Palm Beach County is home to 59 billionaires with a combined net worth approaching $500 billion. Most of them belong to the same handful of private clubs. Here is how the top 10 rank.
- Initiation fees at the top clubs range from $130,000 to $500,000, with annual dues between $25,000 and $53,000.
- The most exclusive clubs are invitation-only with no formal application process.
- For buyers considering a country club home, touring the club and understanding the lifestyle is as important as seeing the property.
Palm Beach County's private club market is not one thing. Everglades and Bath & Tennis represent old Palm Beach social power. Seminole and The Bear's Club are serious golf prestige. Panther National is new-money exclusivity. And Boca clubs like Royal Palm, St. Andrews, Boca West, and Broken Sound each serve a different lifestyle. The only real way to choose the right one is to tour them, play them, eat there, see the homes, and understand whether you want privacy, golf, social energy, beach access, or all of it.
How did we rank these clubs?
This ranking weighs three factors: how hard it is to get in (invitation-only beats application-based), how high the financial barrier is (initiation fees, annual dues), and how limited the membership is. A club where you cannot apply no matter how much money you have ranks higher than one where a check gets you through the door.
All fees listed are approximate and subject to change. These figures are drawn from public reporting, real estate sources, and club documentation as of 2026. Always confirm directly with the club before making any decisions.
Photo: Broken Sound Club's pool area (Broken Sound Club)
#10: Broken Sound Club
Location: 2401 Willow Springs Drive, Boca Raton, FL 33496
Broken Sound is Boca Raton's largest club community with over 1,600 homes across 27 villages. The Old Course hosts the PGA Tour Champions season opener (Rees Jones redesign), and the club completed a $40 million, 130,000-square-foot clubhouse renovation in 2023. Membership is mandatory with home purchase.
Reported initiation fees range from $130,000 for Sports/Tennis/Social (no golf) to $225,000 for Old Course Golf access. Annual dues range from $25,000 to $32,000 depending on membership category. Homes range from approximately $400,000 (villas) to over $4 million (estates). Fees change frequently. Always confirm directly with the club.
#9: Boca West Country Club
Location: 20583 Boca West Drive, Boca Raton, FL 33434
The largest private residential country club in the United States. Five championship courses (59 holes), 4,800 homes across 55 villages on 1,400 acres, 30 tennis courts, and 14 dining venues. Boca West is a Platinum Club of America and offers the most accessible entry point into a top-tier Palm Beach County club community. The networking pool is massive because the membership base is massive.
Initiation is approximately $150,000 with annual dues around $28,000. Homes range from around $200,000 (attached villas) to over $3 million (estates). Membership is mandatory with home purchase.
#8: Frenchman's Creek Beach & Country Club
Location: 13501 Frenchman's Creek Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
The most self-contained luxury community in Palm Beach County. No outside members. Two Tom Fazio courses. Private oceanfront beach club. Marina. And the highest annual dues in the county: approximately $53,000. Under 300 members. You never need to leave the gates. Golf, beach, boats, dining, all inside. A favorite among prominent families from the Northeast who want total privacy.
Initiation is reported to be approximately $375,000. This is a "buy the house, join the club" community. Membership is required and restricted to residents of Frenchman's Creek Beach & Country Club.
Photo: St. Andrews Country Club's golf course (St. Andrews Country Club)
#7: St. Andrews Country Club
Location: 17557 Claridge Oval W, Boca Raton, FL 33496
Widely considered the most prestigious country club community in Boca Raton. The 732 custom homes sit on 720 acres. Two 18-hole championship courses (including an Arnold Palmer Signature design). The 125,000-square-foot clubhouse completed a $27.5 million renovation in 2023. St. Andrews is a Platinum Club of America. Homes regularly start at $2 million, with custom lakefront estates exceeding $10 million.
Reported initiation fees range from $275,000 to $450,000 depending on source and year. A $50,000 property owners' contribution is due at closing. Annual dues run approximately $26,000 to $40,000+. Membership is mandatory. Application plus board approval required. Fees change frequently. Always confirm directly with the club.
