By Duncan Real Estate Co.
Dallas has one of the most robust private club cultures of any city in the country. Here you'll find both invitation-only institutions and family-forward clubs with three golf courses, 68 racquet courts, and a Topgolf-powered entertainment center.
Here's a comprehensive look at the best country clubs Dallas TX has to offer, organized by profile.
Key Takeaways
- Range of exclusivity: Dallas clubs span from ultra-private, invitation-only institutions to accessible family clubs with open membership inquiries
- Amenities beyond golf: Most major Dallas clubs offer racquet sports, aquatics, fitness, dining, and robust social programming in addition to championship golf
- Real estate connection: Proximity to a country club is one of the most consistent factors shaping home values in North Dallas, Highland Park, and surrounding neighborhoods
The Most Prestigious Clubs
These are the clubs defined by history, exclusivity, and an architecture of membership that reflects the city's old-money traditions.
Dallas Country Club
Founded in 1896 and situated on nearly 120 acres in Highland Park along Turtle Creek, Dallas Country Club is the beating heart of North Texas high society. Membership is by invitation only, the waitlist averages seven years, and just two members can blackball an applicant. A new $50M-plus clubhouse has elevated the facilities, and the club's social calendar remains a fixture of Highland Park's most exclusive social circuit.
Brook Hollow Golf Club
Brook Hollow sits behind a curtain of brick and oak off Harry Hines Boulevard, an unlikely address for one of Dallas's most coveted memberships. Founded in 1920, the club's tree-lined Bermuda fairways and tight greens include a par-4 seventh hole that Ben Hogan once called the best in the country. The old-school clubhouse is considered a model of classic club atmosphere.
Preston Trail Golf Club
Preston Trail is a men's-only club with a membership roster that reads as a who's who of Dallas's most powerful figures. Mickey Mantle reportedly played a round here in nothing but his clubs. The course is considered one of the finest in Texas: demanding, scenic, and essentially impossible to access without knowing the right people.
Great All-Around Clubs
These clubs combine championship golf with first-class amenities and an active social culture.
Vaquero Club
Vaquero Club in Westlake was named Avid Golfer's best overall country club in 2025 after its course reopened following a major multi-million-dollar renovation by Andrew Green (an update of Tom Fazio's original design). The facilities include every luxury comfort a modern club offers, and the membership reflects a mix of Dallas and Fort Worth's top tier.
Northwood Club
Northwood Club is the gold standard of all-around clubs in Dallas proper. The 1952 U.S. Open was played here (won by Julius Boros; Ben Hogan finished third). The Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf–redesigned course plays 6,835 yards to a par of 70 and consistently ranks in the Dallas Morning News Top 20 Texas courses.
Dallas National Golf Club
Dallas National, with two 18-hole courses designed by Tom Fazio (the National course) and Keith Foster (the Blue course), has been ranked as high as the #8 private club in Texas. As of 2025, it is undergoing a significant multi-million-dollar renovation. When it reopens, it will reclaim a top-five position in the Dallas market.
Lakewood Country Club
Lakewood is the second-oldest club in Dallas, founded in 1912 on 129 acres at Abrams and Gaston. The redesigned course plays 6,742 yards to a par of 71 with bent-grass greens that roll as well as any in the city. The club hosted Byron Nelson's only Dallas Open victory in 1944. Amenities include 8.5 tennis courts, three swimming pools, a fitness center, and a robust social calendar.
Royal Oaks Country Club
Royal Oaks is a private club in North Dallas with a Billy Martindale–designed course (1969) featuring narrow fairways, water hazards, and well-protected greens that favor low-handicap players. The club includes tennis, swimming, and multiple dining venues. It hosts North Texas PGA Junior tournaments and draws members from the surrounding North Dallas corridors.
Bent Tree Country Club
Bent Tree is a member-owned private community and club in North Dallas, built on 190 acres of former cotton fields and designed by Desmond Muirhead in 1974. It claims to be the only bent-grass greens in Texas, a standout distinction in the Dallas market. The clubhouse is one of the largest in the area and includes a top-rated gym, dining, and a strong family culture.
Family-Friendly Clubs
These clubs prioritize breadth of amenities and a welcoming atmosphere for members of all ages.
Brookhaven Country Club
Brookhaven, founded in 1957 in Farmers Branch on Dallas's northern edge, is the best family club in the Dallas market. Three championship 18-hole courses. A racquet complex that won the 2025 USTA Outstanding Facility Award with 68 courts for tennis, pickleball, and padel. Three swimming pools with 16 private cabanas.
Dallas Athletic Club (DAC)
DAC, founded in 1919, relocated to its 317-acre campus east of Dallas near Mesquite and offers two championship courses: the recently renovated Gold Course and the Blue Course. The club has a younger, more energetic membership culture compared to many Highland Park–area clubs, with affordable initiation, a strong aquatics program, and a year-round social and family events calendar.
The Village Country Club
The Village Country Club is a well-regarded mid-tier private club in the North Dallas area known for its approachable membership culture, solid golf course, tennis, pool, and active family programming. It draws members from the surrounding neighborhoods and consistently earns positive reviews for its friendly staff and well-maintained facilities.
FAQs
Which Dallas club is the hardest to join?
Preston Trail Golf Club and Dallas Country Club are the most difficult; both require existing member sponsorship, and DCC averages a seven-year waitlist. Brook Hollow operates with similar selectivity. Northwood, Vaquero, and Dallas National are highly exclusive but have structured membership processes.
Which club is best for families with children?
Brookhaven Country Club is the clearest choice for families, with three pools, 68 racquet courts, a Kids Club, a Topgolf-powered entertainment center, and three golf courses. Dallas Athletic Club and Bent Tree are also strong family options with broader activity programming than many golf-only clubs.
How does country club membership relate to Dallas real estate?
The best country clubs Dallas TX offers are anchoring forces in their surrounding residential markets. Homes near Northwood, Lakewood, Bent Tree, and Royal Oaks carry premiums that reflect club access. In the Kessler Park and Oak Cliff corridor, proximity to Dallas's broader club network is a consistent selling point for buyers who want a neighborhood lifestyle without paying Highland Park prices.
Reach Out to Duncan Real Estate Co. Today
Dallas's country clubs are as much a part of the city's real estate fabric as its zip codes. Knowing which club fits your lifestyle is part of how we help our clients make decisions they're satisfied with for years.
Contact us at Duncan Real Estate Co. and let us help you find the right home in the right Dallas neighborhood.
