Two of Boca Raton’s most recognized private country club communities occupy the same West Boca zip codes and yet deliver fundamentally different experiences. St Andrews Country Club, established in 1982, is built around an ethos of ultra-premium exclusivity: 740 custom estate homes on 720-plus acres, mandatory equity membership, two championship golf courses including an Arnold Palmer Signature Design, and an average home sale price of approximately $4.41 million. Broken Sound Club, developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, is built around breadth and versatility: 1,600-plus homes across 27 distinct residential villages, non-equity mandatory membership starting at $130,000, a $40 million renovated clubhouse, and price points that run from $375,000 entry-level villas to multi-million-dollar custom estates.
These are not interchangeable options for buyers looking at Boca Raton country club real estate. They serve different buyers at different life stages with different financial profiles and different priorities. The question is not which community is better — it is which community is right for you. This guide lays out every material difference, with verified data on membership fees, home prices, golf, amenities, and community character, so buyers and sellers can make that determination with clarity.
We are Steven, Elliot, and Wendy Koolik. Our team has represented buyers and sellers in both St Andrews Country Club and Broken Sound Club for more than three decades. This comparison reflects the data and the nuance we actually use when advising clients navigating this decision.
The Quick Take — Choose St Andrews If… Choose Broken Sound If…
- Choose St Andrews Country Club if your priority is maximum exclusivity and privacy, you want every home in the community to be a custom estate, you are comfortable with an equity membership structure and a higher initiation fee, and your budget comfortably accommodates a $2M–$10M+ purchase with $44,000–$50,000 in combined annual carrying costs.
- Choose Broken Sound Club if you want a full country club lifestyle with more flexibility on home type and price point, prefer a non-equity membership structure, value a larger social community with 1,600-plus neighbors across 27 villages, or want access to a recently renovated $40M clubhouse and a PGA Champions Tour golf course at a lower initiation threshold.
Head-to-Head: St Andrews Country Club vs Broken Sound Club
| Category | St Andrews Country Club | Broken Sound Club |
|---|---|---|
| Established | 1982 | Late 1980s – early 1990s |
| Total acreage | 720+ acres (70+ acres of lakes) | 1,000 acres (300 acres lakes, parks, rec) |
| Total homes | 740 custom estate homes | 1,600+ across 27 villages |
| Residential density | <1 home per acre | ~1.6 homes per acre (community-wide avg) |
| Home types | Custom estate homes only | Villas, townhomes, patio homes, single-family, custom estates |
| Home price range | ~$2M – $10M+ | ~$375,000 – $4M+ |
| Average sale price | ~$4.41M (avg $/sq ft: ~$671) | ~$1.03M (median: ~$820K) |
| Membership type | Equity — mandatory, partially refundable | Non-equity — mandatory, fully non-refundable |
| Initiation fee | $200,000 – $400,000 (verify with club; sources vary) | $130,000 – $225,000 (effective Oct 1, 2025) |
| Golf included in membership? | Yes — all members receive full golf access | Optional — golf add-on costs $45K–$95K above base |
| Annual dues (est.) | ~$44,000–$50,000 (dues + HOA combined) | $24,887/yr (base) + village HOA |
| Golf courses | 2 — Palmer Course (Arnold Palmer Signature); Lakes Course (Gene Bates redesign) | 2 — Old Course (Rees Jones redesign 2023, PGA Champions Tour); Club Course (Gene Bates / Matt Swanson 2017) |
| Clubhouse size | 125,000 sq ft | 130,000 sq ft |
| Recent capital investment | $27.5M enhancement program (completed late 2023) | $40M clubhouse renovation (completed 2023) |
| National recognition | Platinum Club of America, ranked 15th in the U.S.; Elite Distinguished Club of the World | PGA Champions Tour host; Audubon Sanctuary Certified golf |
| One-time closing fee | $25,000 POA Owners Contribution | $4,000 Certificate of Compliance fee |
Real Estate and Home Prices
St Andrews Country Club — Ultra-Premium Estate Market
St Andrews Country Club is a single-tier market: every home in the community is a custom-built estate. There are no attached villas, no townhomes, no patio homes. The lowest-priced transactions in the community over the past year have been around $2 million, and the ceiling extends well past $10 million for premier lakefront and golf course-fronting estates. Over the past year through early 2026, 31 homes sold at an average asking price of approximately $4,868,871 and an average selling price of approximately $4,409,879 — a list-to-sell ratio of 91 percent. Average price per square foot was approximately $671. Days on market averaged 96 days, which is notably longer than the broader Boca Raton luxury market median of 33 days and signals that precise, strategic pricing is essential in this community.
