Why do we pay hugh amounts of money for membership fees to a golf club?
924178
Very good question. In the UK it used to be the case that if you wanted to play the game you had to be a club member. Now there are hundreds of clubs that welcome golfers on a "Pay and play" basis and membership really isn't necessary. However being a club member does give you a social group which you might enjoy and it will bring other privileges. If you want to join a "prestigious" club you will need to be a decent golfer and have plenty of loot. It could cost you upwards of £1500 a year, and you need to play a lot of golf to make this pay! Another option is to join one or more golf societies (there are hundreds) - these often play at lots of different courses and there is a social element as well. Subscriptions are usually nominal and green fees good value.\n\nThe traditional golf clubs can be very snobbish and not particularly welcoming to new members. Some even don't allow women members or segregate women in the clubhouse.\n\nYou pays your money and makes your choice. The atmosphere at some clubs is very good and if you enjoy competitions and are happy with familiar faces in the 19th hole then membership might be what you would like. If you just want to play the game from time to time there are other options these days.
740007
Your best bet for this is the National Golf Foundation, which constantly surveys on this and other golf related subjects. Over the last decade the annual increase in golfers (which is defined as playing at least 8-10 rounds a year) is about 1%. \n\nIt spiked higher in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but in recent years it has fallen back a bit. Between 2003 and 2004 the statistics indicated a drop of about 3.9% which eliminated some of the earlier gains.\n\nWhile there are more courses around, there are still issues centering around cost to play and time it takes to play.
867588
A golf swing is fairly precise.you don't have a whole lot of room  to hit the sweet spot. When you shift your weight forward, your actually moving the ball back in your stance. therefore your catching the ball on the club before you are completely released to square. It's hard  to tell you how to "fix" it when I can't see your swing, but go to your local PGA Professional and he/she can help you. You might think it expensive (posibly $50 per 1/2hr but i rpomise you, it will be worth every penny! These people are highly trained and experts in the golf swing.
255671
Golf lessons.  I learned it is a waste of money spending on clubs.  You can hit it much better if you know how to hit it dead center consistently.
182496
Golf Challenges you and it's a good way to meet people, a great way to spend some time outside, and keeps a lot of retired people active.  \n\nGolf is changing, new programs in a affordable price range.  Keeping things fun.  Course are becoming a lot more beginner friendly.  A lot of ladies play golf.  The best player at a local course here is a lady.  I teach LU2G and last year I had 16 couples take up golf for the first time.  After two months everyone one of the ladies could beat their husband. \n\nThis year \nJune 3 to  June 10, 2006 - Focus on Women's golf - local golf courses will have free programs\n\nI dont have the date but there will be a bring your daughter to the golf course day also\nAPRIL IS FREE CLUB FITTING MONTH AND APRIL IS FREE GOLF LESSON MONTH.  www.playgolfamerica.com
1107480
there is a fee automatically tacked on to the enrollment fee for sports where i live.  its like 20 dollars, and if the parents work the stand they get the 20 back... if not, whomever worked in thier place gets it.\n\nI dont know about a president, but i was a tball coach and all i did was mark on the sign up sheet that i was interested.
256974
There often are several possibilities. First is to be invited to play as a member's guest. Second, you usually can take lessons from the pro, and often the pro will allow you to play there before or after your lessons. Often country clubs have special memberships for tennis only, rather than golf and tennis, and these memberships will be considerably cheaper.
890541
Golf can be as expensive as you make it. Obviously you have a range of variety of equipment from both end of the scale for pricing. Same as clothing and courses themselves. Once you've initially got your equiment,golf membership the only thing you need to spend money on is comp fees. So no it's not a rich sport in comparison to say go karting or motorsport
216261
When I was a PGA member I did not get free membership to the USGA....however my Grandma always bought me a membership! :)
424767
You pay it all up-front.  They are giving you the discount for doing that.  Otherwise you would be paying the monthly fee of $14.99.\n\nI have not seen other sites running similar deals but I am sure there are some out there.
178202
Yes, if you are going to be a serious golfer.  The professionals get custom made clubs.\n\nWere you expecting me to get angry at your post?
76673
Did you pay the required fees?
169224
Be sure to find out what the homeowners association fees are before you buy.... sometimes they are ridiculouly high.
1048922
A corporation has the legal right to do and change whatever it sees is in their best financial interest. They don't give a damn about whether customers think they should be charged for the service or not, any any services that are offered free are to attract people to the site so they can be charged for something else, or bombarded with advertising. That is why some are free from customer required financial outlay, and others charge membership fees. This is great for consumers, as it is now possible to choose which type of service you wish to become a member with, which keeps membership prices of the ones that do charge at a competitive rate, and provides essential matchmaking services to people who cannot financially afford to pay the charging ones.
1074024
when we become a member of say restaurant for quite some time or any other field like gym etc. and patronise that place regularly, organisers of that field may give u some discount for ur continuous association and service u utilize.
162273
There is one company that guarantees tee times on the old course....\n\nKeith Prowse Ltd. Old Course Experience....it's very pricey, but you'll have a time for sure.
10626
I have looked at getting onto the European Pro Tour, and it's about 1,000 Euros to try in their Q-School, versus about $8-10K in the US.  You have to be a scratch golfer, or handicap of no more than "1".  Also, if it is your first attempt at the Tour, you are required to have 2 letters of recommendation stating that you are of character and skill and ability to play on the Pro Tour.