Golf Week recently ran a well-researched article on destination clubs. The article includes comments from a number of industry figures and points out some of the key benefits of membership versus second-home ownership. Golf Week being Golf Week, one of the biggest draws from their perspective is access to a wide variety of championship-caliber courses around the country.

To their credit they also point out what we at Helium Report see as a big driver (pardon the pun) in attracting members – the ability to share the vacation experience with friends and extended family. Whether it’s an all-ages family golf tournament or a reunion of college friends on the back nine, destination clubs offer more flexibility than a luxury hotel package as well as more options for the non-golfing members of your party.

For many destination clubs the location formula appears to be “beach house” + “ski chalet” + “golf or leisure home”, repeat. The Markers Club, however, takes a decidedly different approach. They are unabashedly golf-obsessed and expect the same of their members:

We want 325 like-minded golf fanatics, and then we’re done,” says Markers co-founder Mitch Brinton, sitting outside his company’s four-bedroom home at The Rocks. “If a guy says, ‘Well, I want to ski, too,’ we’ll say, ‘OK, go join that other club.’

While it would be possible to join another destination club and spend all of your vacation days on the links, The Markers cultivates a different experience by customing their choice of locations and the amenities they offer to golfers. Among the amenities are:

• Complimentary round of golf and reduced greens fees at nearby courses
• A custom-fitted set of Ping equipment upon joining
• Private tutelage during residence from Golf Digest Schools professionals

Unlike other destination clubs in which fellow members have virtually no interaction with one another, The Markers hopes to build relationships among members with their members-only golf cruises and excursions to PGA Tour events. And once members have developed a bond, The Markers will pit them against one another in their Annual Club Championship.

The Markers Club’s Scottsdale residence at Troon North Image courtesy of http://www.themarkersclub.com