A Private Golf Society for the Game’s Most Passionate Followers.
Welcome, and thank you for your interest in The Eighty Club.
I still remember the first architecturally significant golf course I ever played - it was the Nicklaus Course at Pronghorn.
Sure it lacks the history and pedigree of courses from The Golden Age or designers like Macdonald, MacKenzie or Raynor - but when I played it shortly after beginning this website, something clicked.
Holes on the course flowed together in a way that made the round of golf feel like a cohesive experience, rather than 18 cobbled together holes.
Strategy became paramount, and I found myself getting excited about the decisions I had to make on the course.
And the setting was unparalleled compared to the local muni courses I’d played in the past.
It made me want to study golf course design, dig into the history of it, and most importantly, it made me want to experience more golf courses.
Since that time I’ve traveled all over the world and played some of the very best golf courses in the world.
My experiences with golf and the courses I’ve played has been nothing short of life changing - but amidst the journey and the travels there has been one aspect that’s been entirely unexpected, and even more important than the golf itself.
What is it?
The people.
In the last four years of traveling for golf and writing on this site, I’ve learned that people in the golf community are some of the most generous in the world.
I’ve had dozens of people reach out to invite this random dude from the internet to experience their home clubs and courses.
A golf club is a sacred place.
It’s a home away from home, and something that members take extraordinary pride in.
And seeing how many people have been willing to share that with me, has been truly humbling.
This generosity is only overshadowed by the passion that I’ve seen shared by so many other golfers.
Whether through emails, Instagram, comments, or meeting in person - I’ve learned I’m not the only one who has taken this game and become both passionate and borderline obsessed.
Some of the best moments of my life have been being able to host people at my course, and play with other members across the world to learn more about golf through their unique lens.
What is The Eighty Club?
At it’s heart, The Eighty Club is a golf society for people that fit each of the following:
- You are a member of a private club, and take great pride and joy in showing off and sharing your club with friends.
- You like to travel to study and experience other golf courses.
- Most importantly, you're passionate about the game of golf and truly enjoy talking with and meeting other likeminded individuals.
I’ve been fortunate enough to experience a lot of amazing things in the world of golf, and meet a lot of amazing people.
The Eighty Club is a way to scale this and allow more people to join in those shared experiences and connections.
If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of I’d like to invite you to fill out an application below.
More Details About The Eighty Club
and if it’s Right for You
Let's get down to specifics.
Ok, this all sounds great, but what do I get by being a member of the Club?
The primary purpose of the Club is to connect other likeminded golfers to help all of us grow our network both from a personal, business, and golf perspective.
Here are some of the specific benefits of membership:
- Access to our active online forum, where we talk about all things golf related.
- Curated weekly newsletter - This highlights interesting things happening in the world of golf, and updates you on the most interesting threads and happenings in the community.
- Potential for easier access to private clubs around the country. We don’t guarantee access anywhere, but since every person in The Eighty Club holds a private membership, we do what we can to make introductions and help people link up.
- Live events - Our goal is to host 4-6 events a year at architecturally significant golf clubs so that we can meet in person and build the camaraderie of the club.
- Much more as we grow. We are a brand new community, but as we grow I’m looking to expand member content, grow opportunities for partnerships with golf brands that fit our ethos, and create more partnerships with clubs and courses across the country and world.
Do I have to be a member of a private club?
Yes, you do. We have some ideas in the future for people who aren't members of private clubs, but you've gotta start somewhere!
I'm a Member of a Semi-Private Club, can I join?
Right now, we're only accepting people at fully private clubs. However this is something we're discussing as a group and may look at options for this in the future.
How much does it cost?
Our dues are $500/year. This helps us limit growth and be able to provide a high level of personal support to all of our members. We're going for quality not quantity in our community.
What Type of Clubs are People Members at?
We have people from all over the world, and most of our members belong at clubs that are architecturally significant. Meaning, if you’re in a city and looking to play golf, these are courses that are worth taking the time to check out - and in many cases are worth taking a trip just for the courses alone.
Can you provide a list of member clubs?
