The Country Club at DC Ranch sits in one of North Scottsdale's most desirable master-planned communities, offering a Tom Lehman-designed course with full country club amenities. At $250,000-$275,000 for golf membership initiation, DC Ranch occupies the middle tier of Scottsdale's private club market — significantly less than Silverleaf or Estancia, but well above entry-level clubs like Pinnacle Peak.
If you're researching DC Ranch membership, the first thing to understand is that DC Ranch and Silverleaf are different clubs within the same master community. This causes constant confusion, and we'll sort it out below.
DC Ranch Membership Fees
DC Ranch offers three distinct membership tiers, each with different access levels and pricing.
Golf Membership (Full Access)
| Detail | Cost |
|---|---|
| Initiation Fee | $250,000-$275,000 |
| Monthly Dues | $1,894-$1,990 |
| Capital Dues | $150-$450/month additional |
| F&B Minimum | $1,000/year |
| Waitlist | 1.5-3+ years |
The golf initiation fee uses market-based pricing that adjusts monthly based on demand. This means the exact number fluctuates — sources from July 2025 cited $260,000-$275,000, while February 2026 sources report $250,000. Either way, plan for approximately $250K.
Capital dues are an additional monthly charge (on top of regular dues) that funds facility improvements and maintenance projects. At $150-$450/month depending on membership tier, this adds $1,800-$5,400 annually to your cost.
Sport Membership (Under 50 Only)
| Detail | Cost |
|---|---|
| Initiation Fee | $75,000 |
| Monthly Dues | $1,088 |
| Age Requirement | Under 50 |
The sport membership — sometimes called "Junior Golf" — is available exclusively to members under age 50. At $75,000 initiation, it's roughly 70% less than the full golf membership. This is a smart entry point for younger professionals who want private golf access at a lower cost, with the option to upgrade later.
Clubhouse Membership (Non-Golf)
| Detail | Cost |
|---|---|
| Initiation Fee | $35,000 |
| Monthly Dues | $745-$956 |
| Golf Access | None |
The clubhouse membership covers dining, fitness, pool, tennis, and social programming — everything except golf. Some members start with a clubhouse membership while on the golf membership waitlist, converting once a spot opens.
DC Ranch vs Silverleaf: The Confusion Explained
This is the question everyone asks, and the answer matters because the two clubs are often conflated online.
DC Ranch is a large master-planned community in North Scottsdale encompassing thousands of homes across multiple neighborhoods, parks, shopping areas, and two private clubs.
Silverleaf is an ultra-luxury gated enclave within DC Ranch — its own neighborhood with its own private club.
The Country Club at DC Ranch and Silverleaf Country Club are completely separate clubs:
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Golf Initiation | $250K-$275K | $400K-$500K |
| Monthly Dues | $1,990 | $2,750-$3,900 |
| Course Designer | Tom Lehman / Rees Jones | Tom Weiskopf |
| Club Style | Family-oriented, community | Ultra-luxury, exclusive |
| Property Required | No | Yes (Silverleaf homes only) |
| Entry-Level Option | $35K clubhouse | $100K clubhouse |
| Waitlist | 1.5-3+ years | Varies |
The key difference beyond price: DC Ranch CC does not require property ownership within the community, while Silverleaf requires you to own a home in the Silverleaf enclave. This makes DC Ranch significantly more accessible.
The Tom Lehman Course
Tom Lehman and Rees Jones collaborated on DC Ranch's course design, creating a layout that emphasizes playability while maintaining challenge from the back tees. The course features:
- Wide fairways that encourage aggressive play off the tee
- Strategic bunkering that rewards precise approach shots
- Water features on several holes adding visual appeal and scoring risk
- Desert hazards that penalize errant shots without feeling punitive
- Mountain views of the McDowell Mountains throughout the routing
The course conditioning benefits from the club's strong financial position and active membership. Greens are maintained to high standards year-round, and the fairway quality rivals more expensive clubs.
Lehman's involvement brings a PGA Tour perspective to the design — the course plays fair but demands quality shots to score well. It's challenging enough for low handicappers while remaining enjoyable for mid-to-high handicap members.
Club Amenities
DC Ranch operates as a full-service country club:
- Golf — Tom Lehman championship course with practice facilities and instruction
- Tennis — Multiple courts with professional programs
- Fitness — Full-service gym with personal training
- Aquatics — Pool complex for families
- Dining — Multiple dining options from casual to formal
- Social programming — Year-round events, holiday celebrations, member tournaments
- Junior programs — Youth golf, tennis, swimming, and social activities
The club's family orientation sets it apart from golf-only clubs. Members with children appreciate the breadth of programming, and the community-centered atmosphere creates a neighborhood club feel where members frequently see familiar faces.
