Firstly we must know that there are, at present, two categories of clubs.

A members’ club entails the fact that the members together, OWN the club premises. Generally, the more established clubs and have been around longer, like the Singapore Recreation Club fall into this category.

A proprietory club constitutes a main proprietor owning the Club premises and NOT the members. Undoubtedly, the newer clubs join this category.

Presently, the law on club membership places the burden almost entirely on the prospective buyer to protect himself against the proprietor.

A person who buys membership in a proprietory club must examine carefully the terms of the contract between himself and the proprietor. He must be aware that, while he can protect himself against the proprietor increasing the total number of memberships indefinitely (by ensuring that the contract contains terms limiting the number of members), he still cannot protect himself against a proprietor selling the club premises.