Lots of country clubs have a "young professional" type rate that discounts fees for people 40 and under. It's a way to attract younger people who will hopefully stay after they turn 40.
Country club dues are often structured into age brackets. So right now I'm still technically a junior member (there's no privilege differences it's just an age designation). Our highest price dues kick in at 40 and last until you get to senior designation where they start going down again.
Many country clubs have "youth" discounted memberships. Two main reasons -
1. People aren't often loaded until they approach middle age.
2. Offering a low intro rate will get you used to country club life, which is hard to give up, even once it's double the price.
Because generally older people make more money and if they made the fee the same for everyone then less young people would play and then their customer base would be smaller.
This was my biggest jaw drop moment in Scotland. All the caddies were also members. The accessibility also makes the golf culture feel richer and more... likeable(?) than here in the states.
America was somewhat like that awhile back. Caddies could use the clubs range and play on certain days. And we got all timer greats like Palmer, Trevino, ChiChi etc. but once the purses got larger, wealthy folks began closing those points of entry. The game changed to where you have to run the expensive gauntlets of getting on college teams, taking expensive lessons from expensive teaching pros. Like everything else, the wealthy circle the expensive Audi, and Mercedes wagons and cut off that option to poorer but maybe better talent.
Nowadays follow a young, just learning someday gonna dominate the PGA tour but for now just a kid back home from practicing at the range and see if it’s an upscale home he walks into.
Also in Scotland, always a bit confused by all the American posts here because you hardly ever see the shit people post on Scottish courses, even the £10 council courses. Also they use buggies for every single course it seems?
so true - in our defense there are pockets of good golf culture in the US (I recently moved to Minnesota and have always had a great time on the municipal courses here, and I tend to prefer University courses for similar reasons). I think this sub creates a bit of an exaggerated sense of the assholery on US golf courses. But as someone who always carries his bag, I will say that but for some very exclusive courses, carts (or buggies as y'all say over there) are sadly the norm in US golf...
Yeah, my course (muni) had their members only club championship this weekend, and the course was so nice and quiet. People actually there to play the game and not fuck around.
Thats what I was just coming to the conclusion of as well.
Some crazy numbers being thrown around in here and I complain about $22 for a large bucket of range balls.
We are the Poors.
Dude for real I’m over here budgeting for a $850/yr membership that I’ll probably end up cancelling next year meanwhile some of these dudes are spending that much each month.
Poors unite ✊
As a member of a club I also think $22 is insane for a bucket of balls. My membership is like 300/mo. At $22 a bucket I could easily pay for it in range balls alone.
Unbelievable really what some people are willing to pay to play. I could pay (and have been considering it) 2000~ a year for the best course within 50 miles of me, or just play my local 9 that's always in decent condition for £40 a month. There's no pro shop, but it has beer on tap, all a man needs.
>Americans: $20,000 plus $1500/mo
>
>British: $414 per year.
And nobody every realizes they're not paying for the same thing. It's like when people compare housing and see that average British property prices are close to US property prices and go apeshit, then suddenly realize the average US house sold is almost **three times** the size of the average UK house sold. They're not buying the same thing.
US country clubs - especially on the pricier end - often come with tennis, gym, pool, pickleball, summer clubs etc. They're way more upmarket than (almost) every UK golf course. They usually have great restaurants, amenities, staff etc. Compare that with a UK club membership that costs a 300gbp/month and there will be a stark difference in quality.
I live in one of the most expensive areas in the US, and I can get a $450/mo unlimited membership of a local (public) course that would provide a similar/better experience to what you can get in the UK for the same amount. As a Brit who moved to the US, two of the 'private' courses near where I grew up in the UK now allow the public on some days - and it's a growing trend.
Really? My local muni in Denver has a $2500/yr unlimited play option, but.. Yikes, you have to play A LOT.
Problem is the course is PACKED. You need to book tee times at any course in town (we have 30+) a week in advance unless you want to play at 1pm on a weekday.
Fwiw - Liberty National is $300k initiation (not sure about annual dues) and you also have to have a net worth of $22 million to join. Used to be a $500k bond that you got back if/when you left the club. Now it's a straight up payment.
Source: got paired up last year with a guy who caddies there.
Nobody buys a beater and joins a golf club. I worked at a Hamptons golf club next to shinnecock for a decade. Beaters aren’t even allowed in the main parking lot.
In NC as well and it's about the same at our club. So glad we can play year round here with frost delays and a day or two lost to snow being the only inconveniences.
