Timber Ridge FAQ
Why did rates jump up so drastically?
Due to rising costs across the board, we’ve had to adjust our rates. Just as many of your homeownership expenses—such as utilities, insurance, and maintenance—have increased, so have ours. Additionally, we have been addressing necessary deferred maintenance to ensure long-term sustainability and prevent larger issues down the road. In the past, our rates remained relatively flat and didn’t keep up with rising costs. While we understand that price changes are never ideal, this ensures we can maintain and improve the services and infrastructure that benefit everyone.
Why did the memberships change?
The old membership structure unfairly benefitted those that play a significant number of rounds of golf – it was too cheap! Members that didn’t play often enough were unfairly paying too much – it was too expensive! The golf business in Minocqua is an extremely seasonal business. Timber Ridge needs to have significant public paid play in order to survive economically. Most public play happens during the mornings over roughly seven weeks between late June and early August. The new memberships and new daily rate structure are intended to create better value for everyone that wants to enjoy Timber Ridge. We expect that the Signature membership will be a wonderful value for members that play often and in the early part of the day. The Essential membership will be a phenomenal value for members that play often and are willing to shift their play to afternoons during that seven week period discussed above. Daily rates are now much lower in the afternoons and during non-peak times. We expect that some members who play infrequently and/or primarily in the afternoons, will be far better off paying the daily rate.
What were the improvements and what do you anticipate doing this season?
2024: In addition to our typical maintenance, we took on the following improvements: men’s bathroom remodel, brand new cart fleet, new blacktop on the way in to the parking lot, fresh seal coating and wider parking spots in the parking lot, new landscaping around the club facilities, new sod with irrigation, new artificial turf at the driving range, new pickleball courts (with the help of several volunteer members providing substantial labor), new satellites for the watering system ($150k), new maintenance equipment (multiple mowers, work carts, skid steer, turbine blowers), new beverage cart, kitchen updates, opened the restaurant and bar operations, painted all buildings, replaced a number of windows and doors, reroofed the maintenance building, and maintenance payroll was $105,000 more than 2022 due to capital projects our team undertook in 2024. The total expenditures for 2024 were $950,000 over and above the normal operating expenses at Timber Ridge.
2025: New blacktop on the cart paths – we are working on this now, GPS units on carts, tree trimming/cutting was planned for this current winter but the logger fell through so we expect this work to happen winter 2025/26, improved food & beverage service on the course, additional new doors and windows, new roof being installed on the pool building this spring, second row of irrigation on holes 1 and 4 next to the road, and we hope to start removing some of the traps on the course this year as well.
Future improvements on the horizon: Pro Shop expansion, update women’s bathroom, sand trap replacement to eliminate the rocks ($1.5M est), replace irrigation ($2.0M est), more member outings, maybe a Wine and Dine night, and more fun!
Why should I purchase a membership?
If you play a lot of golf, this is the best bang for your buck! If you buy one the “packages”, you will receive:
- Up to $300 in member credit included in your package to use anywhere at Timber Ridge*
- Up to 4 free golf passes to give away to your friends and family – depending on the time of play, 4 of these are valued up to $480*
- 20% off any guest round if they play with you
- 10% off anything in the Pro Shop
- Members can make reservations for tee times up to 3 weeks in advance
- Member charge account to use in the Pro Shop, Clubhouse, Snack Shack or Bev Cart
* amount of member credit and free golf passes depends on which package you choose
Who should buy the Signature membership?
The Signature membership is ideal for people who want to play in the morning during the middle of summer. There are no restrictions for this membership and it includes: up to $300 in member credit to use anywhere at Timber Ridge, up to 4 passes valued at ~$480 to give to friends and family, and 20% off golf fees for guests who play with you.
Tell me more about the Essential memberships?
The Essential membership is best suited for those who typically tee off at noon or later. If you choose to schedule an early round during the “restricted period” (any tee time before noon between June 19 and August 11), a fee of $39 per 18 hole round or a fee of $19 per 9 hole round will be added to your member charge. Rounds scheduled at times outside of this restricted period carry no additional charge. This package includes: up to $200 in member credit to use anywhere at Timber Ridge, up to 4 passes valued at ~$480 to give to friends and family, and 20% off of golf fees for guests who play with you.
When you indicate noon for the Essential membership, are you referring to the tee time or completing the round of golf?
If you tee off at noon or thereafter, you will not be charged the additional $39 for 18 holes/$19 for 9 holes.
With the Essential membership, can I use my member credit to pay the $39 fee if I want to play before noon?
100%! You can use that member credit wherever you choose at Timber Ridge.
Am I being charged a credit card fee to purchase online?
No, there are no credit card or processing fees charged for paying online.
Are taxes included in the pricing at Timber Ridge?
No, taxes are added to the bill at checkout.
What is happening to leagues?
Leagues are on! 2025 Leagues will all remain the same format and times as last year. There are two components – the cost of the golf round and the cost of joining the league. The cost to join each league is the same as 2024. Jeff will reach out in April to start some league meetings. League fees can be paid when the course opens.
Cost of the golf round during league play:
The Wednesday afternoon Men’s League will pay for their rounds the following way:
Signature member pays $0
Essential member pays $0 (remember this is an unrestricted time of the day)
Non-member Men’s League players can pay $50 to golf after 1pm on Wednesdays including the league round that starts at 5pm OR pay just $30 at 5pm for the shotgun start. Prices include free use of a cart.
ALL other leagues will pay the same for the golf round as it would be under each membership – so assuming a morning league at 9am on Tuesday July 15th
Signature member pays $0
Essential member pays $39 if 18 hole round and $19 if a 9 hole round
Non-members can play in the league for the standard golf rate at that time which in this example is $99 for an 18 hole round, or $59 for a 9 hole round. Prices include free use of a cart.
What are cart prices?
Carts are included in the daily rates; however, you are welcome to walk if you choose to.
Are you selling the 10 Play or 15 Play or Wednesday All Day Passes?
No, but depending on how many rounds you play and when, you could choose one of the membership options or pay the daily rate at that time. Please see the rate schedule in this email. We will honor any 10 Play or 15 Play or Free passes that are still outstanding from last year.
I still have a few unused free golf passes from last year. Can I use these this year for the $39 fee or for another person? Or can I use the free passes from this year for the $39 fee? Can I use up my 10 play passes?
Yes Yes Yes Yes!
I have a credit with Timber Ridge. Will I be able to use that this season?
Absolutely!
