Best courses based on value?

[Ian Andrew]

Toronto - it's always the nine-hole layouts that get overlooked.

I enjoy Uplands and Allandale. You can play Norfolk out my way despite it being private. But there's also a bunch of Stanley Thompson nines north of the city, which includes Muskoka Sands, that are all fun and worth playing.

But the best - nobody knows about it course - is Markham Green. It's in the city. Nine holes remain from the original 18-hole private course that once sat on the Rouge. Played it in its original form as a kid. It was a beauty! The existing nine (the middle holes) is pretty fun golf in a great valley setting.

[Frank Sekulic]

I would think Lawsonia Links and Wildhorse would have to top any list.

Did you see where Lawsonia Links fell out of the Nifty Fifty?

No, I did not see that but, I stand by my previous post

[John Kavanaugh]

I would think Lawsonia Links and Wildhorse would have to top any list.

Did you see where Lawsonia Links fell out of the Nifty Fifty?

No, I did not see that but, I stand by my previous post

A majority of thinking men do. Of which I am not one.

[Dan Boerger]

I played En-Joie Golf Club near Binghamton, NY this past fall and paid $35, which I thought was quite a value. (Walked, no cart)

[Rob Marshall]

Bethpage Black for $75 in state is incredible value. Even at $150 OOS it's pretty good for a major championship venue.

I think the value would be the Red. That's a really good course. What are they charging residents? $50?

[Tim Gavrich]

We recently released our annual crowd-sourced "Golfers' Choice" lists and one of them looks at the 25 highest-rated courses in the Value category (one of several we ask citizen golfers to give when they rate a course). Here are some that were on the list this year (based on reviews from last year):


22. Meadow Links @ George T. Bagby State Park (GA)
19. Lake Carroll Golf Course (IL)
16. Bucknell Golf Course (PA)
15. Souhegan Woods GC (NH)
11. Highlands @ Dove Mountain (AZ)
2. Old Hickory CC (WI)
1. Mozingo Lake Recreation Park Golf Course (MO)


Mozingo Lake definitely wins best value per letter in the name of the golf course.


I'm sure these courses aren't likely to be architectural world-beaters, but it's an interesting snapshot of courses in that sub-$60 green fee sweet spot where if everything else is on point, considering the popularity of the game and rising green fees everywhere, the value prop can feel very strong for many golfers.


Some of the courses with the highest quality per green fee that I've encountered would include


Charleston Muni (SC)
Connecticut National (CT)
Copake (NY)
Diamond Springs (MI)
Grand Beach (MI)
Jeffersonville (PA)
Keney Park (CT)
New Smyrna (FL)
Riviera (FL)
San Vicente (CA)
Winter Park 9 (FL)

[Stewart Abramson]

Deltona Club, is a very good Bobby Weed design North of Orlando, During peak season it's $49 in the am and $30 in the pm; $20-$35 the remainder of the year. Too bad conditions are so inconsistent.

[David Kelly]

It's been Rustic Canyon for 20+ years now.

[Michael Felton]

Bethpage Black for $75 in state is incredible value. Even at $150 OOS it's pretty good for a major championship venue.

I think the value would be the Red. That's a really good course. What are they charging residents? $50?

Red is $48 or $96 for out of state (at least it was last I heard). The other three are all the same price whether in or out of state (I think they're all $48 as well). Given the choice I'd play Black for $75 rather than Red for $48

[John Kavanaugh]

Has this thread created any value in anyone’s life?

[Sam Morrow]

Has this thread created any value in anyone’s life?

You've always made me smile.

[Dan_Callahan]

In my opinion, the best value golf in New England is Bretwood CC in NH. They have 36 holes, and both courses are equally fun. Greens always in great shape. Beautiful setting, very walkable, and great variety. It's $52 for 18 holes, which in the Northeast is a steal.

[David_Tepper]

Windsor GC and Rooster Run GC in Sonoma County, CA are both pretty good public courses. Green fees are $56 (Mon-Thur), $63 (Fri) and $75 (Sat-Sun). Good value for the greater Bay Area. Rates are discounted for residents, seniors, twilight, etc.
Windsor is probably the better course, with a nice routing around some streams and creek beds. For a number of years it was a stop on the then Hogan/Nike tour. I think both Tom Lehman and John Daly played in tournaments there back in the day. 

