How much is a round of golf? The simple answer is, it changes a lot. Playing golf costs different amounts depending on where you play, when you play, and what kind of course it is. You might pay as little as $10 to play 9 holes at a small town course. Or you could pay $500 or more to play 18 holes at a famous course. The average cost for 18 holes at a public course is often around $30 to $60. But this can easily go higher or lower.
This guide will help you find out how much a round of golf costs. We will look at why golf course rates are so different. We will cover Green fees, talk about the Average golf cost, and give you a Golf pricing guide. We will also look at Public course prices and Private course fees. We will see how Twilight rates and Weekend green fees change the price. We will also cover the Cost to play 18 holes and how to find Affordable golf courses.
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About Green Fees
Green fees are the main cost you pay to play golf. It is the money you pay to use the course itself. This fee lets you play all the holes, usually 18, sometimes 9. It is like buying a ticket to enjoy the grass, fairways, and greens for your game.
What the Green fees cover can be different. Sometimes, the price is just for playing. You might pay extra for a golf cart. Other times, the cart is part of the Green fees. Practice balls for the driving range might also be included sometimes. It all depends on the golf course.
Why Golf Costs Are Not Always The Same
Many things make golf course rates different. It is not just one reason. Think about many things adding up to the final price. Here are some big reasons why prices change:
- Where the golf course is located.
- If the course is open to everyone or for members only.
- What time of day or day of the week you play.
- The time of year, like summer or winter.
- How nice the course is and how well it is kept.
- What extra things you get with your round, like a cart.
Let’s look at these reasons more closely. This helps you understand the wide range of prices.
Where The Golf Course Sits
The place where a golf course is built matters a lot for its price. A course in a busy city will likely cost more than one in a quiet country area. Land is more expensive in cities. More people live nearby, so there are more players who might visit.
Courses in popular vacation spots or resort areas also cost more. Think about playing golf in Florida in winter or Arizona in spring. Lots of people want to play there then. High demand means higher prices. A course near the beach might cost more than one in the middle of a state.
Courses in places with nice weather all year might have steady, higher prices. Courses in places with cold winters have prices that change a lot. Prices might be high in summer and very low in the spring or fall, or closed in winter.
Regional differences are clear. Golf course rates in the Northeast or California can be much higher than in the Midwest or Southeast. This is often about how many people live there and the cost of living in that area.
Public vs. Private Golf Courses
This is one of the biggest reasons for different golf costs.
How Public Courses Price Their Rounds
Public courses are open for anyone to play. You do not need to be a member. You just pay the Green fees for that day. Public course prices are usually lower than private courses. This is because they make money from everyone who plays. They need many players to make a profit.
Public courses can be owned by the city or state (municipal courses). These often have the lowest prices. They are there for local people to enjoy. They might not be fancy, but they are good places to play for less money. You can find many Affordable golf courses in this group.
Other public courses are owned by companies (daily fee courses). These can range a lot in price and quality. Some are like nice country clubs but are open to the public. Their Green fees will be higher. Others are more basic and cost less. The Average golf cost is lowest at municipal courses. Daily fee courses can have average to higher-than-average costs for public play.
Public course prices are often the most helpful part of a Golf pricing guide for most players. They are where most people play golf.
Getting a Feel for Private Course Costs
Private courses are very different. You cannot just walk up and pay to play like at a public course. You must be a member or be invited by a member. The main cost here is not Green fees for each game. It is the cost of membership.
Private course fees include a big fee to join (an initiation fee). This can be from a few thousand dollars to $100,000 or even much more at very fancy clubs. On top of that, members pay money each month or year (dues). These dues can be hundreds or thousands of dollars every month.
When a member plays, they might pay a small Green fee, but often playing is included in the dues. Guests of members pay a guest Green fee. This guest fee is usually high, maybe $50 to $200 or more. But it is still often less than the cost of a round at a very high-end public course.
The cost of playing a round at a private course, if you are a guest, is generally higher than most public course prices. But the real cost for members is spread out over their large joining fee and regular dues. Private course fees are not listed on a simple Golf pricing guide for the public.
When You Play Matters For The Price
The time of day and day of the week are big factors in golf course rates.
Weekend Green Fees
Playing golf on the weekend usually costs more than playing on a weekday. More people have time off on Saturday and Sunday. So, demand is high. Golf courses charge more when lots of people want to play. Weekend green fees are the highest regular prices you will see. The Cost to play 18 holes on a Saturday morning is often the peak price at many courses.
