Opinion & Analysis

The prices we pay for golf

Published

11 years ago

Jun 2, 2015

Tom HIll

In the past few years, I’ve paid as much as $350 to play a round of golf and I’ve paid as little as $10.

Granted, the $350 round was a bucket-list reward and everything was immaculate (except my game that day), while the $10 round was super-twilight on an empty course racing to beat darkness, darkness eventually winning 2-up.

Those examples are at the far ends of the cost spectrum that is public golf in the United States today. At some resort and high-end daily fee courses, golfers routinely debit their cards to the tune of three figures for a prime tee time, while time-flexible, cost-conscious players leveraging Internet savings can find some almost miniscule rates at fully acceptable facilities.

Since I’m in the tourist-heavy (even at the start of summer heat) Palm Springs area, I found some out-of-town golfers to ask what they usually pay to play.

[quote_box_center]“More than I tell my wife,” said one man whose name and hometown are being withheld at his request. “Back home I play two courses — one charges around $60 on weekends with a cart included. The other’s a muni, I think we pay $42. Then a couple times in the summer we play one course that’s been a U.S. Open local qualifying site before — last year it was around $125, I think. ”[/quote_box_center]

Morris from Seattle said he plays Riverbend in Kent for around $50 riding.

[quote_box_center]”They have a walking rate that’s maybe $35, but I’ve got a sore back and, while I could walk it, I don’t want to be stuck out in the middle of the course when my back starts hurting, so I take a cart.”[/quote_box_center]

“I only play once a month, I just don’t have enough time,” Larry from Atlanta told me, “so it doesn’t bother me to pay top dollar. I don’t want to waste my time on a bad course.”

I got the opposite response from Dak who lives in Dallas. “I’d rather play twice for $35 each round than once for $70,” he said.

[quote_box_center]“Here’s what I do,” Walt from Wisconsin told me. “I play in a 9-hole league every Thursday, that’s $25 including weekly prize money. Then I try to find a deal online for the weekend and I can usually get something for $30 to walk. So, I pay like $50 a week for two days of golf. I’d spend more than that if I went to one Brewers game…”[/quote_box_center]

The Internet really has made finding open tee times and discounted golf infinitely easier than it was 20 years ago.

I took a look on one of the national Internet tee-time aggregators — I won’t name it since this story isn’t about them — to see rates golfers are paying around the country. I looked for 18-hole tee times at roughly 10:30 a.m. on a Saturday.

This isn’t a scientific survey. Some courses no doubt are booked solid or have tournaments so their rates didn’t show up; some courses don’t put their open tee-times online until 24 or 48 hours in advance. That time on a Saturday morning is considered prime-time at most courses, meaning those times are least likely to have discounts along with less availability. I don’t know anything (good or bad) about the course conditions — they may be pristine, or they may have aerated the greens yesterday.

I worked east-to-west, north-to-south, starting with what I figured would be the priciest golf, Long Island, N.Y. There, Saturday morning tee times between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. ran from $110 at Wind Watch to $45 at Rolling Oaks. Most other courses were in the $70-75 range. No tee times were listed for Bethpage, but there were plenty of open slots available.

In Charlotte, N.C., the Jones Course at Rock Barn had a few tee times between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. for $79, while the least expensive regulation course I found was the Lancaster Golf Club for $39. What do you get for that $39 you might wonder? Well, in this case you get nine of the 18 holes designed by Donald Ross in the 1930s!

In Dayton, Ohio, there were 104 tee times available between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on a Saturday morning. Three of those cost more than $40, none more than $48; all the others were in the $20 and $30 range.

In New Orleans there were only 28 tee times available in my desired hour and they ran from a high of $80 at La Tour Golf Club to $28 at City Park New Orleans.

In Casper, Wy., there are only four golf courses to choose from (on the site I used) and only six tee times were available in the hour I wanted. The prices went from $34 to $68 and included the most expensive cart fee I’ve ever seen. The walking price at Casper Municipal is $34. The riding price is $64. Perhaps the cart comes with a case of imported beer?

The biggest discrepancy between greens fees that I found was in Phoenix. Searching Phoenix metro NE, I found Troon North Monument for $159 along with a couple of other Troon North courses for $155. On the opposite end of the price spectrum, 18 holes riding at McCormick Ranch Palm Course was only $30 with an Internet special, and in the summer heat even TPC Scottsdale, which hosts a PGA Tour event, was reduced to $59.

The conclusion? It’s a whole big golfing world out there, but based solely on the six markets I researched, there are plenty of tee times available even in weekend prime-time across a good spread of price points.

Now we just need to find out about that cart fee in Casper.

