From left: Manakiki (Willoughby Hills, Ohio); Pacific Grove (Pacific Grove, Calif.); Montauk Downs (Montauk, N.Y.)
couretsy manatki; joann dost; jon cavalier
Who doesn’t love a discount?
Golfers actually do. However with the sport in larger demand than ever (hurrah!) and inflation persisting, good values have turn out to be more and more more durable to seek out.
That in thoughts, GOLF’s course raters and editors got down to compile a listing of 18-hole golf programs in america that signify distinctive bang for the buck. Our standards have been easy: To qualify for our record, programs wanted to be (1) accessible to the general public, (2) the sort of golf expertise you’d advocate to a pal and (3) supply peak-season weekend strolling charges that don’t exceed $100.
This payment requirement was a tough line, and at instances a painful one to be sure by. Take Rustic Canyon, a unbelievable design north of Los Angeles, the place inexperienced charges max out at $104. Or Stoatin Brae in Michigan, designed by the principals of Renaissance Golf Design. This open, linksy course typically prices lower than $100 save for a couple of prime weekend tee instances. Nonetheless, we needed to omit each programs as we needed to set up a reduce off, and $100 felt like a pleasant spherical quantity.
What you’ll discover beneath isn’t a rating however fairly our first try at figuring out the nation’s finest reasonably priced golf programs by area (Southeast, Northeast, Heartland and West). To compile the record, we sourced suggestions not solely from GOLF’s raters and editors but additionally from course specialists from across the business and even you, our loyal, golf-loving viewers.
Sand Creek Station (Newton, Kans.)
As you’ll see, the Heartland leads the way in which in amount; extra land and fewer residents means decrease charges. This space of the nation is also blessed with nice variety of landforms properly suited to golf.
Usually, every little thing prices extra round inhabitants facilities, however we nonetheless discovered a handful of low-cost gems in main metropolitan areas, like George Wright exterior of Boston, CommonGround simply east of Denver and Bethpage State Park not removed from New York Metropolis, the place of its quartet of programs solely the charges on the fabled Black creep north of three digits.
A few different Huge Apple-area programs additionally made the reduce: the revamped Francis A. Byrne and Hendricks Subject programs, each of that are in New Jersey’s Essex County Parks system. Each designs now function traditional architectural options for which Charles Banks turned well-known, together with Redan, Biarritz and Street Holes. Strategic golf, we imagine, is the sport’s most addictive type of design, and these programs embody that basic.
Fortunately, our record is chock stuffed with programs designed by nice architects, together with A.W. Tillinghast, Donald Ross, Stanley Thompson, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Tom Doak, Jack Nicklaus and Coore & Crenshaw. Speak about star energy! There are also a few former major-championship websites within the combine, particularly Cedar Crest in Texas (1927 PGA Championship) and Tanglewood in North Carolina (1974 PGA Championship).
9 issues to learn about the perfect U.S. programs you possibly can play for $100 or much less
About 40 % of the programs are owned by municipalities; hat tip to these public officers who perceive the worth and significance of funding distinctive public golf. Cities like Cleveland (Sleepy Hole, Manikiki) and states like Alabama with its RTJ Path and Highland Park — which gives dazzling views of Birmingham — deserve recognition for his or her stewardship.
We hope different municipalities comply with swimsuit and make related investments to advertise using outside areas, which, within the case of golf programs, boosts civic delight. How thrilling wouldn’t it be if some legendary Golden Age designs, like Sharp Park In California, Timber Level in New York and East Potomac in Washington, D.C. (the place plans are within the works), noticed their unique options restored?
Alas, with enhancements come publicity and reward and elevated demand, which frequently results in worth hikes. We get it. Golf programs are companies, and financial pressures are actual. However we’re hopeful this record’s creation — and subsequent updates to it — would possibly incentivize programs to remain value-minded.
We welcome your suggestions relating to different worthy candidates. Nothing would please us greater than to see this compilation develop!
America’s finest golf programs you can play for $100 or much less
Charges signify peak-season weekend strolling charges (as of Sept. 4, 2024)
NORTHEAST
Bethpage Crimson
Farmingdale, N.Y.
A.W. Tillinghast, 1935
$100
Brattleboro
Brattleboro, Vt.
Wayne Stiles, 1930; Steve Durkee, 2000
$74
Brunswick
Brunswick, Maine
Charles L. Bowker, Capt. George Skofield and Col. George L. Thompson, 1898; Wayne Stiles, John Van Kleek, 1921; Geoffrey Cornish, 1959
$85
Courtesy Brunswick
Nation Membership of Barre
Orange, Vt.
Wayne Stiles, John Van Kleek,1924
$65
En-Joie
Endicott, N.Y.
Ernie Smith,1927; Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, 1999
$76
Francis A. Byrne
West Orange, N.J.
Charles Banks,1926
$80
George Wright
Boston, Mass.
