I think I need to join a country club

[cmh6476 1,010]

Pros/ cons?

[Maximum Overkill 1,739]

2 minutes ago, cmh6476 said:

Pros/ cons?

No cons, as long as you have the time. A waste If you don't use it. 

[jerryskids 6,553]

I haven't ever belonged to one so I can't say from experience.  That being said...

What is driving you to fell you "need" to join one?  Business/political connections?

I thought about it back when I was young and making Geek Club bank, but I would have been driven by golf mostly, although occasionally taking a customer there might have been helpful.  From a golf perspective, I prefer variety (for similar reasons we've never gotten a cabin, as we like to check out different locations).  And there is no lacking of golf courses in Phoenix.

I do have an old friend who belongs to a club and has asked me to join him for a round.  I kinda let that slide; this reminds me that I should ping him about it, after the weather gets out of the 110s.   

[weepaws 3,152]

1 hour ago, cmh6476 said:

Pros/ cons?

You would need  to find one that takes flags.   

[Strike 5,184]

I hear good things about Bushwood Country Club.

[Nomad99 699]

4 minutes ago, Strike said:

I hear good things about Bushwood Country Club.

Night putting

[edjr 6,578]

I am a member of one. other than the money, everything else is a pro

[BunnysBastatrds 2,308]

 I heard the YMCA is looking for guys like yous

[cmh6476 1,010]

4 hours ago, jerryskids said:

I haven't ever belonged to one so I can't say from experience.  That being said...

What is driving you to fell you "need" to join one?  Business/political connections?

I thought about it back when I was young and making Geek Club bank, but I would have been driven by golf mostly, although occasionally taking a customer there might have been helpful.  From a golf perspective, I prefer variety (for similar reasons we've never gotten a cabin, as we like to check out different locations).  And there is no lacking of golf courses in Phoenix.

I do have an old friend who belongs to a club and has asked me to join him for a round.  I kinda let that slide; this reminds me that I should ping him about it, after the weather gets out of the 110s.   

I'm looking from the prospective of b2b in support of non-profit work.  What I see is disconnect and lack of awareness from those with means to do good work in terms of the work non-profits are doing.  If you go back 50 years you didn't have all these various non-profits with paid staff doing a lot of different mission work.   You had people with money burning holes in their pocket who saw a need and wanted to help and make a difference so they were more engaged in philanthropic endeavors.  I believe those same passions are there, but I'm not hanging out with this people on a regular basis to help them understand how they could make a difference through the work of a local non-profit.  I feel like I need to find a better way to get in with people who have the opportunity to make a tremendous impact through charitable giving.   And I'm wondering if playing golf in the Tuesday men's league and my wife hanging out with their wives at the pool on the summer and going to country club events could help me bridge the gap.  But I also am sensitive to how it might look for a non-profit leader to splurge on something like a country club membership. 

[cyclone24 1,912]

4 hours ago, Maximum Overkill said:

No cons, as long as you have the time. A waste If you don't use it. 

This. 

[Baker Boy 1,687]

12 hours ago, cmh6476 said:

I'm looking from the prospective of b2b in support of non-profit work.  What I see is disconnect and lack of awareness from those with means to do good work in terms of the work non-profits are doing.  If you go back 50 years you didn't have all these various non-profits with paid staff doing a lot of different mission work.   You had people with money burning holes in their pocket who saw a need and wanted to help and make a difference so they were more engaged in philanthropic endeavors.  I believe those same passions are there, but I'm not hanging out with this people on a regular basis to help them understand how they could make a difference through the work of a local non-profit.  I feel like I need to find a better way to get in with people who have the opportunity to make a tremendous impact through charitable giving.   And I'm wondering if playing golf in the Tuesday men's league and my wife hanging out with their wives at the pool on the summer and going to country club events could help me bridge the gap.  But I also am sensitive to how it might look for a non-profit leader to splurge on something like a country club membership. 

You are just what every country club wants, a member joining for the sole purpose of getting them to give their money to somebody else. Your wife should be a riot around the pool.

are you planning on paying for the membership yourself?