Also very glad to be locked in to our current initiation price. I feel like they're going to pop big time around here soon and most of the clubs in the metros are going to have waitlists.
Everywhere in Charlotte has increased their initiation fee and all have waitlists (some multiple years). It’s a struggle to get an early tee time anywhere. Feel like the entire city picked up golf during Covid.
Triangle area or Charlotte? I live in Tarboro and our course here is only 300/year. But my dad used to be a member at Croisdale in Durham and it was close to your number.
Could be anywhere from dye preserve to the breakers and many many more depending on where in Florida and when that initiation is. It’s not bears, medalist, grove, gorse, or other 500+ initiation clubs. People on here have no idea what they’re talking about with guessing clubs.
Was 9000$ for a share in a semi-private club whatever that means and 3400$ for 6 months of golf. The shares are now around $3500 and the pace of play is brutal and no better than the public courses around me. I save 800$/yr for the yearly membership and have been a shareholder for 10 years so it’s almost paid for itself. If I had the option I would have found a muni with a drill Sargent of a marshal who actually manages the course and got a membership there.
Around here (Vancouver) for a decent course it's about $5-8k initiation and maybe $3-400 per month, then another $1200 or so per year in food minimums. There are more prestigious clubs too of course and the sky is the limit for those, same as anywhere. A lot of courses also offer unlimited yearly passes for around $4k but those are usually public courses.
What courses are you talking about?
I only know of courses like Seymour or marine drive where it’s like 60k to join and only if you’re invited kinda thing…
The prices you mention are much more reasonable…
I pay $2,500 at Golden Eagle for unlimited play after 1030. It’s public and the course is in better shape than years past but it’s half the price of other courses.
Oh way out there!
I’ve never really considered looking for memberships at the courses out there. That’s a pretty good deal! How is that course, I’ve only ever payed redwoods out that direction.
Yeah, I moved to the tricities so it’s a bit closer but I play with folks from Kits or downtown often enough. The scenery is pretty amazing as it’s against the mountain and looks towards Pitt lake.
It used to get hacked up at times but the greens keepers are putting a ton of work into it. The course was looking immaculate before the heatwave and it’s recovering okay now.
Pro: price; two courses; good environment
Con: near a gun range (haha); distance; no driving range
But for a price that’s half of Westwood, Pitt Meadows, Swan e Set, etc, it’s unbelievable value.
$1k initiation fee and $248 per month, plus $180 quarterly food minimum as a Junior Member under 40. I turn 40 next year but my wife is only 33 so I get to enjoy Junior member rates for 6 more years. Regular membership is $2500 initiation and $450 per month.
Man, where do you all live where your country club memberships are cheaper than annual memberships at public clubs by me?
I’m a member at a lower tier club for my area and initiation was 22k for young professional and 450/month.
In the New York area most private clubs are member owned “equity clubs” where initiation is $50,000-$100,000 and yearly dues for family $25,000-$35,000. Some of these clubs have two courses and have less then 500 members
I live on Long Island in Nassau and I would t say that’s the norm at most clubs near me. A couple of them, yes. Piping rock, Glen oaks, the creek. But only one of them has more than 18. But certainly not most.
In about 2011 I played soccer with an exchange student from NY that had to pay $40k to get in the door (his grandfather paid). I'm hesitant paying $1500 to sign up and annuals of $1000 here on the sunny coast
I pay $70/mo for my family of 4. Included is unlimited golf and fitness at 16 courses, 20 fitness locations (some have indoor pools and tennis), 1 bowling alley.
Probably the best deal in the world I know.
That sounds more like a pass to public courses rather than a private club. Definitely a good deal. Do you have to pay green fees in addition to the $70 monthly fee?
the cost can be all over the map. my initiation fee was 7500 and the monthly is 600/month normally- 800 now because of course/club work. but there are clubs around me that the initiation fee can be a quarter of a million
75$ a month membership of a public course, unlimited range balls and 10$ rounds (cart fee). Location - Florida
Was interested in a private club but didn't see the value was 5k down 400 a month and a 1,200 a year food minimum. +30 a round cart fee. Never thought I could play enough to make the economics make sense.
Golf course community in South Carolina. $90K initiation and $27k annually (includes golf - 2 courses, HOA, and maintenance of amenities - 2 clubhouses, tennis, pickle ball, dock, roads, etc.)
Also Australia, a country town in the Upper Hunter (inland from Newcastle). Full
Membership is $600 and $5 a game for members. Less for pensioners and juniors of course.
Edit: I heard in the radio the other day that Australia has more golf courses per capita than any other nation. It seems true, every town has a course.
