[fvansan]

Hello,
I will be retiring in a few years and I have a passion for golf, although my skills don’t always demonstrate this. I have Florida in my sights for retirement. My location preferences in priority order are to retire on #1 the Atlantic side, # 2the Gulf side, and lastly in between. I am divorced so there will be only my Social Security and what funds I have in addition to that. I plan on purchasing an affordable small condo or house. I want to join a 72 par golf country club but I have to be realistic on the membership fees. I am avoiding something like the Villages for even though they have golf courses, the vast population of those areas, I'm guessing, make for competitive tee times reservations (too many players, not enough tee times available).

Has anyone done research on affordable golf country club fees on a reasonably nice competitive golf course? The bottom line, I suppose, is trying to live within my budget and also trying to meet my social needs by joining a club where over time I can make friendships.

Feedback, both good and bad, is appreciated and welcomed.

Thank you,
Frank
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]

[jghorton]

Patrick Air Force Base (Melbourne/Satellite Beach, Fl) on the Atlantic coast has opened it's great course (Manatee Cove) to civilians. When we moved last year, I was paying an unbeatable $800 per year ... which included green fees (except for a $2-3 adjustment in off season) ... and even a storage bin for clubs.
I wish I still had access to a similar course/fee arrangement - The best I can do here is about $2400!

[fvansan]

That's perfect. Thanks!

[BucFan]

Originally Posted by jghorton

Patrick Air Force Base (Melbourne/Satellite Beach, Fl) on the Atlantic coast has opened it's great course (Manatee Cove) to civilians. When we moved last year, I was paying an unbeatable $800 per year ... which included green fees (except for a $2-3 adjustment in off season) ... and even a storage bin for clubs.
I wish I still had access to a similar course/fee arrangement - The best I can do here is about $2400!

Most likely you'll need a cart per round, especially in the FLA heat ($15/round).

I'm going to recommend that you look into Kings Point at Sun City Center. Their course is run by Clublink. They have nice facilities, have several different golf groups that you can join in on (or play alone or find your own group/foursome). The courses aren't overly crowded like I hear about the Villages. The drawback is that the rate is about $300/month, including golf cart trail fees (bring your own cart). http://en.clublink.ca/assets/pdf/PriceGuide_CentralFlorida_ENG.pdf (broken link)

Parent company is Clublink out of Canada (ClubLink (http://en.clublink.ca/membership/ - broken link)). The Kings Point and Sun City Courses that you access to include Sceptor (18 hole), Falcon Watch (27-holes, three nines), Sandpiper (27 holes, three nines), and a couple of executive nines along w/ Renaissance (I think). The regular courses are challenging courses and not necessarily the retiree's pitch and putt type of courses.

Tampa is about 20-30 mins away, big airport, beaches not too far (45 mins), Bradenton, Sarasota nearby. Major league sports, Broadway plays, etc etc.

Might even be able to get some free golf if you volunteer or work at the course (range pickups, pro shop).

[BucFan]

Kings Point Sun City Center, Florida

Sun City Center Real Estate & Sun City Center Homes For Sale — Trulia.com

[jghorton]

Originally Posted by BucFan

Most likely you'll need a cart per round, especially in the FLA heat ($15/round).

I'm going to recommend that you look into Kings Point at Sun City Center. Their course is run by Clublink. They have nice facilities, have several different golf groups that you can join in on (or play alone or find your own group/foursome). The courses aren't overly crowded like I hear about the Villages. The drawback is that the rate is about $300/month, including golf cart trail fees (bring your own cart). http://en.clublink.ca/assets/pdf/PriceGuide_CentralFlorida_ENG.pdf (broken link)

Parent company is Clublink out of Canada (ClubLink (http://en.clublink.ca/membership/ - broken link)). The Kings Point and Sun City Courses that you access to include Sceptor (18 hole), Falcon Watch (27-holes, three nines), Sandpiper (27 holes, three nines), and a couple of executive nines along w/ Renaissance (I think). The regular courses are challenging courses and not necessarily the retiree's pitch and putt type of courses.

Tampa is about 20-30 mins away, big airport, beaches not too far (45 mins), Bradenton, Sarasota nearby. Major league sports, Broadway plays, etc etc.

Might even be able to get some free golf if you volunteer or work at the course (range pickups, pro shop).

Sounds like you've got a stake in Clublink? -- Re: Carts; the rate at Patrick, Manatee is $12, but, they allow walking carts, which is what I and many used --- without much of a heat problem (the course is relatively flat, except for elevated greens; greens and tee boxes are relatively close; there is plenty of shade).

While we're on the subject, does anybody know of a reasonable rate on a golf couse in the Destin area???

[fvansan]

Thanks, I'll poke around and see what they have.

[BucFan]

Originally Posted by jghorton

Sounds like you've got a stake in Clublink?

I don't, but I have played their courses and know people who live in the community and enjoy the golf. There's a lot of very good golfers in the Kings Point community - as well as other levels. Great retirement community, imo.
The courses are challenging as well (I'm a 10 HCP).