You typically hear about people joining a golf club because of the golf course. Some things they’ll say are they like the challenge of the course, perhaps the proximity of it to where they live, or maybe even the history and legacy of that course in the community. While these are all important aspects to take into consideration when looking for the right club (if you’re a golfer), there are plenty of other people who acquire a golf club membership for reasons beyond the course itself.

Deciding on the right golf membership can be a challenging process, especially if you throw a partner or children into the mix. But after making that decision, you have one more to consider— when do you want to join the club? Most people think peak season is the best time but what if we told you that fall, when peak season is coming to a close, is even better. Wondering why would someone join a golf club when the golf season is considered over? Good question. Read on and find out how beginning your membership in the fall will make you the early bird who caught the worm.

It wouldn't be surprising to see Greg and Erin Stalsberg teeing off on hole no. 7 at North Oaks Golf Club this summer after enjoying dinner with their three children — McKenna, 12, Brynn, 8, and Callan, 6. After all, the hole is across the street from their house.

Golfing became more of a family hobby for the Stalsbergs six ago, when they first joined North Oaks Golf Club. Now that they are members, it's become their neighborhood oasis for all sorts of family fun.

In our busy, hectic lives, family members can get scattered about on their way to the weekend. Work, school, and everything in between can make it difficult for families to find a lot of time together, much less even enjoy a family dinner. So, why not consider a golf membership at a club, where the whole family can meet and spend quality time together?

A social or golf membership at a country club is so much more than just a way to play some golf, particularly for a family. The right club will offer many amenities and activities, beyond golf, to interest the entire family. A club can become the venue a family counts on to bring everyone together.

You love golf and want to play more, so what’s keeping you from taking the plunge and joining a golf club? Maybe you’re concerned a golf club won’t have enough other things (outside of golf) for your family to do? Maybe you’re worried about the investment? Perhaps you’re worried about not being a good enough golfer or you simply think joining a club sounds too pretentious? 

Today golf clubs are a much different place than they were even 10 years ago. 

While golf remains a strong part of the club’s identity, it’s also a great place to meet new people, enjoy quality family time and be a part of a community where you belong in this increasingly superficial world.

Much like your first day at a new school, joining a new club can be a bit intimidating. Everyone walking the halls--or in this case, the greens--seems to already know one another and knows what's going on. But just like school, learning the ropes of a new club isn't nearly as intimidating as it seems. 

With plenty of social and golf groups to join, family activities to get involved in and lessons to help you improve your skills (not to mention the ability to play the course as much as you'd like) you'll get settled in in no time! Keep reading for a few tips to help make your adjustment go even more smoothly.

When it comes to investing in your family's future and well-being, certain decisions, like whether or not to start a college fund or to supplement your retirement account, are easy to make. But what about the decisions that can start benefiting your family today, rather than years down the line?

Many families find themselves considering making an investment in how they choose to spend their time together. Two popular options are to purchase a cabin getaway or join a country club. While both certainly have their pros, there are also plenty of cons that you need to be aware of to help you make an informed decision. Keep reading to learn what you can expect when you buy a cabin or join a country club, and why one might be the better choice for your family.

At North Oaks Golf Club it has been a year filled with opportunities to “Play with the Pros” at the club and at destination courses. In May, a group of members and professional golf staff made their way to Central Wisconsin for a leisure getaway to Sand Valley, named Best New Course in 2017 by Golf Digest.

North Oaks member Vid Kath explains, “as we’re driving through Wisconsin and about 10 miles away, I can’t believe there will be a golf complex because we’re in the middle of nowhere.” “Immediately upon getting to the peak of this property, our entire group was wowed by the views and vistas covered in natural sand,” says General Manager, Phil Anderson.

The architect of Mammoth Dunes, David McLay Kidd, was known for narrow and difficult courses.  His goal behind Sand Valley was different. This time his intent was to “remind people that golf could be fun again.” Phil Anderson couldn’t have agreed more, “we heard fairways were 100 yards wide and they truly were, what an enjoyable and playable golf course for all.”

If Marci Marrone has learned anything about golf this summer it's that a) you don't have to be a scratch golfer to enjoy yourself on the course, and b) all golf teachers are not created equal. In fact, that's the reason she's learned a lot about golf this summer!

After 24 years as a social member, Marci decided to give golf a try. And when Marci tries something, she really tries it, so she signed up for the two-month trial golf membership, attended a bunch of Ladies Clinics, and scheduled ten private lessons with Director of Instruction Grant Shafranski. 

"My friends all said, 'that's a lifetime of lessons,' but I really knew nothing about golf, and getting the trial membership inspired me to really try to do it right. Ten lessons taught me what I needed to know." 

She's also played about 15 times so far this summer, mostly with boyfriend Nick Alfano. And the results are both a happy golfer and a more engaged member.  

"I have really just enjoyed the whole thing," she says. "I spent more time in the club this year than I have in the past 24 years. 

When most people think about North Oaks Golf Club, the first thing that comes to mind is the golf. But Scott and Stephanie Paul have a different reaction. They think about all the great experiences their young children are having.

Frankly, they also think about the golf, but with three kids under 7, they were too busy to play much golf this summer, so they decided to start with a social membership. “We’ll probably look into a golf membership next year,” Stephanie explains, "but this was such a good decision for us and the boys and the whole family. All the activities have been wonderful for the kids, so it's just been great."

In fact, in their first half-year as members, the family has already discovered a number of must-do kids activities, turned the club into an extra place for family fun, and oldest son Archie even found the hidden prize at the club's annual winter medallion hunt – which he traded in for an epic Nerf Wars birthday party. "The boys just love it," Stephanie says, "and they haven't even gotten to go to the Halloween party or Christmas events yet."