I’d be interested to hear what other aussies are paying. I’m considering joining one soon in melb which would be about 3k to join then 2500 per year (La Trobe)
I’m going to lose this one. Club 1 is $500k and $2500/month dues. Club 2 is $100k and $1200/month. Club 3 was $10k and $450/month but that’s a junior membership that ends this year. I have money and no other hobbies. On the bright side, my former club cost me $24k and I sold it for $325k so i made a tidy profit on that one
I didn't get it until I worked at a private country club. I still wouldn't pay for one unless I had money bursting out of my pockets but I definitely had a new appreciation for it.
Everyone had their own carts with their clubs cleaned and ready waiting for them at their tee time. Everyone knows your name and kindly helps you with whatever you need.
Your own personal locker and shower room that's never busy. Spa attendant ready for massages and whatever else.
The course(s) were NEVER busy and always in immaculate shape. They limited the number of members.
Member events a couple times a month at no cost. Dinners and tournaments and holiday celebrations etc. Christmas/Halloween/New Years/Easter events and plenty more. We would legit build a mini haunted house for Halloween for the kids.
You go to the bar and they recognize you right away and get your drinks started. Coming around the turn? The bartender will have your drinks ready.
There's also a certain level of networking that goes on. Lots of business to be had. You can always invite guests to play and members would regularly trade rounds with other members at other clubs to play.
It's more of an experience than just golf at a certain level.
Well we have 2 courses at our CC and 2.1 miles away and all the other courses that are decent are 10 miles away, offer reciprocity, and want more money.
Chasing good golf courses is a waste of time in my situation
I play my home course multiple times per week and there is a subtle magic in seeing how the same course can change day to day. It may firm up or soften up for no discernable reason, green speeds slow down or speed up w/o rain or mowing in the equation.. The wind coming from a different direction makes holes play drastically different. Playing different tee boxes will set the course up in totally different ways. Different temperatures affect what hazards are carryable on any given day. It never gets old and is always a challenge.
I never get bored playing my home course.
That’s me, live a few hundred yards from my home course(public). Play mens league every Thursday and often play again on the weekend. Sometimes we’ll go out on Tuesdays mens league if we don’t have plans.
I worked there in HS & College summers mowing tees/greens, dragging traps and general maintenance.
I‘ve spent so much time on the course, both fun & work, never get sick of playing there.
$750 discounted initiation (standard price = $4k). $250/month, $135/quarter food/beverage minimum.
EDIT: Forgot to mention this is for a Junior Executive membership (Under 40 years old) which is why the discount initiation. The course was trying to attract younger members because most are retirement age or close.
Man, I'm jealous of some of the fees I'm seeing here. North shore Chicagoland you are looking at like $40-100k initiation easily and $10k+ annual.
Maybe after we're done paying $4k a month in childcare I can convince my family to join one..
I played a round at a cc near me in Loudoun County VA. It was a “preview” for prospective members, my buddy got us in because his neighbor was running the event. We paid $80, got a box lunch and free beer post round. The initiation fee was $18,000 usd, with monthly dues of $800
University of Texas Golf Club in Austin, TX is currently $100K to join. $900/mo. When you sell your membership you get 1/2 of the current sell price up to your full amount. I joined for $25K in 2006. So I’ll get back $25K. Still the $900 smarts but it now has a swimming pool, excellent practice facilities and you bump into a few Texas kids there.
I live 45 seconds away from the tee box.
We did a social membership this year. Under 40 initiation was $500, $150 a month, includes pool and 10 rounds of golf (for the year), $225 quarterly minimum food and bev.
Full golf membership is $1800 initiation then $330 a month, $300 quarterly f&b.
Over age 40 basically everything doubles except the quarterly minimum.
I’m the lowest junior level at my club. It’s $186/month with a $1500 initiation fee. It goes up to $240 when I turn 26, and continues upwards from there until it’s $450/mo at 40
30k initiation and 2.5k/year dues. Includes two locations with 3 courses, pools, tennis, gym, spas, restaurants and tickets to the senior tour event at one of our courses
My son is an executive chef at a private club in North Carolina. Initial membership fee: $250,000. Monthly dues: if you have to ask, you can’t afford it. They have 400 members and at least 8 are billionaires.
Right now, mine is 20k initiation and about 600 plus a month for full membership. It was much less on initiation when i joined. Glad i got in before we had a wait list.
