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What's the difference between a private, semi-private, and public golf course?

From what I've gathered: Private means you have to pay a membership just to play there, or be with a member. Semi-Private is open to the public but with dress requirements. Public is open for all with no restrictions.

Public = $$ - $$$
Semi-Private = $$$ - $$$$$
Private = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ - $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

you are correct about the private club. semi-private mostly means a public course with say a mens association or a womens association or both with certain playing privledges(i.e tournaments, certain club facilities, etc.). it varies from club to club. a public course is just about paying and playing. as far as dress requirements go - always check to see what they are before you go. as golf becomes more and more popular, almost all courses have some sort of dress code to adhere to.

Semi-private can also mean open to the public certain days of the week, or certain times of the day.

Some courses in residential developments may open up to the public Monday-Thursday, but then be private Friday-Sunday to accommodate residents or members only. I have seen some that are open to the public only after 1pm, so their members can get first crack at the coveted morning tee times.

Other than dress a dress code of-course.

Not always. You would be appalled at what some people wear at one of the local public courses. The place doesn't even have tee times.

I got the shock of my life this summer when I was walking to my ball, I looked to my right and there in the fairway was a guy standing smiling and waving while he was peeing. I am scarred for life

Todd

The public courses here have a dress code. Usually no cut offs and no tank tops.

In my neck of the woods (Ontario) Private courses are just that, Private! They are big bucks and you can't get on one unless you know a member. Semi Private are a good choice. Much cheaper but well worth a membership. You get premium tee times and a host of ther services. However they are open to the public as well. Public anyone can play but the courses are not kept like a private or semi private club. They are also less strict on dress code depending on the course. I play mostly semi private clubs

saw a guy peeing while sitting in his golf cart! at least he had the curtisy( where's that @#%#$&**^!!! spell checker) to turn his back on the lady sitting in the passengers seat. how about caddies? ever seen on anything less than a private course?

I have had a caddie at a couple of public "daily fee" courses.... Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, and Bulle Rock in Maryland.

I am sure there are many daily fee courses around the US that have caddies.

I think all of the public courses around here have some sort of dress requirement. Like others said, semi-private is open to teh public, but you can also get a membership.