I am playing enough that membership at one of the local clubs looks appealing.
The #1 benefit I'm looking for is easy access to booking advance tee times.
Due to my families schedule and my routine I play 80 % of the time mid mornings on weekdays AS A SINGLE.

To my surprise I have been told by a couple clubs that even as a member, tee time bookings as a single are handled on a fill in availability basis only and advance reservations are not available.

I can understand this with a public course that needs to get the most rounds of play in to make money but I would expect that in the case of a private club I would get the same accessibility as any other member regardless if they play as a regular twosome or foursome. I also have made it clear I have no issues being added to other singles or groups to accommodate play.

I'm curious if these policies are consistent with those of you that hold club memberships elsewhere ?

Thanks,
Brad
Louisville, KY

If you are get to know your clubs staff getting on as a single isn't a problem just be flexible and find out what the weeks schedule is so you can work around special events.. as a single tee time are usually reserved for two players or more.. i play during the week as a single and i always get one or more rounds in a day

Sounds right to me. They don't want to let someone take up a fourtime time during peak hours.

I'm at a club that get a lot of play, and only a couple of times had a problem getting out there as a single. But generally I only go out as a single after work. If I play on a weekend morning, I'll get some buddies and a foursome together.

You'll probably find folks to play with if you show up at the same time and days every week. Of course there may be Ladies clubs, senior clubs, kids, outings, or whatever to contend with as well. You might want to get the course calender for the clubs you are thinking of joining for the previous year to see how they commit the course during the times you want to play.

If I were you I would consider a club that does not take tee times. I belong to two different clubs and neither of them take advance tee times, you need to check in with the starter when you arrive and he will get you on the tee sheet. I play in the first group out on the weekends at both clubs and it works really well. Also the advice about getting to know the club staff is great. I used to work at a client near one of my clubs and the starter used to get me out at lunch with no problems and I could play 9 in around an hour.

At least at my place, we use foretees (online tee time system), and there is no issue signing up as a single. That being said, Tues morn is ladies 9 hole, Wed morn is ladies 18, Fri morn is Jr golf (in summer), so there might be issues playing weekdays mid morning. If it is a busy club, even if they would take times for a single and you were bunched btw 2 foursomes, that is not a great situation (at least from my prior experiences - always waiting on the group in front and rushing b/c the group behind is catching up). I would definately ask if they are that busy and if it would be problem.

Check with the clubs you are looking at and ask if they have groups that normally go at certain times during the week. We have a lot of groups that play every weekday at 9, 10, 1130, etc. so if you can slide off inbetween them, it would be slow, but at least you are playing golf. The way I see it, you are paying your dues, you should be able to play, and the golf course staff should make an effort to accomodate a single player, either tee you off 10 or another hole, just get you out there.

Our club doesn't take tee times but won't let you get in line until you are four. some weekends it is no big deal to get made up, other times i have had to wait a few hours for the rush to wear off to go out alone or with another straggler.

They will let you go off ten a lot of times but more often than not you just zip the back nine and have to wait back in line or get stuck at one.

that all being said, your caddymaster or starter should be a big help to you here. i know that i basically told our guy what times i like to play, what if any action you like to get and about what you are looking for in partners and he gave me a list of 10 dudes at the club that fit the bill to call and get set up.

when you join a club you'll find it's not hard to "find a game" once you start to meet more of the membership.

Fellas I appreciate all of the good feedback.

Brad