How much did you pay for your last round? Let us know in the comments section below. And check out the inspirational story of one golfer trying to shoot the round of his life at 7-ironpress.com. The book is called A Perfect Lie – The Hole Truth and you can get free shipping on the paperback with the code GOLFWRX, or $4 off the e-book when you enter the code GOLFWRX1 at check-out. It’s a great Father’s Day gift if ordered before June 17.

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Introduction: Why I’m writing 18 stories for GolfWRX

Tom HIll

Tom Hill is a 9.7 handicap, author and former radio reporter. Hill is the author of the recently released fiction novel, A Perfect Lie – The Hole Truth, a humorous golf saga of one player’s unexpected attempt to shoot a score he never before thought possible. Kirkus Reviews raved about A Perfect Lie, (It) “has the immediacy of a memoir…it’s no gimme but Hill nails it square.” (kirkusreviews.com). A Perfect Lie is available as an ebook or paperback through 7-ironpress.com and the first three chapters are available online to sample. Hill is a dedicated golfer who has played more than 2,000 rounds in the past 30 years and had a one-time personal best handicap of 5.5. As a freelance radio reporter, Hill covered more than 60 PGA and LPGA tournaments working for CBS Radio, ABC Radio, AP Audio, The Mutual Broadcasting System and individual radio stations around the country. “Few knew my name and no one saw my face,” he says, “but millions heard my voice.” Hill is the father of three sons and lives with his wife, Arava Talve, in southern California where he chases after a little white ball as often as he can.

28 Comments

Tom Wishon

Jun 17, 2015 at 12:02 pm

After reading this article along with the comments, it is no wonder that golf participation began to decline in the late 90s and then accelerated once the recession hit. I have to believe one of the few things preventing the decline from being worse is the fact that golf can take a very strong hold on you once you get to a point you can play reasonably well and meet people with whom you enjoy playing.

But when you look at so many golfers with kids, with ever increasing expenses, with incomes that haven’t kept pace with the increase in the cost of living, with non playing spouses who don’t wish to be left alone for 5-6 hrs 2x a week, and with a household income that doesn’t exceed $100K, this game is expensive and difficult to justify the cost to play regularly in the face of these challenges that so many people live with.

I came into the game when green fees were $10. Annual adult green fee membership was $90. As a kid we could buy an annual green fee membership for $10/yr and only had parts of two days a week we could not play. Sure, incomes were much less on avg than today, but in relation to costs to play today vs today’s incomes, it was still a better deal back then. I look at $40 green fees today and I realize this is inexpensive for today, but such rates are the exception rather than the rule with so many daily fee courses north of $50. Let alone the feature developments for $80, $120 per round and more. Play 2x per week and even $40 round + a few buckets of balls is a real problem for the average household with kids and all the accompanying expenses of today.

The muni in our town used to be $400/yr for unlimited play for adults for an 8 month season. Then some “visionaries” got into decision making roles and decided they needed to spend $500K to “upgrade” the course – changes that will make it a little nicer but which really were not needed. Hence the annual fee will go up to $1400/yr. While for someone who plays 2x a week for the 8 month season that’s still only @ $20/round, that’s still $1000/yr more cost to a good number of people and families that don’t have much extra space between income and total household expenses. Play will drop I have to believe. But those who can afford it will enjoy their rebuilt bunkers and new routing on 4 holes.

With income inequality being what it is these days, I worry if the game is destined to revert only to the upper middle class and above, coupled with a few of the die hards who just can’t give it up and thus will sacrifice in other areas to be able to play. And I don’t really know what the solution is.

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Adam

Jun 3, 2015 at 11:17 am

I have only found one course that allows you to play only 9 holes in Vegas and you have to start prior to 7am. Otherwise, the average “resident rate” for is about $60-70 and even higher for a prime tee time. Tourists get screwed with much more premium rates unfortunately.

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ThirteenGreen

Jun 3, 2015 at 7:56 am

$20 for nine and $30 for 18 at my local course.

There are two other 18 hole courses within about a 20 minute drive that are $40 and $45 respectively for 18 holes as well as a 9 hole par three course that is $13.50 for nine, $25 unlimited/day.

Within a 30 minute drive there are dozens of other courses that range from $20 to $100 per 18 holes, and a $7 par three course, so lots of variety in my region. They are always running specials like two for one days, cheap twilight rates and two in a cart for $60 all the time.

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James

Jun 3, 2015 at 12:34 am

Ugh, why play Riverbend for $50?! There are so many nicer courses at the same price or cheaper.

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Miguel T.