No. If your primary interest for joining is to get access to other clubs, then this isn’t the community for you. We’re about the people first and foremost.
How Many Members Do You Have?
Right now we have just over 250 members. We’re not looking to scale far and fast. This is a matter of finding the right people and growing in a way that is best for our community.
Why is there an application and how does the process work?
The only way this Club works is if we have extremely high quality people. Because of this I personally review every application and talk to every potential member. I want to make sure we bring in people who give more than they take, are passionate about the sport, and will generally make the Club a more valuable and enjoyable place to be.
After you apply, I'll review and email you back - possibly with some follow up questions. If it feels like a good fit for us both, I'll send you the link to pay and sign up.
I don't travel much, is this still a good fit for me?
Absolutely. The crux of our entire community is our online forum. We have a very active forum where we talk about all things golf. This becomes a place most members check in on multiple times a day, so even if you rarely travel, being able to have a place to geek out about golf with other passionate lovers of the game is a huge benefit.
Not to mention, many of our members do travel, so will be plenty of opportunities to connect in your home town.
I'd like to try it out, but I'm not 100% sure it's a fit
I totally get it. Sometimes the only way to know if something is truly right is to experience it for yourself.
If you join, and find it wasn't what you expected it to be, or you don't see yourself getting value out of it, just email me within the first few months and I'll send you your money back - no hard feelings, whatsoever.
Who are you?
My name is Sean Ogle, and I'm the founder of Breaking Eighty. I used to be a financial analyst, but left my job seven years ago and now help people build small businesses that allow them to work from anywhere on Earth. I'm on a quest to meet as many likeminded golfers as possible, and play as many unique courses as I can in the process.
You can learn more about me here.
Still have more questions?
Great, I have attempted answers. Email me anytime at Sean (@) breakingeighty.com.
Think this sounds like the right community for you?
Don't Take My Word For It...
The Eighty Club is one of the coolest things I’ve ever been a part of. I’m absolutely obsessed with golf and didn’t know many people like me. I have golf buddies, but none that are into golf history, architecture or travel like I am. I didn’t have anyone to have healthy debates about the best courses with or anyone willing to travel across the country just to play a couple rounds of golf.
Joe H., Dallas, PA
That was until Sean graciously afforded me the opportunity to join The Eighty Club. I might go as far as the say it has changed my life …remember I’m absolutely obsessed with golf. The group of people that he has assembled is incredible. Not only are they some of the most knowledgeable people I’ve met, they are also some of the coolest people I’ve met. Some would say that a memorable round of golf is more about the people you play with then where you play. That is true about all of the rounds I’ve played with Eighty Club members, although they have been on some fantastic courses as well.
I’ve developed lasting friendships and learned so much more about golf than I ever imagined I could. The outings have been a lot of fun and there are some great trips on the horizon. If you have the chance to join, it is one opportunity you don’t want to miss out on!
...the coolest story for me so far has been connecting with some guys in the club to coordinate a big Philly outing this fall. We're scheduled to play Merion, Stonewall, Gulph Mills, and Huntingdon Valley... with hopefully some more! Pretty cool considering that I met all of these dudes online via the Eighty Club, then when you meet in person it's like you're buds already.
Granger M., Houston, TX
After this trip, I will have hosted 3 rounds and been hosted for 3 rounds, so I should have some really good knowledge and experience to share. The hospitality I have been receiving in terms of my Michigan trip goes way above and beyond golf, and it is something that I think would be great to talk about regarding the community.
Jared G., Seattle, WA
Hi Sean, I just wanted to thank you for the Eighty Club. I enjoy the insightful discussions on the board and the opportunity to meet people all across the country that share my passion for golf. Keep up the good work!
Brian D., Ardmore, PA
Gotta be honest with you Sean...after a weeks hanging out in the Eighty Club, I have to tell you that it has not only been everything you've promised and more, but it's exceeded my highest expectations. The group of guys you've put together are incredibly nice, wildly outgoing, and all seem to share the same positive attitude and genuine love for golf and golf courses. It's a welcome relief to find a forum like this.
Jon C., Philadelphia, PA