Quick Answer
- In almost every Tahoe golf community, the home and the club are two separate purchases.
- Most expensive: Martis Camp (~$300K golf initiation / ~$45K dues).
- Lowest entry: Tahoe Donner (no club — ~$3,300 HOA) and Tahoe Mountain Club (~$13,500 initiation).
- HOA dues ≠ club dues — they're two different bills.
- Most private clubs prohibit short-term rentals; Tahoe Donner and Northstar are the exceptions.
Here's the question almost every buyer forgets to ask: what does it cost to actually use the club? In nearly every Lake Tahoe golf community, the home and the membership are two separate purchases — and the membership can run from a few thousand dollars a year to a $300,000 initiation check. I run the numbers on these communities for a living, so this is the honest, side-by-side breakdown I give my own clients.
Lake Tahoe golf club membership costs, compared (2026)
| Club (State) | Model | One-time (initiation) | Annual dues | HOA & notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martis Camp (CA) | Equity golf or social | Golf ~$300,000 · Social ~$125,000 transfer | Golf ~$45,000 · Social ~$29,000 | HOA ~$1,800/qtr. Separate club application. |
| Lahontan (CA) | Golf (open-market) or social | Golf ~$200,000+ · Social $70,000 | Social $13,900 | HOA ~$5,800/yr. |
| Schaffer's Mill (CA) | Right-to-use (no capital calls) | Modest one-time enrollment* | Low annual dues* | Resident, associate & under-40 tiers. *Contact club. |
| Old Greenwood / Gray's Crossing (CA) | Right-to-use (Tahoe Mountain Club) | Full TMC ~$13,500 | Full TMC ~$6,000 · Gray's-only $1,815–$3,300 | Two courses. Lowest private-club entry. |
| Clear Creek Tahoe (NV) | Mandatory social; golf by invite | $100,000 (in lot price) | Social $9,450 · Golf $15,000 | No state income tax. Golf not included w/ home. |
| Montreux (NV) | Equity golf / sport / clubhouse | Golf $60,000 + $50,000 capital · Clubhouse $12,500 | Golf ~$20,000 + $1,200 F&B min | No state income tax. Capital fee over 5 yrs. |
| Tahoe Donner (CA) | HOA-bundled (no separate club) | None | Annual assessment ~$3,300 | 2026: amenity access for 4 included. STR-friendly. |
| Incline Village (NV) | District (IVGID) + public courses | None | Resident rec fee via property | Championship & Mountain courses. |
HOA dues vs club dues — don't confuse the two
This trips up almost every first-time Tahoe buyer. There are two separate bills. HOA dues are mandatory and pay for the community — roads, gate security, snow removal, common areas. Club dues pay for the amenities — golf, pool, fitness, dining — and at most Tahoe communities they're a separate, optional membership with its own initiation fee. That's the difference between a $7,000/year carrying cost and a $50,000+/year one. When I underwrite a purchase for a client, I model both lines so there are no surprises.
Club-by-club detail
Martis Camp (Truckee, CA)
The most expensive door, and the strongest legacy-club feel. A 50% equity golf membership runs about a $300,000 initiation with ~$45,000 dues; a social membership is about a $125,000 transfer fee with ~$29,000 dues. Buying a home does not include the club. See Martis Camp homes for sale or compare it in Martis Camp vs Lahontan.
Lahontan (Truckee, CA)
A social membership is a $70,000 initiation plus ~$13,900 dues; a full golf membership trades on the open market (~$200,000+) and includes all amenities. HOA ~$5,800/year. Browse Lahontan homes for sale.
Schaffer's Mill (Truckee, CA)
The most member-friendly structure in Tahoe — a right-to-use club with a modest one-time enrollment and low dues, no capital calls, and tiers for residents, non-residents, and members under 40. Figures aren't published; I'll get you the current brochure. See Schaffer's Mill homes for sale.
Old Greenwood & Gray's Crossing — Tahoe Mountain Club (Truckee, CA)
The lowest entry among the private clubs. A full Tahoe Mountain Club membership is ~$13,500 initiation with ~$500/month dues, covering two courses; a Gray's-only membership runs roughly $1,815 individual / $2,695 couple / $3,300 family per year. Explore Old Greenwood & Gray's Crossing homes.
Clear Creek Tahoe (Carson City, NV)
Bundles a $100,000 initiation into the lot price with mandatory social membership (~$9,450/year); golf is separate and by invitation (~$15,000/year). Add no Nevada state income tax. See Clear Creek Tahoe homes for sale or all Nevada listings.
Montreux (Reno, NV)
Golf membership is a $60,000 contribution plus a $50,000 capital fee (over five years) with ~$20,000/year in dues; sport and clubhouse tiers cost less. A $1,200 annual F&B minimum applies. See Montreux homes for sale.
Tahoe Donner (Truckee, CA) & the public-course options
The value play. Tahoe Donner has no separate club — amenity access, including golf, comes through the ~$3,300 annual HOA assessment (and for 2026, access for four members is bundled in). It's also one of the few golf communities that allows short-term rentals. Northstar and Incline Village similarly offer resort or district golf without a six-figure initiation. See Tahoe Donner homes for sale.
Which membership fits your goal?
- Legacy & privacy, cost no object → Martis Camp or Lahontan.
- Value luxury, low friction → Schaffer's Mill or Tahoe Mountain Club.
- Nevada tax advantage → Clear Creek Tahoe or Montreux.
- Lowest cost / rental income → Tahoe Donner or Northstar.
Golf homes and rental income — read the fine print
If you're buying partly as an investment, membership cost is only half the math — the other half is whether you can rent the home. Martis Camp, Lahontan and Schaffer's Mill prohibit rentals under 30 days. The golf communities that genuinely work as short-term rentals are Tahoe Donner and Northstar. Before you assume a property pencils out, check the Lake Tahoe STR rules by jurisdiction and my golf-community investment guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does buying a home in a Tahoe golf community include club membership?
No. In nearly every Lake Tahoe golf community, club membership is separate from the home purchase and requires its own application, initiation fee, and annual dues. The common exception is HOA-based communities like Tahoe Donner, where amenity access is bundled into the annual assessment.
How much does it cost to join Martis Camp?
As of 2025, the golf membership initiation is about $300,000 (50% equity) with roughly $45,000 in annual dues. A social membership is about a $125,000 transfer fee plus roughly $29,000 in annual dues. HOA dues of about $1,800 per quarter are separate.
What is the cheapest way into a Tahoe golf community?
Tahoe Donner is the lowest-cost path — amenity access, including its golf course, comes through the ~$3,300 annual HOA assessment with no separate initiation. Among the private clubs, Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood and Gray's Crossing) has the lowest entry at roughly a $13,500 initiation.
What is the difference between HOA dues and club dues?
HOA dues pay for the community itself — roads, security, common areas — and are mandatory for owners. Club dues pay for amenities and golf, and at most Tahoe communities they're a separate, optional membership. You can own a home and pay HOA dues without ever joining the club.
Can I short-term rental a home in these golf communities?
Most private golf communities restrict it — Martis Camp, Lahontan and Schaffer's Mill prohibit rentals under 30 days. If short-term rental income matters, Tahoe Donner and Northstar are the golf-oriented communities that allow it, subject to local permit rules.
Trying to figure out which club actually pencils out for you? I'll model the full cost — home, HOA, and membership — against how you plan to use it. Call (530) 317-0373 or reach out here.