The ABC’s of Joining a Country Club
http://www.WomensJournals.com/articles/29/1/The-ABCs-of-Joining-a-Country-Club/Page1.html
Stephen Brown
Stephen Brown is the golf pro at the Allendale Country Club.If you want everyday access to one of the best golf courses in Southeastern Massachusetts, consider joining Allendale Country Club. You won’t be disappointed!
For more information feel free to contact Stephen at 508-992-8682.
By Stephen Brown
Published on 11/3/2006
Becoming a member of a country club, for the beginner or experienced golfer, is an excellent way to maximize your golfing time and dollar. As a PGA Professional for the past 22 years, I have found golfers questioning the process of joining a country club. A common fear is that it is too exclusionary and expensive. At Allendale Country Club we have a facility that appeals to all levels of golfers and a friendly atmosphere at a reasonable price.
The ABC’s of Joining a Country Club
Becoming a member of a country club, for the beginner or experienced golfer, is an excellent way to maximize your golfing time and dollar. As a PGA Professional for the past 22 years, I have found golfers questioning the process of joining a country club. A common fear is that it is too exclusionary and expensive. At Allendale Country Club we have a facility that appeals to all levels of golfers and a friendly atmosphere at a reasonable price.
The first step to joining a country club is knowing what amenities you want and will utilize. Common questions you might want to ask yourself are:
How does the golf course fit my game?
It is very important to find a course that’s challenging and enjoyable.
At Allendale Country Club we have an 18 hole championship golf course. Each hole has four sets of tees which allow all levels of golfers the opportunity to play the golf course from a set of tees that best suits their game.
Is the Practice Range Important?
If you want to take your game to the next level, a practice range is a very nice amenity. The practice facility at Allendale C.C. includes a practice range, 100 yard short game practice area for pitch shots and chip shots to a practice green, a practice bunker and a putting green.
The extensive practice facility at Allendale C.C. is included in your membership dues. This is not the case at all clubs.
Is there a Pro Shop to purchase equipment and merchandise?
Another nice amenity at a country club is to have a full service pro shop. At Allendale, our shop is fully stocked with all the newest clothing, equipment, merchandise and club repair. If you are in the market for a new set of clubs, Allendale offers custom club fitting.
I don’t like to keep my golf clubs in my car trunk. Do you have bag storage?
Leaving your clubs in the trunk of the car is a real hassle and not the best thing for your clubs. We have bag storage at Allendale C.C. which is included in your membership dues. This also is not the case at most clubs. The advantages of bag storage are that your clubs are safely stored on the premises and cleaned after each round.
Is there a locker room with lockers and shower facilities?
A locker room with lockers is a nice feature to have before and after a round of golf. At our club, each member gets a locker which is included in his or her membership dues.
Does the club have a PGA Professional and staff for golf instruction?
At Allendale Country Club, we have a PGA Professional and assistant professionals for instruction. We offer individual or group lessons and golf clinics.
In the month of May, for the first time, I will be offering the PGA Free Lesson Month. This is in conjunction with Golf Digest, Golf for Women, Golf World and the Golf Channel. Free lesson month is designed to help new golfers and help existing golfers improve their game with free ten minute lessons.
Allendale Country Club will be hosting a free 30-minute ladies clinic during the month of May. Call for date and time.
The Junior Clinic at Allendale is one of the most successful in the area. Many fine southeastern Massachusetts golfers had their start at the club’s junior clinic throughout its 20 year history.
Do you offer a competitive tournament schedule?
Tournament scheduling varies greatly from club to club. The tournament schedule at Allendale offers a wide variety of tournaments for the competitive golfer and fun tournaments for the noncompetitive golfer.
Are there any golf leagues at your club?
Most clubs offer men’s and ladies’ leagues during the course of the season. We offer a variety of men’s, ladies’, and mixed couples’ leagues at Allendale. We find our leagues to be extremely popular and they fill up quickly.
Does the club have a swimming pool?
Yes we do! Not all country clubs have a swimming pool at their facility. Take a dip after your round of golf at Allendale’s olympic size swimming pool which is also included in your membership dues.
Do you have a monthly food charge?
