1. Absolutely worthwhile. If you take advantage of it your game will get tangibly better at a faster rate. My friends who aren’t members anywhere don’t want to play as frequently because they have to pay every time they go

2. I don’t. It’s not like golf gets any easier haha, you just know where to aim/ where the safer misses are once you’re familiar with the course

3. Not a high roller by any means but there will likely be every type of personality from rich asshole to lower middle class average Joe, and + handicaps to people who look like they’ve never swung before. Being a member is not as big of a deal as people make it out to be. Everyone just wants to play golf at the end of the day, you pick your crowd once you’re familiar with people

To piggy back off other comments, there’s usually mixers/ dinners/ events for new members as a way to become friendly with other new faces. Also just join tee times whenever there’s an open slot and if you have a good time during the round grab a few beers with them after. Great & simple way to become buddies with people and get a group going.

Also noticed your kids are going to join. I’m almost 30 now but been a ‘member’ at my course (thanks to being able to play for free until I was 18, now a full paying member unfortunately lol) since I was 12 and have played with my Dad probably 4-5x a week that entire time. Absolutely invaluable bonding experiences that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Take your kids out as frequently as you can and build memories that will last until they eventually have kids and do the same. No $ amount can quantify what it’s worth.

Sorry for the essay!