Most Exclusive Golf Clubs in Miami, Palm Beach & West Palm Beach (Costs, Waitlists + Where to Live)
A realistic guide to the most exclusive private golf clubs in Miami and Palm Beach County, including Fisher Island, Indian Creek, La Gorce, The Breakers, and Apogee. Membership cost ranges, dues, access, and the best neighborhoods to live near each club.
Most Exclusive Golf Clubs in Miami, Palm Beach & West Palm Beach
South Florida has quietly become the most competitive private-club market in the U.S. Initiation fees have moved fast, waitlists are real, and at the top end, social access matters as much as money.
This guide breaks down:
- What it actually costs (realistic ranges, not fantasy numbers)
- How hard it is to get in (invite-only vs. "elite but attainable")
- Where you should live if you want the club to fit your daily life
Important note: Many clubs do not publish pricing. The ranges below reflect reported figures and commonly quoted market pricing. Always verify directly with the club.
Quick Shortlist (If You Want the TLDR)
- Want the most private, ultra-elite Miami experience: Fisher Island, Indian Creek
- Want "golf-first" prestige on Miami Beach: La Gorce
- Want classic Coral Gables establishment: Biltmore, Riviera
- Want resort-grade facilities + multiple courses: Trump National Doral
- Palm Beach "old money meets new money": The Breakers
- Palm Beach County's new super-club energy: Apogee (Hobe Sound)
The 3 Gates of South Florida Clubs
- Initiation fee (headline number)
- Annual burn (dues + minimums + assessments)
- Social access (sponsorship, referrals, committee approval)
Rule of thumb:
- Under $100k: premium, but generally accessible
- $150k–$300k: elite private club tier
- $400k+: you are buying scarcity
- $700k–$1M+: scarcity + social insulation
Miami-Dade: Most Exclusive Private Golf Clubs
Fisher Island Club (Fisher Island)
Reported initiation: ~$350,000+ (equity-style) Reported annual dues: ~$20,000–$40,000+ Access reality: You typically need to own on Fisher Island. Golf is part of a broader ultra-luxury ecosystem.
Who it's for
- People who want privacy first, golf second
- Ultra-high net worth families who live on-island seasonally or full-time
Where to live (so it makes sense)
- Best fit: Fisher Island (by definition), or South of Fifth (quick ferry access)
- Not ideal: Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Aventura (you'll feel the friction)
Local real estate logic
- If you're buying on Fisher Island, the club is often a "must-have" lifestyle backbone.
Indian Creek Country Club ("Billionaire Bunker")
Reported initiation: Often cited around the high six figures (varies widely) Reported annual dues: Typically high; not publicly advertised Access reality: Invitation + sponsorship is the real gate. Extremely limited membership.
Who it's for
- Ultra-high profile families (finance, tech, founders)
- People who want the most exclusive address + course combo in Miami
Where to live (so it makes sense)
- Best fit: Indian Creek Village, Surfside, Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands
- Also works: Miami Beach (Mid-Beach to North Beach)
- Not ideal: Southwest Miami / Coral Gables (too far for "quick rounds")
Local real estate logic
- If you live in Bal Harbour / Surfside / Bay Harbor, this is the club people whisper about.
La Gorce Country Club (Miami Beach)
Reported initiation: ~$700,000+ (commonly quoted in today's market) Reported annual dues: ~$25,000–$35,000+ Access reality: Golf-first prestige on the Beach. Still social, but more "golf culture" than flash.
Who it's for
- Serious golfers who want one of the strongest private courses in Miami proper
- People who want Miami Beach convenience without the resort vibe
Where to live (so it makes sense)
- Best fit: Mid-Beach, North Beach, Surfside, Bay Harbor
- Also works: Design District / Edgewater (easy shot over the causeway)
- Not ideal: Deep Coral Gables / South Miami (you won't use it enough)
Local real estate logic
- If you're living on the Beach corridor, La Gorce is often the "cleanest" private-golf answer.
Riviera Country Club (Coral Gables)
Reported initiation: ~$50,000–$110,000 (often cited range) Reported annual dues: ~$10,000+ Access reality: Private, established, and centrally located. A strong "Gables" institution.
Who it's for
- Coral Gables families
- Members who want golf + social + events without a mega-resort feel
Where to live (so it makes sense)
- Best fit: Coral Gables (especially around the Biltmore area), Coconut Grove
- Also works: Brickell (quick drive)
- Not ideal: Miami Beach / North Miami (you'll fight traffic)
Local real estate logic
- If your life is centered around Gables/Grove schools and community, Riviera fits cleanly.
Biltmore Golf (Coral Gables)
Reported initiation & dues: Varies by program; generally "premium but attainable" relative to the ultra-elite tier Access reality: Historic, iconic, and very livable if you're based in the Gables.
Who it's for
- Golfers who want a prestigious name and central location
- People who don't want a seven-figure social filter
Where to live (so it makes sense)
- Best fit: Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, South Miami
- Also works: Brickell
- Not ideal: Miami Beach / Aventura (distance reduces usage)
Local real estate logic
- Great option if you want daily-life convenience and classic architecture energy.
