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.

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.

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."

If you thought your golf club membership was just for golf leagues or dinner with the family, think again. Your golf club membership can be an asset to your business, too. Need to strike a deal with a prospective client? Invite them to play a round of golf. Want to host a monthly off-site meeting with colleagues?  Reserve an event space at your golf club.

Here are five ways to use your golf club membership for business.

When John and Terri Shuman moved back to Minnesota, they knew they wanted a family membership at North Oaks Golf Club. I guess you could say it runs in the family.

"Terri grew up here," John says. "Her parents were social members. We just knew we were always going to do it."

And they knew they wanted to live in the community, as well. "There are no street lights or sidewalks," he says. "We have lakes and trails. It makes it such a peaceful and tranquil place to live. It's close to downtown, and there are homes in all price points. You're able to work in the city, but you're able to escape that and live in the middle of the woods."

If you happened to see two young boys hitting golf balls at the driving range or practicing at the putting green this summer at North Oaks Golf Club, chances are it was 12-year-old Christian Goralski and his 10-year-old brother Ryan. "It's just kind of fun to bike up there," Ryan says. "We don't live far from the course. And it's easier than waiting for my parents to get home."

How much time did they spend at the course? The boys played in the junior league on Wednesdays, received lessons on Fridays, hit the course a couple times with their parents or friends on the weekends, and biked to the course to practice other nights of the week, too.

It may seem like a lot, but for two boys who have been golfing since they were toddlers, it's a whole lot of fun. The Goralski family is one of many that take full advantage of our golf membership for every member of the family. Here's their story.