I was wondering what advice or experience you guys could offer on this topic. If one wanted to play a "top" private club what would be the best way to go about trying to get on.

Not neccessarily thinking Agusta or PV types but other top courses. Maybe a couple of the nice Westchester NY privates or elsewhere in the country a BelAir or Colonial in TX.

Or other not well know tracks.

Just wondering if anyone had solid advice or experience.

Thanks

Dan

I know as a member of a club, the Head Pro's will sometimes let members from one club onto their clubs as a professional courtesy, it does not happen all the time, and would not ever happen for Augusta or a course at that level, but alot of clubs will reciprocate to other clubs. No matter if they are affiliated or not.

One of the golf publications did an article on just such an issue, they found that the middle of the road clubs will sometimes let individuals on their course, you have to have the guts to call and ask, but their report said it does happen from time to time.

Good luck if you do give it a try.

1. Reciprocal play, off peak times and season. The better your club, the better you get on.

2. Charity outings, if you really want to play a specific course call and ask their outing schedule.

3. Join Stationers, a golf club without Real Estate in NYC. Last year they played:
http://www.sgagolf.net/index.htm

Rockrimmon Country Club
Old Westbury Golf & Country Club
Rockaway Hunting Club
The Apawamis Club
Sunningdale Country Club
Upper Montclair Country Club
Kinckerbocker Country Club
The Whippoorwill Club
Essex County Country Club
Fairview Country Club
Metropolis Country Club

4. Become a Rater for Golf, Golf Digest, GolfWeek

5. Become a Pro

6. Get some new friends!

yea having good friends is definitely a plus

I know some places are practically impossible, for example: The Country Club, Brookline Mass.

A good friend's wife works on Harvard's charity auction every year. She got a member to donate a 3 some to the auction. It went for $4K.

Why a 3 some you might ask? Because The CC doens't allow non-members to play alone. You have to be accompanied by the member! It should noted that each member is only allowed to host guest a ONCE a year! That's it.

So let me add, winning a bid at a charity auction to the ways to get on a nice private course!

If you belong to a club and you are planning a trip somewhere that has a club you would like to play, have the pro at your club call the club and see if he can get you on. It has worked for me in the past, not 100% of the time but more times than not.

Also, you can get your pro to write you a letter of introduction in the event you may want to try and play someplace while you are out of town and had not had him call them in advance. This has worked for me also...again not 100% of the time but it has worked.

Wonder if it would work with Pine Valley.

NOPE.... i have actually played with the head pro of pine valleys son in a tournament...and he's also been at some others that i was at..... i played with him a Philadelphia country club....what a course......the 17th hole atop the hill there is a plaque that i believe said Byron Nelson holed out a 1 iron for eagle...... we were hitting sand wedge into the green. o what technology has done for us!!!

DaN

I work at a club and as mentioned in previous posts, the best way to get on is have a pro from your place give a call a few days in advance and that is usually enough to get things rolling in the right direction.

write a letter or shoot an email to the director of golf or head pga professional there stating how you will be in town and have heard great things about the course blah blah blah and ask if you could play... big deal if they say no... option 2 join the PGA (not pro-golfer) but the other PGA (golf-pro's) then you can play wherever you want for no more than a cart fee...

I reckon PV is doable if you have the time, money and inclination. Won't be easy though and I'm not sure if it would work.

I played at a 100% private club here two weeks ago. I honestly was surprised at the quality of the course, but the clubhouse was the biggest I have EVER seen. The course is now owned by the founder of SAS Institute. He is one of the wealthiest men in america right now. (according to forbes)

I know i am about 3 years late, but anyway, you were not hitting sandwedge into the green. I caddy at PCC and from that plaque it is 220 out and I have never seen anyone any less than 160 from the green. There is no way you were hitting SW.

seriously? Bring a thread back from the dead just to point out the guys fallacy.

Maybe they played the hole from the red tees?

It's better than dumping on every other BST ad - that kid must have nothing better to do.