Writing Letters to Club Pro’s

[david.c.w]

13 hours ago, st1800e said:

What’s to lose by writing a polite letter? All they can say is no or yes.  
Pro might be helpful,  but if he or she objects, which is strange, then send the letter.  
I was advised early in life by my grandfather, if you don’t ask, you won’t get.  And it matters how you ask…

 

I bet he also said, "You should know when not to ask". 

 

Time and a place for everything.  

[charli]

Don’t 

[RedWolfWay]

On 10/25/2023 at 10:22 PM, PrincipalsNose said:

Has anyone ever written letters (or heard of this) to head pro’s at private clubs and being successful in getting a round? 

Very much depends on the region, as I do feel there are areas that are more receptive to this than not.

 

As a PGA Member myself, our section is very close knit. It generally is not much of an issue to ask on the behalf of a member of ours to play elsewhere depending on the circumstance. This said, I have taken a trip with fellow PGA Professionals and well rounded players for a number of years to other states during the winter months and my inquiries are not always received in a warm manner... Now, I do not fault people for looking to play the best golf they can (we all do) but you have to be ready to receive answers from both sides of the spectrum.

 

I do agree with previous posters in saying that in the last 3-4 years it has become much more difficult to get outside play out due to our own play being so heavy. These rounds that generally happen at our facility are almost never on weekends and never before 2p.

 

[CDM]

On 10/31/2023 at 9:19 AM, knock it close said:

Also look at unaccompanied rates, they are probably paying close to monthly dues for the day. 

 

Pretty much spot on at our club.   If unaccompained the rate is near the monthly due plus you have caddie and tip.  So in the end probably over the monthly rate. 

Edited December 18, 2023 by CDM

[monty09]

On 10/31/2023 at 10:21 AM, david.c.w said:

 

Ha.  Maybe 15%, 25% at most.

 

some are quite high... i know 5-6 clubs that are over 750 

[monty09]

On 10/30/2023 at 9:10 PM, CCTxGolf said:

I wouldn’t do it unless it’s a place that is famous for it. Haven’t read this whole thread so might have been mentioned already.

 

Notably Sand Hills and Tara Iti.

 

Zach Blair is also opening a pretty exclusive new club in South Carolina with some partners and is going to make the one letter, one play in your lifetime rule part of the club.

 

 

I think they will sell master tee times to make some extra money.. they need it 

[CDM]

On 10/31/2023 at 6:24 AM, Chanceman said:

Strange how hundreds of private golf clubs in the Uk and Australia are more than happy to allow travelling Americans to play their hallowed grounds but many of those Americans would resist returning the favor. Not all but many.

 

@Chanceman   you know Americans own the game right   🙂🙃

 

First real trip outside the US and meet / played with some amazing members in Aus/Nzl.  Many after the round we spent some good times.  Found a new favorite drink...Lemon,Lime and bitters with "splash" of something  😁 

[st1800e]

On 11/24/2023 at 11:54 AM, david.c.w said:

"You should know when not to ask". 

He didn’t say that.  

Unless you have a solid backup plan, what’s the risk?  
 

Sure, try your pro first, if that fails, and he gets a no, then try a letter. Hoping your your pro doesn’t start the request with “ my member, Joe Blow , wants to play your course” 

 

And if you have a solid backup plan, maybe you should use that first.  

Its not like people are asking to join Augusta.  

[BROD3]

Kinda on the topic but a little different. What if I wanted to play at a private course and could trade off my business which could be free concert/ game tickets (that’s the business I’m in) with a head pro/ management in exchange for a round of golf?

[Dancin]

2 hours ago, BROD3 said:

Kinda on the topic but a little different. What if I wanted to play at a private course and could trade off my business which could be free concert/ game tickets (that’s the business I’m in) with a head pro/ management in exchange for a round of golf?

That would likely get the head pro fired or a member kicked out if the club found out about it. I think the only instance where that could be done is with a single owner private club done directly with the owner of the club.

