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With more than 15,000 golf courses in the country, finding a course to play a reasonably priced round can feel as challenging as hitting the Island Green at TPC Sawgrass.
We don’t have tips to get rid of your horrendous slice or a solution to your three-putt woes. But we can help reduce your stress before stepping onto that first tee box by recommending 50 breathtaking courses that won’t break the bank.
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If you’re searching for that diamond in the deep rough, here’s a gem in each state that you can play for under $100:
Alabama
The Short Course at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National
Opelika, Alabama
The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a golfer’s dream —a collection of highly regarded courses at 11 sites across Alabama. While most courses on the trail cost just over $100, you can play the Short Course at Grand National for around $50. The 18-hole, par 3, with its creative layout mainly along the lake, is a great way to experience the top-rate facility at the Grand National in a more casual setting.
Alaska
Moose Run’s Hill Course and Creek Course make up the America's northernmost 36-hole golf facility.
The Henebrys
Anchorage, Alaska
The country’s largest state has the fewest courses and the shortest golf season. According to golf.com, just eight of the 22 courses in the state have 18 holes, and they’re all public. But the state has something unique to offer golfers: the possibility of having to wait for moose to clear the green before lining up a putt. Moose Run is Alaska’s only 36-hole facility and has stunning views of the Chugach Mountains as its backdrop. Green fees are $54 or less.
Arizona
At Papago Golf Club, players can immerse themselves in the thrill of the game while soaking in the beauty of the desert landscape, making every round at Papago a memorable experience.
Dave Sansom
Phoenix, Arizona
The Phoenix-Scottsdale area has become a golf mecca and hosts “The Greatest Show on Grass” – the wild-and-crazy Waste Management Phoenix Open. While there are plenty of public options in the area, Papago is right next to the airport and is one of the most affordable. You can get an afternoon tee time for under $100. The course, home to the Arizona State University men’s and women’s golf teams, features spectacular views of the Papago Buttes and Camelback Mountain.
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Arkansas
Cabot, Arkansas
This par-72 course outside of Little Rock has Zoysia grass and can accommodate all skill levels – with a more than 2,000-yard difference between the gold (7,392) and green (5,218) tees. Rates range from just $55 to $67.
California
Pacific Grove, California
With over 900 courses, California has more golfing options than any other state except Florida. But it’s hard to beat Pacific Grove when it comes to views and affordability. With beautiful Cypress trees, glimpses of Monterey Bay and an ocean-side back nine, this links course offers a lot of bang for its buck. From Monday to Thursday, green fees are $62.
Colorado
Delta, Colorado
The prairie-style links course surrounded by Adobe Hills is at the base of the world’s highest flat-top mountain—Grand Mesa—and has been described by some golfers as like playing on the moon. Mondays and Fridays are Senior Days, costing only $40 for 18 holes.
Connecticut
Bloomfield, Connecticut
The par-70 layout with a mix of links-style and tree-lined holes was famed golf course architect Pete Dye’s first design in New England. Despite being a hilly course, it’s very walkable, and seniors can play for a mere $15 on weekdays.
Delaware
Townsend, Delaware
While the par-72 course is a little on the shorter side —playing 6,961 from the black tees and 5,693 from the gold —the bunker placement and doglegs make for a challenging round for all skill levels. On weekdays, seniors can play for $42.
Florida
Fort Myers, Florida
Golf.com ranked each state for its golfiness, and Florida took the crown. It has four PGA Tour events at public–access courses and many golf legends — including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy —have homes there.
While there are more than 1,000 courses in the state to choose from, “The Fort,” as locals call it, is unique for keeping some of its old charm —it opened in 1917. Don’t be fooled by “Country Club” being in its name. The course is part of Fort Myers’ Parks and Recreation Department. You can walk an afternoon round for as little as $20.
Georgia
Braselton, Georgia
The Chateau Elan offers three courses —including a nine-hole, par-3 walking course with lengths ranging from under 100 yards to over 200 yards —that are set among 4,000 acres of vineyards. While you can find afternoon tee times for under $100 at the two 18-hole courses, the executive course can be played anytime for as little as $25.
Hawaii
Wailua’s 17th hole, a 173-yard par 3, is its signature hole with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. Wailua Golf Course was first built as a 9-hole golf course in the 1930s; the second 9 holes were added in 1961.
Billy Satterfield/Golf Course Gurus
Kauai County, Hawaii
It’s hard to be in Hawaii and not have stunning views, and this oceanfront municipal course has plenty of them. It’s only $60 for non-residents to play a weekend or holiday round —which is worth it for the scenery alone — and there are senior and super senior (75 or older) rates for Kaua'i residents at $15 or less.
Idaho
Jug Mountain Ranch Golf Course
Valley County, Idaho
With miles of mountain bike trails, an event space for family reunions and weddings, and a clubhouse restaurant with a scenic outdoor setting, golfing is just one way to take in the picturesque setting at the ranch beneath Jughandle Mountain’s 8,310-foot peak. The course has weekend senior rates under $70.
Illinois
Homewood, Illinois
World-renowned golf course designer Donald Ross renovated the 123-year-old course with deep bunkers and challenging greens in 1916. Nearly a century later, a veterinary surgeon purchased Ravisloe in February 2009 and opened it to the public. It lives up to its billing as “a public course with a country club experience.” You can find tee times for $50 or less.
Indiana
The Pfau Course, on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, was designed by architect Steve Smyers and two-time major winner and Hoosier native Fuzzy Zoeller. The course offers a unique, world-class layout set in the natural beauty of southern Indiana.
Courtesy: Visit Bloomington
The Pfau Course at Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana
Located on the campus of Indiana University, the Pfau Course opened in 2020. It was designed by architect Steve Smyers and Fuzzy Zoeller, a two-time major winner born and raised in Indiana. The par-71 design features 147 bunkers and has six tee boxes ranging from 4,586 to 7,908 yards. Green fees are $80 on weekdays and $95 from Friday to Sunday, but check the Hoosiers’ football schedule for pricing, as premium rates may apply to home football weekends.
Iowa
Riverside, Iowa
The Rees Jones-designed course has beautiful views overlooking rivers and artificial lakes. Located at Riverside Casino and Golf Resort, the facilities offer plenty of food, entertainment and lodging options to make a weekend out of your golf trip. While rounds cost up to $95, seniors over 60 can play Sunday to Tuesday for only $68.
Kansas
Garden City, Kansas
The municipal course that opened in 1976 has a sprinkling of trees, which makes for a wide-open layout that offers little protection from the strong Kansas wind. With green fees only $30 for 18 holes (without cart) on weekends and holidays, it’s hard to beat the price.
The course also offers reasonably priced annual membership options for seniors over 65, starting at $360. And Buffalo Dunes is only getting better, with a renovation plan set to be completed in 2026 to mark the course’s 50th anniversary.
