Silverleaf Country Club holds the distinction of being Scottsdale's most expensive private golf club, with golf membership initiation fees that have climbed from $400,000 to $500,000 in recent years. Located within the DC Ranch master-planned community, Silverleaf is a gated enclave within a gated community — an exclusive residential neighborhood with its own private club.
If you're researching Silverleaf membership costs, you've likely seen numbers ranging from $65,000 to $500,000 online. The confusion comes from mixing up membership tiers. Here's the full breakdown.
Silverleaf Membership Fees
Golf Membership (Full Access)
| Detail | Cost |
|---|---|
| Initiation Fee | $400,000-$500,000 |
| Monthly Dues | $2,750-$3,000+ |
| Annual Dues (estimated) | $33,000-$47,000 |
The golf membership initiation fee has been rising. Multiple realtor sources reported $400,000 as of mid-2025, with the most recent sources (February 2026) citing $500,000. Monthly dues have also increased from $2,750 to approximately $3,000-$3,900, depending on the source.
This is the full-access membership covering golf, dining, fitness, spa, pool, tennis, and all club amenities.
Clubhouse Membership (Social/Non-Golf)
| Detail | Cost |
|---|---|
| Initiation Fee | $100,000 |
| Monthly Dues | $875-$900 |
| Annual Dues (estimated) | $10,500-$10,800 |
The clubhouse membership provides access to all club amenities except golf. This is the tier that often gets confused with the golf membership in online listings. When you see "$100,000 Silverleaf membership," it's this non-golf tier.
The Property Requirement
Both membership tiers require you to own or be purchasing property within the Silverleaf community. You cannot join Silverleaf without a real estate commitment. This is perhaps the most important thing to understand about Silverleaf membership costs — the initiation fee is on top of a significant home purchase.
Property in Silverleaf ranges from approximately $1.5 million to $15 million+, with most homes falling in the $3-8 million range. Your total investment to become a Silverleaf golf member includes:
| Component | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Home purchase | $1.5M-$15M+ |
| Golf membership initiation | $400K-$500K |
| First year annual dues | $33K-$47K |
| Minimum first-year investment | ~$2M+ |
The Silverleaf Experience
Tom Weiskopf Golf Course
Tom Weiskopf designed Silverleaf's championship course to play through the McDowell Mountain slopes, creating some of the most dramatic elevation changes in Scottsdale private golf. Several holes feature significant uphill and downhill shots, with desert canyon crossings and elevated greens that showcase panoramic mountain views.
The par 3 5th hole is the signature — a dramatic downhill shot that exemplifies Weiskopf's ability to integrate natural terrain into memorable golf. Course conditioning remains excellent year-round, even during summer months when some desert courses reduce maintenance intensity.
Full Country Club Amenities
Unlike golf-focused clubs (Whisper Rock, Scottsdale National), Silverleaf operates as a full-service country club. Your membership includes:
- Golf — Tom Weiskopf championship course with practice facilities
- Dining — Multiple restaurants and casual dining venues
- Fitness — Full-service fitness center and personal training
- Spa — Resort-quality spa services
- Tennis — Courts with professional instruction
- Aquatics — Pool complex
- Social programming — Year-round calendar of member events
The DC Ranch Community Context
Understanding Silverleaf requires understanding DC Ranch. DC Ranch is a large master-planned community in North Scottsdale. Silverleaf is the ultra-luxury enclave within DC Ranch — its own gated neighborhood with its own private club.
The Country Club at DC Ranch is a separate club serving the broader DC Ranch community. Some prospective members confuse the two:
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Golf Initiation | $400K-$500K | $250K-$275K |
| Monthly Dues | $2,750-$3,900 | $1,894-$1,990 |
| Course Designer | Tom Weiskopf | Tom Lehman/Rees Jones |
| Minimum Home Price | ~$1.5M+ | ~$500K+ |
| Vibe | Ultra-luxury, exclusive | Community-oriented, family |
Both are excellent clubs, but they serve very different markets and price points.
Membership Process
Who Joins Silverleaf
Silverleaf members tend to be established professionals, business executives, and retirees who have already achieved significant financial success. Many are full-time Scottsdale residents, creating year-round activity at the club. The community attracts members who want a primary residence with integrated private club lifestyle, not just a seasonal golf membership.
