Alex Bloodworth had his eye on Windermere golf club, in Cumming, Ga., for a while. When the club, which normally charges a $2,000 initiation fee, ran a no-initiation-fee special last November, Bloodworth, 27, pounced. “I played this course as a teen but couldn’t afford to join. When I saw the special, I immediately signed up,” he says.
Golfers are finding great deals all over. Memberships at private golf clubs are down by 13% on average from peak years, and by more than twice that much at private clubs that are struggling financially, according to the National Golf Foundation. So private clubs are offering membership discounts and financing deals, as well as beefing up fitness and other programs to lure spouses and families.
When new owners took over Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrieta, Cal., last summer, they chopped the initiation fee from $45,000 to $2,500 and cut monthly dues from $1,200 to $550. The Alta Vista Country Club, in Placentia, Cal., gives members five years to come up with the $25,000 initiation fee. Another new twist is the recallable membership -- you pay just $5,000 of a $25,000 membership, for example, but a club can recall it within three years, giving you the option of getting a refund or paying the full freight.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
You can also find deals at semiprivate and public clubs. At some of the 114 clubs run by Billy Casper Golf, as little as $29 a month gives you unlimited time on the driving range and access to courses at twilight, with reduced greens and cart fees.
-
Four Surprising Signs You’ll Never Retire (and How to Fix Them)Gearing up to retire? If any of these four signs ring true, you may want to make some changes before you do.
-
Stocks Rise After Trump-Powell Fed Tour: Stock Market TodayNvidia hit a new all-time high intraday, but another renowned semiconductor name and some less iconic stocks were bigger movers Friday.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?insurance When assessing how much life insurance you need, take a systematic approach instead of relying on rules of thumb.
-
When Is Amazon Prime Day? Everything We Know, Plus the Best Deals on Apple, Samsung and MoreAmazon Prime Amazon Prime Day is four days this year. Here are the key details you need to know, plus some of our favorite deals to shop during the sale.
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Stepsinsurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
-
Five Ways to Shop for a Low Mortgage RateBecoming a Homeowner Mortgage rates are high this year, but you can still find an affordable loan with these tips.
