Hearthstone has been in tremendous shape despite the storms knocking down a lot of the trees. Greens always roll true minus 1 or 2 that have drainage issues (no problems this year). Doing some work around cart paths and larger trees to make it more pleasing on the eye.

One rotation is better for walking than the other two by far (wolf-horse). Not a long course, but long par 3s, narrow fairways, and grown out rough make it fun & challenging.

Thx ill edit

My wife and I are a young couple living on the northwest side of Houston.

We're looking into country club memberships and have checked out Northgate and Hearthstone.

Northgate offers a young executive membership for around $350/month with a $1500 initiation fee. There's an extra $25 monthly fee if you want to play Walden. Cart fees apply, but there's no food and beverage minimum.

Hearthstone's young executive membership is similar at about $350/month with a $1000 initiation fee. However, tee times are restricted to after 12 pm. Like Northgate, there are cart fees but no F&B minimum.

Both clubs are about the same distance from our home. We're wondering if there are other country clubs we should consider and which of these two would be a better fit for us.

I upgraded to a Junior Golf Membership (40 and under) at Sterling CC in Cypress. $375 + tax which includes cart fees. Initiation was $2500 but they usually run a special which knocks it down to a grand or so.

justanotherbaxter said:

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My wife and I are a young couple living on the northwest side of Houston.

We're looking into country club memberships and have checked out Northgate and Hearthstone.

Northgate offers a young executive membership for around $350/month with a $1500 initiation fee. There's an extra $25 monthly fee if you want to play Walden. Cart fees apply, but there's no food and beverage minimum.

Hearthstone's young executive membership is similar at about $350/month with a $1000 initiation fee. However, tee times are restricted to after 12 pm. Like Northgate, there are cart fees but no F&B minimum.

Both clubs are about the same distance from our home. We're wondering if there are other country clubs we should consider and which of these two would be a better fit for us.

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At $375 with Walden Conroe added in… that's tough to beat. It's a hike up there, but man… what a golf course.

Hearthstone is a good deal for what it is. 27 holes, etc.

I live on the NW side and I just haven't been able to pull the trigger. I like playing several different courses and with my buddies. BUT… the kiddo is 5 now and really enjoying golf. If he continues to like it, and wants to play… well pretty much have to join somewhere.

NG is full. Go somewhere else.

Only half kidding. First Raveneaux shut down then the owner sold to Concert Golf. So, influx of recently displaced Raveneaux members immediately followed a new ownership group primarily driven by revenue (read: more members).

Used to tee off at 6 PM in the summer and play 18 in 90-120 minutes. Now, every hole is stacked at that time. Non-golf events have gone downhill as well IMO. Guest green fees went way up.

Does Houston have a list of all the Private Courses similar to DFW's Avid Golfer list?

Is that a recent quote from hearthstone?

RigsTx said:

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Does Houston have a list of all the Private Courses similar to DFW's Avid Golfer list?

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Sure wish it did, but DMN also does a better job of covering Texas golf than the comical.

Pine Forest initiation fee goes to $30 thousand on November 1.

Really? Geez

PFCC is at a point where they don't need more members, and they are re-doing a nine at a time for the next two years. First 9 just completed. 30k still isn't a bad deal for what you get. Especially compared to a nearby club like Lakeside that tries to liken itself to HCC or ROCC, which it isn't really even close. I spend a good bit of time at all three of those courses and quite frankly I equate the rebuilt Lakeside to a DR Horton home in Katy vs. HCC or ROCC being a custom-built home in Tanglewood or River Oaks. Add in the fun times of getting a tee time at a club with over 1000 members that price tag is nowhere near what it's worth.

Champions went from 25 to 50 in one year and it is probably still the best value for golfers only. You get two of the best courses in the state, and best players and only about 800 members to 36 holes. PFCC has about 800 for 27 (when done) and probably 200 don't play. It's a financially sound, member owned course with a pretty solid club with indoor/outdoor tennis and pickleball courts, gym and amenities. I wouldn't say 30k is crazy with all the renovations they have done there over the years since it was 5k. Monthly will be around 1k.

You comparing the course at lakeside or the amenities to RO/HCC?

Haven't played the new Lakeside yet, but I thought the older one was more fun than HCC.

