Golf clubs can seem like imposing places, where everyone within their hallowed walls speaks in terms of birdies, eagles and albatrosses. To a non-golfer, the idea of heading inside a clubhouse can feel a little bit pointless, not understanding the terminology being used and lacking the ability to head out onto the golf course in order to be part of the crew. In reality, however, social memberships offer a good chance to be part of the scene of a golf club without having to worry about the actual golfing side of things, which will definitely appeal to the social butterflies out there.
What is a Social Membership?
In short, a social membership is pretty much what it sounds like: you get to enjoy many of the different perks of being a member of a golf club without anything to do with the golf. As a result, what you will get out of it will largely depend on what facilities the golf club has on offer. Generally speaking, you can expect to be able to head along and have a few drinks at the bar in the clubhouse, which will usually come with some sort of discount on the drinks, food and snacks. You can also apply to hire parts of the golf club for private functions, if that is something you’re interested in.
Whether you want to host a party, a drinks gathering or other, you can apply to be able to do so and often be given a discounted rate for the facilities. If the club that you’re applying to join hosts social events, then you will be able to attend them, perhaps even bringing along a guest if that is what the social membership entitles you to. If the club is one that has the likes of a swimming pool, spa or fitness centre, you are likely to be able to use those facilities too, whilst those with a hotel attached will likely offer a discount on the cost of staying over for those that have social memberships.
Why You Might Want to Join as a Social Member
There are numerous reasons why you might want to join a golf club as a social member, even aside from the discounted rate you will receive for food and drinks, hiring facilities and so on. Golf clubs are often places where deals get done, meetings are held and people rub shoulders with like-minded types. If you aren’t a member then you can feel as though you are left out of those conversations, but a social membership gives you the opportunity to be a part of them all without needing to worry about having to learn how to play golf; presuming that you don’t already do so.
Social memberships are also often significantly cheaper than memberships involving the right to play golf, so they are a way of becoming part of the local scene without having to pay through the nose to do so. It is also not unheard of that social members can get some of the golfing perks offered to golf-based members. You might get a certain number of tokens to use at an on-site driving range, for example, or discounted costs on rounds on the course. If you’re something of a fair-weather golfer, it might be a chance to gain the perks without having to commit long-term.
Social Memberships v Full Memberships
If you are reading this then there is a good chance that you already have at least a passing interest in golf. Perhaps, therefore, you’re wondering which type of membership at a golf club will be the right one for you. If you know that you’re going to be getting out for a round come rain or shine, aiming to get in 300 rounds a year, you will know with no uncertainty that a normal membership is the one that you want. If, however, you are more interested in the conversations you can be part of around the clubhouse and the amenities on offer, then a social membership is more likely to be for you.
Each club will have its own quirks and eccentricities when it comes to what a social membership offers, so it is worth doing some research to find out what the club nearest to you has in store. If you know, for example, that it is where the Open Championship is likely to be held once every four or five years, you might want to get a social membership for the benefits that will come with it once the tournament rolls around. If there’s a swimming pool and a gym, it might be cheaper to have a social membership and use them than to join your local gym. It is all about what you want out of it.
Is it Value for Money?
The main question that you will want to consider is whether or not such a membership is actually good value for money. The answer is something that only you will know, but will be similar to the same question around golfing memberships. Imagine, for example, that your golf club charges £100 per round to non-members and a membership costs £1,500. Are you going to play more than 15 rounds across the course of a year? If so, it will be worth paying for, even before you start looking at the likes of discounts on drinks and food at the bar, hiring facilities and so on.
Similarly, if a social membership will set you back £50, you need to work out whether you would save more than £50 through the various discounts that such a membership would offer. Only you know how likely you are to be doing the clubhouse every week, chatting to the other members and making yourself known to everyone. It really is a ‘how long is a piece of string’ sort of question, with the answer being unique to each individual that is asking. As is often the case, though, it largely comes down to whether you can afford it and what benefits you think you will get from it.