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What it costs to join a Hamptons golf club
The Hamptons have some of the most expensive, and most exclusive, golf memberships in the world. But price and difficulty don't always line up: the clubs with the highest fees are often easier to get into than the old-line clubs with modest ones.
The three tiers
1. The old guard (invitation is everything)
Shinnecock Hills, National Golf Links, Maidstone and Southampton Golf Club date to 1891–1925. Their land is long paid for, so initiation fees have historically been far below the newer clubs (National was reported around $150,000 in 2019). The barrier is social: you need to be known to members, often for many years, and memberships at Maidstone pass through families.
2. The trophy clubs (seven figures)
Sebonack, The Bridge and Atlantic were built from the 1990s on. Press reports have put each at roughly $650,000 to $1 million or more to join, plus five-figure dues. East Hampton Golf Club and Friar's Head have been reported in the $250,000–$400,000 range. All are still invitation-only.
3. The approachable clubs
Hampton Hills (non-equity), Noyac, Westhampton, South Fork and the North Fork clubs (North Fork CC, Laurel Links) cost a fraction of the trophy clubs and some have memberships available without a long wait.
Every private club compared
| Club | Reported initiation | Dues | Getting in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinnecock Hills Golf Club | Not published. Older-line clubs like Shinnecock have historically charged far less than the new trophy clubs; the barrier is the invitation, not the price. | Not published | 10/10 |
| National Golf Links of America | Reported at roughly $150,000 plus about $10,000 a year in dues (2019 press reports). Treat as a historical estimate. | Reported around $10,000+ per year | 10/10 |
| Friar's Head | Reported at $250,000+ (2011 and 2019 press reports). | Not published | 10/10 |
| Sebonack Golf Club | Reported starting around $650,000, with some memberships reported above $1 million. | Reported around $12,000+ per year at opening (2006); likely higher now | 9/10 |
| The Bridge | Reported between about $750,000 and $1 million, plus tax and roughly $20,000 in annual dues. | Reported around $20,000 per year | 9/10 |
| Atlantic Golf Club | Reported up to around $1 million in 2019; it opened at about $100,000 in 1992. | Not published | 9/10 |
| East Hampton Golf Club | Reported between roughly $260,000 and $400,000 (2011 and 2019 press reports). | Not published | 9/10 |
| Maidstone Club | Not published. Memberships tend to pass through families over generations. | Not published | 10/10 |
| Southampton Golf Club | Not published. | Not published | 9/10 |
| South Fork Country Club | Not published; generally considered below the trophy clubs. | Not published | 8/10 |
| Westhampton Country Club | Not published. | Not published | 8/10 |
| Noyac Golf Club | Not published; considered one of the more attainable private memberships on the South Fork. | Not published | 7/10 |
| Quogue Field Club | Not published. | Not published | 7/10 |
| Gardiner's Bay Country Club | Not published. | Not published | 7/10 |
| North Fork Country Club | Not published; generally far below South Fork clubs. | Not published | 5/10 |
| Hampton Hills Golf & Country Club | Non-equity membership: no large equity purchase. Ask the club for current categories and rates. | Ask the club | 4/10 |
| Laurel Links Country Club | Ask the club for current membership categories. | Ask the club | 4/10 |
Costs beyond the initiation fee
- Annual dues (reported from about $10,000 to $20,000+ at the top clubs)
- Food and beverage minimums
- Capital assessments
- Caddie fees and gratuities
- Sales tax on some fees in New York
- Guest fees
Next: how the invitation process actually works.
FAQ
What is the most expensive golf club in the Hamptons?
Based on press reports, Sebonack, The Bridge and Atlantic have each been reported at or near $1 million to join, making them among the most expensive memberships in American golf.
Why are Shinnecock and Maidstone cheaper than newer clubs?
Old-line clubs own their land outright and keep fees relatively modest; they control membership through invitations and long vetting rather than price. Newer clubs had to buy land and build courses, and price memberships accordingly.
Are initiation fees refundable?
It depends on the club. Equity clubs may return part of a fee when a membership is resold; many clubs' fees are non-refundable. Ask the club for its bylaws.
What other costs come with membership?
Annual dues, food and beverage minimums, assessments for capital projects, caddie fees and tips, locker fees, and in New York, sales tax on some fees.