Jun 3, 2015 at 12:14 am

I’m practically in golf heaven. Orlando, FL. First I’m a member of Disney’s Players club for $30 a month. That will get you any of the tournament rated courses for $15 after 3pm, and free range.
I’m also an annual pass holder with Disney, and I can play their 9 hole walking course for free anytime. When I want to switch things around, I only use GolfNow, and I always get one of their hot deals tee time. I never pay more than $20 for any course. The deals are out there. I have about 50 courses to chose from within 15 miles radius, Golf Now Orlando area lists about 100 courses.

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Shane hensley

Jun 2, 2015 at 11:03 pm

Here is the problem with the cost, they say they want to encourage you golf however they really don’t. If I take my two boys 16 and 20 to a decent course I am in it for 210 on the weekend. The only discount the 16 year old a little.. The 20 year old is priced as an adult which is bs. They should discount up to 25 year olds. I have no problem paying more for myself. I can afford it.. The youth 25 and under really can’t. As far as private, give me a course for 2k per year unlimited golf in dfw for family and I am in

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Scooter McGavin

Jun 2, 2015 at 2:38 pm

As someone now living in the Washington DC metro region, that is the ONE thing I miss about living in Dayton, OH. The cheap golf. Being able to go out on the weekend and do 18 holes at a good course for under 20 bucks…. And the NICE courses are, like the author said, in the 40s, although I think when I last checked there might be a select few that go above that. Around DC, sure, there are cheap options, but not if you want a full size 18 hole course. They pretty much start in the 40s and go up from there.

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Shawn

Jun 2, 2015 at 1:43 pm

My buddy is the head pro at the Casper Muni. I sent him the link to the article and I’m working on getting an answer about the cart fees…

Reply Report comment
- Shawn
  
  Jun 2, 2015 at 2:56 pm
  
  It appears your research is a little faulty – price to play 18 and ride at the Casper Muni is $49, walking is $34.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Tom HIll
    
    Jun 2, 2015 at 6:20 pm
    
    just checked again for this sunday june 7 and found it as I stated on golfnow.com – for 10:22 am
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Shawn
      
      Jun 6, 2015 at 2:29 pm
      
      I pointed out to the guys in the shop what their website says. Their response is that the $30 is for 2 players, that each individual player is charged $15. My response is they may want to clarify things on their website. Unfortunately, the website as well as their prices are controlled by the city of Casper and they have no access to changing either.
      
      Reply Report comment
CC of Brewton

Jun 2, 2015 at 1:19 pm

$85 for membership
$20 for unlimited range balls

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Jamie

Jun 2, 2015 at 1:03 pm

Rock Barn is a great golf course…played the Jackson course there and loved it. The Jones Championship course hosts a Senior PGA event each year last time I checked.

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Jim

Jun 2, 2015 at 12:33 pm

In my area of the Northeast, outside of Boston, we typically play public courses but hunt for the best course and best price available. Typically morning times are the most expensive but after 11 or after 1 you can get less expensive greens fees. The private courses typically charge a minimum of $3500 per year, not counting initiation fees, so that’s just too much for my wallet. At best I can play a premium course 1x per year at or near $100 per round. Luckily I can rely on friends who are country club members and play the really nicer courses occasionally too. Other than that it’s simply looking around for a good course with a good price.

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Tim

Jun 2, 2015 at 11:26 am

We have something like 70 courses within a 50-mile radius. One of them being a recent PGA Championship host (a very private/expensive club). Of those 70 there are a number of private clubs. Most however are muni or semi-private and all playable by the public.

The MOST expensive with cart fee around here is about 85 bucks mid summer. The average cost WITH cart is around 40-50 bucks for 18 holes. We have some VERY nice tracks and even the courses that are in a bit rougher shape are usually very playable and never in the condition where you feel like the money was wasted.

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Sam

Jun 2, 2015 at 11:22 am

Sadly the 9-hole course in my town closed last summer. I could play 9 there walking for under 10$; go around twice for 15$.

Lately I pay 18$ to walk 18 at Big Oak in Geneva, NY or 23$ with cart for 18 at Victor Hills: East. I play once a week and unless I’m on vacation I’d rather save money then pay for things I don’t use (like a clubhouse and cart beverage service etc.). I’ll always take a passable course with a good flow over an immaculate course with 3 groups per hole.

When I was in college (’04-’08) we had a course near us that was “18” holes with two tee boxes per green. $10 with cart for Unlimited play after 5:00 and only 15$ for 9 during peak hours.

It’s hard for me to justify paying more than 75$ dollars a round. Every year my fraternity has an Alumni Golf Tournament that is 75$; Includes 18 Holes with cart Scramble Format, Lunch, Unlimited Free Beer, Banquet Dinner and the chance to catch up with friends.

