Moving to South Florida - Private Options?

[JakeW13]

Hey gents, my fiancé and I have been eyeing a move to Florida somewhere in the next year or two (need to get out of Boston, we've had enough). I've been playing a lot of golf over the past two years and enjoying getting back into competitive play up here in Massachusetts (qualified for the state mid am last year). Now with my sights set on Florida, I'm looking to weigh my options on places to live and to find courses where membership is a viable option for me.

 

In terms of location, we're eyeing anywhere from around Port St. Lucie to maybe Fort Lauderdale right now but nothing is set in stone.

 

I think my realistic budget would have to be somewhere under $10k a year. I'm young (32) so I am hoping there might be good private courses with executive/young professional memberships.

 

Anyone have any suggestions? Would love to hear about any communities or areas that you guys think would be worth us considering.

 

Thanks!

[RichieHunt]

Lots of private clubs in that area, but many of them are quite expensive and out of your range.  Bear Lakes is a good bet, but has some downside to it (very busy in the winter).  I would look in the Vero Beach area as well...Vero Beach CC, etc.

 

 

 

 

RH

[RichieHunt]

Most of these memberships will have initiation fees, just so you're forewarned.  

 

Once you get south of Melbourne, FL the cost of living dramatically increases.  And if you're looking to buy a home, FEMA insurance may be required and that can set you back more than expected.

 

 

 

 

 

RH

[Andrew24]

I’m in the same boat, there are two options that I know of that are good. The Falls Club and Eastpointe are both less than $10k all in, no initiation. 

[Lions1988]

1 hour ago, Andrew24 said:

I’m in the same boat, there are two options that I know of that are good. The Falls Club and Eastpointe are both less than $10k all in, no initiation. 

 

I closed on a house in August 2020 in Palm beach. I've done a lot of research on looking for a club to join. I've been invited to see and play The Falls Club numerous times by the membership director but I have not gone. The junior membership is for people under the age of 50 and it's $13,000 a year. The regular membership is for people age 50 to 84 and it's $17,000 a year. What they are not telling you is that the golf course is on leased land. The land was sold to Toll Brothers builders and they are putting in one of their luxury housing developments in. The club will be gone in a little less than 3 years. 

 

Eastpointe Country Club has a non-resident Membership. If you are under 35 the initiation fee is waived. Age 35 to 39 it's $1,500 and age 40 to 45 it's $3,000. Be careful and do your homework. I'm down to my top 3 clubs and I think I know what club I'm joining. Good luck     

[nsxguy]

12 minutes ago, Lions1988 said:

 

I closed on a house in August 2020 in Palm beach. I've done a lot of research on looking for a club to join. I've been invited to see and play The Falls Club numerous times by the membership director but I have not gone. The junior membership is for people under the age of 50 and it's $13,000 a year. The regular membership is for people age 50 to 84 and it's $17,000 a year. What they are not telling you is that the golf course is on leased land. The land was sold to Toll Brothers builders and they are putting in one of their luxury housing developments in. The club will be gone in a little less than 3 years. 

 

Eastpointe Country Club has a non-resident Membership. If you are under 35 the initiation fee is waived. Age 35 to 39 it's $1,500 and age 40 to 45 it's $3,000. Be careful and do your homework. I'm down to my top 3 clubs and I think I know what club I'm joining. Good luck     

 

This has been the "rumor" for some years now. It's a shame. The Falls Club is a really nice track always in great condition.

 

I believe I was told (by a member) that an annual "dual" membership for Indian Spring & Fountains is around $8K. Indian Spring is just north of Delray Beach in lower Boynton Beach. Fountains is a few miles north of I.S.

 

There are 2 courses at Indian Spring. There were 3 at Fountains but I believe only 2 now. So 4 really nice courses with a large variety of interesting holes, usually in pretty good to very good shape.

 

Both of those facilities are 3-5 miles west of I-95 off Jog Road.

 

I believe Abacoa is private or semi-private. It's a bit more north but right off I-95. @dpb5031 is a member there and might be able to help you. Never played there myself though.

[jpt1101]

Abacoa is a public facility, but they do sell memberships that give you preferred tee times, a nice benefit during the busy Winter season and being able to play early before the rain during the rainy Summer season. 
 

I was paired with someone who was a former member at Eastpointe. I’ve never played there, but he said that the average membership age is “death plus five.” And he was in his 60’s, so not on the young side himself. I can’t confirm that since I’ve never been there, but just FYI. 

