The financials of country clubs
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Anonymous
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DH really wants to join one and has for years. He's an avid golfer and plays several times a week at our local, very nice public. Our boys are becoming avid golfers as well and now my 13-year-old is asking me weekly if we'll ever join a club. I've always said no way...I hate the idea of paying thousands of dollars a year in dues just for privilege of being able to spend MORE money. However...now that my boys are into golf, and I hope my girl gets into it too...and I'm even trying to learn myself so I don't get left out of my golfing family...I'm starting to consider it.
Tell me about the finances of the country club life. The one we're considering (we're not in DC) has an initiation fee of $40,000 and monthly dues of about $1,300. Plus food and beverage minimums which would be no problem to hit. Plus, man, every time you play golf you still pay a cart fee of about $40. Assessments have happened and can be big (last one was about $10k). If you belong to a club, is it worth it to you and your family? I've love your perspective. At what income level do you think joining a club makes sense? |
Anonymous
| Cut me a break |
Anonymous
| If you notice the money, then it isn't for you |
Anonymous
| Where I live (outside of NYC) a ton of people belong to golf and swim clubs with initiation fees starting closer to $80K. Everyone I know who belongs to a club loves it - the swimming, the tennis, the golf. You've got to have a ton of disposable income to drop on that though. I would personally buy a second home and go on really nice vacations before joining a country club. |
Anonymous
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You’ll never rationalize it. It’s a lifestyle choice. I don’t regret my decision for a money and our fees in DC are much higher.
Don’t join if spending $1,500 a month will stress you out. It’s a luxury. The most cost effective thing is to play at local munis. |
Anonymous
Typo .. “for a moment” |
Anonymous
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I agree with everyone above.
But I will add that I’m shocked at how much money people have. I consider myself UMC (but the annoying group of UMC that feels MC), and I don’t know how everyone got so loaded while we’ve languished in pinching penny land. |
Anonymous
Country clubs are UC, not UMC. |
Anonymous
Good point, thank you! |
Anonymous
This is very club dependent. |
Anonymous
| Are you and/or your DH in the kind of professions like real estate, finance, or law where meeting "the right people" has some deep meaning? If so, all it could take are a few good connections to offset the fees. |
Anonymous
| Would anyone be willing to share the initial fee and monthly charge for specific clubs? We live in Bethesda and I’m pretty sure we can’t afford it but our kids have been invited to swim or to birthday parties at several different clubs and I’m curious how much they cost. |
Anonymous
This. - CC member and UMC. |
Anonymous
They vary depending on the type of membership. I'm not 100% sure but in the Alexandria area I think Belle Haven is about $85K initiation/membership buy-in for a golf and tennis membership, and Springfield CC is $25K. I think Army/Navy in Arlington is somewhere in between these two. Plus all the monthly dues and f/b minimums.... |
Anonymous
| There are some cheap ones if you go farther out, like Stoneleigh near Purcellville. |