Top Ten Questions Asked About Singles Golf

10. What happens if I get married?

It’s congratulations, farewell and move on! We’re a singles club. Not that we have anything against married people, in fact that’s a goal for a lot of our members. But we preserve our uniqueness by keeping it a singles club. Each chapters’ bylaws will offer more details about this policy.

9. Do you have to be a good golfer?

No, but it helps. Our average handicap is 25 nationally. So for every 15 handicapper, there’s a 35 out there, and for every 5 handicapper, there’s a 45. We encourage beginners to join because we want your dues and learning through a friend is not as intimidating. We want members to become good golfers because it is a "game for life." Chapters are not allowed to select only low handicap golfers to join.

8. I’m divorced. Am I allowed to join?

Absolutely. Single, by our definition, is anyone who has never married OR is legally separated OR is divorced OR widowed.

7. How often do you play golf?

Each chapter plays as often as it wishes. Most chapters, when the weather cooperates, have official chapter outings as often as each weekend! And once members come to know each other, they’ll put together impromptu golf outings of smaller groups.

6. Where do you play?

Golf courses. All chapters use a number of local courses, including municipal, private and semi-private clubs. The national organization and local chapters sponsor many multi-chapter weekend golf trips throughout the year.  Some chapters have a "home course," where members receive a regular discount for individual/group play.

5. Is there anybody my age in the chapter?

Maybe. Come to a monthly meeting and see for yourself. All chapters have a variety of ages, however, nationally, it is estimated that 75 percent of our membership is between 55 and 65. When younger people join, it causes other young people to join so it’s important to have a chapter with all ages involved.

4. How much does it cost and what do I get for my dues?

Dues are set by the national organization.  National dues are paid annually at the cost of $99 per year, or pay for two years at $198 and receive an ASGA-logo'd golf shirt.  You receive a monthly newsletter (or e-newsletter) of all of your chapter’s activities, a membership kit upon joining and an opportunity to play in ASGA’s multi-chapter golf events throughout the year. Your dues support the national organization, which has expenses like any other business, e.g. personnel, office rental, computer and copier leases, etc. Expenses at the local level should be kept at a minimum and each event, whether it is a golf outing, social, Christmas party, etc. should be paid by the participants of each event.

3. Do you provide golf lessons for the members?

No. Some medium and large chapters have one or two members who join the chapter and also instruct at a local golf course or driving range. These individuals may provide group instruction and clinics at a nominal rate. It is not uncommon for the chapter to offer clinics at local driving ranges. All it takes is for one individual to contact the range, seek a qualified instructor and establish a group rate or discount.

2. What do you do at your membership meetings?

We generally drink and socialize for the first hour, then the meeting is called to order. A typical scenario is for the social hour to last from 6:00 - 7:00 pm, then a meeting is called to order. Everyone takes their place, some chapters have dinner, some simply have hors d’oeuvres. Every other month, or so, you may want to bring in a guest speaker. But at every meeting, announcements of upcoming events must be made and sign-up sheets of these events should be passed around. Each of the committee heads should briefly discuss what is going on in their area. All business should be transacted at the Board of Director’s meeting, which may occur on a different evening than your membership meeting, or may occur before or after your membership meeting.

And the Number One Question is . . . What's the ratio of men to women?

Although we don't usually keep statistics on individual chapters, we're practically split right down the middle nationwide, with 52 women for every 48 men!