#6: Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club
Location: 199 Royal Palm Way, Boca Raton, FL 33432
Boca Raton's most exclusive address. The club covers 450 acres with fewer than 700 homes. Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course plus private marina (vessels 100'+, ocean access). Intracoastal waterfront. Average home sale approximately $11 million. The club where East Boca's establishment does business.
Nomination by existing member required. Initiation and dues are not publicly disclosed. In early 2025, Travis Kelce leased a $20 million waterfront estate here, with Taylor Swift joining him. Kevin James purchased a home for $17.15 million.
#5: Panther National
Location: 3500 Panther National Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
The newest and most anticipated club in Palm Beach County. The 18-hole championship course was co-designed by Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas and features a Jack Nicklaus Signature layout. The 55,000-square-foot clubhouse is scheduled to open in fall 2026. Already attracting PGA Tour pros, sports figures, and ultra-high-net-worth buyers. This is the club redefining what "new money" looks like in Palm Beach County.
Invitation-only. Initiation is $500,000 for non-residents or $400,000 for Panther National homeowners, according to Panther National. Annual dues are approximately $30,000. Custom estate homes range from $3 million to over $20 million.
#4: Seminole Golf Club
Location: 901 Seminole Boulevard, Juno Beach, FL 33408
Oceanfront on A1A. Donald Ross design (1929). Consistently ranked among the top 5-10 courses in the United States and hosted the Walker Cup in 2021. No residential community. This is a pure membership club. The course sits directly on the dunes above the Atlantic. This is where serious golfers with serious connections play.
Invitation-only. Fees are not publicly disclosed. The barrier here is social, not financial. Seminole is one of the hardest clubs to join in America.
Photo: The Bear's Club's golf course (The Bear's Club)
#3: The Bear's Club
Location: 300 Bears Club Drive, Jupiter, FL 33477
Jack Nicklaus's own private golf community. Approximately 55-61 homes. Membership capped at around 100. This is the most exclusive residential address in Palm Beach County. Nicklaus himself designed the course, and the community reflects his vision of serious golf in a private, serene setting.
Initiation fees are reported to range from $250,000 to $500,000, with annual dues around $25,000, according to Golf365. Invitation plus sponsor required for The Bear's Club. Known residents include Michael Jordan (who owns an approximately $35 million estate plus a $16.5 million second home), Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Gary Player, Rickie Fowler, and Patrick Cantlay.
#2: The Bath & Tennis Club
Location: 1170 S Ocean Boulevard, Palm Beach, FL 33480
Founded in 1926. This is NOT a golf club. It is a private oceanfront beach and social club. Private beach with cabanas, ocean views, tennis, fine dining. Vanity Fair and Vogue used it as a fashion backdrop in 1927. The B&T is where Palm Beach's social season happens.
Invitation-only plus sponsor required for The Bath & Tennis Club. Initiation has been reported to range from $150,000 to $250,000. Annual dues are not publicly disclosed. The Bath & Tennis is the premier beach club on Palm Beach Island.
Photo: The Everglades Club was designed by architect Addison Mizner (Google Reviews)
#1: The Everglades Club
Location: 356 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, FL 33480
Founded in 1919. Designed by Addison Mizner. The original Palm Beach private club. Golf course, social events, formal dining. No website. No phones allowed inside. Rumored members include presidents, politicians, and titans of industry, but the club actively discourages any publication of its membership or activities. If you have to ask how to join, you are not joining.
This is the club where Palm Beach's $500-billion billionaire class conducts its social life behind closed doors. Initiation and annual dues are not disclosed.
Looking for a country club home? Talk to a Palm Beach County real estate agent who can help you tour communities and understand what each club actually feels like. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group or call (561) 556-9853.
How should you choose the right club?
As Larry Mastropieri explained on the Discover South Florida Podcast: "When people are looking for country clubs, they need to run around with me, check out the homes, check out the communities, and then schedule private tours or a golf day. That is really how you buy a country club home if you do not already know the area. You need to bounce around and get a handle on what each club actually feels like."