Edited January 11, 2024 by Dancin

[TheDominator273]

2 hours ago, BROD3 said:

Kinda on the topic but a little different. What if I wanted to play at a private course and could trade off my business which could be free concert/ game tickets (that’s the business I’m in) with a head pro/ management in exchange for a round of golf?

Speaking from experience, free tickets for the pro to go to games or to give to staff members is absolutely something within the realm of possibility.  

[BROD3]

52 minutes ago, TheDominator273 said:

Speaking from experience, free tickets for the pro to go to games or to give to staff members is absolutely something within the realm of possibility.  

Yes feels like I’ve received both sides of the spectrum saying this is wrong or this something that is done a lot. Free tickets for a round of golf on a day let’s say not as busy seems like not much of hassle if the person is interested.

[StudentGolfer4]

19 minutes ago, BROD3 said:

Yes feels like I’ve received both sides of the spectrum saying this is wrong or this something that is done a lot. Free tickets for a round of golf on a day let’s say not as busy seems like not much of hassle if the person is interested.

I’m guessing this would be very frowned upon and could definitely get the pro in trouble. This seems like a straight up bribe to me. Hey pro, if you give me access to play your course I’ll give you XYZ. If he wants to give you access is his choice, but it shouldn’t because based on anything he is receiving in return. I know clubs are all a bit different but the 3-4 pros I am closest to absolutely are not permitted to do what you’re asking and 2 of them would without a doubt lose their position if it came to light. 

I know pros will allow members from different clubs to play their place knowing the pro at the other place will do the same, but that’s not what we are talking about here. (Heck many none top tier clubs have official reciprocal deals with like minded places.)
 

Plenty of members will give their own pro a thank you gift as a taken I’d appreciate for arranging a round at a different club, but that’s a lot different than what is being discussed here. 

Edited January 11, 2024 by StudentGolfer4

[david.c.w]

20 hours ago, Dancin said:

That would likely get the head pro fired or a member kicked out if the club found out about it. I think the only instance where that could be done is with a single owner private club done directly with the owner of the club.

 

Totally agree.  This is 100% a bribe @StudentGolfer4 has said.

[AC168]

A large part of US clubs don’t reciprocate or have highly limited openings is actually the US tax code.  At least that is a large part of what was initially part of the reason for limited outside play.

[urjc22]

Nothing wrong with asking your pro to make a call on your behalf.  Especially if you already belong to a desirable place, you are much more likely to get a warm response, especially if you ask not to play on the weekend, play shoulder season etc.  there are many courses on Long Island that are welcoming at high unaccompanied rates before Memorial Day and after Labor Day. 

[StudentGolfer4]

To those of you that have written letters in an attempt to gain access. How did you do it? There’s a course I’m looking at and would like to try it this summer. It’s not a supper exclusive world beater but a nice private club in northern Wisconsin that I’ve never heard a bad thing about. 
 

On their website there are phone numbers listed to contact the golf shop and clubhouse. The email provided is info@(clubsname.com). I’m guessing it’s best to find a clubs mailing address and attempt it that way?

[PrincipalsNose]

On 10/31/2023 at 11:19 AM, david.c.w said:

 

Agree with you, but OP wants to make a sandwich in your kitchen.  His mom did not call.

 

Cal club. 

Edited February 13 by PrincipalsNose

[jjthomp2]

what about Cal Club?

[Smooth spin scott]

Interesting to hear different views on this.  I am one who runs our yearly golf trip and have done this almost every year with great success.  To add some context there are 8 of us who are all members at courses here in Canada....some Semi-Private and some members at the most prestigious clubs outside Toronto.  