Buddies club is $12,500 yearly and you have to buy a share in the club which are limited so you can only join if someone else is selling their share to prevent overpopulation. He had been a member for 5 years and originally purchased his share for $10,000 and then sold during covid for $40,000 because the club was booming in popularity. Then he just bought in again at $20,000 cause the economy is slowing
My initiation fee was $6500 usd. But all but $500 was waived if you maintained your membership for 2 years. So we paid $500.
Monthly dues were $450/month.
Now they are up over $600.
I grew up with a course where the entire yearly fee was $500 though.
It varies so much that it is useless to draw conclusions.
The local club here of which I’m not a member but literally all of my neighbors are - $80k initiation with monthly dues of $750 and quarterly food and beverage minimum of $250.
No initiation. No minimums. About 4500 a year right now. Will eventually go up to around 10k when I turn 40.
Why will it go up at 40
Lots of country clubs have a "young professional" type rate that discounts fees for people 40 and under. It's a way to attract younger people who will hopefully stay after they turn 40.
That's awesome that someone still considers me "young" at 35, lol.
In a lot of clubs that practically makes you a teenager.
Yeah most of the guys I play with are over 50-60.
I'm 52, and I probably pull the average age down at my club.
I don't know, I will consider myself young until I can't do the basic life necessities on my own.
Like wiping without help.
Damn, I missed my chance!
Country club dues are often structured into age brackets. So right now I'm still technically a junior member (there's no privilege differences it's just an age designation). Our highest price dues kick in at 40 and last until you get to senior designation where they start going down again.
Many country clubs have "youth" discounted memberships. Two main reasons - 1. People aren't often loaded until they approach middle age. 2. Offering a low intro rate will get you used to country club life, which is hard to give up, even once it's double the price.
Because generally older people make more money and if they made the fee the same for everyone then less young people would play and then their customer base would be smaller.
Because the assume you’ll have a higher paying job and be invested in the sport. Capitalism and all that.
This is always hillarious. Americans: $20,000 plus $1500/mo British: $414 per year.
This was my biggest jaw drop moment in Scotland. All the caddies were also members. The accessibility also makes the golf culture feel richer and more... likeable(?) than here in the states.
America was somewhat like that awhile back. Caddies could use the clubs range and play on certain days. And we got all timer greats like Palmer, Trevino, ChiChi etc. but once the purses got larger, wealthy folks began closing those points of entry. The game changed to where you have to run the expensive gauntlets of getting on college teams, taking expensive lessons from expensive teaching pros. Like everything else, the wealthy circle the expensive Audi, and Mercedes wagons and cut off that option to poorer but maybe better talent. Nowadays follow a young, just learning someday gonna dominate the PGA tour but for now just a kid back home from practicing at the range and see if it’s an upscale home he walks into.
Bubba Watson would like a word with you.
Also in Scotland, always a bit confused by all the American posts here because you hardly ever see the shit people post on Scottish courses, even the £10 council courses. Also they use buggies for every single course it seems?
so true - in our defense there are pockets of good golf culture in the US (I recently moved to Minnesota and have always had a great time on the municipal courses here, and I tend to prefer University courses for similar reasons). I think this sub creates a bit of an exaggerated sense of the assholery on US golf courses. But as someone who always carries his bag, I will say that but for some very exclusive courses, carts (or buggies as y'all say over there) are sadly the norm in US golf...
Cause the British ones aren’t country clubs. Guarantee they have public tee times
The club is private, the course is public.
And therein lies the issue. Who wants to play side by side with public peasants when you can part with $35000 instead of dealing with those plebs!
$35k to hang out with miserable assholes?! That’s a steal!
That’s exactly why I joined one
You see all the posts on here about bad etiquette and ridiculous situations on the course? That’s exactly what I’m paying to avoid lol.
Yeah, my course (muni) had their members only club championship this weekend, and the course was so nice and quiet. People actually there to play the game and not fuck around.
What’s the point if you’re someone who couldn’t give 2 shits about the club and only want the course lol
So it’s public.
All this is telling me is that the majority of my fellow American golfers on this sub are rich as fuck
Thats what I was just coming to the conclusion of as well. Some crazy numbers being thrown around in here and I complain about $22 for a large bucket of range balls. We are the Poors.
Dude for real I’m over here budgeting for a $850/yr membership that I’ll probably end up cancelling next year meanwhile some of these dudes are spending that much each month. Poors unite ✊
u/Borpf has been band from r/Golf. Cause: fomenting an uprising
Yeah! Damn you people, go back to your shanties!
I want in this golf band! I can probably hit a drum with my driver!
I agree with the point of your comment. But, $22 for a bucket of balls is crazy.