Living space in St Andrews ranges from approximately 2,600 to over 12,000 square feet. Lot sizes vary widely, but the community average of under one home per acre gives every property a sense of separation and privacy that is unusual in South Florida. The mandatory equity membership initiation fee — which sources report at between $200,000 and $400,000, with the higher figure representing more recent accounts — must be factored into the total acquisition cost. New buyers also pay a $25,000 POA Owners Contribution at closing.
Broken Sound Club — Wide-Range Market Across 27 Villages
Broken Sound Club is the most diverse country club real estate market in Boca Raton by home type and price. The median home sale price across all 27 villages is approximately $820,000 and the average is approximately $1,025,980, but those aggregate numbers mask significant variation. Entry-level villas and attached townhomes in villages like Nassau Bay Golf Villas and Fairway Bend start around $375,000 to $650,000. Mid-range single-family homes on standard Broken Sound lots typically run $800,000 to $1,800,000. Custom estate homes in villages like Tanglewood, Vintage Estates, and Vintage Isle reach $2 million to $4 million and above.
Buyers entering Broken Sound at any price point must account for the mandatory membership initiation fee on top of the purchase price. At the base non-golf tier, that is a minimum of $130,000. A buyer acquiring a $800,000 home with base membership commits to approximately $934,000 in upfront costs before closing expenses. A buyer acquiring a $2 million home with Old Course Golf membership faces $2,225,000 in combined real estate and membership before financing.
| Price Segment | St Andrews Country Club | Broken Sound Club |
|---|---|---|
| Entry point | ~$2M (custom estate homes) | ~$375,000 (villas / attached townhomes) |
| Mid-market | $3M – $6M (majority of transactions) | $700K – $1.8M (single-family, golf/lake views) |
| Upper tier | $7M – $10M+ (premier lakefront and golf estates) | $2M – $4M+ (Tanglewood, Vintage Estates) |
| Avg sale price | ~$4.41M | ~$1.03M |
| Avg $/sq ft | ~$671 | Varies significantly by village and home type |
| Avg days on market | ~96 days | ~33 days (broader Boca Raton market median) |
Membership Structure — Equity vs Non-Equity
The membership structure difference between these two communities is one of the most significant decision factors for buyers, and it is frequently misunderstood. The terms “equity” and “non-equity” have direct financial implications that affect both your total cost and what you get back at the end.
St Andrews Country Club — Mandatory Equity Membership
At St Andrews, membership is equity-based. Members hold an ownership interest in the club itself, and a portion of the initiation fee is refundable upon resignation from the club under the terms in effect at that time. Multiple sources cite the initiation fee at different amounts: one reports $200,000 with $180,000 non-refundable and $20,000 refundable; newer accounts suggest the fee may have increased significantly to as high as $400,000 non-refundable. The discrepancy reflects a fee structure that has likely increased over time and cannot be reliably confirmed from public sources. Buyers must verify the current initiation fee directly with the club before making any financial projections.
Membership includes full access to both golf courses, all tennis facilities, fitness and spa, dining venues, and all social programming. There is no separate golf add-on. All members receive the complete club experience. Annual combined dues and HOA costs are estimated at $44,000 to $50,000 per year, with individual components not publicly itemized. New purchasers also pay a $25,000 POA Owners Contribution at closing, separate from the initiation fee.
