Country Club vs Golf Club, What's the difference anyway?
Country Club
Generally, a private club providing private activities and amenities to the masses in a local community. There are far more Country Clubs in most towns than Golf Clubs. Country Clubs always offer golf, however they also offer a wide number of other amenities and social activities. The most popular amenities include; Pool, Tennis Courts, Paddle Ball, Fitness Centers, Grass Games, and a robust social calendar including holiday events, wine dinners, and happy hours.
Golf Club
Golf clubs are also private clubs but they are heavily centered around golf. Most do NOT include any other sport activities such as swimming, tennis, paddle ball, cricket, or anything that is not golf related. Golf Clubs tend to invest capital in amenities such as; short courses or par 3 courses, elaborate driving ranges, short game training areas, and putting courses. Golf Clubs offer a more intimate golf experience which can sometimes provide a longer golf experience so some clubs will have on site lodging.
Fun Facts
1) The country club normally offers more of a local social community. Most members come from the local community and use the club as a private common property they share with friends. The Golf Club offers a more regional / national community where golfers travel to with friends or business colleagues for more than a day. The Golf Club is a destination, the country club is the local place someone goes to in order to get away from daily congestion.
2) The USGA claims the average handicap of all golfers is 15. In a short poll conducted in each region of the USA, we found the average handicap at a Country Club is approximately 22 where the average handicap at a Golf Club is approximately 13.
3) The average Country Club member cares about the Food & Beverage operation just as much as they care about course conditions. The average Golf Club member cares more about the practice facilities over the club house operations.
4) We did a poll on membership numbers in each region of the US and Country Clubs had an average of 675 members, Golf Clubs had an average of 300 members.
5) If you are looking for a very social golf experience, most country clubs offer tee times and tee services allowing members to book tee times online today with the intention of grouping with friends or meeting new people. Most Golf Clubs have no tee time policies offering a more exclusive, personal feel between player and property. Most Golf Clubs also do what they can to space groups as far apart as possible to exaggerate the private feel.
Which Do I Join?
A few good questions to ask yourself to start.
Is Golf your #1 priority in a club or is it another amenity? Golf is #1, Golf Club. Another Amenity is #1, Country Club.
What is your handicap? Above 15 Country Club, Below 15 Golf Club.
How important are Social Activities on a weekly basis? I want happy hour! Country Club. I want private intimiate dinner with significant other or small group of friends, Golf Club.
I want my kids involved, which is better for them? They are interested in different sports and weekly kids activities, Country Club. They are serious golfers, possibly looking for scholarship, Golf Club.
Country Club
Generally, a private club providing private activities and amenities to the masses in a local community. There are far more Country Clubs in most towns than Golf Clubs. Country Clubs always offer golf, however they also offer a wide number of other amenities and social activities. The most popular amenities include; Pool, Tennis Courts, Paddle Ball, Fitness Centers, Grass Games, and a robust social calendar including holiday events, wine dinners, and happy hours.
Golf Club
Golf clubs are also private clubs but they are heavily centered around golf. Most do NOT include any other sport activities such as swimming, tennis, paddle ball, cricket, or anything that is not golf related. Golf Clubs tend to invest capital in amenities such as; short courses or par 3 courses, elaborate driving ranges, short game training areas, and putting courses. Golf Clubs offer a more intimate golf experience which can sometimes provide a longer golf experience so some clubs will have on site lodging.
Fun Facts
1) The country club normally offers more of a local social community. Most members come from the local community and use the club as a private common property they share with friends. The Golf Club offers a more regional / national community where golfers travel to with friends or business colleagues for more than a day. The Golf Club is a destination, the country club is the local place someone goes to in order to get away from daily congestion.
2) The USGA claims the average handicap of all golfers is 15. In a short poll conducted in each region of the USA, we found the average handicap at a Country Club is approximately 22 where the average handicap at a Golf Club is approximately 13.
3) The average Country Club member cares about the Food & Beverage operation just as much as they care about course conditions. The average Golf Club member cares more about the practice facilities over the club house operations.
4) We did a poll on membership numbers in each region of the US and Country Clubs had an average of 675 members, Golf Clubs had an average of 300 members.
5) If you are looking for a very social golf experience, most country clubs offer tee times and tee services allowing members to book tee times online today with the intention of grouping with friends or meeting new people. Most Golf Clubs have no tee time policies offering a more exclusive, personal feel between player and property. Most Golf Clubs also do what they can to space groups as far apart as possible to exaggerate the private feel.
Which Do I Join?
A few good questions to ask yourself to start.
Is Golf your #1 priority in a club or is it another amenity? Golf is #1, Golf Club. Another Amenity is #1, Country Club.
What is your handicap? Above 15 Country Club, Below 15 Golf Club.
How important are Social Activities on a weekly basis? I want happy hour! Country Club. I want private intimiate dinner with significant other or small group of friends, Golf Club.
I want my kids involved, which is better for them? They are interested in different sports and weekly kids activities, Country Club. They are serious golfers, possibly looking for scholarship, Golf Club.