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George

Jun 2, 2015 at 11:15 am

I brought this up as a post on the forums last year. Its outrageous to think what a golf lover spends on the sport each year. I thankfully got around this by managing a golf course management group’s website and in return they provide me free golf at their 9 courses. If it wasn’t for this I would not be able to play 2-3 times per week and w/o that I wouldn’t have been able to improve so dramatically like I have. You have to play more often and practice more often to play better and with the price of golf I see why many of my friends and family only play 2-3 times a summer and never get any better! I don’t know the solution to this and its definitely not for everyone. Maybe golf courses can do a monthly memberships like fitness centers, one for riding and one for walking to grow the sport as well as get more money from the 2-3/yr guys.

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RI_Redneck

Jun 2, 2015 at 11:09 am

With the online booking service I (and Old Tom Morris) use there are almost always great deals between 11:30 and 1:30 each day. Apparently most golfers prefer to get tee times either before or after “Lunch Time” and courses have a lot of these that don’t get filled. I have played some nice courses for 50% (or more!) off many times by grabbing these tee times.

BT

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Steve

Jun 2, 2015 at 10:49 am

I’m lucky that I live on the west coast of Florida and I have access to many golf courses. Summer rates kick in on May 1st and I can usually play a top notch golf course with a FL ID ranging from $20-45 dollars. I’m also lucky that my area has 5 Donald Ross golf courses and 3 are semi private, where they allow daily fee players access, one used to be the home of the PGA of America. I usually play 3x a week.

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Regan

Jun 2, 2015 at 10:23 am

I live in Southern New Zealand where golf courses are ample and the human population is small. My club membership is $300 per year for unlimited golf at a 6400 yard 18 hole course and within an hours drive there are 16 courses with the most expensive being the oldest course in the Southern Hemisphere for $45. Some courses are as low as $5 for 18 holes. It truly is a well kept secret!,…..until now.

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Double Mocha Man

Jun 2, 2015 at 10:02 am

I am fortunate to live in an area where there are nine golf courses of excellent quality all within a 25 minute drive. I could have a membership at one course but that would more or less obligate me to play that course and leave untouched all those other gems. Variety is the spice of golf. So I suck it up and fork out the individual greens fees so that I can find myself at 3 or 4 different courses each week. All the money I pay in greens fees… I can’t take it with me to the big course in the sky. Besides, greens fees are free up there, as are the post-round gin & tonics.

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Alex

Jun 2, 2015 at 9:55 am

Paid $66 to ride at Stonebridge Country Club in Goffstown, NH this past Saturday with a 7:42 a.m. tee time and the place was packed. Paid $31 to walk at West Bolton Golf Club in West Bolton, VT on Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend with a 10 a.m. tee time and hardly a soul on the course. WBGC is much more remote but both tracks were in great shape.

So what does it all mean? I have no idea. All I know is that I could pay anywhere from $1 to $1000 a round and I’d still shoot 91. It’s all about finding the best value.

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Brian

Jun 2, 2015 at 9:32 am

Doesn’t anyone belong to a country club or golf course? I pay $895 a year for a country club membership that includes unlimited golf (cart fees extra). I can spend extra money on purchases like a new Scotty putter vs paying $50 a round 25+ times a year.

Reply Report comment
- Brian
  
  Jun 2, 2015 at 10:35 am
  
  I live on my course so that should have been mentioned. And it’s hard so when I pay to go to the “nice” courses I tend to shoot lower scores.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - KCCO
    
    Jun 2, 2015 at 11:57 am
    
    Same here….my course I belong to is rather difficult, very rarely do play somewhere else because of the convenience of my course. But like you usually shoot lower scores at other courses.
    
    Also previously mentioned, I’m fortunate to work part time at my country club, so that takes care of my membership. Would be very difficult to pay the price to play my course, and in the north it sucks shelling out money for the few months of the year you can’t play.
    
    Reply Report comment
- Dr. RosenRosen
  
  Jun 2, 2015 at 12:02 pm
  
  In my neck of the woods, the cheapest country club you’ll find is about $10,000 a year with some courses $25 – $40k a year. There are a few courses you can be a member of – not a private club – but those will still run you ~$5,000 a year.
  
  Reply Report comment
- BAA
  
  Jun 2, 2015 at 2:59 pm
  
  Yep.
  Approx. $5k for “annual” membership dues for 6 months @ my private club in Alberta, Canada. Carts, cost of actual club share & transfer fee are extra, of course. <4 hour rounds & open tee sheets make it worth every penny.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Scott
  
  Jun 3, 2015 at 2:34 pm
  
  Nothing like that around my house. $2000 is about the minimum for unlimited golf and cart, with restricted tee times.
  
  Reply Report comment

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