How Much Does a Medinah Country Club Membership Cost?

Updated on July 31, 2026 | Written by Alec Pow
This article was researched using 9 sources. See our methodology and corrections policy.

A Medinah Country Club membership currently carries a publicly reported initiation fee of approximately $152,000. This figure comes from a recent PGA of America executive recruitment profile prepared for Medinah Country Club. Medinah itself does not publish initiation fees, dues, payment schedules, assessments, or category-specific charges on its public membership page.

Older third-party reports placed monthly dues around $600 to $1,000+, depending on membership category and age. Those figures should be treated as historical estimates rather than verified current rates. Using them only as a planning range, the first year of membership could cost approximately $159,200 to $164,000+ before caddie fees, guest charges, food and beverage spending, lessons, events, storage, assessments, and other club expenses.

Medinah is not open to ordinary public applications. The club states that membership is by invitation only and that a prospective member must begin the process through current members within the person’s own social network who are willing to act as sponsors.

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• The strongest current public evidence places the initiation fee at approximately $152,000 (at $30 per hour, earning that amount would take about 2.4 years of full-time work, before taxes).
• Medinah does not publicly disclose current dues or category-specific charges.
• Older estimates place dues around $600 to $1,000+ per month, but these figures remain unverified.
• A first-year planning estimate is approximately $159,200 to $164,000+.
• Membership is by invitation only and requires sponsorship from current members.
• The club has three 18-hole courses, plus extensive golf, dining, racquet, aquatic, and shooting facilities.

Current Medinah Membership Cost

The most reliable publicly accessible current figure is the $152,000 (about 2.4 years of full-time work at $30 per hour) initiation fee shown in a PGA of America recruitment profile for Medinah Country Club. The same profile describes Medinah as a private facility with approximately $28 million in operating revenue, about $11 million in dues revenue, eight à la carte food and beverage outlets, 54 full-length golf holes, a five-hole par-3 course, and a putting course.

Membership expense	Publicly reported amount	Confidence level
Initiation fee	Approximately $152,000	Strong current public evidence
Monthly dues	Historically estimated at $600 to $1,000+	Unverified current amount
First-year initiation and estimated dues	$159,200 to $164,000+	Calculated planning range
Capital assessments	Not publicly disclosed	Must be confirmed privately
Food and beverage minimum	Not publicly disclosed	Must be confirmed privately
Guest, caddie, locker, and storage fees	Not publicly disclosed	Varies by use and policy

The difference between the current $152,000 figure and the older $85,000 estimate repeated by previous articles most likely reflects fee increases over time. That explanation is reasonable but cannot be confirmed from the public fee schedule because Medinah does not publish one.

The exact offer presented to an invited applicant may depend on membership category, age, timing, payment terms, and current club policy. The club remains the only authority able to confirm the initiation fee and ongoing obligations attached to a particular invitation.

First-Year and Five-Year Cost Calculations

Because current dues are not public, any total beyond the initiation fee must be labeled as an estimate. Using the older monthly range of $600 to $1,000 (about 2.5 to 4.2 full-time workdays at $30 per hour), estimated annual dues would fall between $7,200 and $12,000.

At the lower estimate, the first-year initiation and dues total would be:

$152,000 + ($600 × 12) = $159,200.

At the higher estimate, the calculation becomes:

$152,000 + ($1,000 × 12) = $164,000.

These totals exclude assessments and discretionary club spending. A member who pays caddies, hosts guests, stores clubs, takes lessons, attends ticketed events, dines regularly, and purchases merchandise could spend thousands of dollars more each year.

A longer-term estimate shows the size of the commitment more clearly. Suppose dues begin at $1,000 per month and rise by 4% annually. Five years of dues would total approximately $64,996. Adding the reported initiation fee produces:

$152,000 + $64,996 = approximately $216,996.

This is a mathematical scenario rather than a Medinah quote. It does not include financing costs, assessments, taxes, caddies, dining, guests, lessons, events, equipment, or the time value of the initiation payment.

How Membership at Medinah Works

Medinah’s official membership page states that the club is private and member-owned and that membership is available by invitation only. Prospective members are expected to have current members within their personal network who can serve as sponsors.

