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The Most Expensive Golf Courses in America

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The Most Expensive Golf Courses in America

Let’s face it, golf can be as expensive as you want it to be.

We’ve all seen those prestigious country clubs with initiation fees that make some of our mortgages seem like pocket change.  It may seem outrageous when you’re used to greens fees at your local home course coming in at about the same price as a quick dinner out   But the truth is that some of these “bucket list” courses are expensive for a reason.  They’re always well maintained, staff members treat you like a king, and the landscaping will usually take your breath away.

So for those warriors out there who want to break the bank  a bit and rub elbows with some of the elite, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 most expensive golf courses in America (we’re talking public courses anyone can play, private clubs are a whole other story).  If you play all 10, you’ll be $4,500 in the hole for greens fees alone!

10. Kiawah Island (Ocean Course) Kiawah Island, SC ($353)

The infamous Ocean Course at Kiawah has everything you’ll need for a memorable round. This beautifully landscaped course is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and hold footprints of some of the most famous faces on the PGA TOUR.   You can probably get a discounted rate on greens fees if you stay on the resort, but if you’re just going for the golf, $353 is what you’ll dish out to play these 18 holes.

Ocean Course at Kiawah Island.  Photo by KiawahResort.com

9. Whistling Straights (Straights Course) Kohler, Wisc ($360+$60 caddie)

After contacting the pro shop at the Straights Course, we were informed that you must use a caddie unless you plan to play twilight which yields a lower cost for the round (about $250).  The caddie cost is $60 on top of the $360 round and we don’t believe that includes the caddie’s tip which may bring the total experience just under $500 for 18 holes (read our complete guide to golf tipping for more on this).

8. French Lick Resort (Pete Dye Course) French Lick, IN ($350 + $30 caddie)

Not only will you drop a car payment’s worth on this course, but if you play it from the professional tees you’ll have 8,102 yards to cover over 18 holes.  That yardage ranks as one of the longest tracks in America right behind the 8,357 yard Painted Valley at the Promontory Club.  There is also a $30 caddie fee which does not include the tip. All in here you’re probably looking at around $450 for the day.

7.  Spyglass Hill Golf Course, Pebble Beach, CA ($370)

The beautiful Spyglass Hill Golf Course in Pebble Beach is one of the most scenic and alluring golf courses in the world.  The course likes to bring in resort guests by enticing them with discounted greens fees but if you were just swinging by to play a round you’ll be spending about $370 for the views and the challenge.  You do not need a caddie here so the cost should remain right around the $370 mark.

The Most Expensive Golf Courses in America - Spyglass Hill

Photo by travel-golf.org.

6.  Cordevalle Golf Club, San Martin, CA ($245 +$56-$105)

You have to stay at resort to play this course, so don’t try to just “walk on”.  As a resort guest greens fees will run you about $245 but be prepared to pay a hefty (on average) $80 caddie fee without the tip.  Cordevalle Golf Club is a magnificent golf course with a pristine landscape layout, but you’ll certainly pay for it, at close to $400 for this round with the caddie and tip (and that’s on top of the cost for your stay!).

5.  TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course), FL ($375)

TPC Sawgrass is a household name, as well as a bucket list course for most golfers.  The PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass plays home to the PLAYERS Championship with its notorious island 17th green.  This is public course that anybody can play but the price may hit you where it hurts.  To walk the fairways where Tiger, Jack, and Arnold all played, you’ll spend about $375 for the round and keep in mind that you’ll probably be spending a lot more buying souvenirs at the pro shop.  Money well spent as you riddle friends and family with your stories of playing here.

4.  Cascata Course, Boulder City, NV ($395 + $50 caddie)

This Vegas desert gem will easily cost you about $450 dollars with the caddie fee and probably close to $500 after you tip them for a day’s hard work in the hot dessert sun.  But have no fear, they do run a special, where if you play before 8:52am or after 1:18pm, the $395 is reduced to $350.  Generosity abounds!

The Most Expensive Golf Courses in America - Cascata

Photo via cascatagolf.com.

3.  Pinhurst No. 2, NC ($430 + 55 caddie)

The No. 2 course at the famous Pinhurst is easily one of the top five most desired golf courses to play in the United States.  Home of the 2014 US Open, this course will challenge you as well as tempt you to whip out the camera phone and snap pictures of each stunning hole.  While this course is a treat to play, it comes with a hefty $430 in greens fees plus a $55 caddie fee.  After you tip your caddie on the No.2 course, you’ll end up about half way to a cool grand to play the infamous track. However, there is some relief!  The round will only cost you $195 if you stay at resort, a bargain not easily passed up!

2.  Pebble Beach Golf Links, CA ($495)

If you ask an avid golfer to tell you his or her American dream golf course , 7 out 10 will emphatically bark out Pebble Beach.  This course played home to multiple PGA TOUR events over the years and has one of the best landscaped and most picturesque views on the entire west coast.  A true destination for the west coast golfer, this track will hit your wallet hard at about $500 for the round plus the memorabilia you’ll buy at the club house.  Add in a little Pebble Beach fine dining you’ll spend close to $600 for your day out here.  The good news however, is that it will be a day you’ll never forget.

1. Shadow Creek Golf Course, Las Vegas ($500 + Caddie Tip ($50-$100 per bag))

Known to some as the “high roller” course, this pricey nugget is tucked away in the desert of Las Vegas.  Shadow Creek provides MGM guests an easy chance to grab a tee time, but be aware that you’re about to play one of, if not, the most expensive round of golf you can play in the USA.  Recent confirmation from the pro shop tells us that Shadow Creek charges $500 for the round plus the caddie tip which ranges from $50-$100 per bag.  However, with it’s lush gardens and amazing waterfalls, the lofty price may just be justified, as evidenced by the fact that we recently dubbed Shadow Creek as our No. 1 public course to play in Las Vegas.  If you play a round here the course will even send a private limousine to pick you up from your resort.  Now that’s what we call a luxury round of golf!

The Most Expensive Golf Courses in America - Shadow Creek

Shadow Creek Golf Course. Photo via ShadowCreek.com.

Have you been fortunate enough to play any of these courses?  Let us know about your experience in the comments below.


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