how to play golf courses for less

Stop at your grocery store before your round. Instead of buying snacks at the course, where costs are regularly inflated, a sports drink and an energy bar at your local grocery store will run you $2. At the course, that number is closer to $5. Do this a couple times, and you’ll start to save real money. Go hunting for balls in the winter.

Full Answer

How many holes should you play on a golf course?

Many courses have lower rates past 3 p.m. Even some of the best public courses in the country offer twilight fees. In the summer, you can complete a full round with enough sunlight. We all love 18-hole rounds. But if time and money are factors, don’t discount the enjoyment you can get out of nine-hole rounds.

How to pick the right golf clubs for your game?

Play only the even or odd numbered irons in your set. Pick one wood, one iron, one wedge, and your putter. Pick any seven clubs. Thinking about your seven most important clubs is a good way to evaluate your game and your set make-up.

Is there such a thing as a cheap golf course?

These courses were specifically chosen as the most stunning courses that are actually cheap to play. Remember, the term "cheap" in golf is very relative so the attempt was to find gorgeous courses that hovered around $50 or less for tee times.

What is the best way to approach a minimalist golf set?

There are countless ways to approach a minimalist set, but here are a few ideas to get you started. Play only the even or odd numbered irons in your set. Pick one wood, one iron, one wedge, and your putter. Pick any seven clubs. Thinking about your seven most important clubs is a good way to evaluate your game and your set make-up.

Is golf a cheap hobby?

In fact, golf can be quite expensive, but you should not let that keep you from playing. It's is no secret that golf is one of the most expensive sports in the world to get involved in. You need to buy clubs, shoes, balls, carts and and bags and that is before you even get to the course and pay your green fees.

How do you save on golf?

5 Easy Ways to Save Money on GolfPlay golf during the off season for huge savings on green fees (think desert golf in the summer.) ... Use discount websites for 2 for 1 and group specials. ... Buy gently used golf balls in bulk. ... Buy your golf clubs second hand from websites like eBay or from your local golf retailer.More items...•

How much does it cost to start golfing?

Breakdown of Costs to Start Playing GolfItemLow EstimateHigh EstimateGolf Tees$5$12Golf Gloves$10$20Green Fee$18$100Total Startup Cost$455$2,8676 more rows

How do you play golf for dummies?

0:023:47Golfing For Dummies - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBehind the ball the easiest way for a lot of people. Starting out is to hold it like a baseball batMoreBehind the ball the easiest way for a lot of people. Starting out is to hold it like a baseball bat ten finger grip.

How can I get a cheap round of golf?

15 ways to play golf on the cheapUsed clubs. ... Take a part-time job on a golf course. ... Internet instruction. ... Stop at your grocery store before your round. ... Go hunting for balls in the winter. ... Buy refurbished/recycled golf balls. ... Walk instead of riding a cart. ... Organize a trip to a cheaper area.More items...•

Can you get free golf clubs?

By becoming a club-tester, you can not only get clubs for free, but you'll likely get some new releases. Securing a role as a club-tester will require some work, and some luck, and there will also be a commitment to follow testing protocols and provide a review of the clubs you test, but the reward is free golf clubs.

Why do rich people play golf?

Rich people play golf because they can afford the financial costs necessary to overcome its entry barriers. In addition, besides being an enjoyable activity, golf provides a certain social status, and it allows them to network with other wealthy individuals.

Is golf worth the money?

This question will vary for all golfers, but for the most part, golf is worth it. You can learn to play golf with a lower budget, but golf will be expensive for many players. If you are enjoying yourself and you can afford it, continue to play golf.

Is golf for the rich?

Among other reasons, golf is famous to the rich because it is hardly accessible by anyone else. Some clubs can charge an annual fee to let you use their services, but some clubs can charge you more than $100 for a one-time fee. A box of balls costs $50, and the driver is about $500.

Can you teach yourself golf?

You absolutely can teach yourself golf. Anyone can swing a club, play a chip shot or make a putt with a little practice. But if you want to excel at golf, or become a low-handicap player, it's likely you will need lessons with a professional golf instructor to fine-tune some of the technical aspects of your swing.

How far should a beginner hit a golf ball?

A 9-iron should hit a golf ball 80 to 90 yards for a beginner, 125 to 135 yards for an average player and 135 to 145 yards for a professional player. For each number that the iron decreases, add about 10 to 15 yards to the distance.

Why is golf so hard?

Golf is so hard because of the number of moving pieces that are involved with a round of golf. Each time you head out to play, you will have to deal with physical issues related to your golf swing, mental issues related to the way you think, and environmental issues caused by the golf course conditions and weather.

Starting at the top

Since the comparison property for this trip is Pebble Beach, we wanted to make sure that if we were going to dive into alternative options outside of this California sanctuary that we should ensure that we find similarly desirable elite resorts to include for our comparison.

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: 4-day, 3-night package in April 2022

One of our favorite things about Bandon Dunes is that despite it being located in the Pacific Northwest on the Pacific Coast of Oregon, golf can be played even in months like January where you might expect it not to be a possibility.

Recommendation

It’s really quite easy: if you can afford to do all four of these trips, then you should do them all and as often as possible. But for most of us, budgets matter. We were blown away at how much value you can get at Bandon Dunes, Destination Kohler, and Pinehurst Resort in comparison to Pebble Beach.

FOLLOW THROUGH

Not every golf game requires a club membership or three-figure greens fee to play. Even at more expensive golf courses, including some members-only clubs, it's possible to get decent discounts with a Links Card or find Groupon promotions.

THE HILL (ANNISTON, ALABAMA)

This nine-hole course was built by the New Deal Works Project Administration in 1934. The Hill is open year-round, every day, from 7:30 a.m. until dusk. Greens fees are only $10 on weekdays and $12 on weekends and holidays, and the cart fee is $14. Credit cards are not accepted, so remember to bring cash.

