Few things excite a golfer more than the discovery of a hidden gem, or a course that delivers an experience that is far greater than the price paid to play.
At Golf Advisor, we’ve looked at your ratings and reviews over the course of 2015 to determine which courses delivered the best bang-for-the-buck by finding the courses in the U.S. with the best Value subcategory rating.
“Value” and “cheap” are entirely different meanings. “Value” can come in the form of a $100 resort course that feels like it costs $200, or a $50 course that feels incredibly underpriced compared to its closest courses.
Value can also be fleeting thing. A course could find a rate sweet spot that leads to busier tee sheets, and in turn, slower pace of play and a drop in course conditions or service. Or maybe a course that’s been delivering tremendous value decides to raise their rates only to overshoot their customer base. Suddenly, the course next door becomes a potential threat to take over as the area’s value pick.
But when you find that round that excels on all fronts, and you keep coming back again and again, there isn’t much better feeling in recreational golf.
You’ll find the top 25 courses in our Value subcategory, both of which are very affordable courses, were so solid in 2015 they also made our Top 50 Overall ranking as well.
You can view the full top 25 list for 2015 below, as well as the estimated green fee and some quotes from golfers about their experience. Click on each course to view more detailed reviews and information.
Top 25 courses for value
Dickson, Tenn.
Price: $20-$40
What they're saying: "Greens were in great condition. ... Can't beat it for the value." -- MaconBacon83
Paris, Ky.
Price: $39-$47
What they're saying: "This is a course that you will want to play more than once, and is a very good value." -- Derry1757067
Mountain Top, Pa.
Price: $37-$46
What they're saying: "Compared to Philly and the suburbs what they charge here is a steal." -- u000008049429
Battle Creek, Mich.
Price: $39-$60
What they're saying: "Bedford Valley was the best value of this year!" -- Hearty
Lewisburg, Tenn.
Price: $32-$38
What they're saying: "Great value for money. Included range balls and a breakfast meal." -- David5104027
Conroe, Texas
Price: $25-$40
What they're saying: "Good course for the money." -- gregory2713471
Naples, Fla.
Price: $65
What they're saying: "Well worth the cost and very beautiful surroundings." -- u037882859
Twin Lake, Mich.
Price: $29-$57
What they're saying: "Sometimes challenging course definitely worth the $." -- u000005461914
Helen, Ga.
Price: $42-$52
What they're saying: "Great value as the price is reasonable." -- brucew55
16. The Trophy Club
Lebanon, Ind.
Price: $45-$65
What they're saying: "Played for $24 and it was a steal. Love it and can't wait to go back." -- rich7664144
Shelby, N.C.
Price: $42-$49
What they're saying: "best value in Western North Carlina. Highly recommended." -- Steve4370877
Moses Lake, Wash.
Price: $30-$55
What they're saying: "What a deal, the course was in good shape and I took two friends that loved it." -- tomrifenbery
Wagram, N.C.
Price: $15-$50
What they're saying: "Great Course, Great Staff, Great Deal. Truly a Pinehurst-style golf experience." -- moose23
Brunswick, Ga.
Price: $25-$55
What they're saying: "Nice course for the money. will play there whenever we visit brunswick." -- Msbixby
Prineville, Ore.
Price: $32-$38
What they're saying: "Good price for what you get." -- marshfox
Carrabelle, Fla.
Price: $40-$65
What they're saying: "The course is Beautiful. ... The price was great." -- u000005781768
Avon Park, Fla.
Price: $50
What they're saying: "5 star course with 3 star cost" -- Bare52head
Merry Hill, N.C.
Price: $35-$45
What they're saying: "A great value for the money. Will definitely play this course again." -- upanddowner
Colorado City, Colo.
Price: $19-$26
What they're saying: "Nice quiet hidden course worth the travel for the price." -- rtumbaga09
Lancaster, S.C.
Price: $45-$50
What they're saying: "Great place to play & best value in the area." -- jn3006
Pahrump, Nev.
Price: $49-$79
What they're saying: "3rd year coming back here-- still a jewel at an outstanding price!!" -- u000004893411
Perkins, Okla.
Price: $20-$36.50
What they're saying: "The rates are always affordable and the course is just a lot of fun." -- Mark2753991
Kingsland, Texas
Price: $20-$28
What they're saying: "Lighthouse is a fun course. ... The greens and fairways were in great shape, especially for August in Texas. The cost was excellent." -- wdhill
Burnet, Texas
Price: $30-$57
What they're saying: "For the price you cannot beat it." -- BJPGOLF45
Guntersville, Ala.
Price: $39-$59
What they're saying: "Excellent course for the price, if you like playing golf on a course with lots of hills and valleys." -- jmb112
Green fees are based on latest peak-season rates and are subject to change. In the case of resort courses, stay-and-play packages and specials often greatly reduce the price of the green fee. Many of these courses also offer dynamic online tee times, off-season and twilight rates that lower the green fee.
Lake Padden GC in Washington State is some of the best golf in the Northwest year round, at great prices. Always maintained well. Best kept secret in the area.
Boy did you make some mistakes: Eaglesticks in Zanesville, Ohio and Kennsington in Canfield, Ohio. The author needs to get out more.
Eaglesticks is excellent, I agree. In fact, I included it in my article on the 10 best courses under $50. However, this was a list based on 121,000 reviews from regular golfers, not our editorial staff's opinion.
http://www.golfadvisor.com/articles/top-golf-courses-under-50-dollars-15245.htm