Golf Digest has a great listing of America's 100 Greatest Public Courses, which are the best tracks in the U.S. that anyone can play. But let's say that the most you're willing to spend to play one of these great golf courses is $200. Which ones can you play?
As you might expect, the majority of these 100 courses will break that budget. But there are 20 courses on the list that you can afford to play. Let's explore them. We've grouped them into levels of affordability.
(Note: The prices listed in this article are peak season for non-residents. You can probably golf for less if you: play non-peak season; are a resident of the city or state where the course is located; are a senior, junior, or active/retired military; are willing to play very early morning or late afternoon.)
Top 100 courses $100 and under (3 of 20)
Wild Horse Golf Club - Gothenburg, Nebraska
Weekend: $75. Weekday: $61. Cart (optional): $25.
Wild Horse Golf Club is rated one of the best golf courses in the U.S. Several golf magazines rank it highly in their prestigious ratings, among them Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and Golfweek Magazine.
Black Mesa Golf Club - Espanola, New Mexico
Weekend: $92. Weekday: $72. Cart: included.
Colorful sandstone rock formations cut the New Mexico sky, fairways roll across the valleys like carpet, and dramatic bunkering and green contouring seamlessly blend with their native surroundings. This is one of the Southwest’s most demanding courses.
Bethpage Red - Farmingdale, New York
Weekend: $100. Weekday: $90. Cart (optional): $40.
Bethpage Red is not as famous as its sister course, Bethpage Black. This classic A.W. Tillinghast design is known for its strong par-4s and strategic bunkering. Tree-lined fairways and open stretches with fescue bunkers demand accuracy for a memorable round.
Top 100 courses $101 to $150r (6 of 20)
The Wilderness at Fortune Bay - Tower, Minnesota
Weekend: $115. Weekday: $115. Cart: included.
Located on beautiful Lake Vermilion, national golf publications consistently rank The Wilderness as one of the best golf courses in the country. In 2023, Golfweek rated it the No. 3 public golf course in Minnesota and No. 7 Best Casino Course in the U.S.
Virtues Golf Club - Nashport, Ohio
Weekend: $120. Weekday: $80. Cart: included.
The parkland-style course blends seamlessly with its pristine natural surroundings. The course wanders gracefully from ridge top to valley, featuring wide rolling fairways and immaculate greens framed by stately stands of mature trees, with panoramic views.
The Links Course at Lawsonia - Green Lake, Wisconsin
Weekend: $125. Weekday: $125. Cart: included.
This track has long been considered one of the best classic golf courses in the country. It features deep bunkers, wide fairways, and a set of putting greens that are as interesting and as good as anything you will find in the country.
The Pfau Course At Indiana University - Bloomington, Indiana
Weekend: $125. Weekday: $95. Cart: included.
Indiana’s flagship university boasts an elite, championship golf course that is among the premiere public golf courses in the Midwest. The Pfau Course utilizes the area’s natural topography, highlighting the combination of forest, open space, and forest edges.
The Quarry at Giant's Ridge - Aurora, Minnesota
Weekend: $130. Weekday: $115. Cart: included.
The Quarry was built on the site of an old sand/gravel and iron ore mining operation and is now the No. 1Â public golf course in Minnesota, according to Golf Digest. Since its opening, it has been ranked in the top 20 public courses in the U.S. every year it has been eligible.
Belvedere Golf Club - Charlevoix, Michigan
Weekend: $150. Weekday: $150. Cart: included.
Belvedere isn’t long by modern standards, but the challenge lies in the short game around the dynamic green complexes, which features subtle undulations, ridges, and slopes that fall off to chipping areas. The course opened in 1927, and soon became a respected tournament venue.
Top 100 courses $151 to $200 (11 of 20)
Bethpage Black - Farmingdale, New York
Weekend: $160. Weekday: $140. Walking only.
The Black Course at Bethpage State Park needs no introduction. Home of the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Open Championships, it is the crown jewel of public golf on Long Island and one of the most feared and revered courses – public or private – in the U.S.
The Wilderness Club - Eureka, Montana
Weekend: $164. Weekday: $1459 Cart: included.
Designed by the legendary Sir Nick Faldo, the Wilderness Club championship golf course is recognized as the No. 57 ranked golf course in America by Golf Digest (September 2021) and No. 1 in Montana by Golf Week (2022). It features spectacular views.
The Bull at Pinehurst Farms - Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin
Weekend: $165. Weekday: $129. Cart: included.
A Jack Niklaus Signature Course, The Bull offers a beautiful variety of risk-reward holes that blend naturally with the wetlands, woodlands, and rivers that fill its 400 acres.
Tullymore Golf Resort - Stanwood, Michigan
Weekend: $175. Weekday: $145. Cart: "small fee."
Shortly after opening in 2002, Tullymore was named the #1 new upscale public course in America by Golf Digest. With subtle undulations, the Tullymore course meanders through over 800 acres of woods, meadows, and wetlands. Greens are uniquely varied in both shape and size
Madden's on Gull Lake, Classic Course - Brainerd, Minnesota
Weekend: $175. Weekday: $160. Cart: $18.
Consistently rated in America’s Top 100 Greatest Public Courses by Golf Digest, The Classic features towering oaks and northern Minnesota beauty. Some tee times require using a caddy, so you may not be able to play under $200.
Taconic Golf Club - Williamstown, Massachusetts
Weekend: $180. Weekday: $180. (Walking rate.)
Located in the beautiful Berkshires of western Massachusetts. Taconic provides golfers with a magical combination of spectacular scenery and a classically challenging course. The land the course is on is owned by Williams College.
Cog Hill Golf & Country Club - No. 4 Dubsdread - Lemont, Illinois
Weekend: $189. Weekday: $163. Cart: included.
Course No. 4 at Cog Hill, or "Dubsdread" as it is commonly referred to, is a championship course that places a high demand on shot-making ability by providing tight landing areas combined with heavily bunkered, large undulating greens. Over the years, the course hosted numerous PGA Tour and USGA tournaments.
Forest Dunes, Loop Black Course - Roscommon, Michigan
Weekend: $195. Weekday: $160. Cart: $25.
The Loop course at Forest Dunes Golf Resort is a unique, reversible 18-hole layout designed by Tom Doak. Playing clockwise, The Black Course features wide fescue fairways, firm and fast conditions, and challenging green complexes that require strategic approaches from different angles each day.
Forest Dunes, Loop Red Course - Roscommon, Michigan
Weekend: $195. Weekday: $160. Cart: $25.
The Red Course routing plays counter-clockwise around The Loop, starting to the right of the 18th green and playing toward the red flag in the distance. There are red flags on the front 9 and white flags on the back, but if you’re ever unsure of which way to go, keep right except to pass.
Forest Dunes Golf Course - Roscommon, Michigan
Weekend: $195. Weekday: $160. Cart: $25.
Forest Dunes features a number of intriguing challenges including wide open meadows, hardwoods, century-old red and jack pines, rugged native dunes, scruffy sand areas, and water features. It was designed by British Open Champion Tom Weiskopf.
Wine Valley Golf Club - Walla Walla, Washington
Weekend: $200. Weekday: $179. Cart: included.
The course plays over rolling hills in the shadow of the Blue Mountains. Each hole affords multiple lines of play, ensuring a pleasant round for every golfer and a true challenge for those who seek it.
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