Real golf club membership

This is a copy of an email I just sent to a friend, that might be of more general interest.

Most real golf club years run from 1 October to 30 September, so if anyone is thinking of joining a real golf club this is the time to do it.

In my opinion, if you want to improve as a golfer you need to be a member of a real golf club and play in regular competitions (and have lessons and practice). Ordinary membership at a good golf club around Brisbane can be had for less than $1000 p.a., 5-day membership is obviously less. There's also a small joining fee. This is good value if you are able to play in a competition once a week. (Although membership means you don't have to pay green fees, you still have to pay $10+ to enter each competition, this goes towards the prizes.) If you're committed to improving, want an AGU handicap, and are able to play every second week or more frequently, I think it's still reasonable value. Joining a club also means joining a community, making new friends, etc., etc.

If you just want to have fun playing social golf more often, even every second week, then there's probably little point in joining a club.

I'm very pleased I joined Carbrook Golf Club 3 years ago, I enjoy the competitions, the company, the course, the improvement in my golf game, just disappointed that my handicap is currently going up not down, haven't really figured out why yet.

Just my thoughts.