Broken Sound Club — Mandatory Non-Equity Membership
At Broken Sound Club, membership is non-equity and fully non-refundable. There is no ownership interest and no refund of any portion of the initiation fee upon resale or resignation. The fee is structured as a capital contribution to the club. Effective October 1, 2025, the initiation fee schedule is as follows:
| Membership Tier | Initiation Fee (Eff. Oct 1, 2025) | Golf Access |
|---|---|---|
| Sports, Tennis & Social | $130,000 | None |
| New Course Golf | $175,000 | Club Course only |
| Old Course Golf | $225,000 | Both courses (Old Course + Club Course) |
Annual family dues at the Sports, Tennis, and Social tier are $24,887 per year. Golf cart fees are separate, ranging from $1,400 per year for basic access to $2,750 per year for unlimited family use. All new buyers also pay a one-time $4,000 Certificate of Compliance fee at closing. Village-specific HOA fees vary by subdivision and are not centrally published.
Golf — Two Different Pedigrees
St Andrews Country Club
St Andrews has two 18-hole championship golf courses. The Palmer Course is the Arnold Palmer Signature Design — the flagship course, measuring approximately 7,000 yards with a par of 72 and a slope rating near 142. It features tree-lined fairways and Bermuda grass greens and is the course that anchors the community’s golf identity. The Lakes Course was redesigned by Gene Bates and places an emphasis on playability, variety, and ultra-smooth TifEagle Bermuda greens. Both courses are exclusively private. Non-members cannot access them under any circumstances, which is a point of pride for St Andrews residents and a meaningful differentiator from communities with more open access policies.
Golf is included in the single mandatory membership tier. There are no separate golf add-ons, no tiered golf access, and no option to join St Andrews without receiving full golf privileges. The club completed a $27.5 million enhancement program in late 2023 that included upgrades to the courses and practice facilities alongside the clubhouse and dining improvements.
Broken Sound Club
Broken Sound Club also has two 18-hole championship golf courses, and both carry professional tournament credentials. The Old Course was originally designed by Joe Lee when it opened in 1978, redesigned by Gene Bates in 2004, and underwent a comprehensive redesign by nationally recognized architect Rees Jones completed in 2023. The Old Course hosts a PGA Champions Tour event, which is the strongest professional tournament pedigree of any golf course within a Boca Raton residential community. Both Broken Sound courses are Audubon Sanctuary Certified, a conservation designation that recognizes environmental stewardship. The Club Course was also originally designed by Joe Lee and was renovated by Gene Bates and Matt Swanson in 2017.
Golf membership at Broken Sound is optional above the base membership tier. Members who do not play golf pay the $130,000 Sports, Tennis, and Social initiation and have no obligation to add golf access. Members who want golf access pay an additional $45,000 for New Course access or $95,000 for Old Course access above the base fee. This structure gives Broken Sound Club a demographic flexibility that St Andrews, with its single all-inclusive mandatory membership, does not offer.
| Golf Factor | St Andrews Country Club | Broken Sound Club |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | 2 (Palmer Course; Lakes Course) | 2 (Old Course; Club Course) |
| Signature designer | Arnold Palmer (Palmer Course) | Rees Jones (Old Course, 2023 redesign) |
| Second course designer | Gene Bates (Lakes Course) | Gene Bates & Matt Swanson (Club Course, 2017) |
| Professional tournament | None (fully private) | PGA Champions Tour (Old Course) |
| Conservation certification | Not confirmed | Audubon Sanctuary Certified (both courses) |
| Golf included in base membership? | Yes — mandatory for all members | No — optional add-on ($45K–$95K above base) |
| Course access policy | Residents and members only; fully private | Members only; guests with member |
Clubhouse and Amenities — $40M vs $27.5M in Recent Investment
St Andrews Country Club Clubhouse
The St Andrews clubhouse spans 125,000 square feet and is one of the largest private club facilities in the South Florida region. The $27.5 million enhancement program that commenced in April 2022 and completed in late 2023 delivered upgrades across the clubhouse, dining, aquatic center, and recreation facilities. Tennis amenities include 15 Har-Tru clay courts, with five lighted for evening play, plus a red clay center court with grandstand seating. The aquatic complex offers resort-style heated pools and whirlpools. A full-service spa and state-of-the-art fitness center round out the athletic programming. Multiple dining venues — including the Lakeside Restaurant and the poolside Cafe Blue — serve the membership. A 5,700 square foot children’s playground is integrated into the community. The club maintains an active social calendar of galas, cocktail parties, educational programs, and organized travel.