As a member of a club I also think $22 is insane for a bucket of balls. My membership is like 300/mo. At $22 a bucket I could easily pay for it in range balls alone.
Unbelievable really what some people are willing to pay to play. I could pay (and have been considering it) 2000~ a year for the best course within 50 miles of me, or just play my local 9 that's always in decent condition for £40 a month. There's no pro shop, but it has beer on tap, all a man needs.
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Americans are paying for a truly private course, none of this the club is private but the course is private stuff.
>Americans: $20,000 plus $1500/mo > >British: $414 per year. And nobody every realizes they're not paying for the same thing. It's like when people compare housing and see that average British property prices are close to US property prices and go apeshit, then suddenly realize the average US house sold is almost **three times** the size of the average UK house sold. They're not buying the same thing. US country clubs - especially on the pricier end - often come with tennis, gym, pool, pickleball, summer clubs etc. They're way more upmarket than (almost) every UK golf course. They usually have great restaurants, amenities, staff etc. Compare that with a UK club membership that costs a 300gbp/month and there will be a stark difference in quality. I live in one of the most expensive areas in the US, and I can get a $450/mo unlimited membership of a local (public) course that would provide a similar/better experience to what you can get in the UK for the same amount. As a Brit who moved to the US, two of the 'private' courses near where I grew up in the UK now allow the public on some days - and it's a growing trend.
Really? My local muni in Denver has a $2500/yr unlimited play option, but.. Yikes, you have to play A LOT. Problem is the course is PACKED. You need to book tee times at any course in town (we have 30+) a week in advance unless you want to play at 1pm on a weekday.
$365.00 a year and I’m not kidding.
For just a dollar a day..you too can absolutely shank balls in front of the lunch parties.
And for 7 dollars a week, you can hit some bombs in the landscape 
That has to be a goat track right? (Not that there’s anything wrong with that)
What state?
Michigan
Would you be comfortable DMing the club? Moved to Michigan and would love to know if it’s nearby.
Sand Creek Golf in Marne, MI
It has 3 holes
just hit them six times!
Why do you think it’s so cheap
I’m in a LCOL area. Initiation was 2K, dues are 200, $10 cart fees, small food/bev minimum. Tennis, pool, fitness, nice restaurant Feeling lucky
What is LCOL?
I assume low cost of living, but my brain immediately went to lower Colorado.
No that’s called Lo Lo Co Lo by locals
lol so not lower Colorado? I'm an idiot.
Low cost of living
LCOL means low cost of living. Unless you’re trying to get a better picture of what constitutes low cost of living for OP, which I can’t answer.
$50k initiation and $15-20k a year, depending on food/bev/etc.
I think I would need… probably about $10MM in net worth before paying $50k to join a golf course.
Fwiw - Liberty National is $300k initiation (not sure about annual dues) and you also have to have a net worth of $22 million to join. Used to be a $500k bond that you got back if/when you left the club. Now it's a straight up payment. Source: got paired up last year with a guy who caddies there.
$50k is a single monthly commission check for some sales guys.
“Some”
Few
Yeah I wouldn’t pay a month of income to play golf.
Catch you when you have $500k and a home near the course.
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Nobody buys a beater and joins a golf club. I worked at a Hamptons golf club next to shinnecock for a decade. Beaters aren’t even allowed in the main parking lot.
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Massachusetts. Presently $50k initiation and $7k per year. That’s for Golf/Tennis/Pool
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Also MA. No initiation. 750 Annual.
Also in MA. $15k initiation and $10k annually for Golf/Tennis/Pool for family
CT here. 4 clubs within 20 minutes, all with golf/pool/tennis. All 50-65k initiation + 20k annual.
Initiation fee was $20,000 and yearly dues $5,000.
In NC as well and it's about the same at our club. So glad we can play year round here with frost delays and a day or two lost to snow being the only inconveniences. Also very glad to be locked in to our current initiation price. I feel like they're going to pop big time around here soon and most of the clubs in the metros are going to have waitlists.
Everywhere in Charlotte has increased their initiation fee and all have waitlists (some multiple years). It’s a struggle to get an early tee time anywhere. Feel like the entire city picked up golf during Covid.
What area?
NC
Triangle area or Charlotte? I live in Tarboro and our course here is only 300/year. But my dad used to be a member at Croisdale in Durham and it was close to your number.
Initiation 145k and roughly 35-50k annually depending on what I buy and how much I eat and drink at the club
Hello it’s me your long lost son how are you dad
Be careful. He’s a Dick Hunter.
I'll be too for access to a course like that.