 

  I understand sending email to Cypress Point, Augusta, Shinnecock etc may not work 🙂 but I've had success getting on private courses during our trips.  The state we travel to has some great public golf courses, but always looking to add a "special treat round" for the boys.  In all cases, I've drafted an email usually to the Director of Golf, introducing myself and my group (include the fact that we are all mostly single digit handicaps with excellent etiquette...maybe makes the Director feel better that he/she isn't extending invite to guys who don't play often etc).  I simply ask if there is any possibility of extending a couple tee times as a courtesy.

 

Out of the last 6 trips, I've been successful getting us on private courses all 6 times (in different cities).  Yes we probably pay a little more than we want to but heck why not.  Out of those 6 times we've played some very private courses as well as some that were very nice but not super high end.  3/6 of had asked for our Director of Golfs email and phone number, but our Directors confirmed no one ever contacted them....maybe a quick search on the clubs we were members at made the Director of golf comfortable enough to offer us some tee times that actually suited our schedule.  Heck there were also a few Directors that spoke to us after the round while we were having lunch and extend an invite back whenever we wanted!  On Pro even told us to bring our bathing suits next time and hang at the pool and bar all day if we wanted to!

 

Ultimately, not a big deal if we get a no or no response, but to be honest, 90% of the Directors did respond back to my request.  It's only golf and a simple ask doesn't hurt anyone as long as you're willing to face rejection or pay the going inflated guest rate and obviously not aiming for the top private courses in America makes it a little easier to get on a course 🙂 . 

 

Good luck! 

[PrincipalsNose]

9 hours ago, jjthomp2 said:

what about Cal Club?

Buddy ripped the process saying it’s not possible meanwhile it is. So dumb 

[CDM]

So just scrolled back through the thread, I did not see if the OP noted he is a member a club or not? 

 

If at a club it would easier and you could probably have your pro try to set it up, that typcially works better.

 

If not a member which I think is the case, the letter aspect is going to be hard, not a lock out but for sure harder to get on.   If you send a letter as many note, they typicall ask for your pro's contact information so that would probably end it there.  Any private club wants to know you belong to club, mainly it seems so they know you know to act once there.  Ie: That someone is not going to show and think its a Saturday afternoon round with a 6 pack at the local muni.    

 

If you go out of the US and want to golf some privates many clubs have on the website(s) you can request play. You have to provide your club information, pro contact infomration, etc. before they will even considering reviewng your request. . 

 

*Going back over to AUS in a month and one of the clubs...whch I have played with a member and are playing with the member again ....now his club wants a letter from my club and contact information.   Never seen that before since playing with a member. They also added a policy of "only one international" member per group but are more flexible on that.   Way to many requests and apparently many false claims is what I am hearing. 

Edited February 13 by CDM

[knock it close]

16 hours ago, PrincipalsNose said:

Buddy ripped the process saying it’s not possible meanwhile it is. So dumb 

Bring your checkbook, no cash (cash works for caddies).

Edited February 14 by knock it close

[PrincipalsNose]

2 hours ago, knock it close said:

Bring your checkbook, no cash (cash works for caddies).

honestly wasn’t that expensive. 

[knock it close]

4 minutes ago, PrincipalsNose said:

honestly wasn’t that expensive. 

I'm aware, I've played there I was saying bring the checkbook because the shop doesn't (or atleast didnt) accept card or cash. 

[bcjim]

OP please fix the title. Please?

[ND2005]

10 hours ago, PrincipalsNose said:

honestly wasn’t that expensive. 

would it kill you to express yourself in complete sentences?  
  
or are you too busy trying to win a year plus old internet argument? 

[PrincipalsNose]

14 hours ago, ND2005 said:

would it kill you to express yourself in complete sentences?  
  
or are you too busy trying to win a year plus old internet argument? 

I didn’t realize this was an English class covering grammar. 

[knock it close]

On 2/15/2025 at 11:19 AM, PrincipalsNose said:

I didn’t realize this was an English class covering grammar. 

So do you have any thoughts on the course? Anything to add about the process or did you just come back to dunk on David?

[Par4Nate]

I wrote a letter to our head pro.  He thought it was creepy.