I have a member/guest tournament coming up. The cost is $240 for 2 rounds, dinner after, and prize money. However, I'm confused on the proper etiquette. Being a member, my golf is free. I don't pay for green fees, carts, or range balls. I need help on the following.

1. Does the guest pay for all of it?
2. Since I asked, do I pay?
3. Do we go 50/50?
4. The club has 2 different ranges. One for members and the other for public use. They are about 100 yards apart. Do I hit balls in the member's only OR hit balls in the public (which cost about 7 dollars for a bucket).

Any suggestions would be welcomed.

The member pays, and you hit range balls along with your guest in the area where he is allowed to hit. He should reciprocate by inviting you to his guest day.

Kevin

You should pay and the course should have the range set up for all teams to hit in the same area. Remember it is all about having a good time.

You should pay.
I used to play in a member guest at an old money club and it was standard practice to split the cost of everything. Surprised me.

I don't think there is any "rule" as far as who pays. You work out what you work out. If a buddy of mine asked me to join him, I surely wouldn't expect him to pay for me.

I would definitely hit balls with your guest.

Views on this probably vary a lot more widely these days. The old fashioned way is that if I'm the member, I pick up everything. The person I invite is my guest, and I'm inviting them either because I enjoy their company, or I intend to compete strongly with them (or ideally, both!).

If there are charges for food and drink, they go to my account. If there is a substantial tee gift, then that's what it is...a gift.

If the guest wants to purchase other items in the shop, they would pay, or if the club doesn't take payment (only account charges), then he can reimburse me for that type of purchase.

The caveat is that this type of arrangement almost always involves reciprocity, meaning that I pay those costs knowing that I'll probably play an event at his club where he'll pick up the same fees and what not.

I play one every year where the entry fee is pretty steep, and I'm not the member. The food for the event is spectacular, and the tee gift(s) are worth several hundred dollars. My buddy picks up the entry fee and the drinks/food and other misc expenses, but the travel expense for me is usually $400 to $500, and he knows I'm burning vacation days at work.

As was mentioned earlier, the member guest event is usually the biggest shindig for the club, with the member/member being more about the golf than the party. The member/guest is about showing off the club at bit, eating great food and enjoying other stuff, and trying to play well. As the member, you want your guest to feel at home and have a great time. They won't if they're worried about what to do or how to handle the cost, so it's up to you to put them at ease.

NPVWhiz, is absolutely right. You as the member invite the other gentleman as your GUEST.

I have been on all sides of this situation. As the member, as a guest, and as a representative of a golf company for 3 days working the event. Both in a professional setting and in a personal/casual setting.

Go by his guides, and have a good time.

The only other information that I would give is that on "betting" talk about the amounts you are willing to put up first, and go 50% on match and tournament wagers.

It is never expected but I always offer ONCE, to cover my expenses as the guest.

If the member tells me that he has it covered I drop the situation. You never want to offend their generousity.

Lastly, as a guest I always make sure that I return the favor to the best of my ability, either by having them as a guest at my tournament, or bringing them to my club for a weekend, with a small gift tossed in (putter ect)

Always offer to pay, most of the time people say no.

I always buy 50/50's for myself and the member who is hosting me, whatever wins wins.

I try to do every special event they have. I find myself to spend money at these event if the event is being paid by the member.

I have been invited to a member guest several times at another club. He has always paid for everything and will not let me contribute, even for the caddy.

I also won a set of Cally woods along with a fitting. I tried to give these to him, but he would not accept it.

I cannot reciprocate, because he is also a member at my club, so I bought him a very nice bottle of wine that I know he and his wife like. Not much, but a gesture of thanks, anyway.

The cost is not important, the gesture is. GREAT job imho, very classy...

Kevin