Are Country Clubs all Middle Class People

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In our area, those who joined clubs are the classic striver types, always name dropping, always upgrading their cars and homes and vacations. I can’t think of anything I’d like to do less than join a club where all these people congregate.

I doubt that there are many members at my club whose income is below seven figures. That is really what is needed to support a membership. Why? Because quite a number belong to more than one club, have a second home (some a third), and travel a fair amount. They are not upgrading things -- they just buy what they want. They also do not name drop.

I have noticed a trend though. In the past you would see lawyers, doctors, execs, as members. In the DC area -- the big lobbyists as well. And of course their adult kids who held similar jobs. Over the last few years there are a lot more younger people joining with lots of family money. Some have high paaying jobs, while others have modest jobs but the common fact is that there is a lot of family generational money out there.

You don't hang out at regular country clubs then. Plenty of members in the 350-500k range at regular clubs. And yes they are all strivers. Lots of kitchen renovations and very few second homes. Tons of name dropping, and only being friends with "certain" families.

You need a lot of disposable income to be a member at a club. Everyone seems rich at ours, whether it is family money or high income. It is doubtful that you would join a country club before having a nice home, saving for college, etc. We considered joining at 500k and 800k and didn’t think it was worth the cost. When we hit 2m, it was not a big deal to drop 100k for initiation and pay the 30k per year. It really is a waste of money if you think of how few times we go. Dh will think it is worth it. He takes friends and colleagues golfing. We go to holiday brunch, Halloween party and other events throughout the year. My boys are excellent tennis and golfers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In our area, those who joined clubs are the classic striver types, always name dropping, always upgrading their cars and homes and vacations. I can’t think of anything I’d like to do less than join a club where all these people congregate.

I doubt that there are many members at my club whose income is below seven figures. That is really what is needed to support a membership. Why? Because quite a number belong to more than one club, have a second home (some a third), and travel a fair amount. They are not upgrading things -- they just buy what they want. They also do not name drop.

I have noticed a trend though. In the past you would see lawyers, doctors, execs, as members. In the DC area -- the big lobbyists as well. And of course their adult kids who held similar jobs. Over the last few years there are a lot more younger people joining with lots of family money. Some have high paaying jobs, while others have modest jobs but the common fact is that there is a lot of family generational money out there.

You don't hang out at regular country clubs then. Plenty of members in the 350-500k range at regular clubs. And yes they are all strivers. Lots of kitchen renovations and very few second homes. Tons of name dropping, and only being friends with "certain" families.

You need a lot of disposable income to be a member at a club. Everyone seems rich at ours, whether it is family money or high income. It is doubtful that you would join a country club before having a nice home, saving for college, etc. We considered joining at 500k and 800k and didn’t think it was worth the cost. When we hit 2m, it was not a big deal to drop 100k for initiation and pay the 30k per year. It really is a waste of money if you think of how few times we go. Dh will think it is worth it. He takes friends and colleagues golfing. We go to holiday brunch, Halloween party and other events throughout the year. My boys are excellent tennis and golfers.

Oh I 100% know it is not worth it. But I also 100% know that people in our neighborhood belong to the "local" club closest to us without adequate college or retirement savings (relative to their current spending levels) and belong with a sub $500k income. Absolutely.

[Anonymous]

Lol. Ok.

They rejected you, OP?

[Anonymous]

The median US HHI is $75,000 which is middle class.

To answer OP's question...no, middle class people don't belong to country clubs.

[Anonymous]

We have mid 7 figure income and belong to 2 in this area. One is just because my spouse is a golf fiend and really loves that particular course, it doesn’t have a bunch of other stuff. Plus it’s far. The other one is close to where we live and has pool, tennis lessons for the kids, fitness center, dining, etc.

We also have a membership at a club near our summer home so the kids and spouse can play golf and tennis there over the summer.

This would never, ever come up in social conversation outside of the club.

[Anonymous]

I joke that I should join Chevy Chase Country Club because it is only 3 blocks from where I live. It is by far the most convenient place to play golf, use a gym, all other athletic stuff.

Just curious...how much does it even cost to join?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I joke that I should join Chevy Chase Country Club because it is only 3 blocks from where I live. It is by far the most convenient place to play golf, use a gym, all other athletic stuff.

Just curious...how much does it even cost to join?

Unless you know a bunch of people are already super well connected, dont even try. It's the most exclusive club in the area. Columbia is a short distance away, you'll have a much better chance there

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I joke that I should join Chevy Chase Country Club because it is only 3 blocks from where I live. It is by far the most convenient place to play golf, use a gym, all other athletic stuff.

Just curious...how much does it even cost to join?

