I've heard of a few clubs that did away with cart fees and added them in to the monthly dues. For the golf degenerates that played a lot it was great, but for the majority of the members they weren't getting the value out of it most months.

I looked at a handful of courses in Houston over the last year and can't recall any of them that didn't have carts separate

cab559 said:

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RigsTx said:

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I've heard of a few clubs that did away with cart fees and added them in to the monthly dues. For the golf degenerates that played a lot it was great, but for the majority of the members they weren't getting the value out of it most months.

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I think this same logic is applicable to all fees paid to the country club?

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Ha true, but cart fees are more a variable cost because you can choose to walk instead of ride which saves money or if you only play once or twice a month you don't want to get dinged for a $100-$200 cart fee every month.

The sunk costs of being a member at the club are known up front in the dues. I think F&B minimums are silly as well. I'm already paying to be a member. If I choose not to eat out there that should be my prerogative.

terradactylexpress said:

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I looked at a handful of courses in Houston over the last year and can't recall any of them that didn't have carts separate

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This wasn't in Houston. As another variable the club had houses on the property and members could have private carts and just pay a trail fee. I think the logic from the club was to go to a flat across the board fee for all members be it private cart or club cart. Not exactly sure on that though.

JCA1 said:

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There's an annual range assessment in January but I don't recall how much it is (I think around $300?). But I agree that from an optics standpoint, it would be better just to up dues $25/month than tag people for a range fee.

Carts being extra is pretty standard as far as I'm aware. Not sure you're going to find many clubs that include that in the dues.

Country clubs never make sense from a dollars and cents standpoint. No need to argue it. If it's not for you, so be it.

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So are you telling me when it's time for new cartsthe members won't be hit with an assessment or the cost of new carts won't come from their fees? Because I don't believe that for a second.

Just happened two years ago. All new carts and no assessment.

AgLA06 said:

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JCA1 said:

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There's an annual range assessment in January but I don't recall how much it is (I think around $300?). But I agree that from an optics standpoint, it would be better just to up dues $25/month than tag people for a range fee.

Carts being extra is pretty standard as far as I'm aware. Not sure you're going to find many clubs that include that in the dues.

Country clubs never make sense from a dollars and cents standpoint. No need to argue it. If it's not for you, so be it.

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So are you telling me when it's time for new cartsthe members won't be hit with an assessment or the cost of new carts won't come from their fees? Because I don't believe that for a second.

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We've turned over our fleet of carts twice since I've been a member and I've never been assessed anything for it. One time, they even sold off the existing fleet very cheap to the members.

Will the carts come from some combo of dues/cart fees? I would imagine so. I've been all over the property and not once have I seen a money tree. So, yes, the club has to buy things with the money it takes in from the members. Where else would the money come from? They're not free.

If they're using dues and charging cart fees, they're double dipping.

I guess the lore of a county club just isn't what I expected. I would have never imagined you'd get nickled and dimed at a place you're paying a second mortgage to be a member.

If you still have to pay to golf, especially at golf only clubs, what's the point?!?

My friend said They have a new awesome short game practice area. Spending $10+ mm redoing the course and added monthly assessment of like $200 to cover it for 4-5 years. So normal fees would be $700 range per month. Have too many junior executive memberships so trying to get normal numbers to higher percentage. New security and brick wall along Clay coming soon. He play tennis so the indoor courts are super nice add. New nine is awesome. All new tiff tuf grass and all new drainage and added mounds and new bunkers. New nine opens early November

Played 9 holes in 1:20 this morning

It's glorious

Any of you good Ags who are Riverbend members up for a quick chat to discuss with me this club. I have a few specific questions I think may be better answered by someone not on the payroll. I'll put my email in my profile.

My club is in a subdivision and lots of folks have their own carts. I pay $135/Month for the Cart Plan. I was amazed to find out that the guys with their own carts still have to pay the full amount of $135/Month to the Club. That seems very excessive to charge them the full amount.