Once upon a time Fred was a member of a golf club. He got all the benefits of membership, subsidised meals, cheap golf, discounts in the club shop, parking closer to the clubhouse and access to changing rooms etc. One year he thought, it’s costing me money every year to be a member, I think I’ll leave and save the membership money.
After he left he went to his old club for a game of golf. He had to park further away from the clubhouse, but that was no problem. He had to pay full non members rate for a round, and then only on days when he could get a day rate. He had to change in his car, but that wasn’t a great problem.
He wondered why members of the club were a bit sniffy to him, and why he had to drink alone in the guests lounge. They reminded him that he could only play at the club, as a non member a limited number of times a year. His former friends and fellow members talked about the things that we going ahead at the club - but reminded him that he couldn’t have a say at the AGM or benefit from them.
He had to pay full price in the golf pro’s shop, and if he could get access to the dining room he had to pay full price.
He tried another golf club, but they wouldn’t let him have a round as they only let members of the club, and other clubs in most days, but he could come back next Tuesday before 9 and have to be off the course before 12. And pay full rate for his golf.
So remember, being a member of something might cost money, but the benefits often outweigh the negatives.