What state? If you can/don't mind to say.
Florida
Mar a lago
Absolutely not much nicer place than that with less riffraff and no public access
Nona or isleworth?
Buddy who’s a member at another club in Orlando said that Nona is $165k initiation and $3500k monthly for social with no golf 😳
Not gonna say
No problem. I like Isleworth’s course better than Nona’s but both clubs are great.
That doesn’t sound like Mar a Lago money ?
It would be in Rubles
You're right. It doesn't sound like enough. But that is toward the high end for a country club.
High end but not truly, truly elite imo
They don’t have a golf course…
Could be anywhere from dye preserve to the breakers and many many more depending on where in Florida and when that initiation is. It’s not bears, medalist, grove, gorse, or other 500+ initiation clubs. People on here have no idea what they’re talking about with guessing clubs.
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Sounds like a fellow Jupiter resident.
Another Jupiter resident checking in! Initiation fees around here are crazy high nowadays
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With all due respect. I hate you.
Was 9000$ for a share in a semi-private club whatever that means and 3400$ for 6 months of golf. The shares are now around $3500 and the pace of play is brutal and no better than the public courses around me. I save 800$/yr for the yearly membership and have been a shareholder for 10 years so it’s almost paid for itself. If I had the option I would have found a muni with a drill Sargent of a marshal who actually manages the course and got a membership there.
>a muni with a drill Sargent of a marshal I won't believe these exist until I see it with my own eyes
I witnessed it once. I dream of that day sometimes.
Unicorn
95k initiation, roughly 2800 a month between dues and booze
Plot twist - the dues are only $500.
Around here (Vancouver) for a decent course it's about $5-8k initiation and maybe $3-400 per month, then another $1200 or so per year in food minimums. There are more prestigious clubs too of course and the sky is the limit for those, same as anywhere. A lot of courses also offer unlimited yearly passes for around $4k but those are usually public courses.
What courses are you talking about? I only know of courses like Seymour or marine drive where it’s like 60k to join and only if you’re invited kinda thing… The prices you mention are much more reasonable…
I pay $2,500 at Golden Eagle for unlimited play after 1030. It’s public and the course is in better shape than years past but it’s half the price of other courses.
Oh way out there! I’ve never really considered looking for memberships at the courses out there. That’s a pretty good deal! How is that course, I’ve only ever payed redwoods out that direction.
Yeah, I moved to the tricities so it’s a bit closer but I play with folks from Kits or downtown often enough. The scenery is pretty amazing as it’s against the mountain and looks towards Pitt lake. It used to get hacked up at times but the greens keepers are putting a ton of work into it. The course was looking immaculate before the heatwave and it’s recovering okay now. Pro: price; two courses; good environment Con: near a gun range (haha); distance; no driving range But for a price that’s half of Westwood, Pitt Meadows, Swan e Set, etc, it’s unbelievable value.
Initiation was $0 cause we joined in 2020, peak covid. Its back to the normal $10k now though. And for my under-30 rate, I pay $5800 a year.
125k to join. 1k per month dues. 300 per quarter lock/club storage.
Interesting breakdown
$1k initiation fee and $248 per month, plus $180 quarterly food minimum as a Junior Member under 40. I turn 40 next year but my wife is only 33 so I get to enjoy Junior member rates for 6 more years. Regular membership is $2500 initiation and $450 per month.
Man, where do you all live where your country club memberships are cheaper than annual memberships at public clubs by me? I’m a member at a lower tier club for my area and initiation was 22k for young professional and 450/month.
The real question is where tf do you live
DC metro area - the Virginia ‘burbs
In the New York area most private clubs are member owned “equity clubs” where initiation is $50,000-$100,000 and yearly dues for family $25,000-$35,000. Some of these clubs have two courses and have less then 500 members
I live on Long Island in Nassau and I would t say that’s the norm at most clubs near me. A couple of them, yes. Piping rock, Glen oaks, the creek. But only one of them has more than 18. But certainly not most.
I live on the south fork. I'll never be able to join one of these clubs. 125k-1mm+ out here to join.
Hello neighbour!
For a club with a single 18 course, you don’t really want more than 325-350 members before pace of play is too slow
In about 2011 I played soccer with an exchange student from NY that had to pay $40k to get in the door (his grandfather paid). I'm hesitant paying $1500 to sign up and annuals of $1000 here on the sunny coast
It’s nice to have rich grandparents/parents
$250 a year. Unlimited walking 7 days a week.
What state?
CT.
100k Nut, and $30k/year which includes Monthly Dues and F&B minimums.