Donald Ross, 1938
$62
Courtesy George Wright
Inexperienced Mountain Nationwide
Killington, Vt.
Gene Bates, 1997
$79
Hendricks Subject
Belleville, N.J.
Charles Banks, 1929
$60
Hominy Hill
Colts Neck, N.J.
Robert Trent Jones, 1963
$84
Jeffersonville
Norristown, Pa.
Donald Ross, 1931
$80
Zephyr Melton
Keney Park
Windsor, Conn.
Devereux Emmet 1927; Robert Jack Ross, 1931
$51
Montauk Downs
Montauk, N.Y.
Robert Trent Jones Sr, 1968
$96
Neshanic Valley
Neshanic Station, N.J.
Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, 2004
$92
courtesy neshanic valley
Saratoga Spa State Park
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Unknown, 1936; William Mitchell, late Nineteen Fifties; Barry Jordan, 2017
$59
Seven Oaks
Hamilton, N.Y.
Robert Trent Jones Sr, 1957
$85
Shennecossett
Groton, Conn.
Donald Ross, 1916
$55
Triggs Memorial
Windfall, R.I.
Donald Ross, 1932.
$55
Wintonbury Hills
Bloomfield, Conn.
Pete Dye, 2003
$90
courtesy Wintonbury Hills
SOUTHEAST
Aiken
Aiken, S.C.
John Inglis, 1915
$35
Bear Hint at Cumberland Mountain
Crossville, Tenn.
Nicklaus Design, 1999
$57
Bear Hint at Harrison Bay
Harrison, Tenn.
Nicklaus Design, 1999
$54
Bobby Jones
Sarasota, Fla.
Donald Ross, 1926
$89
Boone
Boone, N.C.
Ellis Maples, 1959
$70
Ren Schiffman
Capital Metropolis
Tallahassee, Fla.
A.W. Tillinghast, 1935
$75
Charleston Muni
Charleston, S.C.
John E. Adems, 1929
$60
courtesy charleston muni
Cheraw State Park
Cheraw, S.C.
Tom Jackson, 1992
$45
Fort Myers CC
Fort Myers, Fla.
Donald Ross, 1917
$30
Highland Park
Birmingham, Ala.
Bob Cupp, 1998
$99
Jax Seaside
Jacksonville Seaside, Fla.
Sam Snead, 1959; Harrison Minchew, 2018
$67
The Hyperlinks at Audubon
Memphis, Tenn.
Invoice Bergin, 2024
$45
Ren Schiffman
Lonnie Poole
Raleigh, N.C.
Arnold Palmer, 2008
$75
Mirimichi
Millington, Tenn.
William F. Mitchell, 1965
$63
Mooresville
Mooresville, N.C.
Donald Ross, 1948; Kris Spence, 2016
$55
Oak Hole
Excessive Level, N.C.
Pete Dye, 1972
$45
Palatka
Palatka, Fla.
Donald Ross, 1925
$34
Courtesy Palataka
Pines Crossing
Aubrun, Ala.
Eddie Loos, 1946, 1951; Invoice Bergin, 2023
$35
RTJ Golf Path at Capitol Hill (Senator)
Prattville, Ala.
Robert Trent Jones, Sr., 1999
$100
RTJ Golf Path at Grand Nationwide (Lakes)
Opelika, Ala.
Robert Trent Jones, Sr., 1993
$100
Michael Clemmer
RTJ Golf Path at Grand Nationwide (Hyperlinks)
Opelika, Ala.
Robert Trent Jones, Sr., 1993
$100
RTJ Golf Path at Highland Oaks (Highlands & Magnolia)
Dothan, Ala.
Robert Trent Jones Sr., 1992
$100
Tanglewood Park (Championship)
Clemmons, N.C.
Robert Trent Jones, Sr., 1958; Robert Trent Jones, Jr., 2018
$66
The Fields Golf Membership
LaGrange, Ga.
Mike Younger, 1989
$48
Wellman
Johnsonville, S.C.
Ellis Maples, 1966 and 1971; Rees Jones, 2022
$62
Wilmington Municipal
Wilmington, N.C.
Donald Ross, 1926
$46
courtesy Wilmington Municipal
HEARTLAND
Annbriar
Waterloo, Ailing.
Michael Hurdzan, 1991
$77
Bent Tree
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Jeffrey Brauer, 2000
$48
Boiling Springs
Woodward, Okla.
Donald Sechrest, 1971; Jeff Blume, 2013
$42
Brown Deer
Milwaukee, Wis.
George Hansen, 1929; Andy North, Roger Packard, 1991
$81
Buffalo Dunes
Backyard Metropolis, Kans.
Frank Hummel, 1976
$30
KEVIN MEIER, THE MIDDLE PIN
Brackenridge Park
San Antonio, Tex.
A.W. Tillinghast, 1915
$68
Butterfield Path
El Paso, Tex.
Tom Fazio and Dennis Sensible, 2007
$50
Cedar Crest
Dallas, Tex.
