Last Updated on February 17, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
As a former private country club membership director, I can tell you that dues are among the most important factors to consider when joining a club. Dues will come at you month after month and almost always increase from one year to the next. I’ll give you a complete rundown of what you need to know about country club dues, how much they are, what’s included, and much more.
Factors That Influence Country Club Dues
Three main factors influence the cost of country club dues.
- Membership type
- Amenities offered
- Location
Membership Type
The more your membership allows you to do, the more you will pay for it. Individual membership or social memberships are lower in price. Family golf memberships are typically the most expensive level. Some clubs have out-of-town or national membership to bring costs down.
Amenities Offered
Golf courses, tennis courts, pools, and dining facilities can increase the cost of a club. The more the club has to offer (and the newer it is), the more “power” they have to raise the dues.
Location
Clubs just outside of an affluent area or directly inside an affluent area are more expensive. People have more disposable income, so they can afford higher fees and dues.
What Do Country Club Dues Cover?
The dues you pay to belong to a country club allow you access, but many things play into these costs. Here’s a list of all of the things that our due will pay for each month.
- Golf course maintenance: greens maintenance, general upkeep, machinery, supplies, fertilizer, etc.
- Sports Facilities Maintenance: tennis courts, swimming pools, fitness centers any other facilities that are part of the club.
- Clubhouse Operations: maintenance of the clubhouse including cleaning, repairs and general upkeep, supplies
- Staff Salaries: wages for employees, staff, maintenance workers
- Dining Facilities: operating costs for restaurants and bars, food purchases etc.
- Insurance: property and liability insurance to protect club’s assets and operations
- Taxes: property taxes the club is responsible for can be a lot depending on the location
- Capital Improvements and Repairs: major renovation and improvements, as well as periodic updates and maintenance
How Much Are Country Club Dues?
The dues you pay to belong to a country club can range from a few hundred dollars a month to more than $1000 a month. Here’s a basic chart of what you can expect and how much country club dues cost.
| Membership Level | Individual Annual Dues | Family Annual Dues |
| Low End | $3,000 – $5,000 | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| Mid Range | $6,000 – $15,000 | $7,000 – $18,000 |
| High End | $20,000 – $30,000+ | $25,000 – $35,000+ |
What You Get for Your Money
As a dues-paying member of a golf club, you will get access to the club because you pay an initiation fee and your monthly dues. Your dues will get you some or all of the following services and amenities.
Golf Course Access
As a dues-paying member, you may have to pay a cart fee to go out and play. However, for the most part, the golf course is yours to use. Golf course access may be restricted at some semi-private country clubs.
Practice Facilities
Driving ranges, chipping greens, putting greens, and even golf performance centers can be included as part of the dues. Country Club members at most courses can hit golf balls all day without having to pay for a bucket of golf balls.
Sports Facilities
Tennis courts, pickleball courts, and bocce courts are all part of the dues that you pay. These sports facilities are almost always part of a golf membership.
Fitness Center
More and more country clubs are creating state of the art fitness centers. Not only do people care about their health and want to live longer, they also want the benefits to their golf game. If you want to drop the gym membership when you join a club, you may be able to.
Dining and Social Events
Dues pay for access to dining and social events, but these events will have additional costs depending on what they are. Some member-guest events can be more than $1000, whereas a Valentine’s Day Dinner could be $55 per person.
Locker Rooms
Locker rooms are sometimes included in your dues, and at other times, they are an additional fee. The locker rooms are usually going to be anywhere around $100 a year if they are an additional fee.
If you don’t need a locker and just want access to the locker rooms, that is included with the dues.
Guest Privileges
Country club guest fees are additional, but the ability to take guests out to the course is included as part of your dues.
Pro Shop Discounts
Many country clubs lower the cost of clothing and merchandise in their shops to accommodate the members. Pro shop discounts are usually in the 10-20% range.
Access To Lessons and Education
Golf clinics, individual lessons, and group learning seminars are all part of the access you will have at a country club. You’ll have additional fees, but many clubs restrict the ability to take a lesson to dues-paying members.
Use of Clubhouse
When I was a membership director and an assistant golf professional, we would have members come in and just spend time at the clubhouse. They may sit in the lobby or the golf shop and watch a PGA Tour event or socialize with friends. The point was they felt at home at their club.
Youth Programs
Country clubs offer a variety of youth programs like summer camps, after-school clinics, and even special events for Halloween or Christmas.
Membership in Organizations/GHIN
Finally, most golf memberships come with access to a GHIN handicap. You’ll get to keep track of an accurate handicap that is used for tournaments and events.
Hidden Country Club Dues Costs
I’m not sure I can say that all of these costs are completely hidden. However, they may be something you forget to ask about or consider as you are joining a country club. Keep all of these in mind so you aren’t surprised by your club bill.
| Hidden Cost Category | Description | Approximate Cost |
| Food and Beverage Minimums | Monthly or quarterly spending minimums at club dining facilities. | $200 – $500 per month |
| Golf Tournament Participation | Fees for entering club-hosted golf tournaments. | $50 – $200 per event |
| Caddy Fees and Tipping | Charges for caddy services and expected gratuities. | $30 – $100 per round |
| Golf Cart Rental | Fees for using golf carts during play. | $15 – $50 per round |
| Employee Tipping Fund | Annual contributions to a collective tipping fund for club staff. | $100 – $300 per year |
| Locker Rental Fees | Monthly or annual fees for locker use and equipment storage. | $10 – $50 per month |
| Special Assessment Fees | Charges for major renovations or unexpected repairs. | Varies (one-time or spread over months) |
| Guest Fees | Costs associated with bringing guests to the club for golf or other amenities. Can be golf, tennis, pickleball, swimming and fitness. | $50 – $200 per guest |
How to Assess Value When Joining A Country Club
Maybe you have narrowed your search for a country club down to three or four different places. The problem then becomes how to assess which one has the features you want and the value you are looking for.
Take, for example, Secession Golf Club in Beaufort, SC, and The Club at Ibis in West Palm Beach, Florida. Secession is a very traditional golf club where the main focus is golf. The Club at Ibis has three golf courses, but it also has tennis, fitness, swimming, and many dining options.
One is a traditional golf club, one is more of a lifestyle type community. You can see that annual dues and even initiation fees are relatively close in price. This is where it comes down to deciding which amenities mean the most to you.
Are you there just to play golf? Or do you want the whole package?
| Feature | Secession Golf Club | The Club at Ibis |
| Location | South Carolina | West Palm Beach, FL |
| Golf Courses | Exclusive golf course | 3 championship courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Arthur Hills, Steve Nicklaus |
| Initiation Fee | $80,000 – $175,000 | $85,000 – $135,000 |
| Annual Dues | $14,000 – $25,000 | $13,755 – $20,998 |
| Amenities | Golf, clubhouse | Golf, tennis, fitness, swimming pools, dining |
| Additional Costs | Club maintenance, food & beverage minimums | Golf trail fee, golf club storage, locker fees |
Final Thoughts
Country Club dues range from around $300 a month to about $1500 a month. You’ll have to find something that is a comfortable fit for your budget but also something that helps you feel like you are getting good value for your money. Joining a country club will be one of the bigger purchases you make, and it’s certainly not an investment. However, for the enjoyment you get out of it, most country club members find that their dues are an easily justified expense.
