many country club members own a second and/or third home and travel there and travel elsewhere too. You have to use it but you also have to be making enough that it does not control your life. In DC I would not join a higher end club with under 500k in income unless you have lower income and just rich. Big caveat on this -- there is not one kind of club. My comment above is high end. There are clubs in the middle and clubs that are way cheaper. Different story for those clubs. A PP had said joining fee was 10-100k depending on club. At the higher end, I have not seen 100k for a while. My club is at least 125 and it may be higher.

125k just to join? And then annual dues on top of that? What do those go for? People upthread have said it is worth it because it costs just as much to play on public courses if you play a lot. Can't see how that could possibly be true.

It isn't true. You are paying for insulation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Country clubs are for the socially insecure (don’t have and can’t make friends) or status conscious people.

+1. Not a popular but very accurate statement. It’s a social club - but you pay to enter.

You're paying for facilities that are not otherwise available, regardless of your willingness to pay.

They are available.

There are public and private pools.
There are public and private golf courses.
There are restaurants and skating rinks the public can access.

What you are paying for is access to consistent facilities when you want to access it (within reason of available tee times)

It wouldn't be for me and I don't understand why people do it, but to each their own.

I grew up going with a friend to play tennis on clay courts at congressional- where can I join a tennis club with well maintained clay courts? What private pools have facilities that even come close? And that's before you even start talking about the golf course. It's not worth it to me personally, but I don't pretend that our tennis and pool club is even remotely similar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Country clubs are for the socially insecure (don’t have and can’t make friends) or status conscious people.

+1. Not a popular but very accurate statement. It’s a social club - but you pay to enter.

You're paying for facilities that are not otherwise available, regardless of your willingness to pay.

They are available.

There are public and private pools.
There are public and private golf courses.
There are restaurants and skating rinks the public can access.

What you are paying for is access to consistent facilities when you want to access it (within reason of available tee times)

It wouldn't be for me and I don't understand why people do it, but to each their own.

It's not for me, either, but the "facilities" are not identical. I play a lot of golf on the public courses around the region, and I've been a guest at many of the top CCs, and they are simply not the same thing. You don't join a CC because you want "a" pool, but because you want the impeccably maintained pool where you'll know most of the people, can leave stuff there in your locker, and let your kids run around because the place feels like home.

Like I said, it's not for me, but I do understand why some people do it. They find the impeccable and exclusive golf course and the pool-filled-with-friends to be worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Country clubs are for the socially insecure (don’t have and can’t make friends) or status conscious people.

+1. Not a popular but very accurate statement. It’s a social club - but you pay to enter.

You're paying for facilities that are not otherwise available, regardless of your willingness to pay.

They are available.

There are public and private pools.
There are public and private golf courses.
There are restaurants and skating rinks the public can access.

What you are paying for is access to consistent facilities when you want to access it (within reason of available tee times)

It wouldn't be for me and I don't understand why people do it, but to each their own.

It's not for me, either, but the "facilities" are not identical. I play a lot of golf on the public courses around the region, and I've been a guest at many of the top CCs, and they are simply not the same thing. You don't join a CC because you want "a" pool, but because you want the impeccably maintained pool where you'll know most of the people, can leave stuff there in your locker, and let your kids run around because the place feels like home.

Like I said, it's not for me, but I do understand why some people do it. They find the impeccable and exclusive golf course and the pool-filled-with-friends to be worth it.

+1. Hate to admit it but we are just more “comfortable” with the CC environment. Don’t have to worry about the “street” people
who use the public and/or pool facilities. Don’t have to worry about my kids...it’s safe, sheltered entertainment venue no different than why rich folks
pay tuition for private school vs public k12.

[Anonymous]

Wow! There is a very mean crowd writing on this forum. Personally, I joined a club to play golf but we also use the tennis courts, pool & dining. Ironically, the wait staff is diverse. Personally, I hate many clubs particularly Chevy Chase as they the majority of people are of color. That is not what I am raising my children to believe. My own preference is quiet golf with my family or friends. Clean facilities with hard working and dedicated employees that are only treating respectfully by my family. I detest all the hatred!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow! There is a very mean crowd writing on this forum. Personally, I joined a club to play golf but we also use the tennis courts, pool & dining. Ironically, the wait staff is diverse. Personally, I hate many clubs particularly Chevy Chase as they the majority of people are of color. That is not what I am raising my children to believe. My own preference is quiet golf with my family or friends. Clean facilities with hard working and dedicated employees that are only treating respectfully by my family. I detest all the hatred!

Sadly, not “ironically” this is the only “diverse” element you will find at CC.

[Anonymous]

No insult. I just want to play golf in peace.

[Anonymous]

This is over the top. We belong to a country club but it's for the activities. And it's fun and social. It keeps the family active.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t have kids, definitely join! What else are you going to do with your time and money?

Travel

So good point. But many country club members own a second and/or third home and travel there and travel elsewhere too. You have to use it but you also have to be making enough that it does not control your life. In DC I would not join a higher end club with under 500k in income unless you have lower income and just rich. Big caveat on this -- there is not one kind of club. My comment above is high end. There are clubs in the middle and clubs that are way cheaper. Different story for those clubs. A PP had said joining fee was 10-100k depending on club. At the higher end, I have not seen 100k for a while. My club is at least 125 and it may be higher.

