Priority Golf membership breakeven point analysis

[Russ_Boston]

Since I’m sitting here in the office with very little to do I thought I’d give the cost breakdown of the priority golf membership another shot since we seem to have so many questions regarding the breakeven point.

First the facts:

Cost of a priority membership for single for all clubs: $740
Add on pool membership for the non-golfer: $80
Cost of priority membership for a couple for all clubs (includes pool for both): $925
Trail Fee (included in priority membership) $141
Savings for green fees: $15 for 17 weeks per year (winter rate); $10 for 10 weeks per year (fall Rates); $5 for the other 25 weeks per year (spring/summer rates)

Benefits:

Added priority in the tee time reservation system
Reduced prices on green fees
CC pool membership included for paying priority member(s)
Entry in CC tournaments for priority members only

Break even:

For a golfing couple:

Additional cost for membership = $784 ($925 – $141 trail fee that they would pay anyway if using cart on execs.)
Greens fee savings if they play 1 per week for 52 weeks = $960 ($15 x 17 + $10 x 10 + $5 x 25) x 2 people = $960
Actual savings/cost= $176 savings ($784 cost vs. $960 savings) + priority tee time benefit
For every time per week they play beyond once the savings would be $960.
These savings would be higher on average if they played more in the Fall/Winter than they do in the Spring/Summer. Less if it were the other way around.

For a single golfer w/added pool membership for the spouse:

Additional cost for membership = $679 ($740 + $80 pool membership – $141 trail fee that he/she would pay anyway if using cart on execs.)
Greens fee savings if he/she plays 1 per week for 52 weeks = $480 ($15 x 17 + $10 x 10 + $5 x 25)
Actual savings/cost = $199 cost ($679 cost vs. $480 savings) + priority tee time benefit
A single would need to average 2 times per week or more to realize a savings in cost. These savings would be higher on average if they played more in the Fall/Winter than they do in the Spring/Summer. Less if it were the other way around.

If I forgot something please let me know and I’ll amend this.

Russ

[ijusluvit]

Russ,

Thanks for your work. Are the green fees savings you quote, 15/10/5, the same for all of the championship courses? As greens fees have increased, have they raised the priority fees to maintain that 15/10/5 discount? Finally, the prices you quote are for priority membership at one club. If you want to reserve a tee time at another club does your membership count for anything?

[OpusX1]

Thanks for the breakdown. I think I would have to play at least twice a week for the 4-5 months I am here (snowbirds) for break even. Since I only play the championships course about 1=2 times a month I just pay as I go.

[ijusluvit]

Whoops,

Ignore my last question. I misread your post. You said the priority fee quoted was for membership at all clubs.

[cabo35]

Country club memberships in my old stomping grounds, New Jersey, start at about $7500 a year for a decent course. I know some that start at $125,000 or more but they are clearly out of range for the average golfer.

Annual membership fees, food and beverage minimums, pool and tennis fees are usually extra. Some require caddies...you pay. Collectively, they can cost you over $10,000 a year to play on ONE course.

$925 a couple for membership to all Village Country Clubs with reduced green fees.....a bargain.

[chuckster]

Great job Russ. Thanks for your effort as it clears up the break even factor for us as a couple.

[collie1228]

From a Yankees fan to a Red Sox fan, thanks for the effort. It's a task I have been "getting around to" for several months now, and it looks like you've done it for me. You da man!

[Russ_Boston]

That's only the price for the rest of us. You Yankee fans can afford a little bit more;)

[collie1228]

OK Russ - You got me there. Go ahead and send the bill to Hank and Hal Steinbrenner

[rekop]

Our country club fees up in Northern New York ran about $1500/year for a couple. Of course, that was for April - November, and realistically you could only play from May - September. It was a very nicely maintained course but I like having the variety of many courses down here. But, since I play 4 times a week, it sure is more pricey.

[jandbrare]

Since I’m sitting here in the office with very little to do I thought I’d give the cost breakdown of the priority golf membership another shot since we seem to have so many questions regarding the breakeven point.

First the facts:

Cost of a priority membership for single for all clubs: $740
Add on pool membership for the non-golfer: $80
Cost of priority membership for a couple for all clubs (includes pool for both): $925
Trail Fee (included in priority membership) $141
Savings for green fees: $15 for 17 weeks per year (winter rate); $10 for 10 weeks per year (fall Rates); $5 for the other 25 weeks per year (spring/summer rates)

Benefits:

Added priority in the tee time reservation system
Reduced prices on green fees
CC pool membership included for paying priority member(s)
Entry in CC tournaments for priority members only

Break even:

For a golfing couple:

Additional cost for membership = $784 ($925 – $141 trail fee that they would pay anyway if using cart on execs.)
Greens fee savings if they play 1 per week for 52 weeks = $960 ($15 x 17 + $10 x 10 + $5 x 25) x 2 people = $960
Actual savings/cost= $176 savings ($784 cost vs. $960 savings) + priority tee time benefit
For every time per week they play beyond once the savings would be $960.
These savings would be higher on average if they played more in the Fall/Winter than they do in the Spring/Summer. Less if it were the other way around.

For a single golfer w/added pool membership for the spouse:

Additional cost for membership = $679 ($740 + $80 pool membership – $141 trail fee that he/she would pay anyway if using cart on execs.)
Greens fee savings if he/she plays 1 per week for 52 weeks = $480 ($15 x 17 + $10 x 10 + $5 x 25)
Actual savings/cost = $199 cost ($679 cost vs. $480 savings) + priority tee time benefit
A single would need to average 2 times per week or more to realize a savings in cost. These savings would be higher on average if they played more in the Fall/Winter than they do in the Spring/Summer. Less if it were the other way around.

If I forgot something please let me know and I’ll amend this.

Russ

Does the $141 trail fee paid by a single priority membership entitle the non-priority member?

[Russ_Boston]

Yes - that is per household.

[Russ_Boston]

Rekop - EVERYTHING in northern NY is inexpensive. You can't compare prices anywhere to that. The cheapest single golf membership (not couple) here in eastern MA, for a so-so course, would be about $2200. Obviously you could spend much, much more. But they have been waiving any start up initiation fees. Plus there would be about $100-150 per month in grill levys usually for 10 months.

And you are then limited to just the one course and that can get boring.