[golfortennis]

On 3/8/2021 at 9:04 PM, jpt1101 said:

Abacoa is a public facility, but they do sell memberships that give you preferred tee times, a nice benefit during the busy Winter season and being able to play early before the rain during the rainy Summer season. 
 

I was paired with someone who was a former member at Eastpointe. I’ve never played there, but he said that the average membership age is “death plus five.” And he was in his 60’s, so not on the young side himself. I can’t confirm that since I’ve never been there, but just FYI. 

 

I say this only as someone who has been there on vacation, but does anyone really join a club in Florida looking for a "young-ish" membership?  My buddy who lives there but has family outside the state says when his family of 5 goes to visit them the average age of the state rises.  

 

Don't get me wrong, I get the appeal of a younger membership, just not sure how realistic it is? 

[Saltydawg15]

Take a look at FLL country club and Grande Oaks in Ft Lauderdale.

[cardoustie]

... on the other side ...  Venice area?

 

Plantation looks pretty good.  36 holes.  LPGA Q school.  Reasonable /// compared to what is insane in Naples

[QuieTSToRM33]

On 3/8/2021 at 10:16 AM, Lions1988 said:

 

I closed on a house in August 2020 in Palm beach. I've done a lot of research on looking for a club to join. I've been invited to see and play The Falls Club numerous times by the membership director but I have not gone. The junior membership is for people under the age of 50 and it's $13,000 a year. The regular membership is for people age 50 to 84 and it's $17,000 a year. What they are not telling you is that the golf course is on leased land. The land was sold to Toll Brothers builders and they are putting in one of their luxury housing developments in. The club will be gone in a little less than 3 years. 

 

Eastpointe Country Club has a non-resident Membership. If you are under 35 the initiation fee is waived. Age 35 to 39 it's $1,500 and age 40 to 45 it's $3,000. Be careful and do your homework. I'm down to my top 3 clubs and I think I know what club I'm joining. Good luck     

Any updates on this ? 

 

I'm hoping to move back down to South Florida in the next couple of months and will be looking a club myself.

Edited May 6, 2021 by QuieTSToRM33

[Lions1988]

 I believe I saw somewhere Eastpointe now has a waiting list. 

[courcy75]

On 3/22/2021 at 6:19 AM, Saltydawg15 said:

Take a look at FLL country club and Grande Oaks in Ft Lauderdale.

Any idea on cost of membership for each?

[miamigolfman]

any updates on this?

[Saltydawg15]

On 5/14/2021 at 9:32 AM, courcy75 said:

Any idea on cost of membership for each?

Fll is about $35k initiation and Grand Oaks is $25k beginning July1. Both have a jr executive rate not sure the amount. Both courses have recently raised their initiation rate and Grand Oaks is closing membership with only 4 spots open.

[courcy75]

2 hours ago, Saltydawg15 said:

Fll is about $35k initiation and Grand Oaks is $25k beginning July1. Both have a jr executive rate not sure the amount. Both courses have recently raised their initiation rate and Grand Oaks is closing membership with only 4 spots open.

Thanks! Unfortunately I’m not in a position to join as of yet. Seems like there’s no clubs around here that I can afford lol

[Saltydawg15]

1 hour ago, courcy75 said:

Thanks! Unfortunately I’m not in a position to join as of yet. Seems like there’s no clubs around here that I can afford lol

Unfortunately like most things, private clubs are booming. A year ago GO was $10k.

[FlashinLeather]

I think it has mostly been covered and I agreed with the above commenters. I am 33 years old living in South Florida and there really is not any good options right now. Pre-Covid there was a handful of great junior memberships at good clubs. Since Covid - with the golf boom and people moving down to the area - most clubs have closed their junior memberships and even their full equity memberships. On top of that, initiation fees have doubled. 

 

It does not look like this will change in the near future so its basically either come up with the $ or bounce around at the few decent muni's in Palm Beach/St. Lucie/Martin County.

 

[Ridge]

PGA National is hard to beat. 5 courses plus a par 3. The Champ is hard but outstanding. Courses shared with a resort. The benefits outweigh the drawbacks.  A lot of juniors around so kids can find their own games.  Owners (PE firm so no assessments)are in the process of dropping $150mm into the property. 

[vollrathian]

most good private clubs require $35,000+ initiation dues plus $10,000 annual dues. Quail Ridge has the best summer membership deal around.