Alright let’s peel back the curtain on this Jeffersonville Elks Club golf thing. Been seeing chatter about it for ages, and honestly, I was curious enough to dive in headfirst last season. Wanna know if it’s worth those membership dollars? Let me tell you how I found out.
First thing Tuesday morning, I grabbed my usual coffee – extra strong, black – and just drove out there. Didn’t call ahead or nothing. Figured a surprise visit showed the real deal. Place was easier to find than I thought, tucked back off the main road but decent signage. Pulled up to the pro shop, walked right in. Gotta say, the guy behind the counter – Chuck, I think? – was friendly off the bat. No stuffy “you need an appointment” vibe, which was a nice change.
Told him straight up I was seriously looking at joining, but needed the full picture before coughing up any dough. No sales pitch fluff. Chuck didn’t blink. “Fair enough,” he says. “Wanna just walk it? See the place?” Heck yeah. No pressure, no escort, he just pointed out the door to the first tee. Took my time.
What I Actually Noticed Walking The Grounds:
- The Greens & Fairways: Okay, let’s be real. It ain’t Pebble Beach. But for our area? Damn solid. Way better kept than that public course by the highway. Greens rolled smooth, fairways weren’t patchy disasters. Looked like someone actually cared out there.
- That Clubhouse Vibe: Walked back through after wandering the back nine. Place felt… lived-in? Comfortable. Older crowd mostly, but saw a couple folks my age too. Smelled like burgers and fries – actually smelled good. Definitely a step above grabbing a dog at the turn elsewhere.
- The Elks Thing: Honestly, I kinda wondered what this part meant. Chuck explained it simply: the course is owned/run by the Elks Lodge. So yeah, some lodge members are around, maybe a function now and then, but it feels like a proper golf club first.
Fast forward a week. I bit the bullet. Signing up wasn’t some grand event. Filled out the forms – standard stuff – wrote the dang check (that price tag still slapped me in the face), and got my keycard thing. Felt a bit surreal handing over that much cash upfront.
The Real Membership Perks Kicked In Fast:
Unlimited Play? Yep. Seriously. That first week I played five times. Because why the heck not? Felt like getting my money back fast. Just walking up whenever suited me? Revolutionary after always booking tee times weeks out elsewhere.
Practice Spots: Decent driving range. Big putting green near the first tee. Small chipping area with sand trap. Nothing fancy, but everything worked. Could just show up and hit balls for an hour. Became my afternoon escape.
The People Factor: This surprised me. After a few solo rounds, guys started recognizing me. “Play along?” they’d ask. Ended up meeting regulars – Dave, Steve, Pat – good guys. Not club pros, just folks who loved the game. Suddenly I wasn’t just paying for grass, I kinda had a golf home. Even started joining their little weekend skins games.
But let’s talk the ugly too. The upfront cost? Still hurts. It’s an investment, plain and simple. Took me months of playing constantly to feel like the math worked. And that clubhouse? It’s dated. Not gonna win any design awards. Food’s good, but basic. And yeah, it’s mostly retirees most weekdays. Weekends get more mixed. If you need luxury marble bathrooms and gourmet dining every round… maybe look elsewhere.
Worth it for me? Absolutely. Found myself out there 4-5 times a week easy. The freedom to just go, no planning? Huge. The course quality for the price? Solid. Made actual golf buddies? Bonus. The Elks part just meant a relaxed, down-to-earth atmosphere.
Bottom line? Don’t expect country club glitz. It’s a golf membership first, run practically. If you play a lot, value ease and access over fancy frills, and dig a genuinely friendly, no-BS vibe… then yeah, punching that membership ticket might just be your best swing of the year. But weigh that cash against how often you’ll actually tee it up. Go walk it yourself – maybe find Chuck. See if it clicks for you like it did for me. Hope this ramble helps!