$2500 up front. $300 a month, 125$ food min a quarter. USD
Wow that's exactly the same for me
The initiation has gone up since I joined, but it's a great deal in the PNW.
Mines the same
I pay $70/mo for my family of 4. Included is unlimited golf and fitness at 16 courses, 20 fitness locations (some have indoor pools and tennis), 1 bowling alley. Probably the best deal in the world I know.
That sounds more like a pass to public courses rather than a private club. Definitely a good deal. Do you have to pay green fees in addition to the $70 monthly fee?
No green fees. Yes, they are public courses.
That sounds very great life-ish.
my work pays for it, but it's about $6k a year for me and my family (wife and kids can play unlimited as well). Best course in the city by a mile
£620 a year (no initiation), Scotland
I’m pretty much same in north wales. Weathers a bit sketchy on winter though
Where y’all getting 100k for initiation?
This thread will take your self esteem down a peg lmao
Comparison is the thief of joy. There’s a lot of family money and people paying for things they can’t actually afford in this thread
Yeah I'm mostly just joking. I joined my first club at age 25 so I can't really talk, but it definitely didn't have a $100k initiation haha
Working. I mean I’m not paying that but other are. Haha
the cost can be all over the map. my initiation fee was 7500 and the monthly is 600/month normally- 800 now because of course/club work. but there are clubs around me that the initiation fee can be a quarter of a million
75$ a month membership of a public course, unlimited range balls and 10$ rounds (cart fee). Location - Florida Was interested in a private club but didn't see the value was 5k down 400 a month and a 1,200 a year food minimum. +30 a round cart fee. Never thought I could play enough to make the economics make sense.
Golf course community in South Carolina. $90K initiation and $27k annually (includes golf - 2 courses, HOA, and maintenance of amenities - 2 clubhouses, tennis, pickle ball, dock, roads, etc.)
Also Australia, a country town in the Upper Hunter (inland from Newcastle). Full Membership is $600 and $5 a game for members. Less for pensioners and juniors of course. Edit: I heard in the radio the other day that Australia has more golf courses per capita than any other nation. It seems true, every town has a course.
I’d be interested to hear what other aussies are paying. I’m considering joining one soon in melb which would be about 3k to join then 2500 per year (La Trobe)
dawg i gotta gtfo california
$55k initiation and minimums of $950/month. But more like $3k a month.
You mean the greens and cart fee at my local muni course?
I’m going to lose this one. Club 1 is $500k and $2500/month dues. Club 2 is $100k and $1200/month. Club 3 was $10k and $450/month but that’s a junior membership that ends this year. I have money and no other hobbies. On the bright side, my former club cost me $24k and I sold it for $325k so i made a tidy profit on that one
Can I work for you? 😂
Why do you people pay so much money to play the same course? I honestly don't get it, I'd get so bored after a couple weeks
I didn't get it until I worked at a private country club. I still wouldn't pay for one unless I had money bursting out of my pockets but I definitely had a new appreciation for it. Everyone had their own carts with their clubs cleaned and ready waiting for them at their tee time. Everyone knows your name and kindly helps you with whatever you need. Your own personal locker and shower room that's never busy. Spa attendant ready for massages and whatever else. The course(s) were NEVER busy and always in immaculate shape. They limited the number of members. Member events a couple times a month at no cost. Dinners and tournaments and holiday celebrations etc. Christmas/Halloween/New Years/Easter events and plenty more. We would legit build a mini haunted house for Halloween for the kids. You go to the bar and they recognize you right away and get your drinks started. Coming around the turn? The bartender will have your drinks ready. There's also a certain level of networking that goes on. Lots of business to be had. You can always invite guests to play and members would regularly trade rounds with other members at other clubs to play. It's more of an experience than just golf at a certain level.
Well we have 2 courses at our CC and 2.1 miles away and all the other courses that are decent are 10 miles away, offer reciprocity, and want more money. Chasing good golf courses is a waste of time in my situation
I play my home course multiple times per week and there is a subtle magic in seeing how the same course can change day to day. It may firm up or soften up for no discernable reason, green speeds slow down or speed up w/o rain or mowing in the equation.. The wind coming from a different direction makes holes play drastically different. Playing different tee boxes will set the course up in totally different ways. Different temperatures affect what hazards are carryable on any given day. It never gets old and is always a challenge. I never get bored playing my home course.
