11.7.2023 Valerie Roca
Rancho Mirage has a wonderful small-town allure that attracts visitors from all over, but how do country clubs in Rancho Mirage compare to other clubs in the greater Palm Springs area? More specifically, do all country clubs offer the same club amenities and memberships? If not, how are club facilities and amenities different, and what membership privileges do you gain as a homebuyer?
Researching country club homes in Rancho Mirage is a rewarding experience when you know what information to look for and where to find it. By the end of this article, you will understand how to confidently compare amenities and find the right membership or golf course property at a community you’ll be eager to call home.
Touring Country Club Amenities in Rancho Mirage
Comparing country club amenities and facilities usually begins with visits to different club websites. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with video tours or photo galleries available online. You may be presented with a hole-by-hole flyover for a bird’s eye view of the golf course. For golfers, the search for your favorite private golf course in Rancho Mirage will be time well spent.
During this initial discovery phase, consider the different types of courses:
- A regulation golf course offers 18 holes
- An “executive golf course” is usually a 9-hole course
- If a country club advertises 36 holes, this typically means two 18-hole courses.
- A country club with 27 holes will have one 18-hole golf course and one executive course.
Some Rancho Mirage country clubs have more than one golf course. This adds variety, but can also add to capital fees and monthly dues.
If you’re in search of a golf course home in Rancho Mirage, you’ll want a course that suits your playing style. Are you looking to challenge your short game? Are you more comfortable on wide fairways?
Experienced golfers should inquire about tournament formats; new players should take advantage of beginner clinics; families will want to learn about junior programs for children of all ages and couples formats; all players should take note of tee times (and how to reserve them), average round lengths, and pickup games.
Other country club facilities and amenities to compare:
- Dining – Are formal and casual settings offered? Are there options at “the turn” (the area between the 9th and 10th holes)? Do the menu and wine list match your tastes? Country club dining in Rancho Mirage can include:
- Fine dining
- Bar lounge
- Al fresco patios
- Café restaurants
- Themed events
- Private dining and catering
- Take-out and delivery
- Pools – Is there a resort-style pool for relaxation? Lap pools? Aquatics programs?
- Sports club facilities – Are tennis and pickleball offered? Are players grouped by skill? Are beginner clinics offered? Are courts easy to reserve? Are drop-ins welcome?
- Practice facilities – How important is a driving range, or a short game area with a putting green and chipping green?
- Fitness center – What kind of exercise equipment is available? Is training available? Are there group classes, and are they included in the membership?
- Spas – What products and services are offered? Massages? Facials?
- Lodges – Are villas available for nightly stays?
- Private spaces – Are private wine rooms or cellars available for special gatherings? Is a men’s grill offered?
- Social clubs – Country club members often organize smaller groups for shared hobbies that include everything from cycling to crochet.
When you find a country club you are interested in, its website should have clear instructions for contacting a membership director and scheduling a tour. Otherwise, try to call before visiting (walk-ins have become less popular due to Covid-19). When scheduling your tour, ask to experience a particular amenity you are interested in, whether it be a round of golf, a lunch or dinner in the clubhouse, pickleball, tennis, or any other club amenity.
Comparing Country Club Memberships
Country clubs commonly offer resident memberships, non-resident social memberships, and golf memberships. Each of these three membership types – resident, social, and golf – requires a one-time payment called an initiation fee. These will vary from club to club, so be sure to compare.
Some country clubs will require an invitation or sponsorship to join. They may also require a special interview and board approval.
Country Club Memberships – Families and Guests
Country clubs in Rancho Mirage each have their own guest policy and some will be more family-friendly than others. Be sure to consider your needs and look for the policy and club environment that best suits them. If you’re like most folks living in Rancho Mirage, you’ll have plenty of friends and family wanting to visit!
Some country clubs allow unaccompanied guests, while others do not. Many clubs offer reduced golf fees for family guests. For non-resident memberships, however, families will often have to pay higher monthly dues than couples or singles. Some country clubs require all residents, or a certain number of residents, to have a golfing membership, though this is not common.
Hidden Membership Costs
Find out if monthly HOA dues are included in resident membership dues, and what those fees include. There may also be a reserve contribution and capital fees to help maintain the premises and to fund large projects like course renovations and clubhouse upgrades. Finally, be sure to ask about golf cart fees, bag and cart storage, and locker fees.
Social Evaluations
Country clubs in Rancho Mirage may have a presence on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube, which can be a great way to get a feel for the social life before touring in person.
When planning a visit, ask if there are any upcoming social events you can attend, and if there are any social clubs that may interest you. Also ask about any orientation programs that help welcome new members into the community.
Touring a club, playing a complimentary round of golf, or enjoying a casual meal is a great way to observe the everyday social environment.
Ask yourself:
- Is the general atmosphere to your liking?
- Will it be easy to meet new people?
- Would friends and family members enjoy visiting here?
- Does the food and dress code cater to your tastes?
- Are there too many rules? Not enough?
After you have tested out the course, toured the amenities, and talked to both members and staff, you should have answers to the most important questions on your list.
Choosing the right club is a big decision, and one that we take pride in helping with. For more tips on finding the best country club for your needs, download our free Membership Discovery Guide, or visit our Membership page for detailed information.