Grasping Twilight Rates
Twilight rates are special prices for playing later in the day. As the afternoon turns into evening, courses often lower their Green fees. This is called a twilight rate. The exact time twilight starts changes with the seasons. In summer, it might start at 3 PM or 4 PM. In fall, it might start earlier, like 2 PM.
Twilight rates are much lower than morning or afternoon rates. The downside is you might not finish all 18 holes before it gets dark. But if you want Affordable golf courses and do not mind playing faster or fewer holes, twilight is a great option. The price drop can be big.
Understanding Other Time Factors
Many courses also have lower rates for playing very early in the morning (sometimes called “sunrise” or “early bird” rates). Playing in the middle of a weekday is often cheaper than playing on the weekend morning. Some courses have different rates for morning, afternoon, and twilight play, not just two prices. This is part of their complex Golf pricing guide.
How The Season Impacts The Cost
The time of year is very important for golf prices. In places with four seasons, prices are highest when the weather is best for golf. This is usually late spring, summer, and early fall. This is the “peak season.”
In places with warm winters, like Florida or Arizona, the peak season is often the winter and early spring. This is when people from colder places visit to escape the snow. Prices go up a lot then.
During the “off-season” (cold or very hot months), prices drop a lot. Courses need players during these times. You can find very Affordable golf courses during the off-season. The course might not be in perfect shape, or the weather might not be ideal, but the price is low.
Even in the peak season, prices might change. Right after the course opens in spring, prices might be lower than in mid-summer. Prices might drop a bit in late fall before closing or before the weather gets bad.
Deciphering The Quality and Reputation
Not all golf courses are built or kept the same way. A famous course designed by a top golf course designer will cost more than a simple local course. A course that is always in perfect condition with smooth greens and nice fairways costs more to maintain. The Green fees reflect this cost.
High-end public courses with fancy clubhouses, great practice areas, and excellent service will have higher golf course rates. These are sometimes called “resort” or “trophy” courses. The Cost to play 18 holes at these places can be hundreds of dollars.
Basic public courses with fewer staff, simpler buildings, and greens that are just okay will have lower prices. They are still fun to play, but they cost less to run. These are often listed among Affordable golf courses.
The reputation of a course also matters. If a course has hosted a big tournament or is known around the world, people will want to play there. This high demand lets the course charge more.
What Else Is Included (Or Not)
The basic Green fees might just be for walking the course. But often, the price includes more things.
Golf Cart Costs
Most golfers use a golf cart to ride around the course. Carts save time and energy, especially on hilly courses. Sometimes, the cost of a golf cart is included in the Green fees. Other times, it is an extra fee on top of the Green fees.
Cart fees can range from $10 to $25 per person or more for 18 holes. If you plan to ride, always check if the cart is included in the listed Green fees. If not, add that cost to the Green fees to get the total Cost to play 18 holes. Walking is often an option at public courses and saves you the cart fee. Some courses even give a small discount for walking.
Practice Area Use
Many golf courses have a driving range or practice area. Some courses include the use of the practice area or a bucket of balls with your Green fees. Others charge extra for practice balls. This is a small cost, maybe $5 to $15, but it adds to the total cost of your golf day. High-end courses are more likely to include practice facilities in their Green fees.
Other Possible Fees
Sometimes there are small extra fees. Maybe a locker fee, or a fee for range finders if you rent one. These are usually not a big part of the total cost, but it is good to know about them.
Looking At Average Golf Cost
It is hard to say exactly what the Average golf cost is because there is such a big range. But we can give some general numbers for public courses.
- Basic Municipal or Older Public Courses: $20 – $40 for 18 holes (often walking). Cart extra.
- Mid-Range Daily Fee Public Courses: $30 – $60 for 18 holes (often includes cart or cart is $15-20 extra). Nicer conditions, maybe practice area included.
- Higher-End Daily Fee or Resort Public Courses: $60 – $150+ for 18 holes (often includes cart and practice balls). Very nice conditions, good service.
- Peak Season / Weekend Rates: Add $10 – $40+ to the prices above.
- Twilight Rates: Subtract $10 – $50+ from the peak daytime rates.
Remember, these are just averages. Prices vary a lot by region and the specific course. The Cost to play 18 holes can be outside these ranges on both the low and high ends.
Interpreting A Golf Pricing Guide
When you look at a golf course’s website or call them, you are looking at their Golf pricing guide. This guide shows different rates based on when you want to play.
