| At one time, courses were only really categorized as | | | | much more reasonable than people are led to believe |
| private or public | | | | especially if you consider the amount of time you can |
| Private courses Are for members only. Visitors may | | | | spend enjoying the club's facilities. What can be |
| play on payment of a Green Fee. Costs of the green | | | | expensive and off putting to the would-be member is |
| fee vary considerably depending on time courses | | | | the entrance fee, which combined with the subs can |
| often have twilight rates after a certain time of the | | | | often double the cost of your golf in the first year. |
| day frequently there are Winter rates between certain | | | | Many clubs, except for the prestige locations have |
| months of the year. The rate will also vary depending | | | | now waived the entrance fee in a bid to attract new |
| on whether the visitor is introduced by a member or | | | | members. If you want to know, speak to a member of |
| not. Many courses will not allow visitors at the | | | | the club, or pick up the phone to the Secretary. |
| weekend (unless introduced). Some courses do not | | | | Public courses Sometimes municipal if the course was |
| allow visitors at all, unless they are introduced, but | | | | built or came under the control of the local authority |
| these are a small minority. If in doubt about whether | | | | normally do not have a membership, and all players |
| you will be able to play on arrival at a course, or | | | | pay a green fee to play. Many of these do not have a |
| whether the cost of a round falls within your price | | | | tee time booking system, but operate on a first come |
| structure, give the Club Secretary or Professional a call | | | | basis. |
| beforehand. In the vast majority of cases you will | | | | It should be mentioned here that there are some |
| receive friendly advice, and occasionally some cost | | | | superb public courses, and particularly in Scotland, but |
| benefit! Most private courses are very welcoming to | | | | also true elsewhere, some of the municipals are |
| visitors (they need the green fee income!) Some may | | | | championship standard. Nowadays, there is a huge |
| require sight of a handicap certificate. Please ensure | | | | range of different types of membership between the |
| that your game is at an acceptable level before | | | | traditional types mentioned above. One frequently used |
| venturing on to a full golf course. Even more important | | | | expression is pay'n'play. At these, there are members |
| is a knowledge of the etiquette of the game, especially | | | | who pay a subscription, normally lower than at private |
| in knowing when to let a following group play through if | | | | member clubs, but who then pay an additional fee |
| you are holding them up. Lots of clubs have a second | | | | each time they play. In the UK, the point is being |
| course sometimes 9 holes, sometimes all par 3 holes. | | | | reached where more people are playing golf on this |
| These are often called a 'blue' course. Most private | | | | basis than any other. And it can be a cost effective |
| golf clubs operate on the principle of an annual | | | | way of playing golf particularly if you do not envisage |
| subscription for membership. These are often very | | | | playing many times in the course of a year. |