Golf Membership Question

[We Love Tinkerbell]

I have done some research on the cost for golf at WDW using the DVC golf membership vs the annual passholder discount (30% off day visitor rate). However, I have a few questions.

1. Does the AP discount apply to Oak Trails?
2. Can the DVC discount only be used after 10:00 am at all courses except Oak Trails?
3. Has anyone done an analysis of the savings between the two discounts.

I realize the DVC pass costs $50 and at this point, I am not sure it is worth it. My DH and DD plan to golf but DD is still only at the Oak Trails level. Also, my DH prefers to golf early in the morning and I think the DVC discount only applies after 10:00 am. I think the value of the DVC membership is greater if you plan to play the more expensive courses a lot. I would guess DH would only use it to golf about 5 times and 2 times would be Oak Trail.

Any helpful suggestions? Thanks

 

[Simba's Mom]

I do know for sure that the DVC golf membership discount only applies after 10:00. And like your DH, mine prefers to golf in the early morning. And there are benefits to that-one day last week, DH and DS were the first ones off at EP, 7:30, so they got to select the pin placement on the 18th hole. Lovely little sign, picture, great experience. I don't know about Oak Trail, since he hasn't played there in many years. Because of the time factor, he always uses the AP discount, and feels it's either just as cheap or close enough to not make teeing off after 10:00am worthwhile.

 

[drusba]

Not sure about AP and Oak Trail. However, as to Oak Trail, DVC recently added that 9-hole course to its discount program. With the DVC Golf Member card, you can play it for $20 a round anytime of day (the 10 a.m. rule does not apply to it). At all others you get the discount only for rounds after 10.

The obvious difference between AP and DVC is that you can use the 30% AP discount at the main courses before 10 am. Otherwise, it is somewhat pointless to compare them because it is better to use the DVC discount after 10 unless you are not going to play enough in a year's time to make up for the cost of the DVC golf card, i.e., if you play only one round a year, then buying the golf card makes little sense.

 

[lsutigger2]

Another thing to consider is that the membership is good for one year, so if you are planning return trips to WDW, it may make it more worthwhile.

More golf playing time is how I get my DH to make more than one trip a year to WDW.

Although we have planned a short (three full days) trip for August and he - at least as of now - has decided to leave his golf clubs at home !

 

[bmalonef45]

Haven't done a complete cost analysis but this is how we did it.

We played in mid Jan. MLK weekend. Just a buddy and me. He agreed to pay half the membership 25.00 each. We played The Magnolia, Lake Buena Vista, and Osp. Ridge. The green fees ranged from 89.00 to 155.00 pp. So we easily made up the savings on the first round. We won't be back this year to play again but I will buy the membership again. It pays for itself quickly. If you play in the winter its not super hot so playing late isn't that bad. I don't know how bad it would be in the summer but it also includes a cart and there is plenty of beverages served on course to keep you cool. Might be a little much for some though. That humidity is pretty bad.

The nice thing about Disney is if you are staying on property they will call you a cab to take you to the course free of charge. They will also store your clubs and take them to the next course if you are playing more than one time. They even clean your clubs. You also get a cool Disney bag tag when you do this.

As you can tell, I'm a fan. Hopefully next time I will play halfway decent. We did meet some really nice people each day.

 

[We Love Tinkerbell]

Thank you for all your help. I think I will leave this decision to my DH. I wasn't aware that they clean your clubs. Do they do this for free or only if you have the DVC golf membership. I know my DD would love a Disney bag tag.

 

[jimmacmn]

Imy DH prefers to golf early in the morning and I think the DVC discount only applies after 10:00 am. I think the value of the DVC membership is greater if you plan to play the more expensive courses a lot. I would guess DH would only use it to golf about 5 times and 2 times would be Oak Trail.

The DVC discount only applies after 10 so if he prefers to play early the AP is the route to go. We almost always use the DVC membership because DW doesn't like early morning golf. We also usually travel with other golfers when we go to WDW and the DVC membership usually pays for itself the first round when you have 4 players per round getting the discount.

One other thing to consider with DD is to take her to one of the "BIG" courses on one day. It just might be a thrill for her. If you do, make sure that DH allows her to pick up a lot and just play when and where she wants. As long as they keep pace they will be OK especially after 10AM. The WDW courses are beautiful and I think she would enjoy them.

 

[goalie5hole]

Haven't done a complete cost analysis but this is how we did it.

We played in mid Jan. MLK weekend. Just a buddy and me. He agreed to pay half the membership 25.00 each. We played The Magnolia, Lake Buena Vista, and Osp. Ridge. The green fees ranged from 89.00 to 155.00 pp. So we easily made up the savings on the first round. We won't be back this year to play again but I will buy the membership again. It pays for itself quickly. If you play in the winter its not super hot so playing late isn't that bad. I don't know how bad it would be in the summer but it also includes a cart and there is plenty of beverages served on course to keep you cool. Might be a little much for some though. That humidity is pretty bad.

The nice thing about Disney is if you are staying on property they will call you a cab to take you to the course free of charge. They will also store your clubs and take them to the next course if you are playing more than one time. They even clean your clubs. You also get a cool Disney bag tag when you do this.

As you can tell, I'm a fan. Hopefully next time I will play halfway decent. We did meet some really nice people each day.

You do meet alot of nice people. On a recent trip all 4 golfers in my group were from Ma, none of us knew each other. What are the odds.