Barton Creek Country Club's 2026 packet lists Full Golf at $125,000 non-transferable or $175,000 transferable, plus $1,120 a month in dues. Here is every tier and what to confirm before you close.
By Joseph Stancil, REALTOR® since 2012, Paragon Realty Group, brokered by eXp Realty, LLC (TREC broker license #603392). Texas Sales Agent License #760204.
The short answer
- What it costs: the club publishes its fees in a Prospective Member Packet linked from its Realtor Resources page. Initiation fees run from $5,000 (Lakeside Social, non-transferable) to $175,000 (Barton Creek Full Golf, transferable). Monthly dues run from $323 to $1,120. The packet says sales tax applies to all initiation fees and monthly dues, and that fees are subject to change.
- Full Golf has a waitlist: the packet says Full Golf is "on a waitlist" and that applicants "must first enroll as a Golf Member in Waiting."
- Buying a home doesn't make you a member. Club membership is a separate application and contract with the club. If a seller says a membership comes with the house, get the club to confirm it in writing before closing.
The membership tiers
The club's membership page lists six categories: Full Golf, Golf in Waiting, Lakeside Golf, Racquet, Social and Lakeside Social. The packet adds two more: Barton Creek Junior Golf and Lakeside Non-Resident Golf. According to the packet, every membership covers "the applicant, a significant other (if applicable) and legal dependents under the age of 18 years old."
| Category (2026 packet) | Initiation fee, non-transferable | Initiation fee, transferable | Monthly dues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barton Creek Full Golf | $125,000 | $175,000 | $1,120 |
| Barton Creek Junior Golf (under 40) | $62,500 | $87,500 | $757 |
| Barton Creek Golf Member in Waiting | $40,000 | Not listed | $780 |
| Lakeside Golf | $40,000 | $60,000 | $780 |
| Barton Creek Racquet | $25,000 | $30,000 | $485 |
| Lakeside Non-Resident Golf | $20,000 | $30,000 | $439 |
| Barton Creek Social | $18,500 | $25,000 | $441 |
| Lakeside Social | $5,000 | $10,000 | $323 |
The footnotes matter:
- Golf Member in Waiting: the packet says this category "is reserved for those who desire a Full Golf Membership" and that "the initiation fee paid will apply toward the upgrade to the Full Golf Membership." It includes unlimited golf on the Palmer Lakeside course, six complimentary rounds a year on the three Austin courses, and access to the Austin clubhouse's fitness, pool, dining and racquet facilities.
- Junior Golf: this category is open to individuals or families under 40, and "an upgrade to the Full Golf category is required on the 40th birthday of the oldest member."
- Other costs: the packet lists cart fees of $25 per person for 18 holes, an average member-guest green fee of $157 for 18 holes (based on 2024), annual lockers at $360 to $420, a $45 annual handicap fee and an optional $80 "Play Away" travel benefit. It also says there are "no food and beverage minimums" and "no assessments for capital improvements."
What each tier gets you
The club operates two clubhouses. The main club is at 8212 Barton Club Drive in Austin. Barton Creek Country Club at Lakeside is at 1900 Clubhouse Hill Drive in Spicewood, which the club describes as 40 minutes from the main club. The golf page lists four courses:
- Fazio Foothills (Tom Fazio)
- Fazio Canyons (Tom Fazio), which the club says was selected to host the 2026 Austin Championship, a PGA TOUR event
- Coore Crenshaw Cliffside (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw)
- Palmer Lakeside (Arnold Palmer), at the Lakeside clubhouse above Lake Travis
The packet's privileges table shows that only Full Golf members get the three Austin golf courses and practice facilities without limits. Golf Members in Waiting and Lakeside Golf members play Palmer Lakeside. Racquet members get the Austin tennis center, fitness center and pool. According to the club's racquet page, the Austin tennis center has 10 hard courts and 2 pickleball courts and is managed by Cliff Drysdale Management. The Lakeside page lists two lit tennis courts and four pickleball courts there.
Membership and the home: two separate transactions
Buying in Barton Creek involves up to three separate relationships, each with its own costs:
- The house, which you buy under your purchase contract.
- The property owners association. Barton Creek is made up of several neighborhoods with their own associations. The Barton Creek North POA, for example, is a master association of 11 gated communities and other properties, and each neighborhood also has its own sub-association. Under Texas Property Code Section 207.003, the association must provide a resale certificate showing its regular assessments, transfer fees and any restraint on transferring the property.
