Private Golf Club Guest Policies: Arizona

Looking to tee off at an Arizona private golf club as a guest? Here's what you need to know:

• Member must be present: You can't just show up solo.
• Limited visits: Most clubs cap guest rounds, especially during peak season.
• Dress code: Collared shirts and proper golf attire required.
• Seasonal changes: Rules often loosen in summer.
• Check-in process: Stop by the Golf Shop first, don't change in the parking lot.
• Fees: Expect to pay, rates vary by club and season.

Key guest rules at popular Arizona clubs:

Guest Access Basics

Private golf clubs in Arizona aren't just open to anyone with a set of clubs. These exclusive spots have rules to keep things top-notch for members while still letting them bring along friends and family.

Member Must Be Present

Here's the deal: Members have to be with their guests. It's not optional - it's a must. Take ClubLink facilities, for example. Guests can't just show up solo unless they've made special arrangements beforehand. This way, members are on the hook for their guests' behavior and any bills they rack up.

Guest Visit Limits

Private clubs want to stay, well, private. So they put a cap on how often guests can swing by. Here's the scoop:

• Many clubs only let non-family guests play five rounds during the busy season.
• Some places, like ClubLink clubs, say the same guest can only play twice a month.
• Out-of-towners get a bit more leeway. At ClubLink, they can play as much as they want for two weeks, once a season. They just have to pay the guest fee.

Booking Tee Times

Want to bring a guest? Better plan ahead. Most clubs need you to book in advance:

• ClubLink members can book up to five days ahead, if there's space.
• Usually, you can bring up to three guests, except during super busy times.

Heads up: When it's peak season, some clubs might say you need one home club member for every non-home club member to get a tee time.

High Season Rules

Arizona golf gets hot - in more ways than one - at certain times of the year. Guest rules often get stricter:

• Lots of clubs have different rules for busy season and slow season.
• Some places let family guests play as much as they want in the off-season (like April 1-May 15 and October 1-31). They just pay for greens and carts.
• When it's busy, expect fewer guests allowed and maybe higher fees.

A rep from Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club puts it this way:

"We strive to balance member exclusivity with guest hospitality. During our peak season from November to April, guest access is more limited to ensure our members have priority. However, we open up more opportunities for guests during our quieter months."

Guest Check-in Steps

Teeing off at an Arizona private golf club as a guest? Here's what you need to know about the check-in process.

Arrival Process

Pull up to the Clubhouse entrance and head to the Valet area. Drop your golf bag there, then make your way to the Golf Shop to check in.

At the Golf Shop, tell the staff you've arrived and your bag is with the Valet. They'll handle it from there.

"We want our guests to feel at home, but changing clothes or shoes in the parking lot doesn't align with the club's atmosphere. Our locker room staff is happy to set you up with a complimentary locker for the day."

So, no changing in the parking lot. Use the locker rooms instead.

ID and Paperwork

Be ready to show ID at the Golf Shop counter. Most clubs need a valid government-issued ID to verify your identity.

Some clubs might ask for proof of your relationship to the member who invited you. Family guests might need to show documentation.

Guest Fees

Guest fees vary by club and season. Here's an example from a top Arizona club for 2024:

• Guests Playing with a Member: $130
• Family Guest (Immediate Family): $89
• Twilight (After 2:00PM): $99
• Family Guest Twilight (After 2:00PM): $79

Pay these fees upfront at check-in. Most clubs take credit cards, but it's smart to check beforehand.

Pro tip: Ask about the guest policy if you plan to visit often. Many clubs offer a "Guest of Member Rate" for your first five visits per season. After that, you might pay a higher "rack rate."

Legal Forms

You'll likely need to sign some paperwork, including a liability waiver. It's standard practice, covering:

• "Release and Waiver of Liability"
• "Assumption of Risk" agreement
• Consent for medical treatment if needed
• Agreement to be financially responsible for any damages

Take a moment to read through these forms. They protect both you and the club.

After completing these steps, you're good to go! Staff will point you to the locker rooms to change and prep for your round. If you're unsure about the dress code, now's the time to ask.

Club Rules and Behavior

Private golf clubs in Arizona take their etiquette seriously. Here's what you need to know to fit in and have a great time.

Clubhouse Dress Code

The clubhouse is your home base for the day. Dress the part:

• Men: Wear collared shirts (tucked in) with slacks or Bermuda shorts. No cargo shorts.
• Women: Go for shorts, skorts, or skirts of appropriate length. Slacks and golf-fashion tops work too.

Clean denim is usually okay in the clubhouse. As John Doe from Phoenix Country Club puts it:

"We allow well-maintained denim in the clubhouse, but it's never permitted on the golf course or practice facility. This balance respects our traditions while providing comfort for our members and guests in social settings."

Golf Course Dress Code

On the course, things get stricter:

• Men: Collared shirts or golf mocks (tucked in), with Bermuda shorts or slacks.
• Women: Golf-appropriate shorts, skorts, or skirts with fashionable golf tops.

No denim, t-shirts, gym shorts, or tank tops on the course or practice areas. Period.

Phone Rules

Most clubs follow a "seen but not heard" policy for phones:

• Keep it on silent or vibrate.
• No voice calls in common areas. Need to talk? Find a private spot.
• Texting and email are usually fine, but be discreet.

