Last week, the latest ranking of the Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the U.S. was unveiled, just one week after the publication of the Top 100 Courses in the U.S. There are some stark differences between the two lists, with the former celebrating the best tracks in America where anyone can tee it up. While these courses are open to the public, it doesn’t mean they aren’t expensive, with many of them having eye-popping green fees.
The ranking of the Top 100 Courses You Can Play was determined by affordability, with courses ordered from most to least expensive. Some courses require a stay-and-play for access, others use dynamic pricing, or require caddies as part of the green fee. The majority of courses on the list fall into the $200-$399 bracket, with nearly a quarter of the list having green fees of less than $200. The club champion in terms of value is George Wright, No. 70 on the list, with a max green fee of $62, designed by Donald Ross.
The most expensive green fees on the Top 100 You Can Play ranking include Shadow Creek at $1,250, Firestone (South) at $550 plus overnight stay required, and Whistling Straits at $735. Pebble Beach tops the list at $675, followed by courses like TPC Sawgrass, Kiawah Island, and Harbour Town. On the other end of the spectrum, courses with rates from $200-$399 include Citrus Farms, Pasatiempo, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, and Bandon Dunes, among others.
The list also includes courses with green fees ranging from $400-$550, such as Four Seasons Lanai, Spyglass Hill, Pinehurst No. 10, Innisbrook, and Sheep Ranch. Additionally, there are courses with green fees for less than $200, such as Forest Dunes, American Dunes, Forest Dunes, Arcadia Bluffs, Taconic, and Wilderness Club. Some of the most affordable courses on the list include Bethpage (Black), Belvedere, French Lick (Ross Course), and George Wright, all under $200.
The affordability of these courses makes them accessible to a wider range of golfers, allowing them to experience some of the best public courses in the country without breaking the bank. The Top 100 Courses You Can Play list provides golfers with options across different price points, ensuring that there is a course for every budget. By highlighting the affordability of these courses, golf enthusiasts can plan their next golfing adventure without sacrificing quality or experience.