PORTERVILLE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE (PORTERVILLE, CALIFORNIA)

This nine-hole course is closed Mondays but otherwise open each day from 7 a.m. until dark. The cost for a game at Porterville is $12 for nine holes or $17 to run the course twice, and cart rental is $11 for nine-hole games or $20 for 18 holes. Twilight rates -- a $5 greens fee and $9 cart fee for a nine-hole game -- start at 2 p.m.

PATTY JEWETT (COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO)

One of two municipal golf courses in Colorado Springs, Patty Jewett charges as little as $29 for an 18-hole game on weekdays ($31 on weekends) and $15 for a nine-hole game (an extra dollar on the weekend). Annual permit holders can expect to pay even less. Carts are also available for rent, at $26 for a riding cart or $7 for a pull cart.

HIGHLAND WALK GOLF COURSE (VICTORIA BRYANT STATE PARK, GEORGIA)

Many Georgia state parks have public golf courses attached to them, with Highland Park a typical example. For March through November, this 18-hole course a few minutes north of Athens charges a standard adult greens fee of $40 (with cart) on weekends and holidays, and $32 on weekdays. Reservations are recommended.

EBERHART PETRO (MISHAWAKA, INDIANA)

This municipal golf course started out with nine holes in 1929, but expanded 20 years later into a full 18-hole course featuring four river crossings. Adult greens fees for the full 18-hole game at Eberhart Petro are $16 on weekdays and $20 on weekends and holidays, plus $14 for cart rental. Weekday rates for a nine-hole game are $11.

ST. ANDREWS GOLF CLUB (CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA)

This golf course is open year-round (weather permitting), with operating hours from 6 a.m. until an hour after dark. There's also an indoor golf simulator offering virtual games from 40 championship courses around the world, including the original St. Andrews in Scotland. For the St.

Where is Jeff Breuer Golf Course?

Tucked away in northern Minnesota (three hours north of Minneapolis), the Jeff Breuer design offers a beguiling mix of par-4s, including the 13th, where you can go for the elevated green (anywhere from 239 yards to 323 yards away) or lay back for a wedge approach.

What is the Warren Course at Notre Dame?

Warren Course at Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind. (ranked 70th; $70) Notre Dame didn’t always have a golf course that represented the institution’s lofty ideals. It does now after William Warren paved the way for Coore & Crenshaw to build this new course in 1999.

Where is the oldest golf course in the United States?

20 Wailua Municipal Golf Course - Lihue, Hawaii. Hawaii is one of the most naturally beautiful places in the world, so it makes sense that one of its oldest golf courses would also be one of the most stunning municipal courses in the United States.

What is tobacco road golf?

But Tobacco Road Golf Course offers its own kind of history and allure as it was built on an old tobacco farm land. This course is a little pricier than others on this list as it will cost around $120 to play here, but it looks justifiable (if it's near your budget) from the photos. This looks like a classic, rustic golf course at its finest. Plus you'd imagine that they have some of the finest cigars offerings as well given the course history.

Is Riverdale Golf Club affordable?

After being ranked as one of "America's most affordable golf courses" by Golf Magazine and "One of America's Best Courses Every One Can Play" by Golf Digest, it was all but guaranteed that Riverdale Golf Club would find its way onto this list at some point.

Where is Wild Horse Golf Club?

Wild Horse Golf Club is one of the best and it feels like you are in the middle of Scotland, instead of Nebraska.

Is golf expensive?

Playing on an exceptional golf course doesn't always require dipping into one's savings. Here are some great courses to try while on a budget. It's impossible to avoid in an article like this so let's just come out and say it right off the bat: golf is a very expensive sport.

Is Bethpage Black a public course?

Similar to Torrey Pines, Bethpage Black is a public golf course that provides steep discounts to area residents.

1. Promote the Golf Course on Instagram

Promoting the golf course you want to play on Instagram is a great way to golf for free.

2. Retrieve and Donate Golf Balls to the Golf Course

Okay, so you don’t do Instagram. It’s not really for you, you’d rather throw up everywhere than make an Instagram account about golf, fair enough, it’s not for everyone.

3. Work Part-Time at the Golf Course

Okay, so you’re not into this Instagram idea, and you don’t really feel like going into the woods in the dead of night with a flashlight to find some golf balls. Again, fair enough.

Conclusion

To conclude, golf is expensive and paying a golf course $50-$60 a round on a regular basis adds up, and it adds up quickly.

Top 100 Value Courses in the U.S

Green fees are published 18-hole walking rates (or inclusive of cart fees when carts are mandatory). Asterisk denotes rates that are subject to change based on seasonal and/or dynamic pricing.

3. Sand Hollow (Championship)

Out amid the red rocks of southern Utah, a camera is almost as vital as your clubs. Against this National Geographic backdrop, Sand Hollow cuts a photogenic path, its holes specked with spiky desert vegetation and red-sand bunkers that complement their ruddy, stone surrounds.

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Fewer Clubs, More Creativity

Is your game stuck in a rut? Are you playing the same course and hitting the same shots time and again? If so, here’s a simple solution: try a round with a minimalist set . Below I’ll lay out a few different approaches and some of the benefits you’ll get from carrying fewer clubs.

Minimalist Set Options

There are countless ways to approach a minimalist set, but here are a few ideas to get you started.

Benefits of a Minimalist Set

The biggest benefit to your game will be an increased ability to create shots. Most of us play fairly robotic golf – “It’s 150 yards. I’ll hit my 8I.” If your 8I is gone, you’ll be forced to hit a hard 9I or a soft 7I.