Application Requirements
- Purchase or commit to purchasing property in the Silverleaf community
- Member sponsorship from existing Silverleaf members
- Formal application with financial verification
- Committee review and interview
- Approval and payment of initiation fee
Equity Membership
Silverleaf is an equity club, meaning your initiation fee purchases ownership share. As a member-owner, you participate in club governance through voting rights and board elections. Equity may be partially recoverable upon resignation, though the terms and timeline depend on the club's policies and resale conditions.
Is Silverleaf Worth $500,000?
This is the question everyone asks. The answer depends entirely on how you'll use it.
The Case For
- Total lifestyle integration — your home, social life, fitness routine, dining, and golf all in one community
- Equity ownership — your initiation fee is an investment, not a pure expense
- Exclusivity — Silverleaf's residential filter ensures a consistently high-quality member community
- Property appreciation — Silverleaf homes have historically appreciated well, and club membership enhances property values
- Course quality — the Weiskopf design is consistently ranked among Arizona's best
The Case Against
- Concentration risk — your home, social network, and club investment are all in one place
- Illiquidity — equity memberships can take time to sell, and the market for $500K memberships is thin
- Annual cost — even after initiation, you're paying $33K-$47K per year in dues plus property costs
- Limited course variety — one course, no matter how good, means playing the same layout repeatedly
Cost Per Round Analysis
If a Silverleaf golf member plays 80 rounds per year and amortizes the $500,000 initiation over 10 years:
- Amortized initiation: $50,000/year
- Annual dues: ~$40,000/year
- Total annual golf cost: ~$90,000
- Cost per round: ~$1,125
At 120 rounds per year, the cost drops to about $750 per round. For comparison, premium public golf in Scottsdale runs $150-$350 per round.
How Silverleaf Compares
Silverleaf vs Estancia
costs $295K-$350K for golf membership — $150K-$200K less than Silverleaf. Both offer Tom Fazio/Weiskopf championship courses with full amenities. Estancia is more exclusive (~280 members) and highly ranked, but doesn't require property ownership (though social membership does). Choose Silverleaf for the integrated residential community; choose Estancia for pure golf prestige at a lower initiation.
Silverleaf vs DC Ranch
The offers golf membership at $250K-$275K — roughly half Silverleaf's initiation. Both are within the DC Ranch master community. DC Ranch CC is more family-oriented and accessible; Silverleaf is the ultra-premium tier. If you want private golf in DC Ranch without the $500K commitment, DC Ranch CC delivers excellent value.
Silverleaf vs Desert Mountain
gives you six Nicklaus courses for $225K-$250K — half Silverleaf's price with six times the course variety. Desert Mountain is a larger community with a different feel (more spread out, more seasonal residents). Choose Silverleaf for intimacy and exclusivity; choose Desert Mountain for course variety and value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Silverleaf membership cost?
As of early 2026, Silverleaf Country Club golf membership initiation is reported at $400,000-$500,000 with monthly dues of $2,750-$3,900. Clubhouse (non-golf) membership is $100,000 initiation with $875-$900 monthly dues. Both require property ownership in the Silverleaf community.
Do you have to live in Silverleaf to be a member?
Yes. Both golf and clubhouse memberships require owning or purchasing property within the Silverleaf residential community, which is a gated enclave within the DC Ranch master-planned community in North Scottsdale.
Is Silverleaf the same as DC Ranch?
No. DC Ranch is the larger master-planned community. Silverleaf is the ultra-luxury gated neighborhood within DC Ranch. The Country Club at DC Ranch ($250K-$275K initiation) is a separate, more accessible club serving the broader DC Ranch community.
What is the most expensive golf club in Scottsdale?
Silverleaf holds the highest published golf membership initiation fee in Scottsdale at $400,000-$500,000. Scottsdale National may be comparable but doesn't publish official pricing.
Can you join Silverleaf without buying a home?
No. Property ownership in the Silverleaf community is required for all membership tiers. Homes in Silverleaf range from approximately $1.5 million to over $15 million.
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 Silverleaf Country Club directly for current membership availability and pricing.
Related Guides
Comparing private clubs? See our guides to , , and . For a complete overview, read our guide to . Looking for more accessible golf? Find .
