| How much golf do you play? Can you justify the | | | | club golf house is a great place for kids to learn |
| cost of membership against the amount you spend | | | | correct etiquette. |
| on green fees every time you play a round at your | | | | Other benefits that might be on offer include |
| country club golf course? | | | | member discounts in the pro shop(up to 20% at |
| Lets say you only play once a week and the green | | | | some clubs), preferred tee off times and discount |
| fee is $25 for the round. That means your golf is | | | | green fees if you bring any none members to the |
| costing you $1300 annually. If the membership is $2K | | | | club for a round of golf. |
| a year, its not making much sense to join on the | | | | If you are new to the area you may wish to try |
| strength of the golf alone. If you play at least twice | | | | several country clubs before deciding by taking out a |
| a week though then you would be saving money and | | | | monthly membership. Even if they do not advertise a |
| it would be wise to join the country club even if you | | | | one month membership, they can usually be |
| were only going to use the golf facilities. | | | | negotiated. |
| There are of course other privileges to becoming a | | | | You can buy property that is within the borders of |
| member of your country club that should be | | | | many country clubs. These homes are usually (but |
| considered such as spa, sauna and gym equipment | | | | not always) aimed at active retirement couples and |
| available etc. Is there an in house league, | | | | usually come with country club golf membership |
| competitions and other activities? Is there a thriving | | | | already in the price of the property. One such club is |
| youth program for your youngsters to get involved | | | | the Gaillardia Country Club in Oklahoma. The |
| with and anything your partner may be interested in | | | | community is gated for security and the |
| if they don't play golf? | | | | championship golf course was recently redesigned by |
| For many people joining the local country club is all | | | | Tom Kites. Not a bad place to retire! |
| about status. These clubs can be important for | | | | These live in country club golf courses are very |
| making important business contacts etc. as the club | | | | popular in Europe, in particular Portugal and Spain. |
| house is usually the center of the social life. While | | | | Already tens of thousands have taken early |
| some may be joining to perhaps get closer to | | | | retirement from northern european countries such as |
| potential customers for ther business others join so | | | | England and made a new life for themselves with a |
| their teenage children can make new friends and | | | | warmer climate and world class golf. |
| contacts as they approach adult hood. The country | | | | |