A country club is most often a private club that offers a variety of recreational sports facilities to its members. Two of the most common types of facilities are tennis and golf clubs, although others sports such as polo are seen as well. Country clubs are generally exclusive organizations, and the more expensive clubs' membership fee can exceed $300,000. Many clubs have additional requirements to join, such as limiting membership to a specific company's employees or requiring members to reside in a particular housing community.

Social and Class Issues

Critics of exclusive country clubs argue that the high membership fees are a means to exclude "undesirables" without explicitly excluding applicants based on race or other critera. In support of this claim, critics point out that club membership and maintenance fees can significantly exceed the upkeep costs necessary to maintain a country club's facilities.

In the United States, controversy over country clubs is related to the inherent tensions between members' right of free association and the public's right of equal access. The controversy over Augusta National Golf Club, which hosts the Masters golf tournament, has been a specific example of this tension.

Augusta National does not allow female members to join, yet membership is considered a valuable asset for corporate executives. The club's membership includes many of the most powerful men in American business and politics. Martha Burk , head of the National Council of Women's Organizations , has protested that the PGA and corporate sponsors of the tournament tacitly endorse the club's men-only policy.

In 2004, Augusta National chose to terminate sponsorship and pay for the golf tournament through other means. In 2005, the tournament will once again sell corporate sponsorships.

Country Clubs and American Business

Golf, tennis and other "country club sports" are frequent aids to sales and networking in the business world. Critics assert that country clubs' membership restrictions serve to hinder the career development of non-members.