[IGotWorms 4,057]

I dunno, they’ve always seemed pretty d0uchey to me. Guess it could be good for networking if that’s your goal, but otherwise you pay a bunch of money for the privilege of paying more money to use some d0uchey exclusive bar and restaurant and stupid stuff like that, I don’t get it

[cmh6476 1,010]

6 minutes ago, Baker Boy said:

You are just what every country club wants, a member joining for the sole purpose of getting them to give their money to somebody else. Your wife should be a riot around the pool.

are you planning on paying for the membership yourself?

It's just a circle of friends.  I, as well as she can get along with anybody.  I'm just looking to develop further connections to help open doors. 

[lickin_starfish 1,889]

So, the nonprofit will end up paying for your membership?

[cmh6476 1,010]

Just now, lickin_starfish said:

So, the nonprofit will end up paying for your membership?

I wouldn't ask them to do that.   I could probably account for a tax deduction though as my fil is a cpa.

[bostonlager 2,664]

Do you play golf? If so it is worth it. I was a member of a private club for over 20 years, but recently let my membership lapse because they started allowing the public to play the course. I never used, the pool or tennis courts, but ate there quite a bit. If you don't play golf, I don't find the point of a country club. 

[Baker Boy 1,687]

30 minutes ago, cmh6476 said:

I wouldn't ask them to do that.   I could probably account for a tax deduction though as my fil is a cpa.

I didn’t know that country club fees could be tax deductible. How does that work?

[cmh6476 1,010]

12 minutes ago, Baker Boy said:

I didn’t know that country club fees could be tax deductible. How does that work?

I'm spit balling

[Bier Meister 1,655]

I appreciate your motivation for it. 
Agree with your assessment about pr/appearances.

benefits outweigh the drawbacks, if you are able to utilize it.

[5-Points 3,386]

I was driving cross country in an old Ford pickup truck once and looked over to see this smoke show in a limo next to me. I took a double take on the interstate, when I saw her making eyes at me. So I followed her down to Club House Drive past the pool and the 18th green. In the parking lot I said "it's mighty hot, maybe I could buy you a beer." 

She said "I'm glad you asked but I'll have to pass because only members are allowed in here."

I told her I was a member of a country club, what kind of music I love, regaled her with stories of my dancing abilities and pool playing prowess. But I could tell she was worried about what her friends would think if they saw her with a guy in worn out jeans. So I told her not to worry about her reputation because she could tell all her friends that I'm a member of a country club. 

True story.

 

[Fireballer 2,639]

33 minutes ago, 5-Points said:

I was driving cross country in an old Ford pickup truck once and looked over to see this smoke show in a limo next to me. I took a double take on the interstate, when I saw her making eyes at me. So I followed her down to Club House Drive past the pool and the 18th green. In the parking lot I said "it's mighty hot, maybe I could buy you a beer." 

She said "I'm glad you asked but I'll have to pass because only members are allowed in here."

I told her I was a member of a country club, what kind of music I love, regaled her with stories of my dancing abilities and pool playing prowess. But I could tell she was worried about what her friends would think if they saw her with a guy in worn out jeans. So I told her not to worry about her reputation because she could tell all her friends that I'm a member of a country club. 

True story.

 

Don’t forget the Dixie cup

[Jose M 125]

There are some  insanely cheap ones where I'm moving to compared to where I'm moving from. Free golf anytime for a retiree. Yes please.  No brainer. 

[5-Points 3,386]

19 hours ago, Fireballer said:

Don’t forget the Dixie cup

[WhiteWonder 2,675]

I really don't know. Growing up, one of my dads best friends was a member at one of the nicer clubs in our area. Wait list, had to be recommended by another member to even apply, etc. Annual membership fee was a lot and there were other expenses to consider, for example there were minimum spend requirements on the non golf stuff (at the bar, dinners, etc) and it was not mandatory but highly encouraged to take a caddie, which when I caddied there it was 60 or 70 per bag plus tips. 

My dad could have joined. His friend would have recommended him but my dad is not a country club person. He wants to golf and maybe have some golf friends but he's not into the club lifestyle of it. His job didn't require him to network.  You were not going to see him and my mother at fancy events in the banquet hall, stuff like that. So he stuck with his local Saturday golf league that plays several courses between two counties. 