St Andrews has been recognized as one of the Top Ten Healthiest Clubs in America and received the 2019 North America Best Day Spa designation from World Spa Awards, reflecting the breadth of wellness programming within the facility.
Broken Sound Club Clubhouse
The Broken Sound Club clubhouse spans 130,000 square feet and completed a $40 million renovation in 2023 — the larger capital investment of the two communities. The renovated facility introduced a two-acre resort-style poolscape with a bistro, expanded indoor and outdoor dining concepts including CIRQ Grille and Bar, a lifestyle retail boutique, and a 38,000 square foot fitness center with state-of-the-art locker rooms. The culinary program is led by Michelin-recognized Chef Bogdan Danila, who serves as the club’s Culinary Director, giving Broken Sound an unusual F&B distinction for a private residential club. Tennis amenities include 23 Har-Tru courts. A full salon and spa complements the fitness center. The six dining venues across the facility give members more dining variety than at St Andrews.
The combination of more recent and larger capital investment, Michelin-caliber culinary leadership, and PGA Champions Tour golf gives Broken Sound Club a strong argument on the amenity front, particularly for members who prioritize dining and social programming over pure exclusivity.
Community Character — Exclusivity vs Versatility
St Andrews Country Club
St Andrews Country Club has a deliberate identity: it is for buyers who want the best. The community cultivates exclusivity actively — through mandatory equity membership, through a design standard that allows only custom estate homes, through density limits that feel like a private reserve rather than a residential development, and through national recognition programs like the Platinum Club of America ranking. The buyers who choose St Andrews typically do so because they want to be in the most prestigious community in Boca Raton, and they want every aspect of the community to reflect that.
The social programming is resort-level in quality and curated rather than casual. The community skews toward established buyers who have often sold a larger primary residence elsewhere or who are committed to Boca Raton as their primary home. The 96-day average marketing time for homes in 2025–2026 reflects a patient, deliberate buyer pool rather than a transactional one.
Broken Sound Club
Broken Sound Club is a community built for variety — in home type, in price point, in life stage, and in lifestyle preference. The 27 villages create micro-communities within the larger community, and buyers can self-select based on home type, budget, and desired social density. The Banyans, at 269 homes outside the main gate, attracts buyers who want the Broken Sound membership without the most intensively gated environment. Tanglewood and Vintage Estates attract buyers who want custom estate privacy within the club community. Villages of villas and patio homes attract buyers who want club access and low maintenance at a more accessible price point.
The social culture at Broken Sound Club is deliberately multigenerational. The $40 million renovation invested heavily in programming infrastructure — multiple dining concepts, a resort poolscape, high-end fitness — that serves a wide demographic range. The PGA Champions Tour event on the Old Course brings an annual moment of professional golf exposure to members. Chef Bogdan Danila’s culinary leadership gives the dining program a distinction that residents cite frequently as a quality-of-life differentiator.
Which Community Is Right for You?
