Priciest Golf Club Subscriptions Across the Globe
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In the world of golf, exclusivity and luxury often come at a high price. The most expensive golf club memberships can exceed $1 million for initiation fees, with annual dues ranging from $8,000 to over $70,000. These fees are determined by factors such as the club's prestige, exclusivity, quality of facilities, location, and the status associated with membership.
One such exclusive club is Queenwood Golf Club in Surrey, UK. With an initiation fee around £200,000 (about $255,000) and annual dues of £8,000 (~$10,000), Queenwood is an invite-only club noted for its privacy and elite membership. The club's roster includes celebrities, business tycoons, and tour professionals, with Ernie Els among its members.
Another prestigious club is Wentworth Club in Surrey, UK, which requires a £200,000 debenture (~$255,000) for membership and around £16,000 (~$20,000) in annual fees. Known for its three championship courses and elite clientele, Wentworth is also an exclusive club.
Augusta National in Georgia, USA, famous for hosting The Masters, charges an estimated $40,000 initiation with $10,000 annual dues, but membership is strictly by invitation and highly secretive.
Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey, USA, demands $25,000 annually, reflecting its $250 million construction cost and exclusive member base including prominent public figures.
The Bridge Golf Club in New York requires $750,000 initiation fees plus $20,000 annual dues and high taxes, offering a unique course designed on a former raceway.
Some American clubs have even higher fees, with initiation costs reportedly up to $500,000 and annual fees as much as $70,000. These fees often justify exceptional practice facilities, tour-quality amenities, and celebrity memberships.
Swinley Forest Golf Club, founded by the Earl of Derby, was a private club in the Seventies and Eighties. It was rumoured that there was no set membership subscription at Swinley Forest, and that when the club needed an expensive new piece of machinery, a raffle was held among the members, and the person whose name was drawn out paid the full cost of the machine. The course at Swinley Forest is a superb heathland one, with a famous Redan green 4th hole.
Augusta National is one of the most famous golf clubs in the world, with its membership fees and members' identities remaining secretive. Another highly exclusive golf club is Shanqin Bay Golf Club in Hainan, China, rumored to have a joining fee of $1 million, with only around 20 members.
Determination of these fees typically involves the club's reputation, exclusivity, the scale and prestige of amenities, and geographic desirability. Initiation fees cover lifetime membership benefits or debentures, while annual dues cover ongoing maintenance, operations, and social perks.
In sum, the most expensive golf club memberships blend exclusivity, luxury, location, and sporting prestige, with fees set to maintain both the club’s financial sustainability and its aura of elite status.
Golf is a sport associated with exclusivity and luxury, as demonstrated by the high-priced golf club memberships. The Queenwood Golf Club in Surrey, UK, for instance, boasts golf clubs amongst its facilities and requires an initiation fee of around £200,000 and annual dues of £8,000.
Golf enthusiasts or high-profile individuals seeking a prestigious golf experience may find themselves considering membership at Shanqin Bay Golf Club in Hainan, China, one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the world, with golf clubs included, and rumored to have a joining fee of $1 million.