This is different from completing an online application at a semi-private golf club. A person who has no relationship with a Medinah member cannot simply pay the initiation fee and join. Sponsorship allows the club to evaluate whether the candidate has meaningful connections within the membership and is likely to participate in the club community.

The public website does not describe the complete review process, number of required sponsors, waiting period, interview steps, voting procedure, or financial documentation. Those details should not be inferred from other clubs because private-club admission procedures differ.

The previous article also called every membership non-equity. Medinah now describes itself publicly as member-owned, but its website does not explain the applicant’s ownership interest, resignation rights, transferability, refunds, certificates, or redemption terms. Prospective members should request written clarification before paying an initiation fee.

Membership Categories and What Is Publicly Known

Older club materials and secondary reports have described Regular, Associate, Social, National, and International membership categories. The current public Medinah website does not provide a category chart or describe the golf privileges, age bands, residency rules, dues, or initiation charges attached to each option.

Regular membership has historically represented full golf and clubhouse access. Associate memberships have previously been organized around age bands, allowing younger members to progress toward regular status. Older reports listed groups for ages 21 to 25, 26 to 29, 30 to 34, and 35 to 39. The former article incorrectly described the final group as everyone aged 35 or older.

Historical National membership information described eligibility for people living at least 125 miles from the club and a limited number of golf rounds. International membership was described as an option for residents outside the United States. Social membership reportedly centered on clubhouse and recreational privileges with restricted golf access.

These descriptions should not be used as a current membership contract. Category names, age requirements, distances, annual round allowances, spouse privileges, dependent privileges, conversion rules, and fees may have changed. An invited candidate should request the latest written membership plan directly from Medinah.

Monthly Dues and Hidden Membership Expenses

The older estimates of $600 per month for younger members and $1,000+ per month for regular membership originated from informal discussions rather than a current Medinah fee schedule. They are useful only as rough historical benchmarks.

The complete cost of a private golf club generally extends beyond initiation and dues. Medinah’s public guest information confirms that the club uses caddies and allows cash gratuities. Depending on membership privileges and personal use, additional costs may include caddie charges, gratuities, guest golf fees, cart or trolley charges, tournaments, locker rental, club storage, lessons, fittings, merchandise, dining, private events, and lodging or Lodge activities.

Capital assessments are another important unknown. Medinah has invested in facilities and completed a major transformation of Course No. 3 in 2024. Public sources do not establish whether those projects produced member assessments, how any assessment was structured, or whether future projects will require additional contributions.

A food and beverage minimum may also apply, but no current amount is publicly available. Candidates should ask whether unused minimums expire, whether tax and service charges count toward the requirement, and whether spending in every dining venue qualifies.

The old statement that members must pay ordinary green fees should be removed. Full golf membership normally provides playing privileges, although guest, caddie, cart, tournament, and service charges may still apply.

The Course No. 3 Transformation

Medinah has three distinct 18-hole golf courses originally associated with architect Tom Bendelow. Course No. 3 is the championship course and the part of Medinah most familiar to the international golf audience.

The former article relied on old yardages and described a restoration completed in 2017. That information is no longer sufficient. Course No. 3 underwent a major transformation by Australian design firm OCM Golf and reopened in 2024.

OCM Golf describes a larger-scale design with expanded greens, larger bunkers, wider fairways, more open views, and broad areas of long fescue. The official Presidents Cup course overview confirms the 2024 redesign and notes the increased strategic width and visual scale.

Course No. 3 was named Golf Digest’s 2024 Transformation of the Year. The redesign replaced enough of the former routing and playing character that old yardage figures should not be presented as current without a new official scorecard.

The other two courses remain an important part of the membership value. Three full courses provide substantially more playing capacity and variety than a typical one-course country club, although actual tee-time access, course rotation, tournament closures, and guest policies remain private club matters.

Clubhouse and Year-Round Amenities

Medinah offers far more than championship golf. Its official amenities page lists a Golf Learning Center, Racquet Center, swimming pool, Gun Club, dining and banquet facilities, and the three golf courses.