A typical Golf pricing guide might list prices like this:
| Time Slot | Day Type | 18 Holes Price | 9 Holes Price | Cart Included? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird (Open – 8 AM) | Weekday | $40 | $25 | No | Walkers welcome |
| Standard Rate | Weekday | $55 | $35 | Yes | Most popular time |
| Twilight | Weekday | $35 | $20 | Yes | Starts at 3 PM |
| Super Twilight | Weekday | $20 | $15 | No | Starts at 5 PM, maybe only 9 holes |
| Early Bird (Open – 7:30 AM) | Weekend | $60 | $40 | No | Walkers welcome |
| Standard Rate | Weekend | $75 | $50 | Yes | Peak weekend rates |
| Twilight | Weekend | $50 | $35 | Yes | Starts at 3:30 PM |
This is a simple example. Many courses have more complex pricing guides. They might have special rates for seniors, juniors, or military members. They might have deals if you book online. Always check the specific course’s Golf pricing guide.
Finding Affordable Golf Courses
If you love golf but want to save money, there are ways to find Affordable golf courses.
- Play Public Courses: Look for municipal courses or older daily fee courses. These often have lower Green fees.
- Play at Cheaper Times: Twilight rates are a great way to save. Playing on weekdays instead of weekends is also cheaper. Play in the off-season if possible.
- Walk Instead of Ride: If the course allows it, walking saves you the cart fee. It is also good exercise.
- Look for Deals Online: Many golf courses offer lower prices if you book your tee time online through their website or a booking app. They want to fill empty spots.
- Play 9 Holes: The Cost to play 18 holes is usually more than double the cost of 9 holes. If you do not have time or want to save money, play only 9 holes.
- Buy Discount Cards or Memberships: Some local areas or course groups offer cards that give you lower Green fees.
- Play Courses Slightly Out of Town: Courses a bit further from cities or popular areas often have lower golf course rates.
Finding Affordable golf courses is possible with a little looking. You might sacrifice some course quality or play at less popular times, but you can enjoy the game for less.
Cost to Play 18 Holes vs. 9 Holes
Most golfers think of a full round as 18 holes. The Green fees listed are usually for 18 holes. However, many courses let you play just 9 holes. The Cost to play 9 holes is typically less than half the price of 18 holes. It might be 60-70% of the 18-hole price.
Why is 9 holes not exactly half price? Because the course still has costs no matter how many holes you play. They still need staff, maintenance, and so on. Charging a bit more than half helps cover those costs.
If you are new to golf, short on time, or want a quicker, cheaper game, playing 9 holes is a good choice. Check the Golf pricing guide for 9-hole rates.
Factors That Are Rising Golf Costs
Over time, the cost of golf can go up. Several things cause this.
- Course Maintenance: Keeping a golf course nice costs a lot of money. Water, fertilizer, mowing, fixing things – it all adds up. These costs go up over time.
- Staff Wages: Paying the people who work at the course, from the pro shop to the grounds crew, is a big cost. Wages can rise.
- Land Costs: If a course is on valuable land, the taxes and the simple value of the land can push prices up.
- Building and Equipment: Fixing buildings or buying new mowers and carts are big expenses.
- Demand: If more people want to play golf, courses can charge more. This is especially true for popular courses.
These rising costs mean that Green fees often slowly go up over the years. The Average golf cost increases.
Getting More From Your Golf Money
Even if golf costs money, you can feel like you get good value.
- Play a Course That Is Well-Kept: Playing a course with nice fairways and smooth greens feels better and is often worth a bit more money.
- Choose the Right Time: Playing at a time that works for you is important. If paying more for a weekend morning means you can play, it might be worth it.
- Think About What’s Included: If a course includes a cart and range balls in the Green fees, it might be a better deal than a cheaper course where you pay extra for everything. Compare the total Cost to play 18 holes, not just the base Green fees.
- Check Course Reviews: Before you play a new course, see what other players say. Is the course worth the price they charge?
A good Golf pricing guide is just the start. Think about the whole experience.
Special Deals and How To Find Them
Beyond twilight rates and off-season play, there are other ways to find lower golf course rates.
- Email Lists: Sign up for email lists for local golf courses. They often send out special offers and discounts.
- Golf Apps and Websites: Websites and phone apps like GolfNow, TeeOff, or Supreme Golf let you book tee times and often show discounted prices, especially for less popular times. Sometimes you can find very cheap “hot deals.”
- Package Deals: If you are traveling to play golf, look for packages that include hotel stays and golf rounds. These can save money compared to booking everything separately.
- Loyalty Programs: Some groups of courses or individual courses have loyalty programs. You might get a discount after playing a certain number of rounds, or earn points for free rounds.
- Local Resident Rates: If you live near a course, ask if they have a special rate for local people. Many municipal courses and some daily fee courses offer this.
- Punch Cards: Some courses sell punch cards where you buy 5 or 10 rounds at a discount price per round.
