Private Course Access

General Discussion
#1

This really isn’t a practical golf topic, but I think it is practical to want to play some of the best golf courses out there, and many of these are private. What are some strategies you all use to get to play some of this exclusive places?

Here’s a few methods I’ve learned:

  1. easiest is to meet a member and get an invite from them. Always try to pay your own way though. I’ve had the member pay for me before, but more often I’ve had to pay my own guest rate.
  2. look for tournaments open to the public at private courses.
  3. I haven’t done this myself, but a few guys I know have scored rounds at some really nice places through charity auctions.
  4. our state golf association works out play days for some of the top clubs in my home state, that all members of the state golf association are eligible for. Generally end up paying slightly more than the guest rate.
  5. have your course pro or GM call and try to get you a tee time. While my course isn’t exclusive or fully private, our GM has scored me and other members some good rounds.
  6. just call and ask? This has never worked for me but I’ve been told it can work depending on how much flexibility you pro shop is given to fill tee sheets.
  7. I’ve been told you can send a hand written letter to Sand Hills in Nebraska and they occasionally allow letter writers to play.

What am I missing?

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#2

I think 5 is a very good and under used option. Pros generally have respect for peers.

Other great option is when work is being done on your course, inquire about reciprocal accessibility to other courses in the area.

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#3

My stepbrother is a PGA pro, so he hardly hears the word no. I generally use that to my advantage when wanting to play somewhere otherwise inaccessible.

Writing a letter to Sand Hills can indeed work. I’ve made friends with a couple members there and get a couple invites a year, but I do know the letter thing has worked. Make it good.

For most really exclusive places it’s 100% who you know. A member, someone who’s a senior level exec for a company the club has a relationship with. A pro.

It really sucks that so much of the best golf is completely inaccessible to so many. I understand why it’s labeled an elitist sport. I’d love to see that change, but it probably won’t in my lifetime. Maybe my son will see it.

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#4

I think #5 can get you on all but about 20 or 30 of the most exclusive courses as long as you don’t require an 8:00 am Saturday tee time.

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#5

Nice!

I’ve been debating when the right time is to write my Sand Hills letter. I’m wondering if timing it with a milestone birthday is the best way to go, while also describing my love for the game and unique architecture.

I actually have an invite to Prairie Dunes for 2021 so I won’t try to get Sand Hills until at least 2022. Gotta space out my golf trips for family harmony.

#6

Great topic!

One additional option I would recommend is joining a national club. I have joined The Friars and have been really mulling about joining the Outpost Club. If you are based in the Northeast, the Eligo Club offers some awesome opportunities.The Dormie Club has been getting a lot of press but it is limited to the current 6 clubs.

Also, if you are a member of a Club Corp. course their national membership is pretty good as well.

On the Sand Hills front, I successfully played there via letter and it actually works. That being said, I have heard that as the letter option has become more widely known, there has been less success in getting on that way. Happy to discuss more in PM or otherwise :).

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#7

Reciprocation is hard coded into humans so I suggest hosting people and giving some value away on the front end!

Some of it will come back your way!

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#8

Yes. This. A lot of clubs have agreements with other clubs that “extend” playing privileges. Our club allows us limited access to a bunch of others and I’ve heard from members that reach just branches out and out and out if you simply inquire about it. Definitely something to look into.

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#9

The only thing is, nobody is itching to play my semi-private, 9 hole par 34 course. Otherwise I’d be all about this!

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#10

nice suggestions, Jake!

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#11

I agree, set Hcap levels that they are willing t accept sure, but at least allow some of us mere mortals a chance…

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#12

Outside of the most famous courses, it never hurts to ask! Some of them will snub you if you ask for an invite, but such is life.

I’ve played a decent number of courses, some famous, most not, and I’m pretty happy with my home course. It’s not perfect, but it’s good enough… and I’m not tipping a caddy $125 a round!

Getting on the big name places requires being in the room with people who can get you onto those courses, which is it’s own challenge…

My club is managed by Troon, so I have access to most Troon courses… it’s not an amazing list, but if I were traveling again, it would be super helpful.

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#13

Great suggestions all around. One other option to add to the hopper is Thousand Greens. It’s essentially reciprocity on internet steroids. You need to be a member of a private club already, and then they slot you into a “tier” based on your home club. This then gives you the opportunity to request play from other TG members who are in the same (or lower) tier as you.

Even in the lowest tier, there are a tremendous number of good courses to play across the country. In addition, there’s a very active Bubble chat (sort of like WhatsApp) where there’s a large group of good guys - yes, almost all dudes - who are really good at getting you on their course. TG also runs events at places like Ballyneal and Bluejack National.

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#14

I have a BoxGroove membership. They’ve apparently got a system to open up tee times to non-members to private courses around the US. (not sure about outside US). Affiliated courses will actually post tee times on the BoxGroove site and I think it’s normal guest fees. BoxGroove will request tee times on your behalf from non-affiliated courses.