Updated on November 8, 2026
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What is the most exclusive golf club in the world? Augusta National, home of the Masters: membership is by invitation only, with no way to apply, and it has about 300 members. It tops our roundup of five recent lists, ahead of Pine Valley and Cypress Point, both also cited by four of them. In Europe, the most exclusive is Golf de Morfontaine, north of Paris. Here are the 24 most private and exclusive golf clubs in the world, to filter by region and access.
Top photo: The 16th-hole green at Cypress Point, on the Pacific coast, as seen from the clubhouse. schnaars, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The 24 Most Exclusive Golf Clubs in the World: The Ranking
24 clubs listed.
| Rank | Club | Country | Founded | Access | Cited by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Augusta National | United States (Georgia) | 1933 | By invitation only; no applications accepted | 4 out of 5 GOLF 2025 (world) GOLF 2024 (United States) Golf Monthly 2024 Platinum Clubs 2026–2027 (No. 2) |
| 2 | Pine Valley | United States (New Jersey) | 1919 | Members and accompanied guests | 4 out of 5 GOLF 2025 (world) GOLF 2024 (United States) Golf Monthly 2024 Platinum Clubs 2026–2027 (No. 9) |
| 3 | Cypress Point | United States (California) | the 1920s | Members and guests | 4 out of 5 GOLF 2025 (world) GOLF 2024 (United States) Golf Monthly 2024 Platinum Clubs 2026–2027 (No. 15) |
| 4 | Golf de Morfontaine | France (Oise) | 1913 | Members and guests | 3 out of 5 GOLF 2025 (world) Golf Monthly 2024 Platinum Clubs 2026–2027 (No. 3) |
| 5 | Shinnecock Hills | United States (New York) | 1891 | Private club | 3 out of 5 GOLF 2024 (United States) Golf Monthly 2024 Platinum Clubs 2026–2027 (No. 8) |
| 6 | Seminole | United States (Florida) | the 1920s | Members and guests | 3 out of 5 GOLF 2025 (world) GOLF 2024 (United States) Golf Monthly 2024 |
| 7 | Oakmont | United States (Pennsylvania) | 1903 | Private club | 2 out of 5 Golf Monthly 2024 Platinum Clubs 2026–2027 (No. 14) |
| 8 | Los Angeles Country Club | United States (California) | 1897 | Private club | 2 out of 5 Golf Monthly 2024 Platinum Clubs 2026–2027 (No. 19) |
| 9 | Chicago Golf Club | United States (Illinois) | 1892 | Accompanied guests only | 2 out of 5 GOLF 2025 (world) GOLF 2024 (United States) |
| 10 | Fishers Island | United States (New York) | 1927 | Members and guests; private boat or plane | 2 out of 5 GOLF 2025 (world) GOLF 2024 (United States) |
| 11 | Royal and Ancient Golf Club | Scotland (St. Andrews) | 1754 | By invitation only (the course itself is open to the public) | 1 out of 5 Platinum Clubs 2026–2027 (No. 1) |
| 12 | Royal Melbourne | Australia (Victoria) | 1891 | A few visitor tee times | 1 out of 5 Platinum Clubs 2026–2027 (No. 6) |
| 13 | Muirfield | Scotland (East Lothian) | 1744 | Visitors on Tuesdays and Thursdays | 1 out of 5 Platinum Clubs 2026–2027 (No. 11) |
| 14 | Haesley Nine Bridges | South Korea | 2009 | Private club | 1 out of 5 Platinum Clubs 2026–2027 (No. 17) |
| 15 | Les Bordes | France (Loir-et-Cher) | 1986 | Stay-and-play packages | 1 out of 5 Platinum Clubs 2026–2027 (No. 18) |
| 16 | Childress Hall | United States (Texas) | 2024 | Members and guests | 1 out of 5 GOLF 2025 (world) |
| 17 | Ellerston | Australia (New South Wales) | 2001 | Private family course | 1 out of 5 GolfPass 2025 |
| 18 | Hirono | Japan (Hyōgo) | 1932 | Members only, no unaccompanied play | 1 out of 5 GOLF 2025 (world) |
| 19 | Nanea | United States (Hawaii) | 2003 | By invitation only | 1 out of 5 GOLF 2024 (United States) |
| 20 | Ohoopee Match Club | United States (Georgia) | — | You have to know a member | 1 out of 5 GOLF 2024 (United States) |
| 21 | Queenwood | England (Surrey) | 2001 | Members and guests | 1 out of 5 Golf Monthly 2024 |
| 22 | Sand Hills | United States (Nebraska) | 1995 | Members and guests | 1 out of 5 GOLF 2024 (United States) |
| 23 | Shanqin Bay | China (Hainan) | around 2011 | Capped membership | 1 out of 5 GOLF 2025 (world) |
| 24 | Vidauban (formerly Prince de Provence) | France (Var) | 1999 | Members and guests | 1 out of 5 GolfPass 2025 |
Rank: the number of the 5 lists we studied that cite the club; ties are broken by the 2026–2027 Platinum Clubs of the World ranking, then alphabetically. Founded: the year the club was founded or the course opened, depending on the source. Checked on November 8, 2026.