These clubs are not just about golf and pools. They are networking ecosystems. The higher the initiation fee, the higher the net worth of the people in the room. A $400,000+ buy-in at St. Andrews puts you at a table with people whose homes start at $2 million. A $350,000+ initiation at The Bear's Club puts you next to Michael Jordan. For any professional in luxury real estate, wealth management, law, or finance, the question is not whether you can afford the membership. It is whether you can afford NOT to be in the room.
Other clubs worth knowing
Not every club in Palm Beach County made the top 10, but several are worth mentioning depending on your priorities.
The Boca Raton Club: Resort membership (not residential). The property spans 200 oceanfront acres with Forbes 5-Star recognition. Michael Dell's MSD Partners poured over $400 million into renovations. More than 18 restaurants, including Major Food Group's Flamingo Grill and Sadelle's. Half-mile private beach. You do not need to live there to join. Membership buy-in is approximately $100,000 with monthly dues between $1,500 and $2,500.
The Seagate Club (Delray Beach): The only club combining golf, private oceanfront beach club, and boutique hotel. Jack Nicklaus was a charter member. $14 million Drew Rogers course redesign. Initiation runs from $30,000 to $175,000 depending on membership level. Best value in the county.
Admirals Cove (Jupiter): 891 homes, 63-slip deep-water marina, 45 holes of golf. Initiation runs $285,000 to $475,000. The premier marina and boating club in Palm Beach County.
BallenIsles (Palm Beach Gardens): Three courses, hosted PGA Championship. Initiation approximately $295,000.
Woodfield Country Club (Boca Raton): Platinum Club. Family-friendly. Bob Cupp course.
Bocaire Country Club (Boca Raton): Boutique. Ultra-private. Capped membership.
Jupiter Country Club: Greg Norman Signature course. Initiation approximately $100,000.
Mar-a-Lago (Palm Beach Island): Trump's private club. Social and dining. Invitation-only.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Private Clubs in Palm Beach County
What is the most exclusive private club in Palm Beach County?
The Everglades Club on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach is widely considered the most exclusive. Founded in 1919 and designed by Addison Mizner, it is invitation-only with no public application process. Fees are not disclosed, and the club does not publish membership information.
How much does it cost to join a private club in Palm Beach County?
Initiation fees range from approximately $100,000 at resort-style clubs like The Boca Raton Club to $500,000 at Panther National. Most top-tier clubs charge between $150,000 and $400,000 for initiation, with annual dues ranging from $25,000 to $53,000. These figures change frequently. Always confirm directly with the club.
What is the difference between invitation-only and application-based clubs?
Invitation-only clubs (like Everglades, Bath & Tennis, The Bear's Club, and Seminole) require an existing member to sponsor you. You cannot apply on your own. Application-based clubs (like St. Andrews, Broken Sound, and Boca West) allow prospective members to submit applications, though board approval is still required and membership is not guaranteed.
Are country club memberships mandatory when buying a home?
In most private country club communities (like St. Andrews, Boca West, Broken Sound, and Frenchman's Creek), membership is mandatory when you purchase a home. The initiation fee is typically due at or near closing. Some clubs allow social or non-golf memberships at lower fees, but full club access usually requires payment of the full initiation fee.
Which Palm Beach County clubs have celebrity residents?
The Bear's Club in Jupiter is home to Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Gary Player, Rickie Fowler, and Patrick Cantlay. Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club in Boca Raton has hosted Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. Panther National is attracting PGA Tour professionals and sports figures as it opens.
Local help for country club home buyers in Palm Beach County
If you are considering a country club home in Palm Beach, Jupiter, Boca Raton, or anywhere in Palm Beach County, understanding how membership works, what the true costs are, and which club fits your lifestyle matters. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group, Realtors®.
For practical, hands-on support across Palm Beach County, call (561) 556-9853.
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