Frenchman’s Reserve: Understanding Membership And HOA Costs
May 28, 2026
May 28, 2026
Wondering what it really costs to own in Frenchman’s Reserve? That is one of the most important questions you can ask before you buy, because the total expense goes beyond a home price alone. If you are comparing club communities in Palm Beach County, this guide will help you understand the latest published membership and HOA costs, what those fees cover, and which details you should verify before moving forward. Let’s dive in.
Frenchman’s Reserve is a private, member-owned equity country club and residential community in Palm Beach Gardens. According to the club, residents are required to hold an equity membership, which means membership is part of the ownership structure rather than an optional extra.
That setup matters because your costs include more than association dues. As a buyer, you should think about Frenchman’s Reserve in three layers: the one-time equity contribution, recurring club dues, and recurring POA or HOA dues tied to the specific home type.
The club also states that buyers should review the membership documents and property owner documents before purchasing. That is especially important here, since published fees and terms can change.
Frenchman’s Reserve describes itself as a 100% member-owned equity club. Membership includes voting rights through the members’ board, which reflects the club’s member-owned structure.
For buyers, the key takeaway is simple: if you purchase a home in the community, you should expect membership to be part of the ownership experience. This is not the kind of neighborhood where club access is purely optional for residents.
The club currently publishes two main membership categories for residents: Full Golf Equity and Social/Sport Equity. Each comes with a one-time nonrefundable equity contribution and recurring charges.
Full Golf Equity currently carries a $275,000 one-time nonrefundable equity contribution. The latest published recurring charges before tax are:
Using the current published schedule, that brings the recurring club total to about $23,178 per year before tax.
Full Golf membership includes unlimited use of golf, tennis, swimming, fitness, spa, and social facilities. It also includes greens and court fees, along with 7-day golf tee-time sign-up.
Social/Sport Equity currently carries a $140,000 one-time nonrefundable equity contribution. The latest published recurring charges before tax are:
Using the current published schedule, that brings the recurring club total to about $33,153 per year before tax.
This membership includes unlimited tennis, swimming, fitness, spa, and social facilities, plus limited golf access. It also includes tennis court fees and 14-day tennis tee-time sign-up.
Social/Sport membership should be reviewed carefully during your home search. The club states that availability is controlled by the board, and this option is not universally available to every home in the community.
That means you should never assume a lower-entry membership category will automatically apply to the property you want. If this point affects your budget or lifestyle plans, confirm it early.
The value side of the equation matters too. Frenchman’s Reserve supports a broad amenity package that extends well beyond golf.
Current amenity information lists an 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, practice areas, seven lighted Har-Tru clay tennis courts, four permanent pickleball courts, a multi-sport court, a resort-style pool and jacuzzi, a full-service spa and salon, fitness studios, personal training, cardio and weight equipment, a 45,000-square-foot clubhouse, dining venues, children’s activity facilities, and guest suites.
The club also notes that there is no food and beverage minimum spending requirement, even though the $75 monthly food and beverage service charge applies to all members. That can help buyers distinguish between a required monthly charge and optional restaurant spending.
Not every club-related expense is included in the base dues. Some costs are usage-based and will depend on how you use the club.
Examples listed in the current club rate schedule include a resident trail fee annual charge of $2,300, cart fees, bag storage, locker fees, lessons, and guest fees. Spa and salon services also carry a 20% service charge plus applicable taxes.
If you are comparing Frenchman’s Reserve with another private club community, it helps to separate required recurring costs from lifestyle-based extras. That gives you a clearer monthly and annual budget.
One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is assuming there is one flat HOA fee for the entire community. In Frenchman’s Reserve, the published 2026 quarterly association dues vary by home type.
Here is the latest published breakdown:
| Home type | Quarterly dues | Approx. monthly equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family homes | $3,369 | $1,123 |
| Chambord coach homes | $4,530 | $1,510 |
| Custom homes on Hermitage | $2,877 | $959 |
These monthly figures are approximate conversions based on the published quarterly dues. Your actual payment structure is billed quarterly.
According to the association’s buyer information, these maintenance charges cover:
The association also states that exterior changes require approval from the Architectural Control Committee before work begins. If you are planning updates, that is an important part of your due diligence.
Beyond the recurring dues, there are a few ownership and transaction-related charges buyers should keep on their radar.
The POA states that a one-time capital contribution equal to one quarter of dues is collected at closing when ownership changes. Since dues vary by home type, that amount will vary too.
The association also lists a $150 lease application fee, plus estoppel fees of $299 for a 10-business-day request or $418 for an expedited 3-business-day request. In addition, the club states that tenant membership activation requires a $500 transfer fee plus tax.
For most buyers, the most useful comparison is the combined recurring cost, not just the membership buy-in. When you add the published club dues and published POA dues together, the annual carrying cost can be substantial.
Using the current published schedules, combined recurring costs before tax range from about $34,686 per year to $51,273 per year, depending on the membership category and home type. That range does not include optional usage-based charges, taxes on taxable club charges, or the one-time equity contribution.
This is why a headline membership figure does not tell the whole story. A clear budget should account for your club category, your property type, and any add-on services you expect to use regularly.
If you are seriously considering Frenchman’s Reserve, ask these questions early in the process:
These questions can save time and help you compare properties more accurately. They also help you avoid treating two homes in the same community as if they carry the same ownership cost.
In a club community like Frenchman’s Reserve, lifestyle and budget are closely linked. Two buyers may love the same neighborhood but have very different ownership experiences depending on the membership path and home type they choose.
That is why careful review matters. A buyer who wants full golf access will look at the numbers differently than someone focused more on tennis, fitness, dining, and social use. The right fit comes down to how you plan to live in the community and what level of recurring expense feels comfortable for you.
If you want help comparing gated and club communities across Northern Palm Beach County, working with a local brokerage can make the process much more efficient. A clear side-by-side review of fees, structure, and lifestyle access can help you move forward with confidence. When you are ready to explore Palm Beach County communities with a more informed strategy, connect with Gulfstream Properties.
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