So I got a flyer in the mail from a golf course in Virginia Beach called Kempsville Greens. I've played it a couple of times before. Short, tight, not all that well kept up. Not a horrible course by any stretch, but certainly not a favorite.

Anyway, the flyer introduces their latest "membership" offer (this is a muni). Deal is this: $49 a year (+$10 "processing fee"), three years paid up front gets you unlimited free green fees for three years. So, essentially, you make a one-time payment of $177, and you can play free for three years. No caveats about weekends, holidays, etc.

At first glance it seems like such a no-brainer. I'm even wondering how they can make such an offer.

Then I started thinking about it more. Green fee is free, but cart fee is charged ($9 for nine holes, $16 for 18, so it's not outrageous). But still, if I played it three times a year and walked all three times, I'm looking at $20 a round. I've gotten there twice or three times in 17 years. But sure, if I paid this money I'd go there more, but it's narrow and I really like more wide-open courses. I have a course a mile from my house that charges about $25 to play (maybe $30 on the weekends), cart included. I don't generally walk 18 in the summer when it's ridiculously hot. What if I mess up my knee and can't play, etc. I also don't want to feel obligated to play a course I don't really like much.

I don't know. What do you guys think? Ever heard of anything like this before?

That's a helluva deal!IMO
We currently pay $500 for 6mos. plus cart fees $7-9 holes...$14-18 holes @ one of the better local munis.

Just received an offer like that from a course here north of Pittsburgh. Pheasant Ridge - play they some and very well kept and not an easy course. The membership is $89 + $10 a year for 2 years with no restrictions on days played. Cart fee $20 for 18. 4 of us are probably going to do it. Normally is $35 w/cart for 18 so after 4 rounds we pay $20 for 18 w/cart for rest of year.

Wow. Hope this isn't the beginning of the end!

Good deal if you like playing the same course a lot. In this case you don't really have to commit to that since you're only out $177. Even if they go under you're not over invested. If you only play there occasionally, and you walk your rounds, I'd pass on the membership.

The local course where I worked as an assistant pro in the mid-2000's for a couple seasons started a similar type initiative 3-4 years ago. They've done fairly well... they recognized that giving the memberships away in return for $20 cart fees and food/beverage revenues has helped sustain them overall, especially as it relates to the 2-3 times per week players. It's also provided them immediate cash revenues, which given the state of golf currently has definitely helped them maintain their quotas.

The GM (the owner's son) came up with the idea back in 2014, and has since then promoted their weddings/parties revenues. They're doing fairly well, at least compared to most upscale golf courses locally.

I think it definitely offers an advantage to the 2 rounds per week types. And it's also created additional revenue in food/beverage revenues, which help sustain their business. They don't make much money off the golf, but the food/beverage/hard goods revenues have increased considerably.

    PA-PLAYA My regular group - ages 80, 75, 71 (me) and 69 - are the twice weekly golfers you mention. We play in a league on Mondays, different than where this offer is. League dues are $260/season which include mid season and end of season outing + $28 for playing 18. The league is failing in participation and probably has 1 year left. We have decided to leave the league and play the 1 day at Pheasant Ridge and continue our Thursday game at a different course each Thursday via GroupGolfer or Golf Now programs. We will be playing the same or maybe more golf for much less money. And those times I like to play 9 by myself and push my cart instead of ride this deal is perfect - no greens fee for the 9. Might not work for everyone but works great for us.

      Would be great for those that like to walk....unless I'm missing something, is cart required?

        Two of our local courses in have that model of a minimun annual fee and then charging a cart fee between $15 - $18 per round. A flaw with one course was they offered a three year deal for $199.00 and didn't require the use of a cart. They have since not renewed the offer but they are stuck with 100 plus members who walk only. There only legal recourse as I understood it was employ a club wide walking policy that restricted walking during certain times and days. Based on both club's finacials, it been an overall loss.

        Still good idea, just poorly implemented based on other clubs seem to have had sucess.

        I would have figured there was a mandatory cart policy on this. It’s a good deal either way, but not if you don’t care for the course.

        We have a “parks pass” that allows you to play any of the 3 County run courses for $349 a year, plus you pay for cart if you want it. If you play about 20-24 rounds a year it’s paid for, depending on weekends etc. if I was retired, I’d probably give it a go, but the courses are so cheap to start, there is little incentive to take the deal up front, right now at least. If it were $50 per year, I’d take that all day. I like the courses enough to play 2 of them at least 3 times each a year (usually due to price) so that would be worth it.

        I’d counter them with $12 shipped and see what they say.

        I'd be interested if the course was very close to me. Then I could run out and walk 4 or 5 holes when I'm short on time and not feel ripped off. Otherwise I get bored playing just one course. I could never join a club.

        Sounds like a good deal. I pay $1198.00 every 6 months. I walk 95% of the time. Cart fee is $19.00 I believe.

        ode Cart is not required.

        I would've taken them up on it in a heartbeat if I liked the course better. It's really narrow and I generally prefer wide open courses. Plus it's a long way from my home, and I have a course really close that's pretty cheap that I play frequently.

        • ode likes this.