St Andrews Country Club — Right for You If:
- Your non-negotiable is being in the most exclusive, most prestigious community in Boca Raton
- Every home you are willing to consider is a custom estate — you have no interest in villas or townhomes
- You play golf and want full golf access included in a single mandatory membership without optional tiers
- You value a density of under one home per acre and the sense of private reserve that comes with it
- Your budget is $2M to $10M+ in real estate plus $200,000–$400,000 in membership initiation
- You are drawn to the equity membership structure and the partial refundability it offers
- You want a community where the Platinum Club of America ranking and national prestige designations are a meaningful part of the identity
Broken Sound Club — Right for You If:
- You want a full country club lifestyle but prefer flexibility on home type — villa to estate depending on your needs
- Your budget entry point is below $2 million but you still want access to a world-class club
- You do not play golf and want to satisfy a mandatory membership without paying for golf access you will not use
- You want the most recently renovated clubhouse facilities in West Boca Raton, including Michelin-recognized dining
- You want to live in a community where the golf course has hosted a PGA Champions Tour event
- You prefer a non-equity model: you would rather not have a portion of your membership tied up in club equity
- You have family members across multiple age groups and want a multigenerational community with diverse programming
How Both Communities Compare to Other West Boca Options
| Community | Initiation Fee | Homes | Avg Sale Price | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Andrews CC | $200K–$400K (equity) | 740 | ~$4.41M | Highest prestige; lowest density; Arnold Palmer golf |
| Broken Sound Club | $130K–$225K (non-equity) | 1,600+ | ~$1.03M | Widest price range; $40M clubhouse; PGA Champions Tour golf |
| Woodfield Country Club | $170K–$225K (equity) | ~1,300 | ~$2.2M | Nationally ranked tennis program; equity model; 20 villages |
| The Oaks | No separate membership fee | ~500 | Not published | Amenities via HOA; no separate club initiation required |
| Addison Reserve | $325K–$400K (equity) | 717 | ~$2.07M | 27 holes (three 9-hole Arthur Hills courses); Delray Beach location |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between St Andrews Country Club and Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton?
The primary difference is scale, privacy, and membership structure. St Andrews has 740 custom estate homes on 720-plus acres with under one home per acre, mandatory equity membership with initiation fees reported between $200,000 and $400,000, and an average home sale price of approximately $4.41 million. Broken Sound Club has over 1,600 homes across 27 villages on 1,000 acres, mandatory non-equity membership starting at $130,000, and an average home sale price of approximately $1,025,980. St Andrews is ultra-premium and ultra-private; Broken Sound offers a wider range of home types, price points, and a more social, multigenerational environment.
Which club has higher membership fees?
St Andrews Country Club has higher initiation fees. St Andrews uses mandatory equity membership with fees reported between $200,000 and $400,000 depending on the source — buyers should verify the current fee directly with the club. Broken Sound Club uses mandatory non-equity membership with initiation fees of $130,000 for Sports, Tennis, and Social access; $175,000 for New Course Golf; and $225,000 for Old Course Golf access, effective October 1, 2025. Annual carrying costs are also higher at St Andrews, with combined dues and HOA estimated at $44,000 to $50,000 per year versus Broken Sound’s base annual dues of $24,887 per year plus separate village HOA fees.
How do home prices compare between the two communities?
St Andrews Country Club homes sell at an average of approximately $4.41 million with most transactions in the $2 million to $7 million range. Broken Sound Club has an average sale price of approximately $1,025,980 and a median of approximately $820,000, with the full range running from approximately $375,000 for attached villas to $4 million or more for custom estates in premium villages. The lowest entry point at St Andrews is approximately $2 million, while Broken Sound Club is accessible starting around $375,000.
What golf courses does each community have?
St Andrews Country Club has two 18-hole championship golf courses: the Palmer Course, an Arnold Palmer Signature Design measuring approximately 7,000 yards, and the Lakes Course, redesigned by Gene Bates. Both are fully private. Broken Sound Club also has two 18-hole courses: the Old Course, redesigned by Rees Jones in 2023 and host to a PGA Champions Tour event, and the Club Course, renovated by Gene Bates and Matt Swanson in 2017. Both Broken Sound courses are Audubon Sanctuary Certified.
Is golf membership mandatory at both clubs?
At St Andrews Country Club, membership is mandatory and includes full golf access for all members — there is no option to join without golf. At Broken Sound Club, membership is mandatory but golf is optional. Every Broken Sound buyer must join at the Sports, Tennis, and Social base tier ($130,000 initiation) and may elect to add golf access at either the New Course Golf tier ($175,000) or Old Course Golf tier ($225,000). Buyers at Broken Sound who do not play golf can satisfy their mandatory membership obligation without paying for golf.
