The Most Exclusive Golf Clubs in the World

Photo: Tara Iti by Ricky Robinson

Words: Alexandra O’laughlin

There are exclusive clubs… and then there are these clubs. From windswept coastlines in New Zealand to ultra-modern retreats in Florida, these are the most elusive, invitation-only spots in the game. Places where golf’s power players retreat. Some are steeped in a century of tradition, where others are fresh visions of luxury built for today’s golf elite. I’ve had the opportunity to experience a handful of them, and each offers something unforgettable. Let’s take a walk through the most exclusive golf clubs in the world (in no particular order).

Photo: Alexandra O'laughlin at the Grove XXIII 

Grove XXIII, Hobe Sound, Florida, US

Grove XXIII is Michael Jordan’s ultra-private playground for golf’s elite. Hidden in the quiet town of Hobe Sound, Florida, this invitation-only membership has a roster that blends PGA Tour stars, billionaires, and Jordan’s inner circle. The pro shop is a personal favorite, stocked with the latest drops and rare Jordan releases. The Bobby Weed design is a fun one, but it’s the culture that makes this place desirable. You’ll often see players ride solo in their own carts, music blasting, chasing as many holes and high-stakes money games as the day allows.

Tara Iti, North Island, New Zealand

Tara Iti redefined New Zealand golf with its understated luxury, remote coastal setting, and architectural purity. Designed by Tom Doak and opened in 2015, the course is carved through sandy dunes along the Pacific Ocean. It’s a pure, walking-only experience with no tee boxes and no carts. With fewer than 250 members, many of them international, the invitation-only club has become a pilgrimage site for golf connoisseurs seeking solitude, beauty, and one of the most natural layouts on earth.

           

Photo (left): Tara Iti by Ricky Robinson, Photo (right): Seminole Golf Club, photo credit: USGA Fred Vuich

Seminole Golf Club, Florida, USA

Tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway in Juno Beach, Seminole Golf Club is a fixture on every Top 100 list. Designed by Donald Ross in 1929, it’s hailed as one of the finest examples of golf course routing. It’s a test of strategy, where wind is almost always a factor and greens that are subtly contoured and roll quick. Membership is shrouded in discretion, with U.S. presidents, CEOs, and professional golfers all part of its inner circle. The club remains intensely private; rarely seen and even more rarely played. 

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, New York, USA

One of the founding five clubs of the USGA, Shinnecock Hills, or simply “Shinne” to those in the know, is pure American golfing royalty. Established in 1891, this Southampton landmark has hosted five U.S. Opens, with the next set for 2026. The William Flynn design unfurls across Long Island’s rugged terrain, blending natural beauty with strategic brilliance. As much a shrine to golf architecture as it is a championship stage, Shinnecock’s membership remains famously elusive. Respect for tradition is valued above all.

The Madison, Club California, USA

A contemporary take on exclusivity, The Madison Club in La Quinta pairs absolute privacy with the curated luxury lifestyle that Discovery Land Company founder Mike Meldman has perfected. With Madison Club being one of their 35 communities worldwide, DLC is very much an “if you know, you know” world. One where golf courses are kept in flawless condition and every detail is anticipated by a highly attentive staff. Discovery was the first to pioneer the now-famous “comfort stations,” fully stocked with anything from gourmet snacks to top-shelf beverages. Membership requires not just a financial investment in a home, but also an invitation into the club’s tight-knit, high-profile community.

Cypress Point Club, California, USA

Perhaps the most mystical club in the game, Cypress Point exists on a different frequency. Located on California’s Monterey Peninsula, Alister MacKenzie’s 1928 design is often hailed as the most beautiful course in the world, with its iconic par-3 16th stretching across the Pacific Ocean. With fewer than 300 members and no tee times, access is nearly impossible, unless you’re lucky enough to receive a personal invitation from one of its discreet, elite members. 

Photo: Cypress Point Golf Club, photo credit: USGA John Mummert   

Morfontaine Golf Club, Hauts-de-France, France

Just outside Paris, Morfontaine is the epitome of quiet elegance. Founded by the Duc de Guiche in 1913, the club occupies a serene forest estate and remains one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. Tom Simpson’s design has aged gracefully, with pine-scented fairways and undulating greens that offer a timeless challenge. The club’s aristocratic roots and unspoken code of exclusivity make it nearly inaccessible to anyone outside the inner circle of French and international golf royalty. 

Tokyo Golf Club, Japan

Steeped in tradition and Japanese refinement, Tokyo Golf Club is a bastion of etiquette and excellence. Founded in 1913 and relocated to Saitama Prefecture in the 1930s, the course was redesigned by Charles H. Alison, who left behind a demanding layout known for deep bunkering and strategic nuance. Reserved and understated, the club reflects Japan’s cultural values of honor and respect, and entry is almost exclusively granted to those of considerable stature in Japanese society.

Photo (left): Tokyo Golf Club, Photo (right): Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews Old Course

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Scotland

While the Old Course is open to the public, the R&A Club itself is as private as it is historic. Founded in 1754, it’s not just a club, it’s one of golf’s key governing bodies. Membership is strictly by invitation and limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to golf. To be a member here is not simply to gain access to St Andrews, it is to become part of golf’s global legacy. Beyond its rules and governance, it stages some of golf’s biggest championships across men’s, women’s, and amateur golf.

Royal Melbourne Golf Club Victoria, Australia

Australia’s crown jewel, Royal Melbourne has played host to countless prestigious tournaments, including the Presidents Cup, yet retains an aura of deep exclusivity. Its famed West Course, crafted by Alister MacKenzie, is a fixture in the world’s top 10. Set in Melbourne’s Sandbelt, the club is celebrated for its strategy-first design and lightning-fast greens. And while its heritage is steeped in tradition, don’t be fooled by its exclusivity… if you’re fortunate enough to be a guest, you’ll be welcomed with genuine warmth and a shared excitement for showcasing one of golf’s greatest masterpieces.

Royal Household Golf Club Windsor, England

Tucked away on the grounds of Windsor Castle, the Royal Household Golf Club is a nine-hole gem with a royal pedigree that’s hard to top. This Glenmuir course isn’t open to the public and even royal guests need an invite. It was the vision of King George V and was built in the early 20th century for the personal use of the Royal Family and palace staff. The course itself may be short, but the history runs deep. Picture manicured fairways winding through royal parkland, all in the shadow of one of the most iconic residences in the world. 

Photo (left): Royal Melborne Golf Club, Photo (right): Royal Household Windsor Castle

Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore

Perched atop Sentosa Island with panoramic views of the Singapore Strait, Sentosa Golf Club is Asia’s premier private golf destination. Home to the HSBC Women’s World Championship and frequented by global elites, its two courses, the Serapong and the New Tanjong, offer both tournament-grade conditions and luxury service. With a high initiation fee and rigorous vetting process, Sentosa balances cosmopolitan flair with a tightly held circle of influential members from across the globe.

Photo (left): Sentosa Golf Club, Tanjong Course, Photo (right): Augusta Golf Club, photo credit: Martin Miller

Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia, USA

There is exclusive, and then there is Augusta National. We have the pleasure of getting a glimpse into this iconic club each year, yet few have walked the immaculate fairways outside of Masters week. Membership is by quiet invitation only, with past and present names rumored to include presidents, Fortune 500 CEOs, and cultural icons. Founded in 1933 by Bobby Jones and Wall Street financier Clifford Roberts, and designed by Jones and Alister MacKenzie, they transformed the former Fruitland Nurseries into the golf course. The property’s horticultural past still blooms in its identity, with each hole named for a plant or tree found on the grounds.