Often ranked among the best golf courses on the planet, it is no surprise if people name Oakmont Country Club on their lifetime bucket list.
At the start of the 20th century, Henry, William and Charles Fownes were among the best golfers in Pennsylvania and played at the nine-hole Highland Country Club, but wanted a true 18-hole course to test.
In 1903, Henry formed the Oakmont Land Company, which purchased 191 acres of land in Oakmont, and this was the year Oakmont Country Club was established.
The first US Open to be held there was in 1927, which was won by Tommy Armour. The course has produced some incredible champions, such as Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, Larry Nelson, Ernie Els, Angel Cabrera, and Dustin Johnson.
Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead and John Mahaffey also won the PGA Championship at the course that is split by the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Fast forward to 2025, and it has built a reputation as one of the best golf courses in the world and one of the most brutal tests at the professional championship level.
With huge greens, sloping fairways and punishing rough, there is always distinct anticipation and expectation of brutality when the US Open returns.
It has hosted the US Open 10 times – the most in the tournament’s history. It has also hosted the US Amateur Championship six times, most recently in 2021 and the US Women’s Open twice, most recently in 2010.
Like many famous golf courses with such a high profile, there is some intrigue about the fees you need to play Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania.
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Oakmont Country Club Membership Cost
Golf.com did some in-depth digging on this subject matter. The reported initiation fee, or joining fee to many, is around $150,000. Monthly fees hover around the $1,250 mark, and there is a food-and-beverage minimum of $2,000 per year.
The website’s research also concluded that there are just over 800 members in Plum, 400 of whom visit the club regularly. A national membership requires a $25,000 payment, as do spousal members. It is said junior members do not have to cough up their initiation fees until they turn 25 years old.
All of the winners of the US Open, the names listed above, all earned honorary memberships by winning the Gold Medal, too. Not a bad perk, is it?
Oakmont Country Club green fees are a little harder to source, given that it is a private golf club. It would likely need an official enquiry to discover the cost, but I’d say expect an eye-watering sum.
It is certainly difficult to source how much 18 holes would cost, anyway. However, the website does tell you that should you play at Oakmont Country Club, you are expected to play in under four hours. You must do whatever is necessary to play quicker if a club employee approaches you about pace of play as well.
If the day ever comes when you can play Oakmont, it is a walking course with a strong caddie programme, so that would also factor into your expenses.
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