One of our main passions is to find our readers ways to get access to private clubs they might otherwise miss out on playing.
(In this case, those clubs include four that currently host PGA Tour events.)
That's why what I'm about to show you is one of the cleverest such items we've ever uncovered.
I call it "clever" because it relates to something you almost definitely already have:
A credit card.
That's right - in this age of credit card companies racing to offer current and potential customers the best benefits, we've found what has to be the best one for traveling golfers.
It's the World MasterCard™, and it gives you access to the entire slate of private clubs in the TPC network.
The rest of us already are able to play the public TPC golf courses, highlighted by the likes of TPC Sawgrass, TPC Scottsdale and TPC Louisiana, which host Tour events in their own right.
But the majority of TPC facilities are private, and normally only open to full members there or at another private course in the network...
...and World and World Elite MasterCard™ holders.
The World and World Elite are popular among MasterCard's lineup, and so they are available in a number of fee/interest configurations - no annual fee and a higher interest rate, or a lower interest rate that comes with an annual fee.
Whatever the configuration, though, the card's Private Club Access feature allows cardholders to play each private TPC course once per calendar year and unlocks a number of private TPC golf perks. These include convenient tee time booking capabilities and the sort of treatment generally only reserved for full members: a dedicated locker for each visit, a "welcome gift" (e.g. a name-etched bag tag) and bar and dining privileges at each course, as well as the ability to book well in advance of play.
If you are interested in confirming your eligibility or want to check on rates and availability, call the MasterCard concierge at 888-963-7017. Qualifying cardholders may play each participating course once a year and can bring up to three guests (all charges must go on the approved card). In most instances, the Private Club Access rate is markedly less than the standard green fee.
In addition, Private Club Access may provide savings when playing a public TPC course or when staying at a resort with a tie-in to a TPC club. At Harding Park, which will host the 2015 Match Play Championship, the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2025 President's Cup, the rate for elite MasterCard holders is $129 Monday through Thursday and $146 on weekends, compared to the $155 weekday and $175 weekend public green fee.
Guests of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort TPC can play either the Dye or Norman courses at the on-site TPC San Antonio on an à la carte basis for $199 or $259 depending on the season, whereas the MasterCard rates top out at $156 during peak months and drop to $119 in shoulder season-and you don't even need to stay at the resort.
During peak season at The Greenbrier, the MasterCard rate for TPC Old White (where Angel Cabrera won the 2014 Greenbrier Classic) is $257, whereas resort guests and public players pay $325 and $375, respectively. If you want to try the Old White in shoulder season, MasterCard can set you up for as little as $87 a round, whereas registered guests and the general public are on the hook for $195 and $245, respectively. Just remember that to secure these special rates you must call the program concierge. Note also that booking windows typically range from 14 to 30 days.
Have you played any of the private courses of the TPC Network? The public-accessible ones? Let us know your opinions of any and all of them in the comments below!
Striker--
The TPC Old White at The Greenbrier is actually a C.B. Macdonald/Seth Raynor design that Lester George restored a few years ago. I went to college about an hour away and got to play it once on an absolutely spectacular fall day (after renovation, but before it became a TPC course) and was a big fan.
Cheers.
--Tim
The Greenbrier is an old Tillinghaus (sp?) design which was later bought by the TPC. There are a few gems in the TPC family that would definately make it worth the effort to play them. Even with the MasterCard rates it is still a little steep for a weekend trip.
My life is to play golf,almost every day. I already play The Quarry, Old Cork Screw, Grandezza, Olde Cypress, Tiburón, Twin Eagles,TPC Treviso Bay,Bear Lakes,The Strand, Naples Beach Hotel, TPC Sawgrass, Quail Village,Royal Wood,Naples Heritage, Stonebridge,Foxfire,Kensington and more.I already play in Punta Cana (Punta Spada, Corales, Teeth of the Dog and Fore Dye).In Spain:Cabanillas, Real Sociedad Hipica Espanhola Club de Campo, Olivar de la Hinojosa, and much more.In Dubai I´ve played in ALL Courses and in Abu Dahbi (Abu Dahbi Golf Course).In Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina,Brasil...I loved all the courses.And in New York, I already play in Saint Andrew´s, THE OLDEST COURSE IN THE UNITED STATES (1888).
I've played TPC Sugarloaf in Atlanta, GA and it is the best private TPC I've played. Gorgeous layout and a great golf challenge. Super service and easy to get to. This course used to be on the PGA tour as the BellSouth Classic, then later the AT&T Classic. Now it holds the Greater Gwinnett Championship the week after the Masters. A must play.
Also played TPC Boston, which hold the Deutche Bank. Probably the 2nd best private TPC. Also played TPC Craigs Ranch in Dallas, TPC Champions in Scottsdale, TPC Stadium in Palm Springs, TPC Harding Park, TPC Canyons Las Vegas and looking forward to playing TPC Sawgrass this May!
I've played TPC Sugarloaf, Atlanta, GA, a beautiful course, great layout and the service was second to none; this is a private TPC which hosts the Champions Tour in the Greater Gwinnett Championship. I've also Played TPC Sawgrass, numerous times, TPC Myrtle Beach, TPC Las Vegas, TPC Scottsdale, TPC San Antonio. In May is TPC Blue Monster, Trump National Doral Miami.
I've played TPC Stonebrae in Hayward, California which hosts a Web.com tour event. It sits 1400 feet above the SF Bay with great views of the city and bay. The course features a tough links style layout with big elevation changes. It is very challenging and enjoyable. It is private and I don't believe Mastercard has access.
I have played Sawgrass, Tampa Bay, Prestancia, Treviso Bay, Heron Bay, Myrtle Beach, Scottsdale, Las Colinas, San Antonio, and Las Vegas! While most of these have been very worthy of the name, a few have fallen short of expectations for one or two reasons: course conditions or lack of service.
I have played Prestancia twice & found it to be not worthy of the name sake. At Sawgrass, it is always cart path only and this is a very easy course to walk. Also the fore caddy is optional, although they are not very forthcoming with that knowledge. The rest of the courses mentioned lived up to the "hype" and should be played if possible. My favorite courses were Sawgrass & Treviso Bay.
I hope these comments were helpful