How Much Is a Golf Membership? [Pricing + Benefits]

In a recent survey, non-golfers listed the fact that golf “seems expensive to play” as one of the top reasons for not playing the sport. 

Whether you’re a once-in-a-while kind of golfer or an avid player, you might have similar concerns when it comes to joining a golf club. 

Just how much is a golf membership for the typical golfer, exactly? We’ll break down membership costs, then introduce you to a modern golf club membership that’s not only affordable but also provides a host of benefits both on and off the course.

Typical Private Golf Course Membership Fees

How Much is a Golf Membership?

A golf membership can range from $5,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on several factors. 

Initiation fees can range anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 and beyond — a vast range based on whether you’re joining a small local club or a prestigious club that serves as a location for professional tournaments, like Augusta, for example.  

Meanwhile, monthly dues tend to average between $300 and $700 for most courses, and can go even higher. 

Are There Other Ways to Access Private Golf?

Links Golf is rewriting the narrative with a premium and affordable solution for experiencing private golf clubs by connecting golfers with private clubs through partnerships and reciprocity in our Links Golf network.

How Much is Golf Membership with Links Golf?

Links Golf memberships cost $1,499 annually plus $50-$150 per round (on average). Links Golf opens the door to a world-class golfing lifestyle without long waitlists and restraints. Discover how you can indulge in premier private golf clubs with unparalleled flexibility and a fraction of the usual expense. 

Enjoy the flexibility of playing at various locations and revel in the bonus of merchandise discounts as well.

Make the smart choice - opt for Links Golf and elevate your golfing experience without the exorbitant costs. Join us today and unlock a world of exclusive golfing opportunities.

Take our Quiz to get an idea of course access near you and to see if Links Golf is a good fit.

What Factors Affect a Traditional Golf Club Membership Cost? 

Golf is known as an expensive sport — which is why many golfers struggle to play as much as they would like. 

While a golf club membership offers course discounts, the cost varies widely. Here’s what impacts the membership costs at clubs around the country: 

1. Facilities & Perks 

Does your local clubhouse have a locker room or a swimming pool? Is the driving range geared up with the latest tracking technology? Does the club offer shop and bar discounts to its members? 

Access to all of these additional facilities and perks will come at a cost, both in green fees and membership fees. 

Whether your goal is only to play 18 holes or you want to enjoy a quick drink at the 19th, bars, restaurants, lounges and other facilities drive up membership costs. 

2. Type of Membership 

Not all golf memberships are the same. Some clubs offer packages such as junior memberships for players under 40 or flexible memberships for those who only plan to play at certain times or days. 

Some of the varying types of golf memberships include: 

• Single membership: Standard membership with no specific add-ons or discounts

• Junior/senior membership: Age-based discounts usually impact golfers under the age of 40 and over 65 years old 

• Social membership: Access only to the social perks of the club with potentially restricted access to the course 

• Family/corporate membership: Extended guest privileges for family members or work functions  

• Non-resident/flexible membership: Lower prices specifically for out-of-towners who will only use the course intermittently 

Not all clubs offer these options and those that do will have varying price structures — but the cost will depend on the type of membership and what’s included.

3. Add-Ons 

Most membership fees aren’t as simple as a one-time payment for unlimited golf. On top of monthly or yearly payments, many members can also expect to pay: 

• Storage fees 

• Assessment fees 

• Building improvement fees 

• Clubhouse maximum spends 

• Standard gratuities 

4. Status 

For many golfers, joining a golf club is somewhat of a status symbol. For instance, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates are among the members at Augusta, adding to its prestige as a club.  

Naturally, country clubs with a reputation for hosting famous players or offering an immaculate course with challenging play charge higher membership fees. 

Included in the cost of a golf club membership is often access to social events, members-only functions, and high-profile tournaments.  

For example, in 2022, Liberty National Golf Club hosted the annual Icons Series tournament, where two teams of A-list celebrities were led by Fred Couples and Ernie Els — drawing a huge crowd, including of course, the club’s members.

For example, Augusta’s half a million in initiation fee is followed by yearly dues of $10,000, while Winged Foot Golf Club in New York, which hosted the 2020 U.S. Open, has an initiation fee of $150,000 with yearly dues of $15,000. 

Of course, these well-known clubs come at a premium. The average price for a golf club membership in the U.S. sits somewhere around $6,000 per year.

Is a Golf Membership Worth it? 

To decide whether a golf membership is worth the cost, ask yourself three key questions: 

1. Do I Play Enough? 

If you’re a casual golfer who likes to play only occasionally with friends, the cost of a traditional golf membership might not be worth it for you. 

Even with a junior membership, the first year at a country club will set you back several thousand dollars. 

2. Are the Exclusive Benefits Worth It? 

Golf clubs can be exclusive and include countless perks and benefits — but this doesn’t mean they are always worth their weight in gold.  

Florida’s Seminole Golf Club once turned away golf icon Jack Nicklaus, but we don’t think he had any trouble making the most of the exclusive benefits at other clubs across the country. 

Before making your decision, make sure you understand what’s included both in the package and the club that you’re considering. Does the cost match up with the quality of the course, the facilities, and the discounts or perks offered?

3. What Are the Alternatives? 

While golf remains a traditional game, your golf club membership doesn’t have to play by the old rules. At Links Golf, we offer a modern, flexible golf membership.

How to Make the Most of Golf Membership Costs with Links Golf Club 

Whichever way you look at it, golf is an expensive sport.  

If you play regularly enough to consider a golf membership, but not enough to offset regular green fees, you’re faced with a difficult decision — to join or not to join? 

Links Golf Club offers a modern membership that goes well beyond the offerings of a traditional, one-course golf club. 

With a Links Golf Club membership, you’re not limited to your home 18. Instead, you can pair with host golfers in the member-to-member reciprocity program or utilize the strong network of golf and social clubs across the country — making the most of the membership costs while exploring diverse courses throughout the year. 

With discounts and deals at top brands like Puma Golf, Top Golf and Bridgestone, your golf membership offers benefits beyond the walls of one private clubhouse.