Golf can be a pricey pastime with costs for a round of the popular game varying based on the course, day and tee time. However, playing a round of golf doesn’t have to set you back a fortune.
Many budget golf courses are multigenerational and designed to meet the level and expertise of every player, from beginner to pro. Here are some of the best value golf courses in the U.S. and Canada, where a round of golf is less than $75. The only thing you’ll be left to worry about is your backswing.
Blue Rock Golf Course, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States
Located in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, the 18-hole Blue Rock Golf Course at Blue Rock Resort is a course for all ages and abilities. It’s perfect for new golfers to learn the game, for junior golfers to feel welcome and advance their skills, and for veteran golfers to use every club in their bag. “Golf Magazine” named Blue Rock Golf Course one of the Top 10 Par-3 Courses in the World. The course is open to the public all year and offers a practice range, two putting and chipping greens and a full-service pro shop. Designed in 1962 by legendary golf course architect Geoffrey Cornish, the ninth is Blue Rock’s signature hole. Fees: $33-$65 (June-Sept.); $25-$30 (Oct.-Apr.)
Ambassador Golf Club, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Designed by architect Thomas McBroom, Ambassador Golf Club is a public golf course with four sets of tee boxes to choose from. The Ontario golf course, which has hosted PGA events, features a couple of short par 4s, reachable par 5s and long par 3s. There is a full-length grass tees facility too. Fees: $45 (18 holes walking/weekdays); $62 (18 holes with golf cart/weekdays); $53 (18 holes walking/weekends before 2pm); $72 (18 holes with golf cart/weekends before 2 p.m.); $45 (18 holes walking/weekends after 2 p.m.); $62 (18 holes with golf cart/weekends after 2 p.m.)
Origins Golf Course, Panama City Beach, Florida, United States
Located in the Watersound Origins community of Northwest Florida, Origins Golf Course is a Davis Love six-hole regulation course that alternatively plays as a 10-hole, par-3 layout through the use of alternate tee boxes and auxiliary greens. Fees: $30 (walking); $35 (with push/pull cart); $40 (golf cart)
Bethpage State Park Golf Courses, Farmingdale, New York, United States
Bethpage State Park is a public course in New York that boasts five 18-hole regulation golf courses, including the Black Course, which hosted the U.S. Open in 2002 and 2009. Golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast designed the Black, Red and Blue courses and modified the former Lenox Hills Course, which is now called the Green Course. Alfred Tull designed the Yellow course, which opened in 1958. Approximately 300,000 rounds are played annually on the five courses. Fees: Green, Blue, & Yellow courses (18 holes): $38 (weekdays); $23 (weekdays, twilight); $43 (weekends); $26 (weekends, twilight) Red course (18 holes) non-New York state residents: $86 (weekdays); $52 (weekdays); $98 (weekends); $58 (weekends); New York state residents: $43 (weekdays); $26 (weekdays, twilight); $48 (weekends); $29 (weekends, twilight) Black course (18 holes) non-New York state residents: $130 (weekdays); $78 (weekdays); $150 (weekends); $90 (weekends); New York state residents: $65 (weekdays); $39 (weekdays, twilight); $75 (weekends); $45 (weekends, twilight)
Wigwam Golf Resort, Litchfield Park, Arizona, United States
Wigwam Golf Resort in Arizona offers three 18-hole golf courses: Gold, Patriot and Heritage. The Gold Course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1964 to rival the South Course at Firestone Country Club. At more than 7,430 yards, the long and winding par-72 course is challenging. Jones also designed the Patriot, a 6,000-yard, par-70 course with a series of bunkers, ponds and dog-leg fairways that behaves very differently from front to backside. The par-72 Heritage course features lush fairways and greens. Fee: $39 per player
Wintonbury Hills Golf Course, Bloomfield, Connecticut, United States
Located 15 minutes from Hartford, Conn., Wintonbury Hills Golf Course was designed by golf course designer Pete Dye in 2005. The 6,711-yard, par-70 layout has a combination of open links-style and traditional tree-lined holes. The practice facilities include a full driving range and a putting and chipping green. Fees: $45 (Mon.-Thur. before 2 p.m.); $55 (Fri.-Sun. and holidays); $35 (Mon.-Thur. 2-5 p.m.); $45 (Fri.-Sun. and holidays after 2-5 p.m.); $25 (Mon.-Thur. after 5 p.m.); $30 (Fri.-Sun. and holidays after 5 p.m.)
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Desert, California, United States
Hollywood stars and golf pros like teeing off at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa’s two award-winning California golf courses. Both Ted Robinson-designed championship golf courses offer 18 holes of golf and views of the San Jacinto and Santa Rose mountains. The Palm and Valley course recently underwent a $1.5 million renovation. Amenities include the Taylor Made Performance Center, which offers club fitting and swing analysis, putting green, chipping area and an indoor practice facility. Fees: $60 (before 2:30 p.m.) $39 (after 2:30 p.m.) for 36 holes and golf cart.
Wolf Creek Golf Resort, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Wolf Creek Golf Resort offers two 18-hole golf courses in Alberta, Canada designed by Rod Whitman: The Old Course and The Links Course. Golfers who want to play 36 holes in one day can buy a package for $180 per person, which includes green fees and golf cart for each course, $15 food and beverage credit, complimentary range balls, players guide and Wolf Creek golf cap. Fees: $45 (nine holes during high season); $60 (shoulder season green fee; Apr. 15-May 15; Oct. 1-15); $75 (18 holes with golf cart); $95 (18 holes with golf cart).
(Main image: JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa)
