Golf Clubs in Metro West? (Newton, Framingham: to live, price, club)

[mdc12]

Hi - I'm looking for a reasonably priced golf club (initiation fee under 15 grand or so) in metro west - either newton, needham, wellesley, wayland, lexington, natick, etc. I'd much prefer an 18 hole course, but would consider a 9.

Does anyone have information on initiation fees at some of the clubs in general? I know WCC is about 50k fee and a long wait list, but what about the other clubs in the area?

Thanks in advance.

[MikePRU]

There's Needham Golf Club. I don't recall the initation fee off the top of my head but it's very affordable. The downside is that it's only a nine hole course. My parents live in Newton and they actually drive out to Canton for Blue Hill Country Club. I'm not sure what the current initiation fee is but I know they're trying to attract new members and have various categories of membership. Plus, they have 27 holes, a real grass practice range (no matts usually) with a bunker and chipping area, a brand new pool area, and tennis courts. If it's golf that's your main focus I would give a strong recommendation for BHCC. The course has been in great shape since they hired a new greens keeper a few years ago and it's a wonderful layout. Also, it's very family friendly and for a country club I find the people surprisingly down to earth. It's only about a 20 minute ride for me here in Needham when I go there to play.

There's also Pine Brook in Weston (hate that course), Brae Burn in Newton, Charles River CC in Newton, Woodland CC in Newton, and a number of other good clubs in the area. I don't know initiation fees off the top of my head but many have lowered them over the last few years as the bad economy has resulted in a decline in membership for many clubs. A quick call to each will get you the information you seek.

[CaseyB]

We actually belonged to Blue Hills many years ago. I'm not sure the initiation fee is under $15,000, but they may let you pay in installments. Brae Burn, Charles River and Woodland are going to be more.

I don't know where the OP lives, but I'd offer Framingham CC as someplace to explore.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

We actually belonged to Blue Hills many years ago. I'm not sure the initiation fee is under $15,000, but they may let you pay in installments. Brae Burn, Charles River and Woodland are going to be more.

I don't know where the OP lives, but I'd offer Framingham CC as someplace to explore.

The initiation fee has come down a lot at BHCC over the years. In fact, the whole place has changed quite a bit if you haven't been there lately. The last couple of summers they even offered a trial membership where you could pay dues and be a member for a certain number of months before committing and paying the initiation fee which I believe is paid in installments.

Framingham CC is not a bad course either but BHCC is one of the only clubs that I can think of that offers 27 holes.

[mdc12]

Thanks for all the info. 15k isn't a hard line, but I can't be much higher. I'll check out all the clubs you guys mentioned. BHCC looks great online, but is a bit far from where we're looking to live (we're relocating from another city and looking in Newton, Needham and Wellesley).

I think Needham GC is just $1k initiation fee, but I'd like to find a place that's a full country club if possible.

[BuyWithHeather]

You may be surprised that Framingham has a gorgeous, 18-hole golf club. They recently reduced their fees for membership, so it would be at least worth looking into. Here's the link if you need more info: Framingham Country Club*Home Page

[Parsec]

$15k initiation is a very low budget for a full country club in Metrowest. You may want to look a little further out - I know Charter Oak in Hudson is very reasonable. Nashawtuc in Concord is a very nice course and was a reasonable $40k last time I checked. They've hosted PGA tour events in the past (Champions).

Aside from Wellesley's 23 year waiting list, don't forget you generally need to be sponsored by 3 current members to be even considered for initiation. Same is true for Woodland, Brae Burn, Charles River and other clubs in the area. In addition to the approx $50k initiation which is pretty standard, you'll be spending another $10-20k per year (closer to $10k if you just let your membership sit idle and $20k if you play and eat there).

[eric2402]

Would anyone know the initiation fee for Pinebrook or Charter Oaks?

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by eric2402

Would anyone know the initiation fee for Pinebrook or Charter Oaks?

Those are two very far apart golf courses. I'm not familiar with Charter Oaks, but I know a number of PBCC members. Nothing is cheap at PBCC, but I don't know the current initiation fee. I'm sure a quick call to the membership office would get you that information. Personally, I don't really like PBCC. Their course has a lot of blind shots which I feel lose any challenge once you get familiar with the course. Their practice facilities are almost non-existent, and their greens keeper bosses around the members like he owns the place which I feel is ridiculous.

[wheelz]

I would like to know what the op's attraction is to joining a private club? I am an avid golfer and enjoy playing many different courses throughout the year. I have been asked a few times from members at different clubs if I would be interested in joining their particular club and I have honestly never had a desire to do so. I try to improve my game, (I still stink) but I believe playing different courses helps my overall ability. I am simply curious as to why people bother to join if your primary focus is just to play golf. I know a lot of guys have memberships who end up paying far more to play than I do. The Golf 18 Network generally has some real decent deals online and other than a full weekend of golf at 4 different courses with 3 of my buddies this season, I don't think I paid more than 50 bucks for 18 with a cart all season.