The Most Exclusive Golf Club in Each Region
The Most Exclusive in the World: Augusta National
With about 300 members, admission by invitation only, and no application process: membership cannot be purchased, according to Golf Monthly. No visitors are allowed to play without a member. The club admitted its first female members in 2012. It is featured in four of our five selections and ranks second in the 2026–2027 Platinum Clubs rankings.
Europe's Most Exclusive: Morfontaine Golf Course
Golf Monthly describes it as “perhaps the most exclusive club in continental Europe.” Morfontaine has approximately 450 members, has been member-owned since 1987, and welcomes only members’ guests. It ranks third in the 2026–2027 Platinum Clubs rankings and is the top club in continental Europe.
Most Exclusive in the UK: Queenwood
According to Golf Monthly, Queenwood in Surrey is the most exclusive club in the United Kingdom: a few hundred members and a reported joining fee of £200,000 (Top100GolfCourses gives £145,000). You can only play there as a member or a guest.
Most Exclusive in Asia: Shanqin Bay
On Hainan Island in China, Shanqin Bay charges a “seven-figure” entrance fee—more than one million dollars—according to GOLF. Membership is capped, and as of 2014, a visit required the approval of the club president, according to Top100GolfCourses.
Most Exclusive in Oceania: Ellerston
Built in 2001 for media mogul Kerry Packer, Ellerston remains the Packer family’s private course and is very rarely open to the public, according to GolfPass. Yet it is regularly ranked among Australia’s top 5 courses.
Hardest to Reach: Fishers Island
Fishers Island is accessible only by boat or private plane, and only to members or their guests. In 1979, the club even asked to be removed from GOLF magazine’s first-ever world rankings.
The Top 5 in Detail
1. Augusta National
- Access: by invitation only, no applications.
- Members: approximately 300.
- Can you play it? Only with a member.
In Augusta, Georgia. Founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts; course designed by Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones, opened in January 1933. Has hosted the Masters since 1934. Approximately 300 members; admission is strictly by invitation only; membership cannot be purchased, and there is no application process. The club was exclusively for men until 2012, when Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore became its first female members. Each hole is named after a tree or shrub, a reminder of the former Fruitland Nurseries. Sources: Golf Monthly, Top100GolfCourses.
2. Pine Valley
- Access: members and accompanied guests.
- Members: approximately 930.
- Can you play there? Only with a member; the public can watch the final day of the Crump Cup.
In New Jersey, near Philadelphia. Construction began in 1912; officially opened in 1919, according to Top100GolfCourses; designed by George Crump, in collaboration with H.S. Colt. Ranked No. 1 in the world by GOLF magazine. Approximately 930 members; the club was men-only until 2021. On the final day of the Crump Cup, the course is open to the public to watch the matches. Sources: GOLF, Golf Monthly, Top100GolfCourses.
3. Cypress Point
- Access: members and guests.
- Members: approximately 250.
- Can you play it? Only with a member.
On the Monterey Peninsula in California. A course designed by Alister MacKenzie, opened in the late 1920s. Approximately 250 members, fewer than Augusta; annual operating costs are shared among the members. The 16th hole, a par-3 measuring 231 yards overlooking the Pacific, is often cited as the best hole in the world. Bob Hope joked that a membership drive had “driven away 40 members.” Sources: Golf Monthly, Top100GolfCourses, GOLF.
4. Morfontaine Golf Course
- Access: members and guests.
- Members: approximately 450.
- Can you play there? Only as a guest of a member.
In the Oise department, north of Paris. Founded on October 15, 1913, by the Duc Armand de Gramont; course by Tom Simpson. Owned by its members since March 1, 1987. About 450 members; “perhaps the most exclusive club in continental Europe.” Sources: club website, Golf Monthly.
