[John_W]

Every situation is a little different. I don't like playing early because I enjoy reading the paper and drinking coffee in the morning, plus I hate to play when the ground is wet with dew. I don't mind the heat since i grew up in Florida, so playing after 11am during the second wave is fine for me.

The point is, from May 1st to Oct 15th after 11am there is only a $3 savings by being a Priority Member. I found buying a six month membership works just fine. It's not much, but I save a couple of hundred. I play with the same neighbor twice a week, so for a twosome it is not hard to find a teetime from the open slots. Sometimes we will put in a request and usually get both the time and course.

Sometimes we have been shut out or wanting to save money, so we'll play the executive courses. Since the 9 holes go by so fast, we found by walking the course we feel like we've done something and by walking there is no trail fees.

If money wasn't a factor then I wouldn't bother, but since it is, this is my way to navigate the system. Next winter we'll probably play off campus more and not even get a Priority Membership. This year we went off a few times and there are some really nice courses around the area.

This was all new to me when I moved here. Back in the suburbs of Baltimore I could play any 7 courses in my area for about $32 anytime of the year except on weekends, and the fairways and greens were beautiful.