Understanding Golf Membership & Access
Every club and community on US Golf Living is researched with one question in mind: does living here give you access to the golf club? The terms below explain the access models you'll see throughout the site.
- Invitation only
- Membership is only available by invitation from existing members or the club, regardless of where you live.
- Equity membership
- Members buy an ownership stake in the club itself, typically with the highest initiation cost and often the most access.
- Non-equity membership
- Members pay dues and often an initiation fee for access, without an ownership stake in the club.
- Bundled golf
- Golf access is bundled into the HOA or purchase price of a home in the community, rather than sold as a separate membership.
- Mandatory membership
- Homeowners in the community are required to join the club (and pay its dues) as a condition of ownership.
- Resident-only golf
- Golf access is limited to residents of the specific community, without being open to outside members.
- Membership optional / available separately
- Homeownership does not include golf access; a separate membership may be purchased and may have its own waitlist or approval process.
- Semi-private
- The club allows some public or resort-guest play alongside a private membership tier.