Last updated: 07/10/2026 · By Fords Colony Team
Quick Answer
A golf membership pays for regular course access, tee-time privileges, practice facilities and organized golf. A social membership pays for dining, events and community, usually with limited or no golf. Choose golf if you’ll play several times a month. Choose social if you’ll dine and attend events more often than you play. If you play often but only in the afternoon, look for a middle option like a twilight membership.
At Ford’s Colony Country Club in Williamsburg, VA, Social membership is $79/month with four golf rounds a year. Golf memberships run from $249/month (Twilight) to $449/month (Premier).
The Key Differences
| Golf Membership | Social Membership | |
| Main purpose | Playing and improving | Dining, events, community |
| Golf access | Regular, often unlimited | Limited or none (varies by club) |
| Tee-time booking | Included, often with priority | Limited |
| Practice / range | Usually included | Varies; sometimes optional |
| Tournaments and golf associations | Usually included | Usually not |
| Dining and social events | Included | The core benefit |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Best for | Golfers who play weekly | Occasional golfers, couples, families, new residents |
Important: Every club defines “golf” and “social” membership differently. Always compare the actual terms, not the labels.
Start With One Question: How Often Will You Really Play?
Use your current habits, not the ideal schedule you imagine after joining. Work, travel, family and weather tend to turn “four rounds a week” into “four rounds a month.”
Estimate a normal month:
| Activity | Times per Month |
| 18-hole rounds | ___ |
| 9-hole rounds or practice sessions | ___ |
| Lessons or clinics | ___ |
| Club dinners | ___ |
| Social events | ___ |
| Family visits | ___ |
If golf visits clearly outnumber everything else → golf membership.
If dining and events outnumber golf → social membership.
Cost Per Use: The Math That Decides It
The best membership isn’t the cheapest or the most complete. It’s the one whose benefits you actually use.
Ford’s Colony 2026 example (dues + initiation, first year):
| Membership | Monthly | First Year | Golf Access |
| Social | $79 | $1,198 | 4 rounds per year |
| Twilight | $249 | $3,488 | All 3 courses after 2 p.m. |
| Classic | $319 | $4,328 | Unlimited, all 3 courses |
| Premier | $449 | $6,138 | Unlimited + earliest booking + more |
Simple break-even check:
- Social to Twilight costs 170morepermonth(2,040 per year).
- Divide $2,040 by what you’d otherwise pay per round as a public golfer [ADD: current public green fee].
- If you’d play more rounds than that per year, a golf membership likely pays off. Fewer, and Social is probably the smarter choice.
Also count costs beyond dues: initiation, cart fees, guest fees, lessons and food. Ask the club for a full list. See all four tiers in our Williamsburg golf club membership guide.
When Golf Membership Makes Sense
- You play several times a month or more
- You want tee-time priority, especially on weekends
- You want organized golf: men’s and ladies’ associations, tournaments, a regular foursome
- You want to improve: regular practice, lessons, clinics
- You value course variety
At Ford’s Colony: Golf members can rotate between three different Dan Maples courses (54 holes), so frequent rounds don’t get repetitive. The Golf Performance Center adds indoor hitting bays, launch-monitor technology, lessons, clinics and club fitting, so the club stays useful even on days without time for 18 holes.
When Social Membership Makes Sense
- You golf only a few times a year
- Dining and events matter more to you than tee times
- Your spouse or family doesn’t play much
- You’re new to the area and want to meet people
- You want to belong to the club without building your week around golf
Social membership isn’t only for non-golfers. At Ford’s Colony, Social includes four hard-pass golf rounds a year, optional range access, 10% savings on food, beverage and the pro shop, charging privileges, and access to dining, social events and member programming. It’s also a family membership.
As members, Social members can also enjoy Saturday member-only dinners in the Colony Room, with Prime Rib and “Wine Down the Week” (waived corkage fees).
The Middle Ground: Twilight Membership
The choice isn’t always just golf or social. If you play often but rarely before mid-afternoon, paying for anytime access means paying for mornings you won’t use.
Ford’s Colony Twilight ($249/month) includes:
- Golf on all three courses after 2:00 p.m.
- Full practice and range access
- Dining and pro shop savings
- Discounted room rentals
- Family membership
It’s a strong fit for working professionals, after-work golfers and retirees who like later tee times.
Which Is Right for You? Common Scenarios
| Your Situation | Best Fit at Ford’s Colony |
| Avid, competitive golfer playing several times a week | Premier |
| Single golfer who wants unlimited play | Classic |
| Works daytime, golfs late afternoons | Twilight |
| Retiree who golfs often and anytime | Premier or Classic |
| Retiree focused on friends, dinners and occasional golf | Social |
| Couple where only one plays often | Classic + $100 family add-on, or Premier if both use dining a lot |
| Couple where neither plays much but both love dining and events | Social |
| Family new to Williamsburg wanting community | Social, upgrading later if golf grows |
| Golfer focused on improving | Twilight, Classic or Premier (all include regular play) |
What If You Pick the Wrong One?
Habits change: a spouse takes up golf, a job changes, retirement arrives. At Ford’s Colony, members can stay in their current category or move to a different one as household needs change. [ADD: when and how category changes can be made] Starting with Social and moving up as your golf grows is a low-risk way to begin.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing
- What golf access does each category include (courses, times, weekends)?
- How far ahead can each category book tee times?
- Can Social members play golf, and what are the limits?
- Are cart fees, guest fees or food minimums extra?
- Can my spouse and children use the membership?
- Can I switch categories later?
- Can I play or visit the club before joining?
👉 Schedule a tour · Compare memberships
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a golf membership and a social membership?
A golf membership focuses on regular course access, tee-time privileges, practice and organized golf. A social membership focuses on dining, events and community, usually with limited or no golf.
Can social members play golf?
It depends on the club. At Ford’s Colony, Social membership includes four hard-pass golf rounds a year and optional range access.
Is a social membership only for non-golfers?
No. It also suits occasional golfers who enjoy the game but don’t need regular course access.
How much cheaper is a social membership than a golf membership?
At Ford’s Colony, Social is $79/month versus 249–449/month for golf memberships. In the first year, Social costs $1,198 compared with $3,488 to $6,138 for golf categories (dues plus initiation).
Is there an option between golf and social membership?
Yes. Ford’s Colony’s Twilight membership ($249/month) offers golf on all three courses after 2:00 p.m., plus full practice and range access.
Which membership should a couple choose if only one person golfs?
Compare a single golf membership with a family add-on against a family membership. At Ford’s Colony, Classic plus the family add-on is $419/month, while Premier (a family membership with more benefits) is $449/month.
Can I switch from social to golf membership later?
At Ford’s Colony, members can stay in their current category or transition to a different one based on household needs.
Find Your Fit at Ford’s Colony
Ford’s Colony Country Club
📍 240 Fords Colony Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23188
📞 (757) 258-4100
✉️ membership@fordscolonycc.com
👉 Compare memberships · Schedule a tour · Read the 2026 membership guide (PDF)