No initiation or refundable private clubs near NYC? Moving in 3-5yrs

[brp1515]

Hi all,

 

Have read several great threads that were a bit more specific (N. NJ or Westchester focused). Thanks for these great threads, very informative. 

 

My situation is slightly different: I want to join a private club (for the speed of play and meeting people), but want to optimize for cost + distance to Manhattan. I'm less strict on track quality and cost (ideally less than $10k, would love $5k per year). I live on the west side of Manhattan in Chelsea so NJ works, but also flexible going elsewhere if convenient. Also, I don't have a car, but pondering if necessary.

 

One key point for me though, is that I will likely be moving to Denver in 3-5 years. So I was hoping for:

a) a club with no initiation fee

b) a club w/ an initiation fee but that is refundable to some degree (I don't know how equity or bond works / if 1 would be better for me here? And which clubs do each method / or how to find out the refund policy?)

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you!

Edited April 27, 2021 by brp1515

[tomba51]

There are no private clubs that I know of in the five boroughs, so your only options are going to be in Westchester, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Long Island. That means that you will either have to have a car, or spend a fortune on Uber every time you want to play. You also have to be prepared to spend a lot of time traveling to any club that you choose in those areas.

Edited April 28, 2021 by tomba51

[darom86]

Agree that you will need a car otherwise it will be such a hassle.  I know of some clubs where your budget might work if you are in a junior category.  Just be aware that 5-10k in dues may be closer to 10-20k all in, depending on the club and how much you use it.

[ButterCutter2]

there are some clubs in NJ/westchester/LI that are relatively accessible via train & walk or very short uber. having said that, there are no places that do refundable initiations and many clubs that over the last decade were 0 initiation have brought them back in recent years esp b/c of the covid golf boom. there are a number of threads here about diff clubs and some of the more affordable ones. of course, the more affordable the private club, the more members meaning your PoP desire will be compromised. what'll also be compromised is that the more affordable spots tend to be that much further from the city, which limits you if you don't have a car.

[wildlefty]

Colonia CC in NJ has a $1000 initiation fee and they give it back year 3 as a credit on your yearly membership fee.

 

I don’t know much about the club itself, though. 

[cristphoto]

Never heard of refundable initiation fees.  I do know that if you join a club that has other clubs associated with it you can often transfer out of the first and into the second with no initiation.  

[NoCalHack]

Leewood in Eastchester (about 30 min from Manhattan) currently has no initiation fee.  Places I've looked that have initiation fees, they are not refundable.

 

However, I'd like more info as well if anyone has it.

[jin91]

Bumping this thread. @brp1515 did you end up finding one? I am in the similar situation.

[BrianM18]

On 4/27/2021 at 9:45 PM, tomba51 said:

There are no private clubs that I know of in the five boroughs, so your only options are going to be in Westchester, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Long Island. That means that you will either have to have a car, or spend a fortune on Uber every time you want to play. You also have to be prepared to spend a lot of time traveling to any club that you choose in those areas.

 

Richmond county country club on Staten Island is the only private club here in the 5 boroughs ,  not sure on the cost though  it has gone down over the past few years though i believe