This is the reason Seaford resident Rick Emerson, a recent patron at Eisenhower Park’s public golf courses, said he isn’t interested in joining a private country club. “I have enough money for it, but I just don’t see any sense in it,” he said. “There’s too many good public golf courses on Long Island.”

At Eisenhower Park’s red, white and blue courses, there were 75,742 rounds played from January to July this year, compared with 68,602 over the same period last year. Contino said that rounds increased despite this year’s rainy weather.

“So many country clubs on Long Island are losing members hand over foot, who don’t have the means or the money to pay,” said Charles Cohen, a golf instructor who coaches the Lawrence boys’ varsity golf team, which plays at the Lawrence Golf Club. “They’re cutting back. You can see the public courses are increasing their rounds every week and every year. It’s hard to rationalize something you might not be able to pay for anymore.”

Five Towns private clubs have introduced lower rates for new members, who are granted access to facilities like 18-hole golf courses, dining halls, tennis courts and gyms. Seawane Club charges $12,500 for the first year of membership and $15,000 for the second, and after that the rates climb to $23,500, which includes access to a barber shop and masseuse. Woodmere Club’s dues are $12,500 for the first year, and $15,500 per year after that.

The Inwood Country Club is offering a package for potential members which it has advertised in newspapers, including the Nassau Herald. For an introductory rate of $7,900, new members have access to the golf facilities, fitness center and daytime dining. Full membership for those over 35 starts at $11,750 along with an $1,800 food minimum and $5,000 in initiation fees (payable over five years) for the first two years, which rises to $14,750 after that. Full members have access to the beach club, full dining privileges and the club’s tennis program.