On Monday, Otago Golf Club members met to discuss and vote on a variety of issues, including the price for younger members and their voting rights.
The meeting agreed to lift the rates for members aged between 19 and 34.
Otago Student Golf Association president Zac Cran said the move felt typical of the "general distaste for students" at the Balmacewen club.
Many of the older members did not like having students around, he said.
The price for members aged between 19-24 rose from $455 to $695, a 53% increase, which felt like a "slap in the face".
It was a "remarkable increase" for a group that were known for being "not flush for cash".
He had compared the increase with similar clubs. At St Clair Golf Club, the equivalent fees rose from $406 to $420, a 3% increase.
Only members who could attend the meeting in person could vote.
Many students, himself included, could not be there as they had not returned to Dunedin for the start of the new university year.
Holding the vote when very few students could be there was "underhanded", he said.
He understood the club may need to raise prices, but struggled to see how such a large rise made sense, noting students made up about 180 of about 700 members. He said the club should embrace students not push them away.
There was also the issue of whether younger members should have full voting rights, which was brought up at the meeting but dismissed.
"It kind of highlights the distaste that a lot of the older guys have for younger guys at the club."
Otago Golf Club general manager Shelley Duncan said there was no intent to target students.
The price increase was simply one of many issues covered at the meeting, which was held to make changes to the club constitution.
The club "definitely" wanted younger members, but there were issues they had to improve on, such as dressing appropriately, booking times and looking after the course.
The club had a role to play in educating them, she said.
Mr Cran agreed some students needed "to dress a bit nicer" and respect the course more.
However pushing students out was "the wrong way to go about it".
Ms Duncan said students also had "every opportunity" to be at the meetings and vote, but hardly any showed up.
The issue of younger members gaining voting rights was "a discussion" that was brought up and quickly addressed as not a viable option by those at the meeting.
However, a club newsletter said the suggestion had "not been specifically included in the proposals" but would "be adopted going forward" if enough members wished.
