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Usually, no. In the Triangle golf communities we checked, the homeowners association (HOA) and the golf club are separate, so buying a home there does not make you a club member and joining is a choice. Rules differ from place to place, so read the HOA documents and call the club before you buy.
Living next to a golf course and belonging to the club are two different things. You pay the HOA because you own a home there. You pay the club only if you join. Here is how it works, what we found in five well-known Triangle golf communities, and what to ask.
HOA vs. club: what's the difference?
- The HOA (owners association). Every owner in the neighborhood belongs to it and pays its dues. It keeps up common areas and enforces the neighborhood rules, like approval for exterior changes.
- The club. It owns or runs the golf course, and often the pools, courts, fitness center and dining. It sells its own memberships with its own fees. Some clubs are owned by a company. Some are owned by their members.
Your HOA dues and your club dues are two separate bills. A low HOA fee does not tell you what the club costs, and the club's fees do not show up in the HOA disclosure.
What we found in five Triangle golf communities
Brier Creek Country Club, northwest Raleigh
The club is not part of the HOA. The Brier Creek Country Club Owners Association says the club and golf course "are owned by separate entities" (Brier Creek Country Club Owners Association FAQ). The private club at 9400 Club Hill Drive sells its own memberships, from golf to social (Brier Creek Country Club). The golf cart paths are private and for golf only. Read our Brier Creek guide.
Wakefield Plantation, North Raleigh
The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation is a private club owned by McConnell Golf. It sells its own memberships, not the HOA. Its list includes golf, sports club and social options, plus resident and non-resident types (The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation). Read our Wakefield guide.
Preston, Cary
Prestonwood Country Club is a privately owned club inside Preston. The club says owning a home in Preston "is not required for membership" (Prestonwood Country Club). It offers Full Golf, Tennis, Social and Dining memberships. When we checked on October 23, 2026, the club's site said it was not accepting new members because of a multi-year wait list. Read our Preston guide.
Lochmere, Cary
The Lochmere Association says the golf course "is not part of Lochmere Association" (Lochmere Association). Lochmere Golf Club is a semi-private 18-hole course at 2511 Kildaire Farm Road that offers both memberships and daily play, so you can pay to play a round without joining (Lochmere Golf Club). Read our Lochmere guide.
Governors Club, Chapel Hill (Chatham County)
Governors Club is a residential community with a private, member-owned country club. Every property owner pays the annual property owners association (POA) assessment. Club membership is open to both residents and non-residents, and the club shares its membership types and fees directly (Governors Club FAQ).
Some communities are different
These five are not the whole Triangle. In some places, the covenants could tie a club membership to the home. Do not assume. Check every golf community on its own, using its own documents.
How to check any golf community before you buy
- Ask for the HOA documents early. Read the declaration (covenants), bylaws and rules. They say what the HOA owns and whether any club membership comes with the home.
- Get the owners' association disclosure. It lists the association, its dues and what they cover. Ask your agent for it before your due diligence period ends.
- Call the club's membership office. Ask what memberships exist, what each one includes, and whether there is a wait list.
- Ask the seller about their membership. Ask whether they are members and whether any membership can transfer with the sale. Get the answer from the club, in writing.
- Walk the lot. Homes on the course get views. They can also get stray golf balls. Check where the cart paths run.
Questions to ask the club
- Do I have to live here to join, or can anyone apply?
- Are there resident and non-resident memberships?
- What does each membership include: golf, pools, courts, fitness, dining?
- Is there a wait list right now? How does it work?
- Can a membership transfer when a home sells?
- What will I pay each year, and how often do fees change?
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to join the country club if you buy in a golf community near Raleigh?
Usually not. In the Triangle golf communities we checked, including Brier Creek, Wakefield, Preston and Lochmere, the HOA and the club are separate and joining the club is your choice. Rules differ, so check each community's HOA documents and ask the club.
Are HOA dues and club dues the same thing?
No. HOA dues go to the owners association and every owner pays them. Club dues go to the club and only members pay them. They are separate bills from separate groups.
Does living in Preston include a Prestonwood Country Club membership?
No. Prestonwood Country Club says owning a home in Preston is not required for membership, and membership is separate. On October 23, 2026, the club's website said it was not accepting new members because of a multi-year wait list.
Is the Brier Creek Country Club part of the HOA?
No. The Brier Creek Country Club Owners Association says the club and golf course are owned by separate entities. Club membership is a separate choice with its own fees.
Can I play golf in Lochmere without being a member?
Yes. Lochmere Golf Club is a semi-private course that accepts both memberships and daily play. The Lochmere Association says the golf course is not part of the association.
Can a club membership transfer when I buy a home?
It depends on the club. Ask the club's membership office and the seller before you make an offer, and get the answer in writing. Some clubs also have wait lists.
Thinking about a golf community home?
We are the #1 Resale team in the Triangle, with a team of about 50 agents. Our founder, Tina Caul, has been in Raleigh real estate since 2001, and we can help you sort out HOA and club questions before you write an offer.
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