A Guide to Being a Great Member

Connecting with Other Members

Think of a connection request the way you'd think of introducing yourself on the first tee. A little context goes a long way. When you reach out to someone you don't know personally, take a moment to say who you are, where you play, and why you're reaching out. It doesn't need to be long — a sentence or two is plenty. It makes the connection feel like a genuine introduction rather than a cold tap on the shoulder.

The members you'll get the most out of connecting with are the ones who share something meaningful with you — a region, a type of course you love, a similar game, or a mutual connection who can make the introduction. Build your network with intention and it will give back to you in kind.

When someone reaches out to you, extend the same good faith you'd want extended to yourself. Not every connection will lead somewhere, and that's fine. But a warm, brief response — even a polite pass — keeps the community feeling like a community.

Messaging

Good messaging in The Clubhouse looks a lot like good conversation anywhere: it's clear, it's considerate of the other person's time, and it has a point. Whether you're arranging a round, asking about a course, or following up after a game, say what you mean and be specific about what you're looking for.

If you're reaching out to someone you haven't played with before, lead with something genuine. A shared course you've both rated, a club you've been curious about, a mutual connection — these are the kinds of threads that turn a message into a real conversation. The platform gives you context about the people you're talking to. Use it.

And follow through. If someone takes the time to respond to you, respond back. A conversation that trails off without resolution leaves a bad impression, even unintentionally. The Clubhouse runs on reciprocity — not just on the course, but in how we treat each other's time.

Participating in the Community

The Clubhouse is at its best when members are genuinely sharing — honest course ratings, real impressions of places they've played, recommendations worth following. The more you contribute, the more useful the community becomes for everyone, including you.

Share what you actually think. A thoughtful, honest rating of a course you've played — even a critical one — is infinitely more valuable to the community than a generic five stars. Use the tagging system. Leave notes. The more specific you are, the more someone else benefits when they're planning their next round.

When you engage with what others have posted — a rating, a recommendation, a question — bring the same energy you'd bring to a good conversation in the locker room. Disagree if you disagree. Add context if you have it. Be the kind of voice in the room that makes the conversation better. Honest opinions, generously shared. That's what makes a network worth being part of.

Business Networking

Golf has always been a place where real relationships are built and real business gets done. That's part of what The Clubhouse is for, and we embrace it. If you've built a connection with someone through the platform and a professional conversation develops naturally from that — great. That's the network working as it should.

The key word is naturally. The Clubhouse is a golf community first. The relationships that lead somewhere professionally are almost always the ones that started with a genuine shared interest in the game. Come in as a golfer. Let the rest follow from there.

Keep the focus on connection over transaction. Members who are generous with their knowledge — about courses, clubs, golf in general — tend to be the most valued members of the network over time. That generosity is its own return.

Reciprocal Rounds

Reciprocal golf is one of the great traditions of the private club world, and The Clubhouse exists in part to make it easier to arrange. When a member extends an invitation to play their club, it's a meaningful gesture. Here's how to make the most of it — and how to be the kind of guest who gets invited back.

Arranging the round

When reaching out about a reciprocal round, be specific and be considerate. Have a date range in mind. Know roughly what you're asking for — a twosome, a foursome, a weekend morning or a weekday afternoon. The more clearly you communicate what you're looking for, the easier it is for your host to say yes and make it happen.

Confirm details clearly before the day — tee time, where to meet, how many are in your group, and anything your host needs from you in advance. Clubs have their own guest policies and your host is navigating those on your behalf. Make it easy for them.

On the day

Arrive early. Dress appropriately for the club — if you're unsure, ask your host in advance. Introduce yourself to the staff warmly. You're a guest of a member, which means you're a guest of the club, and the way you carry yourself reflects on the person who brought you.

Play ready golf, keep pace, and take care of the course. Repair your divots and ball marks. Rake the bunkers. These are the basics of being a good golfer anywhere — they matter more as a guest.

The cost of the round

As a general standard in The Clubhouse, guests are expected to cover the cost of their own round — greens fees, cart fees, any applicable guest charges. Your host is giving you access to something that has real value. Covering your costs is the baseline; picking up a round of drinks at the turn or after is the kind of gesture that turns a good day into a great one.

Bring cash. Many private clubs still handle guest charges in ways that make splitting easy with cash, and it saves your host from having to navigate the details on your behalf. If you're ever unsure about what to expect cost-wise, just ask your host directly before the day. A straightforward question is far better than an awkward moment at the bag drop.

After the round

Thank your host genuinely — in person, and again afterward. A short message the next day goes a long way. Rate the course on your Scorecard. If the round was exceptional, say so in your review. Your host's club will appreciate that their course is being recognized, and it contributes to the community database that makes STIMP valuable for everyone.

The best reciprocal relationships are the ones that go both ways over time. If you have access to a club worth sharing, extend the invitation back. The network grows stronger every time generosity moves in both directions.

Contributing Data to The Index

The Index is only as good as the data behind it, and that data comes from members like you. When you contribute your home club's fee information, you're doing something genuinely useful for every golfer in the network who is evaluating their options — and you're upholding the standard that makes The Index worth trusting.

Submit what you know to be accurate. Use your most recent membership statement or renewal notice as your source. If a figure has changed since your last renewal and you're not certain of the current number, note that uncertainty rather than guessing. An honest “I'm not certain of the current figure” is more valuable than a number that might be wrong.

All contributions are reviewed before they appear in the database. That review process exists not to second-guess you, but to catch honest errors and maintain the accuracy that makes the database credible. Think of it as the same standard you'd want applied to the data you're relying on when you're the one doing the research.

If your club's fees change — at renewal, after a capital assessment, or any other time — updating your contribution is one of the most valuable things you can do for the community. Fresh data is good data.