Getting employer to subsidize golf membership

General Discussion
#1

Does anyone have experience getting this done?

I currently take clients out to my club and get reimbursed for those guest fees and food and beverage charges. My wife and I have talked about dropping the membership to save for some other things (house renovations or larger house in the future as well as initiation for a nicer club in town… that is probably a long way off)

I like the club, but I could go either way. I play with my boss out there a few times a year and he knows I have done some successful client stuff that has helped with some revenue generation.

Anyone have success stories? I am thinking of teasing the topic with my boss at some point by just saying “we are probably going to drop this membership as the numbers don’t make sense with how much I get to use it”… if he protests, i may ask “can the company help me out” … if he doesnt care i will just let it lie

1 Like
#2

Interesting. My only experience has been that my employer reimbursed my for golf/food/beverages when I hosted clients at my club. An event by event basis. As far as membership dues, no, that was out of our pocket.

Maybe get an associate membership at your club where reimburses you for client outings? Otherwise, since you have identified future “priorities”, I agree, drop it.

#3

I think your idea, to mention your legitimate thoughts about dropping your membership to the boss, is reasonable. If he’s seen the positive results from your past “client play”, he may try to explore options for additional company support. You’ve got a better idea of the likely response than I do. And the response may hinge on company policies, as well as the tax implications. I’m definitely not a tax expert, but its pretty clean to compensate you for direct costs of client rounds, but direct support of your dues could turn it into an employee benefit that could be taxable. Would that be acceptable to you?
Personally, I’ve never had the opportunity to blend golf and business, aside from a few charity events. I’m kind of happy that I don’t have to ever compromise my golf time for business, but I may be unique in that. My reason for mentioning this, I’d suggest that being a member of the club should be a choice independent from business considerations.

1 Like
#4

I am thinking it may lead to a conversation on how i need a 10-15% bump on my annual comp :slight_smile:

I agree with it being separate, however I work in an old school industry and sell long sale cycle strategic partnerships

I think i am in a niche where “day on the golf course” is still very much part of some of the sales i am involved in and can have huge benefit on a process

3 Likes
#5

On another note, i am vaccinated and doing client meetings again.

People are itching to get back out and get back to business. The value of being able to invite someone to a club has gone up significantly since covid in my opinion.

2 Likes
#6

My dad sold newsprint and had his membership paid for… very nice perk… when the merged companies, he actually got a second membership at a course near a paper mill (Lufkin, Texas)… it’s definitely a huge perk to be able to take people out to golf…

Depending on how much you do with clients on the course, you could probably do the math on what it’s worth…

If you take guys out once a week, and it would be $400 for both of you to play at a similarly appointed public course, and it’s $125 in guest fees, your membership is saving the company $275 a week.

I’d maybe approach the boss with “hey, I’m thinking about dropping the membership, I can still play rounds with clients at fancy public place for $400, just wanted to make sure that’s ok”… but I’m not a good source for career advice!

#7

Yeah exactly.

You lead with “i think this has business benefit seeing as how we took x,y,z clients out and they closed”

Always lead with the customer benefit :joy::joy:

2 Likes
#8

paraphrased from the Google machine
Some clubs offer Corporate memberships similar to family memberships, initiation fees and annual dues based on a number of members associated with a company. Beyond, golf privileges, many clubs offer other amenities such as “fee-free” meeting rooms to corporate members.

#9

My current employer, since going 100% remote last year, has a $250/mo health and wellness stipend that I use toward my monthly dues at my club. It’s not specifically for that, but since there’s a gym I get away with it. It’s been awesome because now we only pay $100/mo out-of-pocket for dues.

My previous job I hosted clients and prospective clients about once a month, so I pushed for our company to get a corporate membership at a club - which they did, then left my department off the allowed users list. [insert Kermit drinking tea meme]

4 Likes
#10

Stipend isn’t a bad idea.

I need to bring some more business in and then this will be a pretty easy conversation :joy: :joy:

2 Likes
#11

I’ve never done it, but I know people that have. Years ago for my father-in-law it was a requirement to get a membership when you became partner and they gave a “no interest” loan for that as well as other things. I know a few people that were able to negotiate memberships in place of more money. I’ve never really tried as I didn’t think it would fly in my line of work. I have been able to get a stipend for car and gym membership.

1 Like
#12

That’s just funny… why would anyone in a client facing role be excluded? I love corporate America (not really… I’ve been out since June and you can’t make me go back)

1 Like
#13

As a CFO your company has to be careful with that type of benefit. IRS frowns on personal business deductions and while it may be perfectly legitimate I have heard of it causing problems. Reimbursements are OK, paying for a full personal membership gets in a dark grey area. A stipend is probably their best avenue for helping. Or a corporate membership, heck if the boss or a higher up plays you may get to play more this way.

3 Likes
#14

Good comments here.

Best thing may be to go make rain and get comp increase :slight_smile:

2 Likes
#15

Memberships are for closers. Alec Baldwin taught me that.

2 Likes
#16

Check with your tax professional. You may be able to claim some of your membership dues as non-reimbursed business expenses.

1 Like