Finding these deals takes a little effort, but it can lower the Cost to play 18 holes quite a bit. This helps make golf more accessible and puts more options in the Affordable golf courses group.
Junior And Senior Rates
Many golf courses offer lower prices for young players (juniors) and older players (seniors).
Junior rates are usually for players under 18. These rates are often much lower than adult rates. Courses want to help young people get into the game.
Senior rates are usually for players age 55, 60, or 65 and older. These rates are typically lower than the standard adult weekday rate. They are a nice benefit for older players who might be on a fixed income or play more often during the week. Weekend green fees might not have a senior discount, or the discount might be smaller.
Always ask about junior or senior rates if they apply to you. They are part of how golf course rates are set up to welcome different players.
Fathoming The Full Cost Of A Golf Day
The Green fees are the main cost, but a full day of golf might cost more when you add everything up.
Think about these possible extra costs:
- Golf Cart: If not included in Green fees.
- Practice Balls: For warming up.
- Food and Drinks: A hot dog, a sandwich, or drinks from the cart or clubhouse.
- Pro Shop Purchases: New balls, gloves, tees, or maybe a shirt.
- Tips: For the cart staff or other workers at high-end courses.
- Gas: Driving to the course.
So, while the Green fees for the Cost to play 18 holes might be $50, your total spending for the day could easily be $70, $80, or more, especially if you use a cart and buy food.
This is part of the total cost of enjoying the game. It is helpful to think about these extra costs when planning your golf budget. Looking for Affordable golf courses helps keep the base cost low, which helps the total cost too.
The Value Of Different Price Points
Why pay $100+ for a round when you can play somewhere else for $40? The value is different for different people.
- For the $100+ Course: You might get a perfectly kept course, amazing views, a famous design, great service, and included carts and practice areas. The experience is often a key part of the value. It is a treat or a special trip. The Green fees match the high quality and demand.
- For the $40 Course: You get a place to play golf. The course might be simple, the conditions okay but not perfect. You might walk or pay extra for an older cart. The value is the chance to play the game you love for a low price. These are truly Affordable golf courses that focus on the basic game.
Both types of courses have value. It just depends on what you are looking for and what you can afford. The Golf pricing guide for different courses shows this range of value and experience. The Average golf cost includes all these types, which is why it is just an average and the real price varies so much.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions people ask about how much golf costs.
How much does it cost for beginners to start playing golf?
Starting golf costs more than just Green fees. You need clubs, balls, shoes, and clothes. You might also want lessons. Used clubs can be bought for $100-$300. New basic sets are $200-$500. Lessons might be $50-$100+ per hour. Green fees for beginners are best kept low, playing at Affordable golf courses or 9-hole rounds. The total start-up cost can be $300 to $1000 or more, plus the cost of playing rounds.
Is golf an expensive hobby?
Compared to some hobbies, golf can be expensive, mostly because of the cost of playing rounds (Green fees), buying gear, and maybe joining clubs. However, there are ways to make it less expensive, like playing at public courses during off-peak times, buying used gear, and looking for deals. It is as expensive as you make it by choosing where and when you play.
Can I play golf for free?
Almost never at a real golf course. Some places might have a free putting green. But playing rounds on fairways and greens requires paying Green fees or membership dues. Golf courses cost a lot to build and care for.
What is the cheapest way to play 18 holes?
Look for a municipal course or a very basic public course. Play during a weekday, perhaps in the late afternoon (twilight rate), or during the off-season. Walk the course instead of using a cart. Look for online hot deals. This combination often leads to the lowest Cost to play 18 holes. These are the true Affordable golf courses.
How much do golf balls cost?
Golf balls cost a lot less than Green fees, but you lose them! A pack of good golf balls (12 balls) can cost $20 to $50+. Basic balls are cheaper, maybe $15-$20 per dozen. You can buy used balls cleaned up for much less, like $10-$20 for a dozen or more. This adds to the cost of playing, as you will need new balls sometimes.
Final Thoughts on Golf Costs
Playing golf offers fresh air, exercise, and a fun challenge. The cost to play can change a lot. Factors like where the course is, if it’s public or private, the time of day, and the season all affect the price. Green fees are the main cost, but cart fees and other things add up.
You can find the Average golf cost for different types of courses, but the real price you pay depends on your choices. By checking a Golf pricing guide, looking for Twilight rates, playing on weekdays instead of paying high Weekend green fees, or finding Affordable golf courses, you can manage how much your round costs.
Whether you pay a little or a lot, the goal is to enjoy your time on the course. Knowing why the prices vary helps you make smart choices about where and when to play. The Cost to play 18 holes is not fixed; it is a range with options for almost any budget.