Joining a golf club can sometimes be intimidating no matter who you are. Whether it's worrying about playing well in the first tournament or meeting new members it can all be overwhelming. Here are the 10 steps you go through when joining a golf club.
1. Meeting the Members
Members are the most important part of any golf club and meeting them can sometimes be tough. You will most likely meet members on the golf course, but you can also meet them at club functions such as dinners or holiday events. Don't join a golf club with notoriously rude members.
2. Getting to Know the Staff
Like the members, you will also be seeing the staff everyday you are at the club. Make sure you take into consideration how friendly the staff is when selecting which club you want to join. Knowing the staff and being on a first name basis will help streamline your entire experience.
3. Is the Course Good?
Don't join a country club with a course that you don't like. Check to see if the club has reciprocals with other courses in the area that you might be able to play. Make sure you find out the maintenance schedule as well, so you don't book a foursome when the course is just coming out of aeration.
4. Good Food
Hopefully the club has good food because you will be hanging out there a lot. You wouldn't want to take your family out to a golf club that has fast food quality items.
5. Make Sure You Can Afford it
Most country clubs are extremely expensive, but there are a few that are reasonably priced. In addition to the normal monthly fees some clubs can have food and beverage minimums that must be met.
6. First Club Tournament
After all the formalities are finished, it's time to tee it up in your first tournament. Make sure to hit a few balls before you tee off just in case you are playing with the club president.
7. Take a Lesson
Don't be afraid to talk with the golf staff about getting a lesson. Golf professionals are experts at fixing golf swings and they can probably help you out a bit.
8. Use the Club Amenities
Most clubs have nice fitness centers or tennis courts, so make sure to take advantage of those opportunities. They are charging you a lot of money and it's best to squeeze every ounce out of it.
9. Tip Well
You don't want to have the club reputation as a poor tipper. Word will get around fast. The staff talks to each other and it will have a bad impact on your whole experience at the club.
10. Attend a Social Event
Social gatherings can sometimes be boring for the older crowd, but remember that you will be mingling with some extremely successful people and you never know what might come of it. An invitation to play a round at Pebble Beach might come up and you would kick yourself if you found out about it the next day.