5. Shinnecock Hills
- Access: private club, “largely closed off” according to GOLF.
- Members: Not disclosed.
- Can you play it? Only with a member.
In Southampton, on Long Island (New York). The club was founded in 1891; the current course, designed by William Flynn, opened in 1931. It hosted the second U.S. Open in history (1896), followed by the tournaments in 1986, 1995, 2004, and 2018. Sources: club website.
The 19 Other Most Exclusive Clubs in the World
6. Seminole
In Juno Beach, Florida. A Donald Ross course (1920s), renovated by Coore and Crenshaw beginning in 2017. Hosted the 2021 Walker Cup (won by the United States, 14–12). Access: members and guests. Sources: Top100GolfCourses. Official club website.
7. Oakmont
Near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1903; designed by Henry C. Fownes. Has hosted more majors than any other U.S. course except Augusta National. Famous “Church Pews” bunker between holes 3 and 4. Access: private club. Sources: Top100GolfCourses. Official club website.
8. Los Angeles Country Club
In Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1897; North Course designed by George C. Thomas. Hosted the 123rd U.S. Open in 2023 (North Course), the first in Los Angeles since 1948; won by Wyndham Clark. The 2017 Walker Cup was held on the North Course. Access: private club. Sources: club website.
9. Chicago Golf Club
In Wheaton, Illinois. Founded in 1892; course by C.B. Macdonald, remodeled by Seth Raynor. The first 18-hole course in the United States and one of the five founding clubs of the USGA. Just over 100 members, according to GOLF. The first club outside the Northeast to host the U.S. Open (1897). Access: accompanied guests only. Sources: GOLF, Top100GolfCourses.
10. Fishers Island
On Fishers Island (New York). Club founded in 1927; course by Seth Raynor. In 1979, the club asked to be removed from GOLF magazine's first world ranking. Access: members and guests; by boat or private plane only. Sources: GOLF.
11. Royal and Ancient Golf Club
In St. Andrews, Scotland. Founded in 1754. The club does not own the Old Course, which is managed by the St. Andrews Links Trust. Ranked No. 1 in the 2026–2027 Platinum Clubs of the World rankings, ahead of Augusta National. The Old Course is reserved by lottery or on a first-come, first-served basis at the tee, except for residents and those affiliated with the club. Access: by invitation only (the course itself is open to the public). Sources: Forbes Brasil, GOLF.
12. Royal Melbourne
In Black Rock, near Melbourne. Founded in 1891; West Course designed by Alister MacKenzie and Alex Russell. Has hosted 28 national championships. Access: a few visitor slots available. Sources: Top100GolfCourses. Official club website.
13. Muirfield
In Gullane, Scotland. The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers has records dating back to 1744; course by Old Tom Morris (1891), redesigned by Harry Colt. 16 Open Championships and 11 Amateur Championships; Ryder, Walker and Curtis Cups; 2022 AIG Women's Open. Has admitted women since 2017. Access: visitors on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sources: club website, Forbes Brasil.
14. Haesley Nine Bridges
In Yeoju, South Korea. Opened in September 2009; clubhouse designed by Shigeru Ban. Hosted the CJ Invitational from 2011 to 2013. Access: private club. Sources: Top100GolfCourses.
15. Les Bordes
In Sologne, in the Loir-et-Cher department. Old Course by Robert von Hagge (1986), New Course by Gil Hanse (2021). Created by Baron Marcel Bich, founder of Bic, and Yoshiaki Sakurai. Access: stay-and-play packages available. Sources: Top100GolfCourses. Official club website.
16. Childress Hall
Near Childress, Texas. Tom Doak's Upper Course, opened to members in December 2024. The newest course on GOLF's World Top 100; high joining fees and few members. Access: members and guests. Sources: GOLF.
17. Ellerston
In the Hunter Valley, New South Wales. Opened in 2001; designed by Greg Norman and Bob Harrison. Built for media mogul Kerry Packer. Regularly ranked among Australia’s top 5 courses and renowned as one of the most challenging courses in the world. Access: a privately owned family course. Sources: Top100GolfCourses, GolfPass.
18. Hirono
In Hyōgo Prefecture, near Kobe. Opened in 1932; designed by Charles Hugh Alison, restored by Mackenzie and Ebert in 2019. Of the major tournaments, only the Japan Amateur and the Japan Open have been held here. Requisitioned as an airstrip by the Imperial Japanese Air Force during World War II. Access: members only; no unaccompanied play. Sources: GOLF, Top100GolfCourses.