Trump National Doral (Doral / West Miami)
Reported initiation: Broad range depending on tier Reported annual dues: High, with strong facilities and multiple championship courses Access reality: Less socially "sealed," more facility-driven and golf-heavy.
Who it's for
- People who want resort-grade golf infrastructure and multiple course options
- Corporate/international members who value amenities + consistency
Where to live (so it makes sense)
- Best fit: Doral, Westchester, Coconut Grove (depending on commute tolerance)
- Also works: Brickell (if you'll actually go)
- Not ideal: Miami Beach (you'll rarely drive out)
Local real estate logic
- If you live west, Doral is often the highest-quality "big golf" option.
Palm Beach County: The Breakers, Apogee + West Palm Area Clubs
The Breakers (Palm Beach) – Ocean Club / Golf Membership
Reported initiation: commonly cited in the mid-to-high six figures Access reality: This is not just golf; it's Palm Beach society with a historic flagship brand.
Who it's for
- Palm Beach residents who want the most "complete" legacy club feel
- Families who want golf + beach + social calendar under one umbrella
Where to live (so it makes sense)
- Best fit: Palm Beach Island, Downtown West Palm (near the bridge), Flamingo Park area
- Also works: Palm Beach Gardens (if you don't mind the drive)
- Not ideal: Jupiter / Hobe Sound (too far for spontaneous use)
Local real estate logic
- If you live on Palm Beach Island, The Breakers is often the gravitational center.
Apogee Club (Hobe Sound)
Reported initiation: ~$475,000–$650,000+ (often cited), with additional high-end tiers reported Access reality: New "super-club" scale, multiple courses, extremely high-end ambition.
Who it's for
- People who want the newest elite golf ecosystem in South Florida
- Golf obsessives who also want privacy, practice facilities, and modern luxury
Where to live (so it makes sense)
- Best fit: Hobe Sound, Jupiter Island area, Tequesta, Jupiter
- Also works: Palm Beach Gardens (if you prioritize Apogee)
- Not ideal: Palm Beach Island / West Palm (you'll stop going)
Local real estate logic
- If you're moving north for golf, this is the "future-forward" answer.
Breakers West Country Club (West Palm Beach)
Reported initiation: varies widely by membership type; multiple tiers exist Access reality: West Palm lifestyle club with golf and strong community energy.
Who it's for
- West Palm families who want a private-club lifestyle without Palm Beach Island pricing
- People who want a consistent club home base close to neighborhoods and schools
Where to live (so it makes sense)
- Best fit: West Palm Beach (western communities), Wellington-adjacent, Palm Beach Lakes corridor
- Also works: Downtown West Palm (if you'll commute)
- Not ideal: Jupiter / Palm Beach Island (you'll pick something closer)
Old Marsh Golf Club (Palm Beach Gardens)
Reported initiation: historically cited around ~$125,000+ equity (invite-only), with dues in the mid five figures or lower depending on era Access reality: Quiet, nature-forward, classic private-golf culture.
Who it's for
- People who want a traditional private club without mega-scene energy
- Golfers who value pace of play and low-friction tee access
Where to live (so it makes sense)
- Best fit: Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Juno Beach
- Also works: Jupiter, Tequesta
- Not ideal: West Palm Beach proper (you'll drive too much)
"Which Club Fits Where I Live?" (Practical Matchmaking)
If you live in Miami Beach / Surfside / Bal Harbour
Most logical fits:
- Indian Creek (if you can get in)
- La Gorce (best golf-first Beach option)
- Fisher Island (if you live on-island or S of Fifth)
If you live in Coral Gables / Coconut Grove
Most logical fits:
- Riviera (private + central)
- Biltmore (historic + convenient)
If you live in Brickell / Downtown Miami
Most logical fits:
- Riviera or Biltmore (closest "real" private options)
- Fisher Island (if you're S of Fifth and want ultra-private access)
If you live in Doral / West Miami
Most logical fits:
- Trump National Doral (best "big golf" infrastructure in the core west market)
If you live in Palm Beach Island / Downtown West Palm
Most logical fits:
- The Breakers (classic Palm Beach gravity)
- Breakers West (if you want WPB convenience)
If you live in Jupiter / Tequesta / Hobe Sound
Most logical fits:
- Apogee (new ultra-elite north market)
- Old Marsh (classic Gardens-area private-golf culture)
How to Join (Without Wasting a Year)
- Start with geography: if it's not within your natural daily radius, you will not use it enough.
- Get one strong sponsor: one respected member beats five "soft" referrals.
- Expect a waitlist: even if you have the checkbook, timing is often the real constraint.
- Ask about assessments: "initiation" is not the full story in many clubs.
FAQ
What is the most exclusive golf club in Miami?
For pure exclusivity, Fisher Island and Indian Creek are typically viewed as the top-tier private options, with access driven heavily by property ownership and member sponsorship.
What does it cost to join The Breakers in Palm Beach?
Pricing is not publicly posted. Reported initiation figures are often cited in the mid-to-high six figures, but the club should be contacted directly for current membership offerings.
Where should I live if I want a club membership to feel worth it?
Live close enough that you can play without "planning your day around it." Most members get the most value when the club is a natural 10–25 minute part of their routine.
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Kyle Lieberbaum
Founder of The Lieberbaum Group specializing in Miami luxury real estate.