Choosing a golf club for yourself can be a tricky task, as you need to factor in whether it’s even worth it, which one to choose and where, and whether it pays off. The price of the membership fee is probably the most essential factor when it comes to making this decision. The fees will probably be the main reason that will make you get a membership or give up on the idea.
A golf membership can cost between just a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. At most clubs, you might pay between $2000 and $10000. Most clubs will charge additional fees for initiation and a minimal amount of money on drinks, which can be $50 – $100.
In this article, we’ll explore the differences in prices of golf memberships and the reasons why they’re usually so expensive. This will help you decide whether this is the right decision for you or if you don’t really want to pay that much money.
What Are the Typical Costs?
The typical costs include the initiation fee, food, and beverage minimums, and various miscellaneous costs that you may have to pay, in addition to the initiation fee. These things vary widely based on the club’s exclusivity you want to join and the type of membership you choose.
Let’s break down the costs and see what you can expect to pay.
Annual Fees
Your membership fee is generally calculated on a yearly basis and it varies widely. You’ll pay between $2,000 and $10,000 for an unlimited membership. An unlimited membership means that you have unlimited access to all the facilities offered by the club, not just the golf course itself.
The membership fee can sometimes go much lower, as some clubs charge only a few hundred dollars. These clubs are definitely not high-end, and they don’t offer much apart from the golf course itself, which might not be what you’re looking for.
They are also scarce, so you’re not likely to find one.
The most exclusive clubs charge up to $100,000, while some even keep their membership fees a secret, known only to the members. What’s more impressive, some clubs require you to have a certain net worth or yearly salary to join.
Initiation Fees
An initiation fee is the cost of joining a golf club. Initiation fees also vary widely, based on how posh a club is. Some less exclusive clubs don’t even charge initiation fees, while some give you a part of your money back if you leave them.
You’ll have to inquire about this at your club of choice.
Initiation fees mostly range between $2,000 and $100,000. Of course, many clubs charge less, so you can find a relatively cheap club if you research enough. Thankfully, this is a one-time payment, and some clubs will allow you to break it into more manageable chunks that you pay over a few months.
When it comes to the most prestigious golf clubs, you can expect to see exorbitant prices between $400,000 and even $1,000,000. Of course, if you’re just a hobbyist, you’re not going to look for such exclusive clubs.
These are reserved either for the most serious players or the very wealthy.
Food and Drink Minimums
This cost may come as a surprise since you probably wouldn’t expect to see something like this. However, from the perspective of a golf club owner, this makes sense as it helps offset the steep costs of owning and maintaining a golf course.
This is charged in order to increase their average monthly cash flow, especially because there is very little or no business during the winter months.
These minimums are usually relatively reasonable, ranging from $50 to $150. Since most people don’t join these clubs just to play golf and leave, but rather to socialize and have fun, very few people have any difficulty meeting this minimum.
Miscellaneous Fees
You may not even come across this type of fee at some clubs, as they are most often included in your annual membership fee. However, some clubs charge separate fees for ancillary amenities and you’ll need to factor these costs in.
These fees may include the following things:
- Locker rental
- Club storage
- Range fees
For locker rental and club storage, you’ll probably pay around $10 to $20, and for range fees, about $10 to $30, which are paid every month.
What Types of Golf Courses Are There?
There are three different types of golf courses. From the most exclusive to the least exclusive, there are:
- Private golf courses
- Semi-private golf courses
- Public golf courses
Private golf courses only allow non-members to play if they’re guests of some members. Some will not even allow these. These courses are the most exclusive and the most expensive.
Semi-private golf courses allow members of the general public to play at a fee without requiring them to be guests of one of the members. They’re generally less expensive and exclusive, but they often offer less than the private ones.
Public golf courses are open for everyone and they usually don’t sell memberships. Sometimes, they offer bulk discounts, but generally, anyone can come and play.
Types of Memberships
Semi-private and private golf courses usually sell the same types of membership, which include:
- Individual
- Family
- Corporate
- Out-of-state
- Social
Each membership type has its own perks and drawbacks. For example, individual memberships are usually the most expensive memberships. Still, you can probably spend a little less if you pay for some type of group membership.
However, if you don’t have that kind of money, but you want to play golf, you’ll want to seek out public golf courses.
Final Thoughts
Golf membership is usually not cheap, as we have seen. You’ll spend a few thousand dollars every year, if not tens of thousands of dollars, not including the initiation fee. But on the other hand, you get what you pay for, and the more money you pay, the better and more luxurious experience you’ll have.