Forget the stuffy formality you might associate with the phrase “golf club.” There are only two things a modern golf group needs to qualify as a club:
1. Provide a social outlet and value to ten or more liked-minded golfers.
2. Be affiliated with a regional golf association (like the SCGA!) for the purpose of providing legitimate Handicap Indexes.
With that in mind, let's breakdown some of the common myths associated with golf clubs:
There are more than 1200 PUBLIC Golf Clubs in SoCal. We like to call them Golf Groups because that's what they are: fun and competitive players that get together to play golf. The only requirement for joining these groups is a passion for golf.
Good news: you don't have to wait until you're retired to join a golf group. Whether you're 18 or 80, there's a group of golfers out there just like you.
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Skip the initiation fees, high monthly dues, and food and beverage minimums. There are plenty of golf groups near you to join for just the price of a cup of coffee per month.
Sure, playing in tournaments and competing for prizes is a core part of most golf groups. But being a member also means making new friends out on the course, having some laughs, and enjoying a beverage (and maybe some smack talk) in the clubhouse after the round.
One of the many benefits of joining a golf group is that you'll receive an official USGA/GHIN Handicap Index, which allows you to compete with any golfer no matter your skill level. There are even groups specifically designed to introduce new golfers to the game and to helping you improve.
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Worried that joining a group that only plays at one course might get boring? There are hundreds of groups that don't have a home course and travel to new courses every month, making sure each tournament is a new experience.
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We all know the struggle of life getting in the way of our golf time. When you join a group, there's no expectation that you'll make it to every event. But when you are ready, you'll always have a group of fellow golfers ready to hit the course. You may even find a club that fits their schedule around you:
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Still don't have enough time? Consider speeding up your game:
https://youtu.be/EonX--thunE
Welcome to the 21st century. There are golf groups for men and women of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds.
In case you haven't been paying attention, there's really no such thing as a typical golf club member. A golf club is just a group of people coming together over a common bond, whether that's a favorite course, working at the same company or in the same industry, a shared ethnic background, or simply a love of the game. No matter who you are or what type of golfer you are, there's a home out there for you.