The Unique Charm of Private Clubs

You arise, and notice the slight change in hue of the rays of sun peeking through your window. It’s beginning to rise a little later than normal. The air feels crisp, carrying the quiet promise of a new day. You slip on your shoes, grab your putter, and head to the practice green. The world’s still half-asleep, but the dew-kissed grass underfoot feels alive, each blade catching the dawn’s glow.

The putter’s weight is familiar, and you roll a few putts, each ball leaving a line in the dew. Each stroke is deliberate, the soft melody of ball meeting cup cutting through the stillness. This ritual grounds you, a moment of serene focus and flow before the day’s demands encroach upon your thoughts.

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My favorite part of playing a new golf course is the drive up to the clubhouse. Peeking through the trees, I try to catch a glimpse of the holes and pin locations that await. More than that, I soak in the unique ambiance of the club. What does it feel like to be here? What thoughts stir as I roll down the drive? I want to play well and savor the walk, but I also seek to understand the club’s core values.

No two drives into a private club are alike; each course radiates its own aura. Some greet you with grand gates and bold branding, proclaiming a flashy, extravagant vibe. Others offer a gentle handshake in the form of a long, winding, unmarked road. The drive often hints at what the club stands for, setting expectations for the experience ahead.

As I navigate the approach, I eagerly search for the clubhouse. Sometimes it stands proud and tall from the start; other times, it stays hidden, building suspense with every passing second. When I step out of the car, I want to feel its character and see what it sees. The best clubhouses are old, exuding wisdom as they stand resolute over the sprawling fairways. Walking toward one feels like entering a church or place of prayer. Standing where thousands (perhaps hundreds of thousands) have stood before is powerful, almost intoxicating.

Those first moments, from the drive to the walk from car to locker room, set the tone for the day. Whether you’re a member or a guest, it doesn’t matter. Historic clubs radiate an unmatched aura, filling each step with awe and anticipation for the golf and camaraderie to come.

If you’ve played a course with a memorable driveway or iconic clubhouse, consider yourself fortunate; I hope you savored it. If you haven’t yet, let this be a glimpse of what awaits and a nudge to prepare for the day you do.

A sure sign of an elite scratch or + handicap player? Consistency and touch on lag putts.

I love listening to Brad Faxon discuss putting, so here is a short video of him (dressed to the nines, we need to bring back icons in a big way) talking through lag putts. Regardless of skill level, we can all learn something from Brad.

So you’ve been invited to a private club…

My advice this week is to not be the loudest person having lunch or dinner (member or guest), and if you do decide to drink, let’s keep it to 1-2. You never want to be the drunkest guy there. Private clubs are quiet places for conversation and reflection, not loud drunken boisterous gossip.

Talk soon,

BTG

Email me: [email protected]

Each Saturday, we go deep — with a satirical essay covering behind the scenes nonsense at elite private clubs.

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Talk soon,

BTG