The 5,000-square-foot indoor Golf Learning Center includes three simulator bays using TrackMan technology, an instructional bay, club-fitting systems, a fitness area, and space for member gatherings. These facilities support golf practice during the Chicago winter rather than limiting the club experience to the outdoor season.

The Racquet Center currently includes four tennis courts and four platform tennis courts, along with a fire pit, seating, warming hut, and bar. The pool provides adult and family recreation, a children’s area, food service, and indoor and outdoor seating.

The Gun Club, also called the Lodge, dates to 1925 and supports skeet and trap shooting, leagues, and winter events. The club’s current executive profile also reports eight à la carte food and beverage outlets, plus ballroom and meeting facilities.

These amenities explain why Medinah should be assessed as a year-round social and recreational club rather than solely according to the cost per golf round.

Platinum Rankings

The previous article described Medinah as a five-star club and said the Platinum designation required at least four stars in every category. That explanation was incorrect. Platinum Clubs rankings are based on voting and evaluation within the private-club industry rather than a simple hotel-style star threshold.

Medinah is ranked No. 9 in the Platinum Clubs of America 2025–2026 list. It was also ranked No. 30 in the Platinum Clubs of the World 2024–2025 ranking.

The rankings reflect Medinah’s golf history, facilities, service, governance, membership culture, and continuing investment. They provide stronger evidence of the club’s standing than the unsupported label “five-star country club.”

Medinah was founded in 1924 and is recognized for its Byzantine-style clubhouse, large suburban property, three golf courses, and history of hosting major championships. Its proximity to Chicago combines a nationally known golf identity with access for members living throughout the metropolitan area.

The reputation also affects the practical value of membership. Invitations to reciprocal or hosted play at other clubs, business and social relationships, family programming, championship access, and long-term community ties can matter as much as the raw number of rounds played.

Championship History

Course No. 3 has hosted three Western Opens, three U.S. Opens, two PGA Championships, the 2012 Ryder Cup, and the 2019 BMW Championship. Tiger Woods won PGA Championships at Medinah in 1999 and 2006, while the 2012 Ryder Cup became known for the European team’s dramatic final-day comeback.

Medinah will host the 2026 Presidents Cup from September 22 through September 27, 2026. The club states that this will make Medinah the only club to have hosted a U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, and Presidents Cup.

The event is one reason current searches for Medinah may rise significantly during 2026. It also demonstrates the strategic purpose behind the extensive Course No. 3 redesign.

Hosting a major international competition can affect ordinary club operations before, during, and after tournament week. Construction, hospitality preparation, practice schedules, course protection, spectator infrastructure, and restoration may limit normal access. Prospective members should ask how tournament preparations affect member golf and which event privileges are included, offered by lottery, or sold separately.

Championship hosting provides prestige and memorable access, but it should not be assumed that every member receives unrestricted tickets, hospitality, parking, or playing opportunities connected with the event.

Membership Cost per Round

Cost per round is not the only way to value Medinah, but it helps illustrate the financial commitment. Suppose a member pays estimated dues of $12,000 per year and plays 80 rounds. Dues alone equal:

$12,000 ÷ 80 = $150 per round.

If the member spreads the $152,000 initiation fee evenly across 20 years, the annualized initiation cost is:

$152,000 ÷ 20 = $7,600 per year.

Adding estimated annual dues produces a fixed annual membership cost of $19,600. At 80 rounds, the effective amount is:

$19,600 ÷ 80 = $245 per round.

This figure excludes investment return lost on the initiation payment, dues increases, assessments, caddies, tips, guests, food, lessons, merchandise, and other spending. It also assigns no value to dining, swimming, racquet sports, the Gun Club, family programming, practice facilities, business relationships, or social events.

A member playing only 30 rounds would have a much higher golf-only cost, while an active family using the club throughout the year may receive substantial non-golf value. This is why Medinah should not be compared directly with a public daily-fee course.

Before Accepting an Invitation

An invitation should be followed by a complete written explanation of the financial and membership terms. Ask for the exact initiation fee, deposit, payment schedule, dues, taxes, capital charges, food and beverage minimum, and any current or approved assessments.

