dbenick3 I completely get what you’re saying. I am at 2 places. The better course has lower guest fees than the other. The one with lower green fees is walking only with caddie and has a 2nd course where cart fee is very high, I think $35. But with that, that course is a guest course. Lots of guests, lots of lunches, dinners, drinks, there’s rooms, cottages, hugely successful pro shop etc…
The regular local private has a higher guest fee that includes cart. But in my opinion and much of the membership the guest fee is too high. It’s also year round. So even in December when honestly it should be at least half what it is… it’s too high. They say it’s as high as it is for 2 reasons. Public courses, in terrible condition, in the area are getting $80-$100 a round and not having an issue filling the tee sheet. Also on top of that, they just don’t want a ton of guests right now. Membership exploded with Covid, there’s a waiting list now in all memberships categories so it is what it is. I will say though with that, not a ton of lunches and dinner get eaten there below the 50+ age group. Pro shop sucks, no rooms, no cottages, etc. Just a good local private club.
Hope that makes sense. Send me your rates, I can give you an idea how it compares to some places you’ve heard of.