Golf Glossary
Golf membership and playing rights
In short
A golf membership is membership of a golf club or golf facility. Playing rights are the right to play a particular golf course and are usually part of that membership. A membership often involves an admission fee and an annual fee, while guests without playing rights pay a green fee for each round.
What do golf membership and playing rights mean?
In golf two closely linked terms are often mixed up by beginners: membership and playing rights.
Golf membership is belonging to a golf club or a golf facility. Members are registered there and, with a suitable membership, receive a DGV card. This is also how the handicap is managed.
Playing rights are the right to use the golf course. They govern when and how often you may play there without paying extra for each round. In a classic golf club the playing right comes with full membership. But there are also memberships with limited playing rights or none at all, for example some remote memberships. Incidentally, according to the DGV a DGV card is only available if there is a right to use the course for at least twelve months. So always check which rights are included in your membership.
The main types of membership at a glance
Germany has several forms, which are named differently from club to club. The most common are:
- Full membership: You play your home course as often as you like. According to golf market surveys it is the most popular form of membership.
- Second membership: You are already a full member of a club and join another, often at a lower fee.
- Remote membership: You have no home course nearby and use the membership for the card, the handicap and guest rounds. On other courses you pay the green fee.
- Special models: Many clubs offer reduced forms for juniors, students, families or weekday players.
Which form pays off depends on how often you play and where. You will find more on remote membership in the entry of the same name in this glossary.
Membership or green fee? A calculation for beginners
Guests without playing rights pay a green fee for every round. That is a good way to start, because there is no ongoing commitment. The more often you play, the more the green fees add up.
An example: one person plays ten rounds a year at different courses. She pays the green fee each time and needs no home playing right. Another person plays forty rounds on the same course. At that frequency a membership with playing rights usually pays off, because the cost per round falls.
The method is: annual fee plus the admission fee spread over the years, divided by the number of rounds you realistically play, compared with the green fee. Where the cost per round is lower, you have the better model. Also consider the value that the card and handicap bring you. Without a membership you get neither.
Platzreife, DGV card and handicap: how does it all fit together?
Many beginners ask in which order to proceed. A typical path looks like this: 1. You take the Platzreife to the DGV standard. It is the prerequisite for playing on most courses. 2. You take out a membership, either in a golf club or as a remote member. It includes the playing right or at least access to the DGV system. 3. You receive the DGV card. It proves your membership and playing rights. 4. You play rounds that count for handicap purposes. This is how your handicap index arises and changes.
The Platzreife alone does not replace a membership. It shows that you are ready for the course. Without a card you play as a guest at facilities that allow it and pay the green fee there. You will find more on the card in the entry on the DGV card.
Club or operator: two routes to membership
Not every golf facility is run by a club. The DGV distinguishes between membership of a golf club and a contractual tie to the operator of a golf facility. Both can lead to a DGV card.
In a club you are a member with rights and duties. A constitution, a board and a general meeting in which members have a say are usual. You are also expected to follow the local rules and etiquette and to treat the course with care, for example by repairing pitch marks and replacing divots.
At an operator-run facility you sign a contract with a company. The services, term and cancellation are set out in the contract. There is usually no say as in a club. Both routes have their appeal: the club offers community and a voice, the operator often more flexibility. In both cases read the conditions carefully.
What to check before you join
A membership is a decision for a longer period. These questions help with the choice:
- How often will you realistically play, and on which course?
- Which costs apply: admission fee, annual fee, shares, levies?
- Does the membership include a right to use the course for at least twelve months, so that you can receive a DGV card?
- How long is the term, and when can you cancel?
- Are there guest playing rights or benefits at other courses?
- Do you need a passed Platzreife to join?
Tip: first try whether golf suits you. A taster course or the Platzreife involves less commitment than joining a club. Once you are sure, you can choose the right model and compare several providers instead of being guided by the first offer.
Try it at Golf Lounge
Golf Lounge Resort Hamburg is a public facility whose offers can be booked individually and without a membership. To book, you need an account on golflounge.de. If you come more often, you can become a Friend: an annual status valid for 365 days with benefits on the range, in the simulator, on the 6-hole and 9-hole courses and on the Putt Course. Friend DGV is also a full DGV remote membership with a DGV card and handicap management, without a traditional golf club.
Frequently asked questions
What are playing rights in golf?
Playing rights are the right to play a particular golf course without paying a green fee for each round. In a classic golf club they come with full membership. There are also memberships with limited or no playing rights. The DGV card is only issued with a right to use the course for at least twelve months.
How much does a golf membership cost?
The amounts differ greatly from club to club. A one-off admission fee, an annual fee and, in some clubs, shares or levies are common. Ask for the fee schedule before joining. It lists all items and shows what is already included in the fee.
What is an admission fee in golf?
The admission fee is a one-off payment when joining a golf club. Many clubs charge it, some providers do without. It comes on top of the ongoing annual fee. Before signing, ask whether it applies and whether it is repaid if you leave.
Do I need a membership to play golf?
Not always. At public facilities guests without a membership also play, usually with a Platzreife and against a green fee. A membership pays off if you play often or want a DGV card with handicap management. Many courses also ask guests for a card. Check the facility's website in advance.
What is the difference between full and remote membership?
Full membership includes a playing right on the home course, so you play there without a further green fee. Remote membership is usually cheaper but has no comprehensive playing right. On other courses remote members pay the green fee. Both forms can include a DGV card. Compare the conditions of both forms.
As of: October 2026