Is it worth joining a country club?

Valentin Pearson

Valentin Pearson

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Is anyone here a member of a country club?
What advantages are there?
Does golf always play a big part or can you join one and not play golf?
How much do they cost to join?
What is the purpose of an initiation fee?
Are there different types of country club or are they more or less the same?
Is there a lot of snobbery in country clubs or do people tend to be down to earth?
For anyone who thinks it's not for them, but they want to be around quality people in a nice atmosphere, are there alternatives?
 
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Valentin Pearson said:
Is anyone here a member of a country club?
What advantages are there?
Does golf always play a big part or can you join one and not play golf?
How much do they cost to join?
What is the purpose of an initiation fee?
Are there different types of country club or are they more or less the same?
Is there a lot of snobbery in country clubs or do people tend to be down to earth?
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I’ve known guys that were members, looked into it and in a nanosecond decided it’s not for me. The initiation fees in my area range from $7500 to $50000 so I can tell you directly that money is much better spent elsewhere.

I mean would going to one, golfing, and getting to know the members really bring me closer to God? Or would it force me to be around materialistic people who live in this world? It’s obvious to me the answer to that.
 
Interesting you should post this, I might soon be joining one for the first time in my life..
Valentin Pearson said:
What advantages are there?
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They're allowed to choose who becomes a member! You often need several existing members to vouch for your person.
Historically, many country clubs were "restricted" and refused to admit members of specific racial, ethnic or religious groups such as Jews, African Americans and Catholics.
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source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country_club

Given that you wrote this a little while back -
Valentin Pearson said:
I'm racist but...it's ok.
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You'll probably fit in perfectly! I feel the same way but don't usually say so overtly, but if pressured I will say it's not racist if it's true.
Valentin Pearson said:
Is there a lot of snobbery in country clubs or do people tend to be down to earth?
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I was invited by a member to play tennis at the one I may join. I was not seeing snobbery but was seeing aged membership, grey hair and perhaps pompousness. It's probably not going to be down to earth.

It is a lot of money, at least more than a standard tennis club and I actually don't know yet if it is me or if I will be able to socialise with those people. If it's not me though and after a year or so I am not benefiting more than just the tennis I may quit again.

There is also a gym at the one I may join, weights and cardio. So if it is good I will not renew the gym where I currently am which is soon up for renewal. Actually, I'm getting a bit tired of some of the characters there, just ghosting around the changeroom, thots in lyra, people of both genders now with cameras and tripods (!) So if the country club formality, rules and dress code brings some measure of decorum to the gym there and the equipment (weights and cardio) are also good that will be an extra benefit. You need a dress code and I hope it's strict where I might be going. I think though only some of them enforce whites for tennis (white clothing clothing)

I know the country club does tennis tournaments, social events and has a restaurant so it is beyond ordinary tennis clubs I've been in in the past.

But seriously :
Valentin Pearson said:
What advantages are there?
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I don't know and although I can play golf a tiny bit I don't really like it or aspire to do it better or more than twice a decade but get the impression that in places like America and Japan there is some kind of social culture around that sport. For me the jury's out on if a country club is a good idea or not, may post again one day if I succeed in becoming a member with how it is going.

Actually I was invited to a golfers one, just for a meeting in the bar. The couches were great - ottoman style leather with those buttons.
 
I work in the golf industry. Country clubs can be great if you're a golfer and have the money, or find a good deal. They usually charge less to people under 40.

I would only do it since I love golf. Usually not as busy (public courses can get packed), and the course and facilities are in better shape.

My grandparents were members at a country club and I have a lot of great memories of that place. They were good friends with a lot of people there, and used it for the social aspect as well.

There are places that have social memberships if you're not interested in golf. And more laid back clubs, old school clubs, etc.
 
Mar a lago?

Country clubs are for old people.

What I’m seeing is 5 star hotel memberships where you can use swimming pools and gym. Ritz etc have this program. Gym is not so well equiped. But it’s mostly empty. You can use pool freely. You have discounts in more stuff. Bookings, etc.
You can also use the business center. And people who use it are civilized.
 
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To whatever degree such organizations were fun or enjoyable in the past, they no longer are.

First, they are only accessible to elites, and the extreme bifurcation of incomes in this country means you are left with mostly extremely wealthy ultra rich who are generally going to be terrible people. The days of a successful small business guy or successful professional making it into such clubs are all but gone.

Second, these groups have been specifically targeted and attacked and are no longer places of free association. It's pointless to pay a 5 figure fee for a club that isn't even elite.


On Tuesday members of the club, in London’s West End, voted to allow women to join after reconsidering the legal wording surrounding membership.

Analysis of the club’s rules by senior judges concluded there was nothing in the Garrick’s constitution preventing women from being allowed to join, because the 1925 Law of Property Act advises that in legal documents the word “he” should also be read to mean “she”.
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I enjoyed using such a facility that my grandparents were members of when I was young but have zero interest in such an organization today. Nice buildings though and the food was awesome.

My advice? Find some other kind of social club. There is a membership club (that charges a couple hundred dollars, not $50,000) in my area that is fun. Just filling out a membership form and being vetted is going to weed out most unwanteds. Country clubs are for golfers. Search for "private club" in your city.
 
I don't know what country clubs are but way back when SkiPro was in a different industry, he used to go often to the In and Out Club and the RAC club in London.

These were tremendous grand old buildings full of old and middle aged gents in suits (there was a dress code), sitting about, eating and drinking, lounging on big old chairs and sofas reading the paper and generally being in an all male environment.

Let me tell you, it was glorious. I miss the old days, modern life sucks.
 
Yes? No? Maybe so?

bored waiting GIF
 
SkiPro said:
I don't know what country clubs are but way back when SkiPro was in a different industry, he used to go often to the In and Out Club and the RAC club in London.

These were tremendous grand old buildings full of old and middle aged gents in suits (there was a dress code), sitting about, eating and drinking, lounging on big old chairs and sofas reading the paper and generally being in an all male environment.

Let me tell you, it was glorious. I miss the old days, modern life sucks.
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I think that is more a private club or members club

The country club may also have the grand old buildings, gents in suits, big old chairs but there would be a golf course or tennis courts outside as well.

It is what you describe plus the sporting element. Maybe a weights room or other sporting facilities as well.

So more likely to be in the country then rather than right in the middle of the city.
 
Ask the club members if they allow you to attend for an afternoon/ evening, in order to get a feel for the place. When you are in the lounge area, light up your favorite cigar/pipe tobacco and put down on the coffee table in front of you, an obscure book written by an Austrian painter. Begin to speak about the struggles of Austrian painters. Very important - check out the reaction of the other club members. This will be your one & only chance to know if the club is for you.
 
Ehhhhhhhhhhh, even if you like golf, I refuse to believe that anything less than 99% of all country clubs in the US aren't full of pompous arrogant asswipes.
 
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