- The country club, a separate membership with its own application, initiation fee and dues.
The POA resale certificate covers association dues, not club membership. The club's packet lists both transferable and non-transferable fees but doesn't explain what "transferable" lets you do: transfer to a buyer, to family, or back to the club, and on what terms. Only the club can answer that, and the answer should be in writing.
Our Barton Creek community page covers the neighborhoods and price ranges. Our luxury division handles homes in this price range.
Due-diligence checklist before closing
Use this list if membership affects your decision to buy, or if a seller is offering to transfer a membership.
- Get the current fee schedule from the membership office. Call 512-329-7999 or email bc.memberships@omnihotels.com, as listed in the packet. The packet says fees are subject to change.
- Confirm the seller's category and status. Ask the club, with the seller's written permission, which category the seller holds and whether it is transferable or non-transferable.
- Ask what "transferable" means in writing. Find out who it can transfer to, whether there is a transfer fee or waitlist, whether the buyer must apply and be approved, and what happens to the seller's dues obligations.
- Ask about the waitlist. Full Golf is waitlisted according to the packet. Ask about your likely route, such as starting as a Golf Member in Waiting, and how the upgrade credit works.
- Keep it out of assumptions. If membership matters to you, have your agent and attorney address it in the contract. A sales contract alone doesn't bind the club.
- Order the POA resale certificate early. It shows association assessments and transfer fees, which are separate from club costs.
- Budget the full annual cost. Add up dues, sales tax, cart fees, lockers and dining, along with POA assessments and property taxes.
Our buyer services page explains how we handle contracts and due diligence. For the broader market, see our October 2026 Austin housing market report.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to join Barton Creek Country Club?
It depends on the category, and the club publishes its fees in its 2026 Prospective Member Packet. Initiation fees range from $5,000 for non-transferable Lakeside Social to $175,000 for transferable Barton Creek Full Golf. Monthly dues range from $323 to $1,120. Sales tax applies to initiation fees and dues, and the packet notes that fees are subject to change, so confirm the current schedule with the membership office before you decide.
What are the monthly dues for Barton Creek Full Golf?
The packet lists Barton Creek Full Golf dues at $1,120 a month plus sales tax. Usage fees are extra, including cart fees of $25 per person for 18 holes, lockers at $360 to $420 a year, and a $45 annual handicap fee. The packet says there are no food and beverage minimums and no capital improvement assessments. Golf Member in Waiting and Lakeside Golf dues are $780 a month, according to the same packet.
Does a Barton Creek club membership transfer with the home?
Not automatically, because membership is a separate agreement with the club and not part of the real estate. The club's packet lists both transferable and non-transferable initiation fees, but it doesn't explain the transfer terms. If a seller offers a membership, ask the club to confirm in writing whether it can move to you, at what cost, and with what approval steps, before you close.
Do you have to live in Barton Creek to join the club?
The club's published materials reviewed for this article don't state a residency requirement. The packet does list a Lakeside Non-Resident Golf category at $20,000 non-transferable, which suggests residency affects some Lakeside pricing. Rules can change, so ask the membership office which categories you qualify for and whether any residency, age or sponsorship conditions apply. The office can also explain how the Lakeside categories differ from the Austin clubhouse categories.
Is there a waitlist for Barton Creek Full Golf membership?
Yes. The club's 2026 packet says Full Golf is on a waitlist and that applicants must first enroll as a Golf Member in Waiting. That category's $40,000 non-transferable initiation fee applies toward the later upgrade to Full Golf. Members in waiting play Palmer Lakeside and get six complimentary rounds a year on the Austin courses. Ask the club about current wait times.
Joseph Stancil, TX License #760204, Paragon Realty Group, brokered by eXp Realty, LLC, TX Broker License #603392. General information, not legal or financial advice. Paragon Realty Group is not affiliated with Barton Creek Country Club or Omni Hotels & Resorts. Fees, categories and amenities are as published by the club in its Prospective Member Packet (August 2026) and on bartoncreekmembers.com as of November 14, 2026, and are subject to change; confirm the current schedule and any transfer terms directly with the club in writing. Illustrations are AI-generated, not photos of the club or specific properties.
Joseph Stancil
Founder & Supervising Agent | Paragon Realty Group
Joseph Stancil brings over 13 years of Austin real estate expertise to every article in The Paragon Chronicle. His market analysis draws on proprietary data, direct transaction experience, and deep relationships throughout Austin's luxury communities.
