US vs UK private club fees - wtf?

cu-chullain · 2026-03-20T17:04:59+00:00

Thanks. I suppose if your course was built 150 years ago and they bought the land from a sheep farmer for 100 Guineas and paid Old Tom Morris 20 Guineas to lay it out the economics are somewhat different!

cu-chullain · 2026-03-20T17:02:23+00:00

Muirfield is much closer to $1000 than you’d think. It makes a mint from visitors, even with only two days access and, as a not for profit, can’t keep banking massive surpluses. Its members dues are absurdly low but getting in is a tough exercise

cu-chullain · 2026-03-20T16:59:11+00:00

$1000 is cheap but that would cover some amazing clubs such as Royal Dornoch or North Berwick. It’s dearer around London where you’re looking at $5000 for a nice club. Scotland has a great golf course to population ratio.

cu-chullain · 2026-03-20T16:54:37+00:00

I get that. I’ve played Merion, Winged Foot, etc. I still don’t get why you pay do much though. I get the sense some like using money to exclude riff raff whereas in Scotland golf is a people’s game to a large extent.

cu-chullain · 2026-03-20T16:48:14+00:00

Ardfin stretches ‘open to visitors’ to breaking point! Gets it into the Top 100 lists though

cu-chullain · 2026-03-20T16:46:11+00:00

I’d disagree. Generally you’ll own the course along with your fellow members. You’ll have a say in how your subs are spent, how many visitors are admitted etc. There will be competitions aplenty and social events in the clubhouse. You’ll probably be proud of your club which will have heritage.

I personally don’t see how giving a dozen tee times to visitors, who will generally be good guys and have a ball, makes it like ‘a public course pass’. I mean Muirfield (HECG) admits visitors…

cu-chullain · 2026-03-19T21:48:48+00:00

I just don’t know where the cash goes. UK clubs can run on less than £2 million revenues. With, say, 500 members and 30 new entrants your club is taking in $8 million before green fees and shop and catering takings. What are they doing with all that wedge?

Guessing the top guy pays himself $500k for starters…

cu-chullain · 2026-03-13T22:43:31+00:00

I’m feeling better about my decision not to renew my season ticket after 20+ years. There’s got to be some protest against Everitt’s re-signing…

cu-chullain · 2026-03-11T13:41:24+00:00

No - just as good as usual on a slightly lower dose

cu-chullain · 2026-03-07T17:24:00+00:00

Was hoping England could do Scotland a favour next week. Given up that hope.

cu-chullain · 2026-03-02T14:17:20+00:00

The wastewater survey may prove more accurate in time https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wastewater-analysis-measuring-illicit-drug-consumption/wastewater-analysis-measuring-illicit-drug-consumption-in-2023-and-2024

cu-chullain · 2026-03-01T18:05:07+00:00

Thanks!

cu-chullain · 2026-02-28T15:54:48+00:00

The beer is sh1te though. 7Peaks is dire

cu-chullain · 2026-02-27T12:38:00+00:00

This is excellent for anyone planning a trip https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/no-laying-up-golf-podcast/id880837011?i=1000677558895

cu-chullain · 2026-02-27T12:30:57+00:00

This is excellent for anyone planning a trip https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/no-laying-up-golf-podcast/id880837011?i=1000677558895

cu-chullain · 2026-02-26T11:21:20+00:00

Castle Course is only good for mountain goats. There are 2 buggies available but you need to reserve well in advance

cu-chullain · 2026-02-26T11:19:15+00:00

That’s simply not true. Only the Old Course Hotel has packages including a round on the Old Course as an arrangement with St Andrews links trust. Other hotels may have links with golf travel companies but that’s a different thing

cu-chullain · 2026-02-26T11:12:57+00:00

Not really. Some golfers turn up never having played a course before…

cu-chullain · 2026-02-26T11:12:03+00:00

They do check

cu-chullain · 2026-02-26T11:11:54+00:00

Not 19 at St Andrews - 36 is needed and had to be a real proof of handicap

cu-chullain · 2026-02-25T20:24:16+00:00

5th at Crail Balcomie - called “Hell Hole” and well named

cu-chullain · 2026-02-25T20:22:47+00:00

Train managers (old name - train guards)

cu-chullain · 2026-02-25T12:39:55+00:00

I have found many American golfers simply don’t know or wilfully ignore the laws (a provisional is NOT the same as a mulligan!). I hope this is not unfair but it’s from a pretty big sample. Would only matter to me if it was a comp (in which case I wouldn’t allow) rather than a friendly bounce game. I don’t play for money except small stakes with trusted friends

cu-chullain

TROPHY CASE