How to Play Private Golf Courses
By James Roland
You've played the public golf courses, the semi-private country clubs and the resort courses on vacation, but there is bound to be a list of private courses you'd love to play someday. Maybe they're in your area, or they're just ones you've heard about or even seen on television. There are ways to get onto these courses, and usually it just takes a little research and a willingness to hear "No" a few times before you get a tee time on the course you're after. Good luck.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Stay at the resort (if there is one) affiliated with the course you're angling to play. If you have a course in mind, book a room at the adjoining hotel. You'll be close by, and there may be some perks for guests playing the course.
Look into what resorts may have deals with private clubs in the area. This is especially true in destinations such as Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach and resort communities in Florida. A particular hotel may not have its own course, but guests might have privileges at several nearby private courses. Call the golf course directly to find out about arrangements with nearby resorts.
Take a timeshare tour that includes a round of golf. As incentives to get buyers, many timeshare resorts offer goodies such as free meals, free stays, etc., to folks who take the tours and listen to the sales spiels at various resorts. If you act like a serious potential customer, see if they'll throw a round of golf in the mix--just to help you make up your mind. It's a little sneaky, but you may like the place so much that you will buy a unit there.
Call the courses directly and see if they offer any public tee times. Many courses may not advertise tee times for the public, but many private clubs do set aside days and times for public use. If you're flexible with your time, you may luck out.
Plan an event at the course. This may take some intervention on the part of a member, but if you commit to holding a charity tournament, family/school reunion event, etc., at a course, the owners may be willing to go along with it, especially if you're bringing in people who'll spend money there.
Find a private course member who'll sponsor you or even play with you. Ask around at the courses you play regularly to see who knows someone or who is actually a member who would be willing to have a new partner for a round of golf. It never hurts to ask.
Keep an eye out for charity auctions that offer rounds of golf at exclusive courses as prizes. A local school or charity may have acquired a deal with the course, and they're just waiting on your bid.
Offer to do some first-person golf course reviews for local newspapers or magazines (or even the big publications) if you can think of good news angle. Newspapers and websites are looking for clear and accurate reporting, so pitch your idea of playing the course for an article.
Keep an eye out for pro-am events, fund-raising tournaments and other events at private clubs and be ready to open up your wallet.
About The Author
James Roland is the editor of a monthly health publication that has approximately 75,000 subscribers in the United States and Canada. Previously, he worked as a newspaper reporter and editor, covering issues ranging from the environment and government to family matters and education. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oregon.