 

[Mike Bodo]

I played the Donald Ross Course at French Lick, IN last June for like $125.00, which I thought was a steal at the time - especially when compared to the $375.00 it cost for 18 at the Dye course there, which doesn't include caddie or forecaddie fee. Is the Pete Dye course $250.00 better than the Ross course? Not in my eyes. I enjoy playing the Ross course more.

[Rob Marshall]

Bethpage Black for $75 in state is incredible value. Even at $150 OOS it's pretty good for a major championship venue.

I think the value would be the Red. That's a really good course. What are they charging residents? $50?

Red is $48 or $96 for out of state (at least it was last I heard). The other three are all the same price whether in or out of state (I think they're all $48 as well). Given the choice I'd play Black for $75 rather than Red for $48

I've played the Black twice. It's not a lot of fun. Glad I played it. Played the Red once and loved it. Much more playable IMO.

[Mike Wagner]

We've had a lot of discussion of best courses, best new courses, and a lot of discussion of price increases in the UK. I think it might worthwhile to talk about best course value, as it adds another level of complexity to argue about.

I'm talking about goodness-per-unit cost.

Allowed:

• Cost needs to be the full visitor fee or a reasonable day rate if dynamic pricing.
• Unaccompanied fees only if private (if they don't have an unaccompanied rate then no rate is valid).
• Walking discounts are allowed.
• Weekday rates allowed.
•18-hole rates at 9-hole courses are also allowed.

Not allowed:

• No twilight allowed.
• No resident discounts.
• I'm going to already nix free-to-play courses for having potentially undefined value: no Bruntsfield or Buhl Park.
• Must be full 9-hole or 18-hole course: no kinds of "back nine only" type rates at courses like Pacific Grove.
• No season or annual rates for courses or clubs.

I honestly have no idea who would be at the top of the list, which is why I'm curious what everyone else has to say. If you think $405 at Pasatiempo ($22.50/hole) is more valuable than $46 for 18 at Northwood ($2.50/hole), then that's totally fair!

Very curious to see what folks have to say.

Gold Mountain

[Tim_Weiman]

Four come to mind for me:


Manakiki
Sleepy Hollow
Wilmington Municipal
Rec Park

[Tim Rooney]

Dan, CC of New Hampshire is historically a better course and value than
Brentwood.

[Chris Hughes]

Bethpage Black for $75 in state is incredible value. Even at $150 OOS it's pretty good for a major championship venue.

I think the value would be the Red. That's a really good course. What are they charging residents? $50?

$43 weekend/$48 weekend plus a $5 "reservation fee" if you have a tee time.  They didn't use to have the NON-RES pays double policy on the Red but the opens attracted so much traffic they changed it, I can't remember the exact year.



Everyone in our regular group would agree with you.  Both are exceptional but the consensus is we'd choose the Red if forced to pick one to play every day for the rest of our life.


In a word association game "value" would elicit "Los Verdes" from me...

[Dan_Callahan]

Dan, CC of New Hampshire is historically a better course and value than
Brentwood.

I like CC of NH a lot, but I’d rather play either of the Bretwood courses (and the Bretwood courses cost less). I appreciate that Bretwood consistently flies under the radar because that means it’s not hard to get a tee time, but I don’t understand why those two courses are so frequently overlooked.

[Tim Rooney]

WhenI was living in NH during the mid 70’s, Gene Sarazen was quoted saying if the conditions of CC New Hampshire were dramatically improved the course would be a highly visited venue.

[Alex_Hunter]

Every list on GCA inevitably contains American and some courses from the British Isles. I rarely see courses noted outside that group and perhaps these Canadian courses aren't up to the snuff of those listed here. But I figured I'd give a quick list a few of my favourites under $85 CAD (that's like $55 for those who are south of the border, cheaper if you are from the UK even).