125k just to join? And then annual dues on top of that? What do those go for? People upthread have said it is worth it because it costs just as much to play on public courses if you play a lot. Can't see how that could possibly be true.

It isn't true. You are paying for insulation.

This is not true for some people. My husband and I both run our own businesses. Our kids go to diverse, public schools. We have a very diverse group of friends, we have traveled, worked and lived in countries people on this board would throw their noses up at. We have no time because of older parents we care for, teens, and the two businesses. So, we joined a Club where it’s easy to get a court, a T time, a lesson, a swim on a Saturday. We didn’t abandon our former lives or out values and decide we needed to be insulated from “The Poors” or anything nefarious like that. And, so many of the people we’ve met have a similar M.O. The extreme thinking here is wack sometimes.

[Anonymous]

Nearly all the CC members I know here are legacy members. They grew up going to the club, their parents and siblings are members, and all their childhood friends are members too. Seems like a great place to maintain relationships rather than build new ones.

OP do you plan to have children? Kids are the best way to expand your social network.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t have kids, definitely join! What else are you going to do with your time and money?

Travel

So good point. But many country club members own a second and/or third home and travel there and travel elsewhere too. You have to use it but you also have to be making enough that it does not control your life. In DC I would not join a higher end club with under 500k in income unless you have lower income and just rich. Big caveat on this -- there is not one kind of club. My comment above is high end. There are clubs in the middle and clubs that are way cheaper. Different story for those clubs. A PP had said joining fee was 10-100k depending on club. At the higher end, I have not seen 100k for a while. My club is at least 125 and it may be higher.

125k just to join? And then annual dues on top of that? What do those go for? People upthread have said it is worth it because it costs just as much to play on public courses if you play a lot. Can't see how that could possibly be true.

It isn't true. You are paying for insulation.

You are making two points. I agree with your first. If you and spouse quit your expensive gym, there is some money for the monthly. If you golf and pay now there is some more money. But -- that will never approach monthly at an expensive cc. There are less expensive ccs where you can come close though. Second point -- what are you paying for? You are paying for convenience. You are paying for a place where you drop the car at the valet, your stuff is in your locker, your bags are on the cart already if you are on the tee sheet, where everyone known your name and will help you out. You are paying for no lines. You can't get rid of the a-holes as they are everywhere but you reduce the people you need to deal with. For a busy biglaw partner, doctor or executive, not dealing with the bs is priceless. For some no but others yes. You are paying for a comfortable place to go that is an extension of your home. Insulation - sure to a degree but it is insulation from the bs of the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Country clubs are on the their way out. Pleasures of a bygone eta no longer practical nor politically correct. This is the next racial institution to bust.

This is half true. Clubs at the lower end and middle were feeling a squeeze until COVID. COVID changed the game and we will have to see how it plays out. For the higher end clubs they are doing fine because they have a product that a large enough group of people want to buy. So no I don't think they are on their way out. Did you mean racist not racial? That would be a tough thing to establish. I doubt there is a black, Latino, or Asian candidate at any DC area club that was rejected in the last five years if not longer. Nobody at the clubs care about this. They care if you have enough money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Country clubs are for the socially insecure (don’t have and can’t make friends) or status conscious people.

+1. Not a popular but very accurate statement. It’s a social club - but you pay to enter.

You're paying for facilities that are not otherwise available, regardless of your willingness to pay.

They are available.

There are public and private pools.
There are public and private golf courses.
There are restaurants and skating rinks the public can access.

What you are paying for is access to consistent facilities when you want to access it (within reason of available tee times)

It wouldn't be for me and I don't understand why people do it, but to each their own.

It's not for me, either, but the "facilities" are not identical. I play a lot of golf on the public courses around the region, and I've been a guest at many of the top CCs, and they are simply not the same thing. You don't join a CC because you want "a" pool, but because you want the impeccably maintained pool where you'll know most of the people, can leave stuff there in your locker, and let your kids run around because the place feels like home.

Like I said, it's not for me, but I do understand why some people do it. They find the impeccable and exclusive golf course and the pool-filled-with-friends to be worth it.

This is EVERY community pool in the region.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Country clubs are for the socially insecure (don’t have and can’t make friends) or status conscious people.

+1. Not a popular but very accurate statement. It’s a social club - but you pay to enter.

You're paying for facilities that are not otherwise available, regardless of your willingness to pay.

They are available.

There are public and private pools.
There are public and private golf courses.
There are restaurants and skating rinks the public can access.

What you are paying for is access to consistent facilities when you want to access it (within reason of available tee times)

It wouldn't be for me and I don't understand why people do it, but to each their own.

It's not for me, either, but the "facilities" are not identical. I play a lot of golf on the public courses around the region, and I've been a guest at many of the top CCs, and they are simply not the same thing. You don't join a CC because you want "a" pool, but because you want the impeccably maintained pool where you'll know most of the people, can leave stuff there in your locker, and let your kids run around because the place feels like home.

Like I said, it's not for me, but I do understand why some people do it. They find the impeccable and exclusive golf course and the pool-filled-with-friends to be worth it.

Hmmm. Sounds like my house. Why swim in a CC pool when you have your own. And,
I don’t like the idea of running into the same people all the time. Even if I had $150K to throw away on a CC, it would not appeal to me.