Guest play, trial stays, a meal at the clubhouse and a conversation with members: how to get a real feel for a club community before committing.
Brochures and websites show every club at its best. The only way to know whether a community is right for you is to spend time there. Here is how to make the most of a visit.
Arrange a proper visit
Most private clubs are open only to members and their guests, so contact the club's membership director or a real estate agent who knows the community. Many clubs offer discovery visits, guest rounds or tours for prospective buyers. Some communities have stay-and-play options, such as guest suites, rentals or model homes, so you can experience a few days rather than a few hours.
See the whole club, not just the course
Ask to see:
- The golf course and practice facilities, and play a round if you can.
- The racquet center at a busy time of day.
- The fitness center and the class schedule.
- The clubhouse dining rooms, and stay for a meal.
- The pool, beach club or marina if there is one.
Talk to members
Members are the best source of information about club life. Ask what they love, what they would change, how easy it is to get a tee time or court in season, and how the club handles disagreements and big decisions. Notice whether the people you meet seem like neighbours you would enjoy.
Visit at different times
A club in February and the same club in August can feel very different. If you can, visit once in high season and once in the quieter months. Come on a weekday morning and on a weekend evening.
Drive the neighborhood
Look beyond the clubhouse. Drive the streets at different times, check the condition of common areas and homes, and look at the route to shopping, healthcare, the airport and the beach. Those everyday trips are part of the lifestyle too.
Ask for the paperwork
Before you get serious, ask for the club's membership documents, recent dues history, the HOA and any CDD budgets, rental and architectural rules, and, for condos, recent inspection and reserve reports. See our buyer's checklist for the questions to ask.
Trust the feeling, then verify
The right community usually feels right quickly: the people, the pace and the setting. Once it does, let the documents confirm it. Then you can buy with confidence, knowing both the lifestyle and the numbers.