Waterton Lakes (Thomson/Thompson - Alberta) - $67


Waskesiu (Thompson - Saskatchewan) - $83
Cooke Municipal (Cooke - Saskatchewan) - $66


Tarandowah (Hawtree - Ontario) - $80
Lakeview (Strong - Ontario) - $82


Grand Mere (Travis/Allison - Quebec) - $76


Just over $100 I would throw a vote behind Kawartha Golf Club (Thompson - Ontario) - $115 peak rate as an unaccompanied guest.

[Alex_Hunter]

Toronto - it's always the nine-hole layouts that get overlooked.

I enjoy Uplands and Allandale. You can play Norfolk out my way despite it being private. But there's also a bunch of Stanley Thompson nines north of the city, which includes Muskoka Sands, that are all fun and worth playing.

But the best - nobody knows about it course - is Markham Green. It's in the city. Nine holes remain from the original 18-hole private course that once sat on the Rouge. Played it in its original form as a kid. It was a beauty! The existing nine (the middle holes) is pretty fun golf in a great valley setting.

Norfolk is not private. It has some membership options but it is open to the public. Great nine hole course and very affordable.


Muskoka Sands is a patch of dirt. Has been for years now. Rumours of Pete Dye then Nicklaus doing work at Taboo included that land I believe. That project I believe is dead. I think OCM is now making a master plan for Taboo, not sure if it includes that land or not.


Not played Markham Green and I can't say I have heard anyone ever mention it. I'll think ill go check it out on your recommendation when I get to Cedar Brae.

[Jason_Bernardon]

Toronto - it's always the nine-hole layouts that get overlooked.

I enjoy Uplands and Allandale. You can play Norfolk out my way despite it being private. But there's also a bunch of Stanley Thompson nines north of the city, which includes Muskoka Sands, that are all fun and worth playing.

But the best - nobody knows about it course - is Markham Green. It's in the city. Nine holes remain from the original 18-hole private course that once sat on the Rouge. Played it in its original form as a kid. It was a beauty! The existing nine (the middle holes) is pretty fun golf in a great valley setting.

Norfolk is not private. It has some membership options but it is open to the public. Great nine hole course and very affordable.


Muskoka Sands is a patch of dirt. Has been for years now. Rumours of Pete Dye then Nicklaus doing work at Taboo included that land I believe. That project I believe is dead. I think OCM is now making a master plan for Taboo, not sure if it includes that land or not.


Not played Markham Green and I can't say I have heard anyone ever mention it. I'll think ill go check it out on your recommendation when I get to Cedar Brae.

Norfolk G&CC - my home club - is definitely open to the public and represents great value at $34 (~US$24) for 9 or $55 (~US$39) for 18.  You will definitely want to play 18 to get the better of the blind shots that face you on your first loop.  I encourage everyone here to come visit if you ever find yourself near Simcoe, Ontario, Canada.


Uplands is a lot of fun.  I've played very many rounds there very many years ago.  There is an argument to be had that the 8th hole, a 245 yard par 3 is one of the best par 3 holes in Canada.  My last visit was in 2017 and unfortunately the tree growth was very oppressive.  I don't see it changing anytime soon. 

[Tim Martin]

Every list on GCA inevitably contains American and some courses from the British Isles. I rarely see courses noted outside that group and perhaps these Canadian courses aren't up to the snuff of those listed here. But I figured I'd give a quick list a few of my favourites under $85 CAD (that's like $55 for those who are south of the border, cheaper if you are from the UK even).




Waterton Lakes (Thomson/Thompson - Alberta) - $67


Waskesiu (Thompson - Saskatchewan) - $83
Cooke Municipal (Cooke - Saskatchewan) - $66


Tarandowah (Hawtree - Ontario) - $80
Lakeview (Strong - Ontario) - $82


Grand Mere (Travis/Allison - Quebec) - $76


Just over $100 I would throw a vote behind Kawartha Golf Club (Thompson - Ontario) - $115 peak rate as an unaccompanied guest.

Alex-As the soon to be 51st state there will be more eyes on Canada’s lineup shortly.

[Tags:]

Tags: