Last Updated on February 24, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
As a young golf professional on Long Island, I was lucky enough to get invitations to golf courses all across Florida in the winter. One of the first clubs I got the chance to play was Hunters Run. Years later, I ended up moving just about two miles away from the club.
Hunters Run Country Club in Boynton Beach, Florida, is a golf lifestyle community with a lot to offer. They now advertise themselves as being just minutes from Delray (which is true), but Boynton has quite a bit to offer as well. As a former membership director, I’ll give you the good and the not so good about Hunters Run.
Hunters Run Facilities At A Glance
For me, one of the most critical initial questions you have to consider about a country club is how many golf courses it has. Some clubs have just a few people and one course; others have thousands of members and 6 golf courses.
Hunters Run Country Club has three championship golf courses to serve its very active golf population.
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Boynton Beach, FL |
| Golf Courses | 3x 18-hole championship courses, driving ranges, putting greens, short-game complex |
| Tennis Courts | 18 Har-Tru Tennis Courts, offering private and group lessons, clinics, mixers, and club championships |
| Pickleball Courts | 12 Courts, including lessons, clinics, and competitive play options |
| Wellness Center | State-of-the-art Fitness Center with personal trainers, cardio machines, Pelotons, strength training equipment, group fitness classes, yoga, water aerobics, Tai Chi |
| Swimming Pools | Not specifically detailed, but facilities include a resort-style pool among other amenities |
| Dining Options | 7 restaurants offering a variety of dining experiences |
| Spa and Salon | Full-service salon and spa offering a wide range of services |
| Membership Types | Not specifically detailed on the website, but includes options for golf, racquet sports, and social memberships |
Membership Options and Costs at Hunters Run
Like most South Florida golf courses there are several membership dues levels as well as an initiation fee to get into Hunters Run. Undoubtedly, the club is a mandatory membership if you choose to live in the neighborhood.
The initiation fee of $85,000 is paid when you purchase your home. With clubs like this, you often see that information reflected in the cost of the home.
Hunters Run Initiation Fees and Costs
In addition to the initiation fee of $85,000 at Hunters, you’ll have some additional fees (yearly and single fees.)
I think one of the more interesting things to pay attention to here is the trail fee versus the cart rental. The trail fee means that you have your own golf cart, and you pay $2140 a year for all the golf you want to play (2 people).
The annual cart rental on the other hand is $3906 and that is the price you pay if you don’t have your own golf cart. For getting around in the neighborhood and enjoying all that Hunters Run has to offer, I highly recommend getting your own cart and investing in the Trail Fee.
There are a few assessments currently in place at Hunters Run, with most of them ending before 2028.
| Category | Details |
| Administration Fee | $1,000 (All sales are subject to this fee) |
| Initial Capital Contribution | $1,000 (70% refundable) |
| Non-Refundable Initiation Fee | $85,000 |
| Annual Food and Beverage Gratuity | Family: $811, Single: $618 |
| Annual Food Minimum Spending | Family: $1,400, Single: $1,050 |
| Annual Trail Fee (Optional) | Family (2 bags): $2,140, Single (1 bag): $1,498 |
| Annual Cart Rental (Optional) | Family (2 bags): $3,906, Single (1 bag): $2,809 |
| Annual Bag Storage (Optional) | $155 per Member |
| Annual Locker Rental (Optional) | $134 per Member |
| Common Area Maintenance (CAM) Fee | – Regular: $205.00/month- Isles: $299.00/month |
| Assessments | Capital Assessment: $50/month, The Project: $43.50/month (Dec 2014 – Nov 2024)Pool Atrium Assessment: $65.50/month (Dec 2018 – Nov 2028) |
Hunters Run Dues
The three membership categories are Social, Sports, and Golf. Golf includes everything that sports and social include. Golf dues at Hunters Run are $18,629 annually.
| Membership Category | Annual Dues (2022-2023) |
| Social Membership | $15,419 |
| Racquet Sports & Social Membership | $17,024 |
| Golf, Racquet Sports & Social Membership | $18,629 |
Golfing at Hunters Run: Courses and Features
As a golf professional and former membership director, I think one of the most important features of a club to look at is the golf courses. The golf courses may get slight tweaks, but if you don’t like them or can’t play them, you are kind of stuck.
With Hunters Run being a golf lifestyle community, you’ll find a mix of difficulty in the courses.
The three courses include:
- East Course
- North Course
- South Course
On the East Course, you’ll run into some water hazards that demand accurate approach shots. The greens at the South Course are tricky, and the bunkers are placed strategically so that your short game will be put to the test.
The North Course has a few signature holes, especially the par 4 14th. You’ll have to negotiate water, a waste area, and a lot more to get out of there with a par.
For competitive golfers, Hunters Run may be a place you get to play as part of a qualifier. The facility has hosted some qualifiers for U.S.G.A and even U.S. Open local qualifying.
Comparing Hunters Run to Local Competitors
Hunters Run has a prime location in Boynton Beach. Having lived right around the corner from the facility for nearly ten years, I can tell you that you are just minutes away from anything. Traffic right outside the gate is not bad; you are close to the beach, downtown Delray, and just 20 minutes from Palm Beach International Airport.
However, there are also plenty of other great private golf country clubs in the general area. Here are a few of the most well-known and direct competitors of Hunters Run.
| Club | Type | Key Features |
| Hunters Run | Private | 54 golf holes across 3 championship courses, tennis and pickleball courts, dining options, state-of-the-art fitness center, spa. |
| Delray Dunes Golf & Country Club | Private | 18-hole course with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, great golf course views, minutes away from beaches and downtown Delray Beach, emphasizing quality food service and a first-class golfing experience. |
| Lost City Golf Club | Private | 27 holes of championship golf open 364 days a year, year-round member events, men’s and women’s tournaments, outdoor patios with fire pits. |
| Pine Tree Golf Club | Private | Prestigious, traditional club, distinct from its surroundings, restricted to members and their guests, known for its “Dick Wilson Classic” golf course. |
| High Ridge Country Club | Private | Florida Audubon Certified course was recently named one of Florida’s top 10 private golf courses in Florida. |
| Quail Ridge Country Club | Private | Over 600 acres in Palm Beach County, with 2 championship golf courses, 16 Har-Tru© Tennis Courts, Spa & Fitness Center, and community pools. |
Pros and Cons of Membership at Hunters Run
Like all country clubs, there are both positives and negatives to Hunters Run. If you’ve been a member there for the last 15 years, chances are you could expand on this a little. However, if Hunters Run is a club on your list of potential to join, here’s what you should know.
Pros
- Three Golf Courses: having three golf courses is a huge benefit; you’ll be able to test your game with various challenges, and you will never get bored.
- Impressive Grounds and Amenities: they keep Hunters Run in great shape; every time I’ve played, the grounds and course conditions have been really great.
- It’s Pretty Far East: I consider New Florida to be all of these areas and communities popping up out west of Jog Road; Hunters Run is close to the beach and Atlantic Ave.
- Active Social Life: when you join, you have to use the club, so everyone does! There is plenty going on at all times.
Cons
- Larger Buy In: $86,000 is a big initiation fee if you are just joining as a social member; for three golf courses, it’s a little easier to justify. If you don’t play golf, it can be a tough sell.
- No Chance To Downgrade: if Hunters Run is your forever home, you’ll still pay dues even when your golf days are over. There’s no option to leave the club and still stay in the neighborhood.
- Home Resale: just remember your thought process and how you feel about paying $86,000 to get in; someday, if you are ready to sell, you’ll have to convince someone else to do the same.
What The Members Have To Say?
Even though I’ve played Hunters Run and known some members there, I did a little research on golf forums and review sites to see what people had to say about Hunters Run Country Club. My experiences had always been positive, so I wanted to verify that.
Although I found a lot more positive, there were some complaints about the food (which you’ll see at many country clubs) and interestingly some about New Yorkers. There are, without a doubt, a lot of New Yorkers at Hunters Run.
As a former New Yorker, that’s what I liked about the club! I think it’s worth saying that regardless of where you are from and who you choose to be friends with, there are social circles at every club that will work for you.
Unquestionably, I’ve seen this at every club I’ve worked at in the past. Pick a facility, choose a great golf course, look for friendly and helpful staff, and you’ll find your group of friends.
Final Thoughts on Hunters Run
Hopefully, you have a better idea of what you can expect at Hunters Run. There are so many great country clubs in South Florida it’s never an easy decision. At Hunters, you’ll want to get a round of golf in to get a feel for the courses and the conditions, and from there, start looking for a house. Let me know if you have any questions.
