Birmingham has a strong golfing heritage, yet many local golfers assume that membership at a traditional club will always be prohibitively expensive. In reality, there are several clubs within roughly ten miles of the city centre that offer competitive full membership prices, good playing conditions and a genuine club atmosphere. For players who are willing to look slightly beyond the city centre, value can be significantly better than expected.
At GolfMembershipFinder.co.uk we collect and compare published membership prices from clubs across England, which allows golfers to see at a glance where their money goes furthest. This article focuses on the five cheapest golf memberships within easy reach of Birmingham city centre, all based on publicly available full adult prices. Clubs often vary pricing by age, so if you want the most affordable option for your age band you can search here to filter by your age.
The table below summarises the five clubs with the lowest headline full membership costs, together with brief notes on the type of experience on offer and typical travel times from central Birmingham.
| # | Golf Club | Annual Fee | Notes | Approx. travel from Birmingham city centre | View memberships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calderfields Golf and Country Club | £995 | 18 hole parkland course with hotel, lake and practice facilities | About 25 to 30 minutes by car towards Walsall | View memberships |
| 2 | Wishaw Golf Club | £1,134 + £350 joining fee | 18 hole course with short game area and putting green | Around 25 to 30 minutes by car towards Sutton Coldfield | View memberships |
| 3 | Dudley Golf Club | £1,150 | Elevated parkland course with extensive views | Roughly 25 minutes by car to Turners Hill | View memberships |
| 4 | Halesowen Golf Club | £1,255 | 18 hole par 69 course in Grade I listed parkland | About 15 minutes by car towards Halesowen | View memberships |
| 5 | Kings Norton Golf Club | £1,594 | Premier 27 hole members club with extensive facilities | Around 20 minutes by car, close to the M42 | View memberships |
1. Calderfields Golf and Country Club, £995 per year
Calderfields Golf and Country Club, situated near Walsall, combines a full length eighteen hole parkland course with hotel accommodation, a lakeside setting and a modern clubhouse. The course is designed to test a range of shots, with water in play on several holes and a mixture of tree lined fairways and more open holes that encourage confident driving.
As a member you are not only joining a golf club but also gaining access to a broader country club environment, including a practice area and short game facilities, a popular restaurant and regular social events. For golfers who value both golf and off course amenities, Calderfields represents very good value in the Birmingham area at just under one thousand pounds per year.
Travel from Birmingham city centre is straightforward. The club lies to the north of the city and is typically around a 25 to 30 minute drive, depending on traffic. The route largely follows the main roads towards Walsall, which makes it realistic for both weekend golf and occasional midweek rounds.
View Calderfields memberships2. Wishaw Golf Club, £1,134 per year plus £350 joining fee
Wishaw Golf Club, to the north east of Birmingham near Sutton Coldfield, is a traditional members club with an eighteen hole course set in gently undulating countryside. The layout extends to just over 6,000 yards from the back tees, which is long enough to be engaging for lower handicappers while remaining accessible for less experienced players. The club also offers a short game practice area and putting green, which is helpful for those who want to work on specific parts of their game.
Membership includes unlimited golf, access to competitions and the usual benefits of a private members club, along with a friendly clubhouse that serves food and drink throughout the week. Although there is a joining fee, the annual subscription itself remains competitive compared with many other clubs around large cities.
Wishaw is within comfortable reach of Birmingham. The drive from the city centre typically takes around 25 to 30 minutes, heading north through Sutton Coldfield, so it is a practical choice for golfers based in the north and east of the city who want to play regularly without travelling a long distance.
View Wishaw memberships3. Dudley Golf Club, £1,150 per year
Dudley Golf Club occupies an elevated position at Turners Hill, one of the highest points in the West Midlands. The course is a classic parkland layout with mature trees, sloping fairways and several holes that offer far reaching views across the surrounding countryside. It is known for being both scenic and challenging, with changes in elevation that call for careful club selection.
The club prides itself on being welcoming and sociable, with a strong competition calendar and a clubhouse that provides all the essentials, including a bar, catering and changing facilities. Full membership entitles you to unlimited golf, access to club matches and the chance to participate in an active golfing community.
From central Birmingham, Dudley Golf Club is reached by driving west towards the Black Country. Journey times are typically around 25 minutes outside of peak traffic, which makes the club a sensible option for players living on the western side of the city who would like a traditional members course at a reasonable annual fee.
View Dudley memberships4. Halesowen Golf Club, £1,255 per year
Halesowen Golf Club offers an eighteen hole par 69 course set in parkland within the historic grounds of Leasowes Park. The setting is particularly attractive, with tree lined fairways and views towards the Clent Hills and the Worcestershire countryside. The clubhouse itself is Grade I listed and has a distinctive character, reflecting the club's history dating back to the early twentieth century.
A full membership at Halesowen provides unlimited golf, access to regular competitions and the opportunity to represent the club in various local leagues. There is also a strong social element, with the clubhouse used for both golf related and non golf events. For many members the combination of history, scenery and a manageable annual fee is a significant part of the appeal.
One of Halesowen's key advantages is its proximity to Birmingham. The club is only a short drive from the city, often around 15 minutes from the centre outside busy periods, which makes it one of the most convenient full length courses for golfers living or working in Birmingham who are prepared to travel slightly west.
View Halesowen memberships5. Kings Norton Golf Club, £1,594 per year
Kings Norton Golf Club is widely regarded as one of the premier members clubs in the region. It offers twenty seven holes of golf, arranged in three loops of nine, which allows for multiple course combinations and keeps the experience varied throughout the year. The clubhouse at Weatheroak Hall is an impressive Grade II listed building, housing lounges, dining rooms and extensive changing facilities, and the club places a strong emphasis on maintaining high standards both on and off the course.
Membership options are structured to suit different age groups, but the full adult subscription of £1,594 remains competitive for a club of this stature, given the quality of the course, the practice facilities and the availability of tee times. For golfers who want a more premium experience, Kings Norton offers an opportunity to join a top tier club at a price that is still below many equivalents around other major cities.
Access from Birmingham is relatively straightforward. The club is situated close to Junction 3 of the M42 and lies roughly ten miles south of the city centre. In normal conditions the journey by car typically takes around 20 minutes, which makes it an attractive option for players living in the southern suburbs or those who commute by car and wish to play after work.
View Kings Norton membershipsConclusion
These five clubs illustrate that full golf membership within reach of Birmingham city centre need not involve the highest price brackets. From resort style facilities at Calderfields to the heritage and league golf at Halesowen and the extensive twenty seven hole layout at Kings Norton, there is a range of options to suit different priorities and budgets.
By using GolfMembershipFinder.co.uk to compare membership prices and formats, Birmingham golfers can match their budget to the type of club and course they prefer, rather than relying solely on reputation or word of mouth. In many cases, a short drive of ten miles or so from the city centre is enough to unlock significantly better value and a more enjoyable golfing experience.