Many people were surprised by PGA Tour rookie Marco Penge revealing on Wednesday that a couple of Florida golf clubs “turned him away” after moving to the U.S. in the offseason. Michael Kim was not one of those people.
The PGA Tour vet and Golf Twitter sage commented on the Penge situation, revealing how country club memberships for tour pros really work.
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“Most private clubs are very open to hosting pros once or twice but becoming a member is a different story,” Kim wrote on X. “Usually we need to know a few non pro members to start the process. We are better off than a random sales guy but it’s not as easy as some might think. Unless you’re REALLY famous. Then it’s different obviously.”
Most private clubs are very open to hosting pros once or twice but becoming a member is a different story.
Usually we need to know a few non pro members to start the process. We are better off than a random sales guy but it’s not as easy as some might think.
Unless you’re REALLY… https://t.co/D7SMfzwvfW
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) January 28, 2026
Interesting. For the record, Penge might not be REALLY famous (yet), but he’s certainly REALLY good. After a breakout season in which he won three times on the DP World Tour card, the 27-year-old Englishman earned his PGA Tour card and moved all the way up to No. 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Kim continued by saying tour pros have an edge over regular working stiffs when it comes to joining a club, but that status doesn’t mean you’re necessarily a shoe-in.
Nothing wrong with being a sales guy. Just saying that it’s going to be easier for me to get in to the club than that person most likely haha
Also I’m not even close to that famous line. That line is very short
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) January 28, 2026
And it doesn’t mean you’re exempt from paying dues, either. No matter who you are, according to Kim.
He’s def paying dues in most of those
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) January 28, 2026
Each course has different policies. Some have pro discounts some do not. I think most these days want full dues
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) January 28, 2026
Kim is currently No. 42 in the world and a winner on both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. But he knows what he needs to do to get to that next level.
Haha no. I’m talking like major winners only
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) January 28, 2026
So, there you go. Win a major and you can probably join whatever club you like. Go get ’em, Michael. And Marco.
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This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
