Last Updated on February 1, 2023 by Britt Olizarowicz
What a country club means to you and what it means to me are likely two different things. We are all influenced by the country clubs we have been to, where they are located, and their origins. However, having a general understanding of the country club meaning, who it’s for, and how it came to be can be interesting even for the non-golfer.
What Is The Country Club Meaning?
A country club is a facility typically consisting of a golf course and other recreational activities, allowing access only to its membership. Country clubs are located worldwide, and they can be both small and large.
A country club has membership procedures that allow a certain number of people access to the facilities. Some country clubs have swimming pools, tennis, fitness facilities, and dining as part of their offerings.
Most people assume country clubs are high in cost, but some charge minimal fees for those living in a particular area.
How Did Country Clubs Originate?
Country clubs started as a weekend gathering spot for working professionals. These country club getaways were for the upper middle class, and it was certainly a status symbol to belong to a country club when they first started popping up around the United States.
The number of country clubs in the United States increases and decreases at times. Some clubs close due to a lack of membership and a desire to use the land for other reasons. Other times a public golf course can be transformed into a private country club.
The number of country clubs in the country at any given time often directly translates to the state of the economy.
What Are The Costs of A Country Club?
Most people have the misconception that country clubs are for the rich and famous. This is not true. Many country clubs even call themselves blue-collar country clubs. They are in place for working professionals and those that enjoy a good time with their families at the club.
Fees are all over the map for country clubs, and these are some of the fees you should keep in mind if you are considering joining a country club.
Initiation Fees
Initiation fees get you in the door. High-end clubs may have initiation fees of $50,000 or more just to get in. This initiation fee is usually non-refundable, although there are some equity situations where you can get your money back or at least transfer your membership to your family.
Some initiation fees are paid all at once, and others are paid over the first few years of membership.
Dues
Dues are the monthly payments you will have to make to get access to the club. Most golf clubs charge the dues in the beginning of the month for the month that you have in front of you. This helps to eliminate payment problems.
Dues get you access to the club, but they don’t cover all your country club expenses. It still costs money to eat, drink, take a golf cart out to play, or bring a guest to play tennis.
Capital Expenses
Some country clubs charge a certain amount of money each month to cover capital expenses. If the country club needs a new roof, it’s best to have a reserve fund instead of assessing all the members at once.
Capital expenses are almost never-ending at country clubs because the facility is so large.
Dining Minimums
In addition to spending money at the restaurants inside the country club, you will also have dining minimums that need to be covered. Some country clubs expect you to spend $400 or more per month using their dining facilities.
These minimums are included in the bill. Therefore if you spend less than $400, you will lose that money. Food and beverage operations are incredibly costly for a country club. Having these dining minimums in place allows them to set a budget and ensure a better level of quality for all members.
Additional Charges
There are additional charges that you may incur, like fees for golf or tennis lesson, locker room storage fees, club storage fees, and guest fees. Some golf clubs even have a holiday employee fund that you will have to give to in order to meet the requirements for membership.
When joining a country club, make sure you take a close look at what additional charges could be coming your way as part of your membership.
What Do You Get With A Country Club Membership?
I’ve always said that there should be the equivalent of a realtor for those that are looking to join a country club. Not only is joining a country club a big step, but no two clubs are also alike. Here are some of the most important benefits you get with a country club membership.
Golf Access and Availability
Golf is the number one reason that people join a country club. Country clubs are known for having some of the best golf courses in the game. In addition, the golf courses at country clubs tend to get less play and often have better conditions than public golf courses.
Tennis, Pickleball, and Other Sports
A private country club often has several different types of court sports for people to play. Tennis and pickleball are among the most popular, but there are also clubs that have racquetball and bocce.
Dining Facilities
The dining facilities at a country club will usually cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and sometimes they will have multiple facilities for you to choose from. Some clubs have a bar, and others will have a halfway house where you can grab sandwiches at the turn.
Golfers and country club members like to have different dining options, so you will find that there is often a variety of activities.
Pool
Another popular benefit of a country club is a pool. Most country clubs that offer a pool will have an Olympic style pool with swimming lessons, swim teams, and even a diving board. The pool is a popular place for socialization and summer camps and is just another way to feel like the country club is a true getaway.
Social Events
The social events that a country club offers are only open to the membership. You may find that there are holiday celebrations, dances, concerts, and even game nights at a country club. If you are looking to increase the number of events you pack on your calendar, your country club membership can help.
Can Anyone Join A Country Club?
Technically anyone can join a country club. However, there are requirements that the country club committee and staff will require you to meet. These requirements can be financial, and they can also have to do with personal recommendations.
Financial Requirements
Country clubs will often do a credit check to make sure that you have the financial means to join their country club. Many people are living outside of their means, and this creates a problem for the country club.
It is embarrassing to have to let a member go because they can no longer afford to pay, and the country club needs to protect itself from theft of services.
Sponsorship
Some country clubs require that you have a current member sponsor you to join the club. If you don’t know anyone at a particular club you re interested in, exceptions can sometimes be made, but it is not always possible.
Waiting Lists
Most country clubs have a cap on their membership. This means that if the club is at full capacity, you will be put on a waiting list. High-end clubs with lots of history and tradition often have long waiting lists because of the families that have all joined these clubs through the years. It is rare for a spot to open up.
Is A Country Club and A Golf Club The Same?
The terms country club and golf club are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. The country club is a full facility with access to dining, a clubhouse, tennis, golf, and more. A golf club may just be a golf course and a pro shop. Most country clubs and golf clubs offer a mix of activities and facilities, but golf clubs often don’t have a pool or court sports.
Final Thoughts
At this point, you should know what a country club is, how it operates and whether or not this is something that you would be interested in being a part of. We encourage you to do quite a bit of research into the club choices that you have in your area; chances are there are plenty of options at varying price points.