Unless you know a bunch of people are already super well connected, dont even try. It's the most exclusive club in the area. Columbia is a short distance away, you'll have a much better chance there

I am sure you are correct...just curious how much $$$s we are even talking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I joke that I should join Chevy Chase Country Club because it is only 3 blocks from where I live. It is by far the most convenient place to play golf, use a gym, all other athletic stuff.

Just curious...how much does it even cost to join?

Unless you know a bunch of people are already super well connected, dont even try. It's the most exclusive club in the area. Columbia is a short distance away, you'll have a much better chance there

I am sure you are correct...just curious how much $$$s we are even talking.

As a full member (golf + social, not young professional) probably somewhere in the ballpark of $150,000 for initiation and $15K a year in dues, plus a required spend on food and drinks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I joke that I should join Chevy Chase Country Club because it is only 3 blocks from where I live. It is by far the most convenient place to play golf, use a gym, all other athletic stuff.

Just curious...how much does it even cost to join?

Unless you know a bunch of people are already super well connected, dont even try. It's the most exclusive club in the area. Columbia is a short distance away, you'll have a much better chance there

I am sure you are correct...just curious how much $$$s we are even talking.

As a full member (golf + social, not young professional) probably somewhere in the ballpark of $150,000 for initiation and $15K a year in dues, plus a required spend on food and drinks.

That's not that bad.

[Anonymous]

I belong to a lake club in WV that costs $300/year. That's middle class!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I joke that I should join Chevy Chase Country Club because it is only 3 blocks from where I live. It is by far the most convenient place to play golf, use a gym, all other athletic stuff.

Just curious...how much does it even cost to join?

Unless you know a bunch of people are already super well connected, dont even try. It's the most exclusive club in the area. Columbia is a short distance away, you'll have a much better chance there

I am sure you are correct...just curious how much $$$s we are even talking.

As a full member (golf + social, not young professional) probably somewhere in the ballpark of $150,000 for initiation and $15K a year in dues, plus a required spend on food and drinks.

That's not that bad.

NP, but it's not the kind of club you can just plunk down the money and join. It's much more about who you know and if you have to ask...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I joke that I should join Chevy Chase Country Club because it is only 3 blocks from where I live. It is by far the most convenient place to play golf, use a gym, all other athletic stuff.

Just curious...how much does it even cost to join?

Unless you know a bunch of people are already super well connected, dont even try. It's the most exclusive club in the area. Columbia is a short distance away, you'll have a much better chance there

I am sure you are correct...just curious how much $$$s we are even talking.

As a full member (golf + social, not young professional) probably somewhere in the ballpark of $150,000 for initiation and $15K a year in dues, plus a required spend on food and drinks.

That's not that bad.

NP, but it's not the kind of club you can just plunk down the money and join. It's much more about who you know and if you have to ask...

I hear you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In our area, those who joined clubs are the classic striver types, always name dropping, always upgrading their cars and homes and vacations. I can’t think of anything I’d like to do less than join a club where all these people congregate.

I doubt that there are many members at my club whose income is below seven figures. That is really what is needed to support a membership. Why? Because quite a number belong to more than one club, have a second home (some a third), and travel a fair amount. They are not upgrading things -- they just buy what they want. They also do not name drop.

I have noticed a trend though. In the past you would see lawyers, doctors, execs, as members. In the DC area -- the big lobbyists as well. And of course their adult kids who held similar jobs. Over the last few years there are a lot more younger people joining with lots of family money. Some have high paaying jobs, while others have modest jobs but the common fact is that there is a lot of family generational money out there.

You don't hang out at regular country clubs then. Plenty of members in the 350-500k range at regular clubs. And yes they are all strivers. Lots of kitchen renovations and very few second homes. Tons of name dropping, and only being friends with "certain" families.

You need a lot of disposable income to be a member at a club. Everyone seems rich at ours, whether it is family money or high income. It is doubtful that you would join a country club before having a nice home, saving for college, etc. We considered joining at 500k and 800k and didn’t think it was worth the cost. When we hit 2m, it was not a big deal to drop 100k for initiation and pay the 30k per year. It really is a waste of money if you think of how few times we go. Dh will think it is worth it. He takes friends and colleagues golfing. We go to holiday brunch, Halloween party and other events throughout the year. My boys are excellent tennis and golfers.

Oh I 100% know it is not worth it. But I also 100% know that people in our neighborhood belong to the "local" club closest to us without adequate college or retirement savings (relative to their current spending levels) and belong with a sub $500k income. Absolutely.

That is their choice. 500k is still UMC, not MC. As pp said, MC us more like 50-100k and no, those people cannot afford to join a country club unless their parents are paying for it and then that means they have family money.

[Anonymous]

Some may even put 500k as rich category.