In the whole world, one of the most luxurious nature-and-sport experiences one can have is golf. The game is slow, reflective and focused on personal improvement (and competition).  The most luxurious golfing experiences are often elusive and hard to access, sometimes even priceless. 

One of the more famous examples is the Augusta Golf Club, which is primarily known for hosting The Masters. The club allegedly has 300 members, but the figure is unconfirmed because it does not release any figures. Some elite members include Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Rob Manfred. Members of Augusta are highly decorated and extremely wealthy.

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Augusta is known for being very secretive about finances; the number floating around for a joining fee is $40,000 USD, with annual fees in the low thousands. Joining is not as simple as showing up with a cheque, either; connections are extremely important for a club at this level. Club rules are also extremely secretive; the most obvious is not to discuss the club publicly. Only the chairman, Fred Riley, is allowed to speak publicly about the club, but he rarely does. 

The Augusta Golf Club is a masterful example of how money and luxury are so intertwined with secrecy. What makes Augusta so alluring is that not much is known about the finances and inner workings of the club. The Augusta has a closer connection to better-known businessmen, and its connection to the Masters means the golf course gets a lot of great press every year.

Another club known for secrecy is the Vibaudan Golf Club in France. Vibaudan is in the “Plaine des Maures,” which is a national nature park. Robert Trent Jones Sr. is the owner and architect of the golf course and club. He spent 25 years poring over every detail, including the manicured nature of the course. The club's website states that anyone with a passion for golf, a vision of excellence, and who would be uplifted by the sanctuary Vibaudan provides is welcome. The club is invite-only, with an unconfirmed but alleged 25-35 members.

The membership process includes an invitation from a member, an investment in the property, and approval from the club’s Board of Directors. Just like Augusta, members are extremely secretive about the club and the course. There are stories about members blindfolding any guests they bring, so even the route there is kept under wraps.

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The course is extremely picturesque and controlled; the trees are elegant and manicured. The dedication to excellence is not just a buzzword on their website; it is extremely evident in how diligently this 2,500-acre golf course is maintained.

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Unlike Augusta, Vibaudan Golf Club is more of a private passion project by Jones Sr. Both clubs are exclusive in different ways, employing social status in distinct ways. Augusta is better known for celebrity athletes and performers (Dave Grohl performed there just a few months ago). Vibaudan and any articles about the club only mention the founder. Any member is keen to keep their life private, which is another type of luxury. The clubs operate at opposite ends of the luxury access spectrum while both maintain a strong sense of mystique about their members. 

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