What to expect playing in a member/guest?

[kekoa]

I'm playing my first member/guest tomorrow and curious what to expect.  I assume a lot of sand bagging and drinking.   We were talking to the pro shop guy and he stated that a few guys will be playing with a 40 index.  Are you f'ing serious?   First day will be better ball and 2nd day is a mixture of Better Ball, Pinehurst, and Scramble.  The winner of day 1 and two teams from each format the second day move on to the 'Irish Derby.'  

[Blaiser]

From my experience it really depends on the club. Some clubs will be nothing but fun and will make you feel like you are a member.

 

Others are a bit stuffy and they constantly remind you that you are simply a guest. Hopefully you get the former experience.

[T_Golf_23]

If they are allowing 40 index players and the hcp is not capped… it can’t be that serious. Hopefully at least they are discounting 90% or more. Our club used to cap the index at 30…. Even better yet, some member/guests used to cap the individual index at 20, and the team total at 30….  Those were more competitive … 
 

probably expect a long day too… some of these clubs oversell the member guest and it means a lot of standing around …. But they feed you like crazy and give you tons of drinks and lots of giveaways. 
 

 Bring extra cash to tip caddies and fit side bets. They always have a “beat the pro hole”…. And hopefully there is no Calcutta with 40 index guys. 
 

good luck 

[Bonneville85308]

Member-guest tournament weekend for me always meant a good time to avoid the home club and go try somewhere else new with a few buddies who didn't want to play in it either.

[vandyfan]

Playing in my first member/guest this weekend. I don't really drink and I don't gamble. Looking forward to the golf and less so the other stuff. 

[vandyfan]

Overall had a great time. We won our flight and finished second in the playoff. I think the only things I didn't love was how much drinking and gambling goes on at these things. I am not a puritan or complete wet blanket but I don't understand why so much of golf is intertwined with getting hammered and gambling large sums of money on everything. I guess I am just a no fun loser. 

[balladm]

Vandy, I agree. Our Member-Guest is outrageously expensive, only to help pay for the unlimited booze and beer. I don't drink, so I really can't force myself to pay thousands of dollars to be around a bunch of completely wasted ppl. The gambling I don't mind but I feel like 80% of the cost goes to alcohol. Obviously, it is a huge hit for most members as it sells out in about 10 minutes with our online portal. To each their own...

[ChipNRun]

You might call the host club's manager and ask some questions:

• What is the club's on-course dress code?
• Do guests get a day locker for the event?
• What are the financial rules? Will the host club take ourside credit cards, or is everything signed for by your host player?
• What are the rules for tipping club employees?

[Bearinthewoods]

Bit late to the party, but I joined a new club last year, didn't play in member guest that year, but I am playing member-guest next week and they've implemented some changes such as the Quota/ Chicago/ Modified stable ford, and to reduce sand bagging (lowest handicap, 1 year look back), as well as 3 full 18's vs 6 9-hole matches. I was surprised to find out you can pick your group for the first two days. Is that common at anyone else's course? 

Edited July 8, 2024 by Bearinthewoods

[woofelfin]

On 6/15/2023 at 5:25 PM, vandyfan said:

Overall had a great time. We won our flight and finished second in the playoff. I think the only things I didn't love was how much drinking and gambling goes on at these things. I am not a puritan or complete wet blanket but I don't understand why so much of golf is intertwined with getting hammered and gambling large sums of money on everything. I guess I am just a no fun loser. 

if you don't drink and or gamble I don't see any point of doing a member guest- 

[JeffK23]

Expect the best 3 days of your life