I'm comparing the overall club. Lakeside does not hold a candle to the other two yet wants to charge you like they are on that level. Still a nice club but probably should be around 75k, but they were in such a terrible financial state after the flood I guess this is the way they are making up for it.

Alan, agree a lot with what you are saying on PFCC. It has its faults ( location (forget driving out there for an early evening round on a weekday) plus a member base that hasn't been interested in a long term vision (hence, choosing a three year remodel that will result in three different nines for the next 3-4 years)) but has remained one of the better values for what you pay and is an overall great club with an improving membership.

But, I really think the perception of value changes at $30k unless the golf course remodel turns out great which remains to be seen. Will also be interesting to see how the new vs. old membership (that paid almost nothing to join) mesh together and if the laid back vibe changes.

Great post. I paid $3500 to to join not that long ago. Once covid went away it's like constant upgrading and some assessments but more Akron the way. If the things price wise keep going the way they are I won't stay long. It's a moderate club price wise and member wise. Some think a club on Clay road is the next Lakeside.

No one thinks PF is like Lakeside come on. But you have to admit getting in at $3500 is a pretty good deal. I don't think they are going to get a lot of new members at 30 and they know that. What they will get is a flurry of members at 15 until that increase in November. And I'm sure if some of those that got in at 3-5k want to drop, they are absolutely fine with that.

I'll say this, and this is not to be offensive to you at all, but if you get in a fully private country club with 27 holes and all the other things they have for $3,500, then are going to complain about what are probably relatively small assessments for club improvements, then country clubs might not be for you.

CGC going to 70 soon. TG

Yeah I think that is probably wise to be honest. Champions does not mess around and even though Jackie is gone, they don't want a bunch of scrubs joining the club. They want to try and keep it around the 400-450 per 18 threshold which is the right thing to do. Pool is gone so now there is absolutely nothing for anyone to do but play. So those looking for a country club need not apply.

Agreed, no one should be comparing the two. It will be interesting to see if they get a large wait list of people before the nov deadline as that is a big jump and I think they might be close to full already.

30 does seem crazy for PFC but the reality of the situation is that there are very few options for anyone that lives in the memorial/SB/whatever the **** you call the area between bw8 and 99 for golf.

You have lakeside at 120k+, royal oaks at ~40k? Then you have to go either a good way out for the next couple clubs that are either in Katy or Sugarland. And there are next to no public options as well

I don't know the exact number, but my understanding is we're pretty close to full at PF. In fact, the board recently changed the by-laws to give themselves some flexibility to move the number of membership levels around (i.e., take from the corporate member category and add to the regular, etc.).

My guess is we'll probably top off the membership before Nov. 1 and then the club will see how the new initiation fee is received. If the club is basically full, no real harm in trying. If you get in a position where you need to attract new members, you can always run a special/slash initiation (which is exactly what they did right after I converted to a regular membership (not that I'm still mad or anything)).

Well yes any club you join kinda tells you in advance all of the costs and fees up front so it's a bit strange to act like that's a big surprise. Like literally you know exactly how much the monthly will be before you join. Either you accept it or you don't. This isn't a new concept.

That's how they are paying for the golf course renovation.

Fair enough. Yeah I'm sure there is a monthly, then an F&B minimum and a capital fee included. The capital fee might go away after a period as I've seen in the past at clubs. It's kind of a work around to say they haven't assessed the members. But again it's usually temporary.

Doesn't seem that unusual. Monthly is in the same range at Riverbend, Sugarland Creek, Golf Club of Houston, Swee****er.

At 15k initiation the 1200 monthly seems high

I pay less monthly at Houston Oaks as young exec

Not complaining just making a point that the one time initiation is real money but the monthly dues are something to know and be prepared for.

Last month, my bill was regular dues (703.63), capital dues (216.50), and minimum F&B (81.19). So, $1,001.32 is the monthly nut if you never step foot on the property. Not sure what the savings are for junior members, but you could probably shave $150 or so off of that.

Yeah and if you use it add in range and cart. That's how I got to $1100-$1200. Folks labor over the upfront but I'd suspect it's the monthly that causes most people to cancel memberships over time.

Mine too! It's not necessarily the money but that stuff rubs me the wrong way. Just give me a price.