19. Nanea
In Kailua-Kona, on the island of Hawaii. Opened in 2003; course designed by David McLay Kidd. Founded by Charles Schwab and George Roberts. The clubhouse is inspired by the island’s five volcanoes. Access: by invitation only. Sources: GOLF, Top100GolfCourses.
20. Ohoopee Match Club
In Cobbtown, Georgia. Course by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner. Fewer than 100 members; it is match play only and par is not shown on the scorecard. Walking only (no carts), closed in summer. Access: you need to know a member. Sources: GOLF, Top100GolfCourses.
21. Queenwood
In Ottershaw, Surrey. Opened in 2001; course designed by David McLay Kidd. Considered the most exclusive club in the United Kingdom; a few hundred members; reported initiation fee of £200,000. David McLay Kidd’s first course in the United Kingdom. Access: members and guests. Sources: Golf Monthly, Top100GolfCourses.
22. Sand Hills
In Mullen, Nebraska. Opened in 1995; course designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Ranked 7th on GOLF magazine’s Top 100 U.S. courses (2024). Darius Oliver calls it “arguably the most important American course since Augusta National.” Access: members and guests. Sources: GOLF, Top100GolfCourses.
23. Shanqin Bay
On Hainan Island, near Bo'ao. Course by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, opened around 2011. “Seven-figure” joining fees (over one million dollars). The site was once a fort: remains of barracks and walls are part of the course. Access: capped membership. Sources: GOLF, Top100GolfCourses.
24. Vidauban (formerly Prince de Provence)
In Vidauban, in the Var department. A course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr., opened in 1999, according to Top100GolfCourses. About twenty members, described as “captains of industry” by GolfPass. The project was intended to host a tournament rivaling the Masters; the property was later sold to Norwegian investors. Access: members and guests. Sources: GolfPass, Top100GolfCourses. Official club website.
How We Ranked the Most Exclusive Clubs
No organization officially measures how exclusive a golf club is. So we cross-checked five recent lists: GOLF 2025 (world), GOLF 2024 (United States), Golf Monthly 2024, Platinum Clubs 2026–2027 and GolfPass 2025. Each club gets one point for each list that cites it. Ties are broken by the 2026–2027 Platinum Clubs of the World ranking, published by Forbes Brasil, the only one that ranks clubs in order; its criteria (golf, governance, financial health, service, facilities) measure prestige more than exclusivity. Member numbers and joining fees come from the cited articles; we publish none without a source. This ranking is reviewed every year.
How Can You Play at an Exclusive Club?
Get Invited by a Member
It is the only way into Augusta, Pine Valley, Cypress Point or Morfontaine. At Chicago Golf Club, guests even wait for their host on site and leave with them.
Target Visitor Days
Some prestigious clubs reserve a few tee times: Muirfield welcomes visitors on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Royal Melbourne opens a few tee times on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays to members of other clubs.
Play Legendary Courses Open to Everyone
The Old Course at St. Andrews can be reserved by lottery or by waiting in line at the tee, and Les Bordes, in Sologne, offers golf packages. At Pine Valley, the public can watch the final day of the Crump Cup.
Fred's Take on the Most Exclusive Clubs
These clubs are the stuff of dreams, but being closed is part of their legend. For a traveling golfer, my advice is simple: aim for courses of the same caliber that stay open, such as the Old Course, Muirfield on a visitor day or Les Bordes, rather than waiting for an invitation that may never come.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Most Exclusive Golf Clubs
What is the most exclusive golf club in the world?
Augusta National, home of the Masters: about 300 members, admitted by invitation only, with no way to apply. Pine Valley and Cypress Point come next in our roundup.
What is the most expensive golf club in the world?
There is no official ranking that compares membership fees. Among our sources, Shanqin Bay in China is cited as having seven-figure entrance fees (more than $1 million); in the United Kingdom, Queenwood reportedly charges £200,000.
What is the oldest golf club in the world?
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, the Muirfield club, has records dating back to 1744; the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews was founded in 1754.
What is the most prestigious golf course in the world?
The 2026–2027 Platinum Clubs of the World ranking puts the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews first, ahead of Augusta National and Golf de Morfontaine.
Can you play at Augusta National?
Only as a member's guest: the club accepts no applications and no visitor plays unaccompanied.