Golf Forums - semi vs private

I recently joined Delaware National Golf Course, now two months in the club is becoming semi private. I joined to avoid the crowds and hackers that seem to infect all the courses in this and surronding states. Five to six hour rounds are common and unavoidable anymore. My question is there anyone out there who can tell me the advantage of staying at this course or has anyone else had this happen to them.

Hi Tom, almost all of the clubs I know will allow visitors, if fact I'm struggling to think of any that don't. The difference is that while most clubs allow them the better ones will insist on a valid proof of handicap which 'should' reduce the possibility of a 5-6 hour round (whic would not be acceptable to any club member).

Having said that, I left my last club (considered a good one) for two reasons, one was the very high cost of taking a guest but the other was that if someone was prepared to pay, a lot, they could play; so we got lots of society and corporate days, and if you got behind one of them you were waiting on every shot and 5 hours was an absolute minimum. 

It would seem that no matter where you are some clubs are too quick to take the quick buck to te detriment of the already committed member 

what really bothers me the most is that my club sold off 9 holes to a developer...in delaware the idea of open space is frowned upon.. I wonder why people dont see the quality of life that a golf course brings to an area. everyone wants to live on the golf course but fail to support the club. I'm going to give Delaware National a year to see how this plays out and with some luck things will work out. The economy on the rebound should help and maybe membership will rebound when the public sees what our club has to offer.

I've just checked it out and Delaware National looks like a great course plus you've got nearly 40 courses within 20 miles of there. How can they get so crowded that you have 5-6 hour rounds? Are they cheap to join and play?

it seems to be the million dollar question... i personally think that people dont play according to their ability...for example folks playing from tees that are above their abitlty..also carts are pushed and as a former caddy, i know they dont speed up play.