The 1.5-3 Year Waitlist
DC Ranch's popularity means you likely won't walk in and join immediately. The waitlist varies by membership tier:
- Golf membership: 2-3+ years
- Sport membership: 1.5-2 years
- Clubhouse membership: Shorter, sometimes available immediately
Strategy: Some prospective golf members start with a clubhouse membership ($35,000) to gain access to the club's non-golf amenities and social life while waiting for a golf spot to open. When your name comes up on the golf waitlist, you convert — though you'll need to pay the full golf initiation at that point.
Who Should Consider DC Ranch
DC Ranch CC is a good fit if you:
- Want a family-oriented private club with full amenities
- Live or plan to live in the DC Ranch / North Scottsdale area
- Value a community club atmosphere over ultra-exclusive prestige
- Want an entry-level option (Sport at $75K or Clubhouse at $35K)
- Prefer a well-designed playable course over extreme championship difficulty
- Are willing to wait 1.5-3 years for golf membership availability
Consider other clubs if you:
- Want immediate golf membership without a waitlist
- Need multiple courses for variety (consider Desert Mountain)
- Prefer a walking-only golf experience (consider Scottsdale National)
- Want ultra-luxury exclusivity (consider Silverleaf)
- Prioritize the lowest possible initiation (consider Pinnacle Peak at ~$50K)
How DC Ranch Compares
DC Ranch vs Desert Mountain
offers six Nicklaus courses for $225,000-$250,000 — roughly the same initiation as DC Ranch but with six times the course variety. Desert Mountain is a gated residential community with a different feel (more spread out, more seasonal residents). DC Ranch is more compact and community-oriented. Choose DC Ranch for the neighborhood club feel; choose Desert Mountain for course variety.
DC Ranch vs Whisper Rock
at $100,000-$130,000 is roughly half DC Ranch's initiation but offers a pure golf experience without country club amenities. If golf is your primary interest and you don't need tennis, pools, and social programming, Whisper Rock delivers strong value. If you want the full country club lifestyle, DC Ranch is the better fit.
DC Ranch vs Estancia
at $295,000-$350,000 is a step up in both price and prestige. Estancia's Tom Fazio course is higher-ranked, the membership is more exclusive (~280 members), and the club carries more cachet. But DC Ranch offers more accessible pricing, more family programming, and the Sport membership tier ($75K) has no equivalent at Estancia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does DC Ranch Country Club membership cost?
As of early 2026, The Country Club at DC Ranch golf membership initiation is $250,000-$275,000 with monthly dues of approximately $1,990 plus $150-$450 in capital dues. Sport membership (under 50) is $75,000. Clubhouse (non-golf) membership is $35,000. All tiers have a $1,000 annual food and beverage minimum.
Is there a waitlist for DC Ranch?
Yes. Golf membership waitlists run 2-3+ years. Sport membership waitlists are 1.5-2 years. Clubhouse memberships may be available sooner. Some members start with a clubhouse membership while waiting for a golf spot.
Is DC Ranch the same as Silverleaf?
No. DC Ranch is the master-planned community. Silverleaf is an ultra-luxury enclave within DC Ranch with its own separate club. The Country Club at DC Ranch ($250K golf initiation) and Silverleaf Country Club ($400K-$500K golf initiation) are completely different clubs at different price points.
Do you have to live in DC Ranch to join?
No. Unlike Silverleaf, which requires property ownership, The Country Club at DC Ranch accepts members who live outside the DC Ranch community. However, many members do live in or near DC Ranch.
What is DC Ranch's market-based pricing?
DC Ranch's golf membership initiation fee adjusts monthly based on demand and market conditions, which is why different sources may report slightly different figures. The current range is approximately $250,000-$275,000.
Pricing reported as of February 2026 from multiple real estate and membership sources. Private golf clubs do not publish official pricing, and fees are subject to change. Contact The Country Club at DC Ranch at (480) 342-7200 for current membership availability and pricing.
Related Guides
Comparing clubs in the DC Ranch area? See our guide to ($400-500K) for the ultra-premium option, or ($225-250K) for six courses at a similar price. For a complete overview, read our guide to . Prefer public golf? Explore .