Confirm whether the membership is proprietary or non-proprietary, whether the initiation payment is refundable, and what occurs upon resignation, death, relocation, divorce, or transfer. Ask whether spouse and dependent privileges are included and how children age out of the membership.

The applicant should also request written details about golf access, tee-time rules, guest limits, caddie requirements, cart use, course closures, storage, lockers, tournaments, and reciprocal play. National or nonresident candidates should verify the residency boundary and annual round allowance.

Ask whether the quoted initiation fee includes every required payment or whether additional capital contributions are due at joining. A lower initiation quote can be misleading if large mandatory assessments or certificates are added separately.

Finally, discuss expected participation with the sponsoring members. Medinah’s process emphasizes personal relationships and community fit. The financial ability to pay is necessary, but it does not replace sponsorship or guarantee approval.

Medinah vs Other Private Clubs

Medinah sits at the upper end of the private-club market because of its reported six-figure initiation fee, three courses, extensive amenities, championship history, and national reputation. It should be compared with other major private golf institutions rather than with ordinary suburban clubs offering initiation fees in the low five figures.

ThePricer has separate guides to the membership costs at Austin Country Club, Navesink Country Club, and Echo Lake Country Club. Public estimates for private clubs should always be treated carefully because fee schedules can change and may differ by age, category, residence, or invitation date.

Medinah’s three-course campus and championship venue make direct comparisons difficult. A club with one golf course may charge less but also provide fewer playing options. Another club may offer comparable golf with fewer family amenities or less extensive indoor winter practice.

Prospective members should compare total annual spending, travel time, family usage, course access, club culture, assessment history, guest policy, and resignation terms rather than focusing only on the initiation fee.

What We Verified

We verified Medinah’s invitation-only sponsorship process through its official membership page and the reported $152,000 initiation fee through a PGA of America executive recruitment profile prepared for the club. We confirmed the current three-course structure, amenities, 5,000-square-foot Golf Learning Center, Gun Club, Racquet Center, swimming facilities, and dining program through Medinah’s current public website.

We also verified the 2024 OCM transformation of Course No. 3, Medinah’s current Platinum Clubs rankings, its championship history, and the Presidents Cup scheduled for September 22–27, 2026. We removed or qualified the unsupported claims that all memberships are non-equity, that every guest is limited to four annual visits, that Social members receive unrestricted golf, and that regular members pay ordinary green fees.

The historical monthly dues estimates, age categories, National membership distance, annual round limits, junior deposit, and payment plan could not be confirmed through Medinah’s current public pages. They should be treated as historical information until the club provides current written terms.

Answers to Common Questions

How much is the Medinah Country Club initiation fee?

The strongest current public source reports an initiation fee of approximately $152,000. Medinah does not publish the fee on its consumer-facing membership page.

How much are the monthly dues at Medinah?

Current dues are not publicly disclosed. Older estimates placed them around $600 to $1,000+ per month, depending on category, but these amounts should not be treated as confirmed current prices.

Can anyone apply to Medinah Country Club?

No. Membership is by invitation only. Medinah says prospective members must begin the process through current members in their personal network who can serve as sponsors.

Is Medinah Country Club member-owned?

Yes. Its current membership page describes Medinah as a private, member-owned club. The public page does not explain the individual member’s equity, refund, transfer, or resignation rights.

How many golf courses does Medinah have?

Medinah has three 18-hole courses, providing 54 full-length golf holes. A current club profile also identifies a five-hole par-3 course and a putting course.

Does membership include free golf?

Full golf privileges generally provide course access through dues rather than ordinary public green fees. Separate caddie, cart, guest, tournament, and service charges may apply according to club policy.

When is the Presidents Cup at Medinah?

The Presidents Cup is scheduled for September 22–27, 2026 on the redesigned Course No. 3.

What is a realistic first-year Medinah membership budget?

Using the reported $152,000 initiation fee and older dues estimates, initiation and dues alone could total approximately $159,200 to $164,000+. Assessments and personal club spending could make the actual amount higher.