You’ve probably seen the signs or heard the chatter while grabbing coffee in downtown Westfield. Chatham Hills is that place—the sprawling, 800-acre "resort-style" enclave that looks more like a slice of the Pacific Northwest than a former dairy farm in Hamilton County. It's become the local gold standard for luxury, but honestly, the actual details of a Chatham Hills the club at chatham hills westfield membership can feel a bit like a "secret handshake" situation if you aren't already living behind the gates.
Is it just for the guys in pleated khakis who want to spend six hours on a Sunday chasing a little white ball? Hardly.
Most people assume you have to be a multi-millionaire living in a custom-built manor to even walk through the front door of the clubhouse. That's actually the first big misconception. While the real estate there is undeniably high-end—think average sale prices north of $1.2 million—the club functions as a separate heartbeat for the entire Westfield area. You don't necessarily have to live on the 7th fairway to get in, though it certainly makes the golf cart commute a lot shorter.
The Membership Tiers: It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All
The club basically splits its world into two camps: the golfers and the "everything else" crowd.
Premier Golf Membership
This is the big one. If you're here for the Pete Dye legacy, this is your ticket. It gives you the full run of the 18-hole Championship course and the 9-hole Executive course. But it’s not just about green fees. You get the private golf locker rooms, access to the practice range (where you’ll spend way too much time trying to fix your slice), and all the social stuff.
One thing that’s actually pretty cool? At least one adult on this plan has to maintain a Premier Golf Locker. It’s a requirement, not a suggestion. It keeps the culture centered around the sport.
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Sport & Social Membership
This is what I call the "active family" tier. You get the pools, the gym, the bowling alley (yeah, they have a four-lane bowling alley), and the tennis courts. You can still play golf, but it's more restricted. It’s designed for the person who wants the country club lifestyle without the five-day-a-week commitment to the links.
If you’re buying a lot or building a home in Chatham Hills, the developers often waive the Sport & Social initiation fee. It's a huge perk that essentially bakes you into the community culture from the day you break ground.
The "Dye" Factor and Why It Matters
Let’s be real for a second. There are plenty of nice golf courses in Indiana. But there is only one Pete Dye.
Chatham Hills was one of the last courses the legendary architect touched before he passed. He didn't just lay some grass over a flat field. He used the natural ravines, the winding Monon Trail borders, and the elevation changes to create something that feels older than it is. Most Indiana golf is flat. Chatham is... not.
The 11th hole—a par 3 that stretches over 200 yards—is enough to make most casual golfers sweat. But that's the draw. When you're a member here, you aren't just playing a round; you’re navigating a piece of architectural history. It's a flex, sure, but it’s also just a really fun way to spend a Tuesday afternoon.
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Life Beyond the Fairway
If you think a Chatham Hills the club at chatham hills westfield membership is only about golf, you’re missing half the point. The clubhouse is essentially a 65,000-square-foot community center on steroids.
- The Aquatics Situation: You’ve got an indoor lap pool for those depressing January mornings and a massive outdoor resort pool for the summer. The outdoor area has a swim-up bar. Honestly, on a Saturday in July, it feels more like Vegas than Westfield.
- The Food Minimum: Most clubs have a "spend it or lose it" policy. At Chatham, it's roughly $65 a month. That’s a couple of dinners at Hamilton's Bar & Grill or some pizzas at the bowling alley. It’s remarkably reasonable compared to some of the old-guard clubs in Carmel or Zionsville.
- Fitness & Rec: There’s a two-story fitness center that rivals most boutique gyms. They do spin classes, yoga, and HIIT. Plus, there’s a private dog park and direct access to the Monon Trail.
What’s the Catch? (The Cost and The Wait)
Prices aren't static. Like everything else in the 2026 economy, initiation fees at Chatham Hills have been on a steady climb. While the club keeps the exact "today's price" close to the vest until you take a tour, expect initiation for a full golf membership to be a significant five-figure investment.
There’s also the "LIV factor." With LIV Golf choosing Chatham Hills for its 2026 Indianapolis stop, the club's profile has exploded. That means waitlists are becoming a real thing.
If you aren't a resident, getting a spot in the Premier Golf tier is getting harder. They limit the number of golf members to ensure that 4-hour rounds don't turn into 6-hour nightmares.
The Social Fabric: Is It Stuffy?
This is the question everyone asks. "Will I fit in if I don't own a yacht?"
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Honestly, Chatham feels younger than the traditional country clubs. Because so many of the members are families who moved into the surrounding neighborhoods recently, there’s less of that "old money" gatekeeping. You’ll see people in gym clothes just as often as you’ll see people in formal wear.
It’s a place where your kids can run around the "Kid Zone" while you have a glass of wine at Chats on the Hill. That's the vibe. It's "luxury," but it’s "Indiana luxury"—which usually means people are still pretty nice to you even if you’re wearing flip-flops.
Decision Time: Is It Worth It?
If you’re trying to decide if a Chatham Hills the club at chatham hills westfield membership makes sense for you, look at your calendar.
Do you actually play golf twice a week? Do you have kids who will live at the pool all summer? Do you value having a "third place" that isn't your house or your office?
If the answer is yes, the investment usually pays off in the lifestyle upgrade. If you're just looking for a place to play 18 holes once a month, you might be better off sticking to the public courses and just paying the daily fee.
Next Steps for You:
- Schedule a Tour: Don't just look at photos. Call the Membership Director (Madison is the usual contact) and walk the clubhouse.
- Check Your Real Estate Terms: If you are buying a home in the area, confirm with your realtor if the Sport & Social initiation fee is being covered by the developer.
- Audit Your Spending: Look at what you already spend on gym memberships, pool passes, and entertainment. You might find the monthly dues aren't as big of a jump as you thought once you consolidate those costs.