Best Scottsdale Country Club doesn't mince words:

"Cellular telephone use in voice mode is prohibited within the Club Facilities and cell phones must be in the 'off' or 'silent' mode at all times while in or on Club Facilities."

Expected Behavior

Arizona's private golf clubs set the bar high for conduct:

• Treat the club's property like it's your own (or better).
• Be nice to everyone - staff, members, and other guests.
• Follow the rules, especially on the course.
• Keep your voice down, particularly in dining areas.

TPC Jasna Polana puts it bluntly:

"Any Member or guest not dressed appropriately may be asked to refrain from playing or using the Club facilities."

sbb-itb-8228eff

Using Club Areas

As a guest at an Arizona private golf club, you'll have access to different areas. Each space has its own rules. Here's what you need to know:

Golf Course Rules

The golf course is the main event, but it's not a free-for-all:

• At The Estancia Club, finish an 18-hole round in four hours or less.
• Dress code: Men wear collared shirts tucked in with slacks or Bermuda shorts. Women choose golf slacks, shorts, or skirts with golf-style tops.
• Wear proper golf shoes, but skip the metal spikes - most clubs don't allow them.

"It is expected that Members and their guests will choose to dress in a fashion befitting the surroundings and atmosphere provided in the Club." - Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club Management

Practice Area Rules

Want to warm up? Here's the deal:

At The Raven Golf Club Phoenix, hit balls from sunrise until 30 minutes before sunset. But watch out:

• Tuesdays: Range closes three hours early
• Wednesdays: First 90 minutes are wedges only

Many clubs have big putting greens. Sterling Grove's green matches the course's USGA specs.

Some clubs charge extra for practice areas. At Sterling Grove, residents pay $15 for up to four hours, non-residents pay $25.

Dining Areas

After your round, you might want to eat:

• Clubhouse dress codes are often more relaxed. Many Arizona clubs allow clean denim in the clubhouse, but never on the course.
• Keep your phone on silent and step outside for calls. Forest Creek Golf Club bans cell phone use in public Clubhouse areas.
• Clubs often have different dining spaces. Forest Creek has a Main Dining Room for big events, plus cozy spots like a library and outdoor patio.

Locker Rooms

Locker rooms are your home base:

• Expect nice amenities. The Estancia Club gives guests private lockers for their stuff.
• Always change in the locker room, not the parking lot. Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club offers free lockers for the day.
• Keep it quiet and respect privacy. Many clubs, like Forest Creek, don't allow cell phones in locker rooms.

Extra Guest Rules

Private golf clubs in Arizona have some extra rules for guests. Let's break them down:

Club Events

Clubs often let guests join special events, but there's a catch. At Desert Mountain, tournament rounds don't count towards your monthly guest limit. Nice, right?

The Arizona Golf Association (AGA) has its own approach:

"By submitting an entry for an AGA event, a player accepts responsibility for knowing and understanding the Policies & Procedures of the AGA and agrees to abide by them."

Translation: Do your homework before joining a tournament.

Holiday Rules

Holidays can be tricky. Take White Mountain Country Club. During Memorial Weekend, July 3rd-5th, and Labor Day Weekend, guests need a member babysitter. Some clubs might even say "no guests allowed" during these busy times.

Time of Year Changes

Arizona's golf scene is like a chameleon - it changes with the seasons. Check out Desert Mountain:

• High Season (September - May):
  • Bring guests from 8-9 am or after 10 am
  • 9-10 am? Members only, folks
• Summer (June-August):
  • It's a free-for-all. No guest restrictions

Local Club Customs

Arizona clubs love their quirks:

• The Estancia Club says no tipping. Instead, they've got a Holiday Fund for staff. Classy move.
• Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club allows denim, but:

"Club Management reserves the right to determine if attire is appropriate in any given situation."

In other words: Don't push your luck with those ripped jeans.

Club Policy Chart

Here's a quick look at guest policies for some big Arizona clubs:

Summary

Playing at Arizona's private golf clubs as a guest? Here's what you need to know:

Member Must Tag Along: Most clubs want members to join their guests. It's about keeping things exclusive while letting members show off their club.

Limited Visits: Clubs often cap how often you can visit. At White Mountain Country Club, non-family guests get five rounds during peak season, but can play as much as they want off-season (with a member, of course).

Dress to Impress: Don't show up in your beach shorts. Phoenix Country Club insists on collared shirts and proper bottoms. Their Board of Directors puts it this way:

"It is the responsibility of every Member to abide by the Rules of the Club, to promote the well-being and success of the Club and to not bring dishonor or ill repute to the Club."

Seasonal Shifts: Rules can change with the seasons. Desert Mountain eases up on guest restrictions during the scorching summer months (June-August).

Check-in First: Guests usually need to stop by the Golf Shop when they arrive. And at Superstition Mountain, they're not fans of parking lot wardrobe changes:

"We ask our guests to avoid changing shoes or clothes in the parking lot."

Fees: Costs vary. White Mountain Country Club offers a $200 weekly Guest Card for family guests, which lets them bill directly and play as much as they want.

Related posts

• Best Golf Communities in Arizona
• Phoenix Golf Courses
• 10 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Private Golf Club
• Arizona Golf Club Membership: 2024 Guide