How does home density compare between the two communities?
St Andrews Country Club has a residential density of under one home per acre — 740 homes on 720-plus acres — which is one of the lowest ratios among private country club communities in South Florida. This density creates a sense of privacy and separation between properties that is unusual in the region. Broken Sound Club has over 1,600 homes across 1,000 acres, which reflects approximately 1.6 homes per acre on a community-wide average, though individual village densities vary significantly based on home type.
Which community is better for families with children?
Broken Sound Club is generally the stronger choice for families with school-age children due to its broader range of home types, wider price accessibility, diverse multigenerational programming, and the social vitality of a 1,600-plus home community across 27 villages. St Andrews Country Club also has strong family amenities including a 5,700 square foot children’s playground, resort-style aquatics, and a full social calendar, but its higher price floor and more exclusionary culture tend to attract buyers at a later life stage. Both communities are served by the Palm Beach County School District with access to highly regarded private schools including Pine Crest School and Saint Andrews School.
Which club has the more recently renovated facilities?
Both clubs completed major facility upgrades in 2023. Broken Sound Club completed a $40 million clubhouse renovation, the larger investment of the two, which delivered a 130,000 square foot facility with a two-acre resort-style poolscape, a 38,000 square foot fitness center, expanded dining including CIRQ Grille and Bar, and a culinary program led by Michelin-recognized Chef Bogdan Danila. St Andrews Country Club completed a $27.5 million enhancement program that upgraded the 125,000 square foot clubhouse, dining venues, aquatic center, and recreation facilities. Both communities enter 2026 with among the most recently upgraded club facilities in Boca Raton.
What is the total cost to buy into each community?
At St Andrews Country Club, the total upfront cost includes the home purchase price (approximately $2 million to $10 million-plus), the mandatory equity membership initiation fee (reported between $200,000 and $400,000; verify directly with the club), a $25,000 POA Owners Contribution at closing, and standard closing costs. At Broken Sound Club, the total upfront cost includes the home purchase price ($375,000 to $4 million-plus depending on home type and village), the mandatory membership initiation fee ($130,000 at minimum for Sports, Tennis, and Social; $225,000 for Old Course Golf), and a one-time $4,000 Certificate of Compliance fee at closing. Annual carrying costs after purchase are estimated at $44,000 to $50,000 per year at St Andrews versus $24,887 per year in base dues plus village HOA at Broken Sound.
Which community is considered more prestigious?
St Andrews Country Club is generally regarded as the more prestigious of the two communities in Boca Raton. It holds a Platinum Club of America ranking of 15th in the United States and has been named an Elite Distinguished Club of the World — national recognition designations that Broken Sound Club does not hold at the same tier. St Andrews has fewer homes, lower density, higher average home prices, and a more exclusionary social identity. Broken Sound Club is highly regarded in its own right, with strong recognition for its recently renovated facilities, PGA Champions Tour golf, and Michelin-recognized culinary program.
Deciding Between St Andrews and Broken Sound?
We have represented buyers and sellers in both communities for more than 35 years. Whether you are evaluating the right membership structure, comparing specific homes side by side, or preparing to sell in either community, The Koolik Group can give you the data and perspective to make the right decision — not the convenient one.
Contact The Koolik GroupRelated Guides From The Koolik Group
- St Andrews Country Club, Boca Raton — The Complete Guide [2026]
- Broken Sound Club, Boca Raton — The Complete Community Guide [2026]
- Woodfield Country Club, Boca Raton — The Complete Guide [2026]
- The Oaks, Boca Raton — The Complete Guide [2026]
- Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, Boca Raton — The Complete Guide [2026]
- Luxury Real Estate in Boca Raton: The Definitive Guide [2026]
Social Cookies
Social Cookies are used to enable you to share pages and content you find interesting throughout the website through third-party social networking or other websites (including, potentially for advertising purposes related to social networking).