A.W. Tillinghast, 1916
$35
Champions
Columbus, Ohio
Herbert Robust, 1922; Robert Trent Jones Sr., 1954
$61
Chaska City Course
Chaska, Minn.
Arthur Hills, 1997
$61
courtesy Chaska City Course
Cypresswood (Custom)
Spring, Tex.
Keith Foster, 1988; Rick Forester, 1997
$95
Diamond Springs
Hamilton, Mich.
Mike DeVries, 1999
$60
Fowler’s Mill
Chesterland, Ohio
Pete Dye, 1971
$92
Harrison Hills
Attica, Ind.
William Langford, 1924
$55
Hawktree
Bismarck, N.D.
James Engh, 2000
$95
Patrick Koenig
Kankakee Elks
St Anne, Ailing.
William B. Langford and Theodore Moreau, 1926
$41
Keller
Maplewood, Minn.
Paul Coates, 1929
$53
Kearney Hill
Lexington, Ky.
Pete, P.B Dye, 1989
$38
Lakewood Shores (Gailes)
Oscoda, Mich.
Kevin Aldridge, 1992
$65
Hyperlinks of North Dakota
Ray, N.D.
Stephen Kay, 1995
$75
Manakiki
Willoughby Hills, Ohio
Donald Ross, 1944
$47
courtesy Manakiki
Park Mammoth
Park Metropolis, Ky.
Brian Ross and Colton Craig, 2022
$50
Pilgrim’s Run
Pierson, Mich.
David Wisen, Scott Pierre and Jerry Trannell, 1998
$65
Purgatory Golf Membership
Noblesville, Ind.
Ron Kern, 1997
$85
Sand Creek Station
Newton, Kans.
Jeff Brauer, 2006
$50
USGA
Sleepy Hole
Brecksville, Ohio
Stanley Thompson, 1924
$47
Swope Memorial
Kansas Metropolis, Mo.
A.W. Tillinghast, 1934
$42
Mines Golf Membership
Walker, Mich.
Mike DeVries, 2005
$69
Valley of the Eagles
Elyria, Ohio
Nicklaus Design, 2018
$70
Winnetka
Winnetka, Ailing.
William Langford, 1917; Rick Jacobson, 2024
$92
courtesy Winnetka
Wolf River Golf Park
Bear Lake, Mich.
Unknown, 1964; Steven Biehl, 2022
$37
Warren Golf Course
South Bend, Ind.
Invoice Coore and Ben Crenshaw, 2000
$80
Washington County
Hartford, Wis.
Arthur Hills, 1997
$65
Wild Horse
Gothenburg, Neb.
Dave Axland and Dan Proctor, 1999
$75
Patrick Koenig
WEST
Bandon Crossings
Bandon, Ore.
Dan Hixson, 2007
$86
Black Mesa
Española, N.M.
Daxter Spann, 2002
$84
Cochiti
Cochiti Lake, N.M.
Robert Trent Jones Jr., 1981
$58
Courtesy Cochiti
CommonGround
Aurora, Colo.
Tom Doak, 1972
$80
Coronado Golf Course
Coronado, Calif.
Jack Daray, 1957
$59
Satan’s Thumb
Delta, Colo.
Rick Phelps, 2001
$53
Gold Mountain
Bremerton, Wash.
Ken Tyson, 1971; John Harbottle III, 1996
$54
Heron Lakes (Buck)
Portland, Ore.
Robert Trent Jones Jr., 1971
$53
Heron Lakes (Nice Blue)
Portland, Ore.
Robert Trent Jones Jr., 1992
$56
La Purisima
Lompoc, Calif.
Robert Muir, 1986
$88
Lincoln Park
San Francisco, Calif.
William Watson, 1914; Tom Bendelow, 1917
$61
Gary Crabbe
Northern Pines
Kalispell, Mont.
Andy North, 1996
$85
Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove, Calif.
H. Chandler Egan, 1932; Jack Neville, 1960
$82
Alan Bastable
Piñon Hills
Farmington, N.M.
Ken Dye, 1989
$51
Riverdale Golf Membership (Dunes)
Brighton, Colo.
Pete Dye and Perry Dye, 1985
$57
San Vicente
Ramona, Calif.
Ted Robinson, 1972; Andy Staples, 2021
$89
Sea Ranch
Sea Ranch, Calif.
Robert Muir Graves, 1974; Robert Muir Graves, 1995
$82.49
Leo Sens
Soule Park
Ojai, Calif.
William F. Bell, 1962
$49
Tokatee
Blue River, Ore.
Ted Robinson, 1966
$67
College of New Mexico (Championship)
Albuquerque, N.M.
Robert (Crimson) Lawrence, 1967
$72
Wailua
Lihue, Hawaii
Toyo Shirai, 1930; second 9 added in 1961
$100
Whitefish Lake (South)
Whitefish, Mont.
John Steidel, 1994
$93
