How Much Does an Arcola Country Club Membership Cost?

Last Updated on October 18, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

The Arcola Country Club is a private golf club located in Paramus, New Jersey which was founded in 1909. It spans over a surface of 187 acres and hosts more than 17,000 rounds per year.

 How Much Does an Arcola Country Club Membership Cost?

The cost of the most popular membership option at Arcola Country Club, the Full Golf Membership, is $3,000 per year and includes unlimited access to the golf course, practice facilities, and clubhouse amenities

The initiation fee for an Arcola Country Club membership is estimated to be around $75,000. However, one source suggests that the initiation fee is $210,000, which can be paid by members.

The club also has a social membership available for $600 per year, which provides access to the clubhouse, restaurant, and events, but not the golf course.

A junior golf membership is available for children under 18 and costs $500 per year. The junior golf membership does not have an initiation fee.

The Agora Country Club does not make its membership fees public, so it was extremely difficult to find out what costs you need to be prepared for if you want to join this club. However, we found a document issued in 2016 by this club where its annual gross revenues were reported, which were $5 million, and $1.3 million came from beverages and food sales.  Based on this information, we found out that the club has around 350 active members, and the annual dues may be close to $10,000 per year or about $800 per month.

However, you should keep in mind that these numbers are just estimates and the actual membership fees could be lower or higher, depending on the time you want to join the club.

Arcola Golf Club Short Presentation

The Arcola Golf Club features an 18-hole golf course that has been designated by the three English-born architects Robert Trent Jones Sr., Herbert H. Barker, and Harry Auchterlonie.

You might also like our articles on the membership cost at the Wellesley Country Club, Mesa Verde Country Club, or Los Angeles Country Club.

The club’s original 18-hole course was set out by Herbert Haydn Barker and in 1930 Willard G. Wilkinson remodeled the course because of the expansion of the 11-mile Route 4 highway between Paterson and the Hudson River Bridge.

In the late 1950s, the golf course was remodeled again by Robert Trent Sr. because of the rerouting of the Garden State Parkway Road. Finally, fourteen new holes were constructed on the course.

In recent years, the architect Steve Smyers was involved in the project of the Arcola CC renovation.

Nowadays, the golf course measures 6,872 yards from its longest tees and features four sets of tees suitable for various skill levels.

Golfers of the Arcola CC can enjoy eating and drinking at the Patio Bar, at the Club’s Main Dining Rooms, at the Men’s Grill Room, or at the Mixed Grill Room.

In 2023-24, Arcola Country Club was ranked 16th in the Golf Digest ranking, with a previous ranking of 19th. Arcola Country Club was one of the 33 sites hosting 18-hole qualifying for the 2023 U.S. Senior Open.

What are the additional expenses?

Be prepared to be charged extra for other facilities such as private lessons, locker and storage facilities, fitness center, swimming pools, food and beverages, tennis courts, the rental of banquet facilities, and function rooms.

Additional fees may apply for golf cart usage, food and beverage minimums, hosting events, and tournaments

Members and guests who don’t have golf privileges will have to pay golf fees.

Important things to consider

The clubhouse is 24,000 square feet large and is open all year round except January. Also, during the season, which is from April until October, the clubhouse is closed on Mondays, on Tuesdays is only open for lunch, and on Wednesdays through Sundays, it is open for lunch and dinner. The Club is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during March, November, and December, but provides lunch and dinner services Wednesday through Sunday.

The club offers a driving range and practice putting green for members to improve their game. They also have four tennis courts available for members to use.

The clubhouse features a pro shop, locker rooms, and dining options.

The Arcola Country Club has a very strict dress code for both the clubhouse and the golf course, which you need to respect. For example, tank tops, jeans, or warm-up suits are not allowed on Arcola property at all times. Though, casual dress is permitted throughout the whole clubhouse (including the lower and upper patios), except in the lounge area and the library room.  The casual dress would refer to a minimum golf attire for both women and men.

On the other hand, formal dress refers to an appropriate evening or business wear, cocktail dress, skirt, and slacks for women, while for men it means a minimum of a jacket with or without a tie, collared shirt, and slacks. You can find more information about it on their official website.

Also, as a general rule, golf shoes with ceramic or steel spikes are not allowed.

Unfortunately, you are not allowed with your pet on the Arcola property.

You should play quickly as the average member round would take less than four hours.

Members are encouraged to tip the staff working in the parking lot, locker rooms, coat check, and caddie, while gratuities for any other staff member or employee are forbidden.

You can use your mobile phone on the fairway only for briefly contacting a member of the Arcola staff or to report emergencies that may appear on club property, otherwise, phone use is not allowed.