For business purposes and networking, I always felt that Country Club memberships were more useful for someone looking to bring clients to a course they otherwise couldn't play and show them a good time and help close deals. In terms of meeting new, well off people who might be willing to donate to your cause... you're giving yourself a big expense to get exposure to what is really a fairly small amount of wealthy people at a single club, and that is assuming it's an actual wealthy country club and not one of those places with cheap memberships or semi private.  I suppose those wealthy people will have wealthy friends who are not members of the club, etc.... but these people don't live at the country club. I think there are other ways to rub elbows with potential donors.  But if you love golf, specifically the course of the club you'd be joining, and your wife and kids wants a clubhouse, pool, tennis courts etc... then go for it. 

 

[cmh6476 1,010]

1 hour ago, WhiteWonder said:

I really don't know. Growing up, one of my dads best friends was a member at one of the nicer clubs in our area. Wait list, had to be recommended by another member to even apply, etc. Annual membership fee was a lot and there were other expenses to consider, for example there were minimum spend requirements on the non golf stuff (at the bar, dinners, etc) and it was not mandatory but highly encouraged to take a caddie, which when I caddied there it was 60 or 70 per bag plus tips. 

My dad could have joined. His friend would have recommended him but my dad is not a country club person. He wants to golf and maybe have some golf friends but he's not into the club lifestyle of it. His job didn't require him to network.  You were not going to see him and my mother at fancy events in the banquet hall, stuff like that. So he stuck with his local Saturday golf league that plays several courses between two counties. 

For business purposes and networking, I always felt that Country Club memberships were more useful for someone looking to bring clients to a course they otherwise couldn't play and show them a good time and help close deals. In terms of meeting new, well off people who might be willing to donate to your cause... you're giving yourself a big expense to get exposure to what is really a fairly small amount of wealthy people at a single club, and that is assuming it's an actual wealthy country club and not one of those places with cheap memberships or semi private.  I suppose those wealthy people will have wealthy friends who are not members of the club, etc.... but these people don't live at the country club. I think there are other ways to rub elbows with potential donors.  But if you love golf, specifically the course of the club you'd be joining, and your wife and kids wants a clubhouse, pool, tennis courts etc... then go for it. 

 

That's good feedback.   Over the years I've seen regular requests to the time of $15k, $50k, even some over $200k.  Those didn't happen without some sort of relationship with the organization.   And I guess as a whiteboarder/ big picture thinker, I'm trying to think outside the box for something that may help the organization even after I'm no longer officially affiliated. 

[WhiteWonder 2,675]

21 minutes ago, cmh6476 said:

That's good feedback.   Over the years I've seen regular requests to the time of $15k, $50k, even some over $200k.  Those didn't happen without some sort of relationship with the organization.   And I guess as a whiteboarder/ big picture thinker, I'm trying to think outside the box for something that may help the organization even after I'm no longer officially affiliated. 

If the CC in question is the nicest one in the area and there are not several options really close by, it could be  good idea for what you are wanting it for. Like I said, the wealthy connections you will make directly at the club will probably have wealthy friends who are not members. It's certainly not a bad way to gain access to people with excess money looking for a cause. 

I just know there are more and more "country clubs" that are super affordable and its more about guys just being able to say they belong to a club. You won't really be tapping into potential high wealth donors at those types of places. 

If you love golf and your family will make great use of all the other amenities, I say go for it. 

[Bier Meister 1,655]

1 hour ago, WhiteWonder said:

I really don't know. Growing up, one of my dads best friends was a member at one of the nicer clubs in our area. Wait list, had to be recommended by another member to even apply, etc. Annual membership fee was a lot and there were other expenses to consider, for example there were minimum spend requirements on the non golf stuff (at the bar, dinners, etc) and it was not mandatory but highly encouraged to take a caddie, which when I caddied there it was 60 or 70 per bag plus tips. 

My dad could have joined. His friend would have recommended him but my dad is not a country club person. He wants to golf and maybe have some golf friends but he's not into the club lifestyle of it. His job didn't require him to network.  You were not going to see him and my mother at fancy events in the banquet hall, stuff like that. So he stuck with his local Saturday golf league that plays several courses between two counties. 

For business purposes and networking, I always felt that Country Club memberships were more useful for someone looking to bring clients to a course they otherwise couldn't play and show them a good time and help close deals. In terms of meeting new, well off people who might be willing to donate to your cause... you're giving yourself a big expense to get exposure to what is really a fairly small amount of wealthy people at a single club, and that is assuming it's an actual wealthy country club and not one of those places with cheap memberships or semi private.  I suppose those wealthy people will have wealthy friends who are not members of the club, etc.... but these people don't live at the country club. I think there are other ways to rub elbows with potential donors.  But if you love golf, specifically the course of the club you'd be joining, and your wife and kids wants a clubhouse, pool, tennis courts etc... then go for it. 

 

 

12 minutes ago, WhiteWonder said:

If the CC in question is the nicest one in the area and there are not several options really close by, it could be  good idea for what you are wanting it for. Like I said, the wealthy connections you will make directly at the club will probably have wealthy friends who are not members. It's certainly not a bad way to gain access to people with excess money looking for a cause. 

I just know there are more and more "country clubs" that are super affordable and its more about guys just being able to say they belong to a club. You won't really be tapping into potential high wealth donors at those types of places. 

If you love golf and your family will make great use of all the other amenities, I say go for it. 

Very good information.

Plus, if you are actually a golfer, many clubs offer some degree of reciprocity at other courses.

[cmh6476 1,010]

29 minutes ago, WhiteWonder said:

If the CC in question is the nicest one in the area and there are not several options really close by, it could be  good idea for what you are wanting it for. Like I said, the wealthy connections you will make directly at the club will probably have wealthy friends who are not members. It's certainly not a bad way to gain access to people with excess money looking for a cause. 

I just know there are more and more "country clubs" that are super affordable and its more about guys just being able to say they belong to a club. You won't really be tapping into potential high wealth donors at those types of places. 

If you love golf and your family will make great use of all the other amenities, I say go for it. 

Definitely exclusive to the area, with the who is who in this market.   They have bidets in the event center bathrooms. 

 

[Alias Detective 1,389]

On 6/28/2024 at 6:50 PM, cmh6476 said:

Pros/ cons?

Buy a white belt and expect to pay for every guest you take.  If you take a guest to the Country Club and ask for green's fees you don't belong at a CC.

 

 

[Alias Detective 1,389]

On 6/29/2024 at 12:39 PM, cmh6476 said:

I wouldn't ask them to do that.   I could probably account for a tax deduction though as my fil is a cpa.

Illegal with recent changes to tax code.  Your FIL is an idiot if he says otherwise.  Unless i'ts just a PA thing.

[cmh6476 1,010]

6 minutes ago, Alias Detective said:

Illegal with recent changes to tax code.  Your FIL is an idiot if he says otherwise.  Unless i'ts just a PA thing.

He didn't I guess I was just going back to the days when you could count more business deductions. 

[Alias Detective 1,389]

7 minutes ago, cmh6476 said:

He didn't I guess I was just going back to the days when you could count more business deductions. 

fair enough. 

[RaiderHaters Revenge 4,236]

if you use it alot, its a pro

I was gonna buy a jetski for my son and I after we rented one and had a blast, (paid 149 for 4 hour rental), after 4 hours we were beat but had so much fun I looked into it

10k, a place to store it etc etc, I calculated I would have to use it 100 times to make it worth while, even 10 times a year seems like a lot now, so glad I didnt splurge

[WhiteWonder 2,675]

4 minutes ago, RaiderHaters Revenge said:

I was gonna buy a jetski for my son and I 

10k, a place to store it etc etc, 

is a place to store it a big expense? Can you not just store a jetski in your garage? My grandfather used to have a 3 seat freshwater fishing boat, kept to one side of his driveway. I always assumed having a bigger boat that you need to keep at a marina or something was a big added expense but that something like a personal watercraft wasn't much of a big deal.  Idk never thought about buying one. 

[RaiderHaters Revenge 4,236]

42 minutes ago, WhiteWonder said:

is a place to store it a big expense? Can you not just store a jetski in your garage? My grandfather used to have a 3 seat freshwater fishing boat, kept to one side of his driveway. I always assumed having a bigger boat that you need to keep at a marina or something was a big added expense but that something like a personal watercraft wasn't much of a big deal.  Idk never thought about buying one. 

Let’s say no it’s not modest really change the fact of the above mentioned. I have a 5 car garage. 

[Baker Boy 1,687]

1 hour ago, cmh6476 said:

He didn't I guess I was just going back to the days when you could count more business deductions. 

Yup,, they’re gonna love you at the country club.

[Hawkeye21 2,380]

On 6/28/2024 at 7:48 PM, Strike said:

I hear good things about Bushwood Country Club.

There's no gambling there though.  Hard pass.