You’ll find most clubs have a monthly food requirement. At Allendale we have a nominal monthly minimum for food during the golfing season which is April through November. The Grill Room is open 7 days a week. Our clubhouse and lounge are open year round and both have access to a large deck overlooking the 18th green.
Is there a function facility at the club for weddings and golf tournaments?
Most country clubs offer a function facility. Allendale Country Club offers a full function facility for members, guests, and for corporate golf outings.
Do membership dues include my green fee and should I expect to be charged an initiation fee?
When you join a country club, your green fee is part of your membership fees. Most private country clubs will require an initiation fee to join their club. Currently Allendale C.C. has reduced the initiation fee to join the club for a limited time to $1000.00 for single memberships and $2000.00 for family memberships.
The first step to joining a country club is knowing what amenities you want and will utilize. Common questions you might want to ask yourself are:
How does the golf course fit my game?
It is very important to find a course that’s challenging and enjoyable.
At Allendale Country Club we have an 18 hole championship golf course. Each hole has four sets of tees which allow all levels of golfers the opportunity to play the golf course from a set of tees that best suits their game.
Is the Practice Range Important?
If you want to take your game to the next level, a practice range is a very nice amenity. The practice facility at Allendale C.C. includes a practice range, 100 yard short game practice area for pitch shots and chip shots to a practice green, a practice bunker and a putting green.
The extensive practice facility at Allendale C.C. is included in your membership dues. This is not the case at all clubs.
Is there a Pro Shop to purchase equipment and merchandise?
Another nice amenity at a country club is to have a full service pro shop. At Allendale, our shop is fully stocked with all the newest clothing, equipment, merchandise and club repair. If you are in the market for a new set of clubs, Allendale offers custom club fitting.
I don’t like to keep my golf clubs in my car trunk. Do you have bag storage?
Leaving your clubs in the trunk of the car is a real hassle and not the best thing for your clubs. We have bag storage at Allendale C.C. which is included in your membership dues. This also is not the case at most clubs. The advantages of bag storage are that your clubs are safely stored on the premises and cleaned after each round.
Is there a locker room with lockers and shower facilities?
A locker room with lockers is a nice feature to have before and after a round of golf. At our club, each member gets a locker which is included in his or her membership dues.
Does the club have a PGA Professional and staff for golf instruction?
At Allendale Country Club, we have a PGA Professional and assistant professionals for instruction. We offer individual or group lessons and golf clinics.
In the month of May, for the first time, I will be offering the PGA Free Lesson Month. This is in conjunction with Golf Digest, Golf for Women, Golf World and the Golf Channel. Free lesson month is designed to help new golfers and help existing golfers improve their game with free ten minute lessons.
Allendale Country Club will be hosting a free 30-minute ladies clinic during the month of May. Call for date and time.
The Junior Clinic at Allendale is one of the most successful in the area. Many fine southeastern Massachusetts golfers had their start at the club’s junior clinic throughout its 20 year history.
Do you offer a competitive tournament schedule?
Tournament scheduling varies greatly from club to club. The tournament schedule at Allendale offers a wide variety of tournaments for the competitive golfer and fun tournaments for the noncompetitive golfer.
Are there any golf leagues at your club?
Most clubs offer men’s and ladies’ leagues during the course of the season. We offer a variety of men’s, ladies’, and mixed couples’ leagues at Allendale. We find our leagues to be extremely popular and they fill up quickly.
Does the club have a swimming pool?
Yes we do! Not all country clubs have a swimming pool at their facility. Take a dip after your round of golf at Allendale’s olympic size swimming pool which is also included in your membership dues.
Do you have a monthly food charge?
You’ll find most clubs have a monthly food requirement. At Allendale we have a nominal monthly minimum for food during the golfing season which is April through November. The Grill Room is open 7 days a week. Our clubhouse and lounge are open year round and both have access to a large deck overlooking the 18th green.
Is there a function facility at the club for weddings and golf tournaments?
Most country clubs offer a function facility. Allendale Country Club offers a full function facility for members, guests, and for corporate golf outings.
Do membership dues include my green fee and should I expect to be charged an initiation fee?
When you join a country club, your green fee is part of your membership fees. Most private country clubs will require an initiation fee to join their club. Currently Allendale C.C. has reduced the initiation fee to join the club for a limited time to $1000.00 for single memberships and $2000.00 for family memberships.