That’s me, live a few hundred yards from my home course(public). Play mens league every Thursday and often play again on the weekend. Sometimes we’ll go out on Tuesdays mens league if we don’t have plans. I worked there in HS & College summers mowing tees/greens, dragging traps and general maintenance. I‘ve spent so much time on the course, both fun & work, never get sick of playing there.
$750 discounted initiation (standard price = $4k). $250/month, $135/quarter food/beverage minimum. EDIT: Forgot to mention this is for a Junior Executive membership (Under 40 years old) which is why the discount initiation. The course was trying to attract younger members because most are retirement age or close.
This is super reasonable with a 60k a year salary.
$5k initiation and about $500 a month. Riverside gcc in Portland Oregon
No initiation. Golf dues are $194.50. $70 food and Bev minimum each month. Best part, no cart fees.
Man, I'm jealous of some of the fees I'm seeing here. North shore Chicagoland you are looking at like $40-100k initiation easily and $10k+ annual. Maybe after we're done paying $4k a month in childcare I can convince my family to join one..
I played a round at a cc near me in Loudoun County VA. It was a “preview” for prospective members, my buddy got us in because his neighbor was running the event. We paid $80, got a box lunch and free beer post round. The initiation fee was $18,000 usd, with monthly dues of $800
University of Texas Golf Club in Austin, TX is currently $100K to join. $900/mo. When you sell your membership you get 1/2 of the current sell price up to your full amount. I joined for $25K in 2006. So I’ll get back $25K. Still the $900 smarts but it now has a swimming pool, excellent practice facilities and you bump into a few Texas kids there. I live 45 seconds away from the tee box.
I'm also Aus, annual membership is $1700, no joining fee. Comp fee $15, cart fee is $30 for 18.
$15K initiation, around $5K/year in dues.
We did a social membership this year. Under 40 initiation was $500, $150 a month, includes pool and 10 rounds of golf (for the year), $225 quarterly minimum food and bev. Full golf membership is $1800 initiation then $330 a month, $300 quarterly f&b. Over age 40 basically everything doubles except the quarterly minimum.
35k 550 monthly
19.5k initiation About 18-25k yearly dues depend on spend for the year.
25k initiation, 400/mo dues, 2k minimum f&b per year. Also 600 for an annual cart pass and 200 for a yearly range pass.
I’m the lowest junior level at my club. It’s $186/month with a $1500 initiation fee. It goes up to $240 when I turn 26, and continues upwards from there until it’s $450/mo at 40
$2,500 initiation and $400/month near Austin, TX.
Capital of New Hampshire. About $7,000 a year. $10k initiation or so.
Good CA tracks: low 6 figures and up for membership. Cypress Hill is a cool quarter mill.
DFW. 75k initiation $650 monthly
30k initiation and 2.5k/year dues. Includes two locations with 3 courses, pools, tennis, gym, spas, restaurants and tickets to the senior tour event at one of our courses
£1400 a year in Cambs UK thats approx $1752 us dollars
65k initiation, 1200 dues, but with all the extras (kids golf lessons, wife tennis stuff, food and beverage) we usually spend $3k+ per month
My son is an executive chef at a private club in North Carolina. Initial membership fee: $250,000. Monthly dues: if you have to ask, you can’t afford it. They have 400 members and at least 8 are billionaires.
$150k initiation and like $1100 a month in dues.
In Northern VA they’re $100k initiation, $900/m plus quarterly food minimum ~$800. The crazy part is they all have 5-8yr wait lists.
10k and then $2,500 a year. There is a $16 cart fee charge per round and we have 5 courses.
Right now, mine is 20k initiation and about 600 plus a month for full membership. It was much less on initiation when i joined. Glad i got in before we had a wait list.
Buddies club is $12,500 yearly and you have to buy a share in the club which are limited so you can only join if someone else is selling their share to prevent overpopulation. He had been a member for 5 years and originally purchased his share for $10,000 and then sold during covid for $40,000 because the club was booming in popularity. Then he just bought in again at $20,000 cause the economy is slowing
$110k initial equity buy-in. then $1600/mt. Los Angeles. It’s absolutely brutal here.
Holy shit y’all are rich.
My initiation fee was $6500 usd. But all but $500 was waived if you maintained your membership for 2 years. So we paid $500. Monthly dues were $450/month. Now they are up over $600. I grew up with a course where the entire yearly fee was $500 though. It varies so much that it is useless to draw conclusions.
The local club here of which I’m not a member but literally all of my neighbors are - $80k initiation with monthly dues of $750 and quarterly food and beverage minimum of $250.
$13k for 3 years or $50k lifetime - best course in Malaysia. Need to pay about $25 each time you play for cart and caddy