If you love playing golf but are not at liberty to pay a $500 green fee in places like Pebble Beach or Shadow Creek, you are not alone. Good golf doesn’t have to break the bank. All over the U.S., there are public golf courses and golf-centered retirement communities where you can still get excellent golf, beautiful scenery, and affordable prices.

Here is our short list of the five best affordable golf courses and five of the best affordable golf retirement communities, where you can get excellent value golf all at excellent prices. (Prices are approximate peak season public rates and may vary.)

So put the money back in your pocket, and enjoy some amazing golf

5 Best Affordable Golf Courses

1. Sand Hollow Golf Course – Hurricane, Utah

Approx. Peak Green Fee: $75–$110
Website: https://sandhollowresort.com/golf/

Sand Hollow’s beautiful Championship Course is located near St. George, set against the red rock cliffs of southern Utah. The course is often spoken about in the same breath as some of the other expensive desert golf courses. Designed by John Fought, the course features some dramatic fairways, sudden elevation changes, cliffside tee shots, and expansive desert views that compare to many other more high-end golf resorts.

So what makes this playing experience so great? It’s the cost-to-quality ratio. In neighboring states, desert golf courses can cost upward of $200 to play during the height of the season. At Sand Hollow, even premium tee time costs are well within the budget of traveling golfers. The course’s great views, bold bunkers, and lavish greens make for a high-end golf experience without the high-end prices.

2. Myrtlewood Golf Club – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Approx. Peak Green Fee: $50–$85
Website: https://myrtlewoodgolf.com/

Myrtlewood is located in the heart of Myrtle Beach. It has 36 holes, with both the Palmetto and PineHills courses situated along the Intracoastal Waterway. Despite the countless, high-profile golf courses in this area, Myrtlewood is one of the best deals in golf on the Grand Strand.

The course at Myrtlewood Golf Club is stunning, with wide fairways and approachable greens, making it a great choice for golfers of all skill levels. Golfers can save even more on their round with discounted golf packages. Their packages make the per-round cost even cheaper, so it is a great option for golfers looking to make a weekend golf trip to the area. They will find this course an amazing option for pricing and course quality, with great gameplay at every hole.

3. The Prairie Club – Valentine, Nebraska

Approx. Peak Green Fee: $75–$120
Website: https://theprairieclub.com/

Nebraska’s Sandhills area has grown in recent years into one of the most revered golf destinations in the United States. Prairie Club offers authentic links-style golf on its expansive dunes, with firm fairways and minimal tree cover to spoil the view.

Pricewise, it ranks well. Compared with other top destinations in the Midwest, which charge a premium for resort courses, Prairie Club is very affordable for all players. The wind is a challenge, and the open design requires imaginative play and not just strength. Stay-and-play packages make this the right option for buddies who want championship golf at a fraction of the cost of other destinations.

4. Paiute Golf Resort – Las Vegas, Nevada

Approx. Peak Green Fee: $95–$150
Website: https://www.lvpaiutegolf.com/

Located just outside the famous Las Vegas Strip, the Paiute Golf Resort offers three local courses designed by Pete Dye: Wolf, Snow Mountain, and Sun Mountain, each with its own exciting features. While many of the top courses at larger resorts in the Vegas area go way over $250 per round during peak season, Paiute often offers discounts for advanced booking and locals’ rates - definitely one to check out.

The location is remote and offers players great solitude with every shot. The course has a desert landscape and impeccable playing conditions. That, combined with Dye’s signature railroad ties, provides a high-end experience for golfers traveling to Vegas in search of quality courses without the high prices of those on or around the famous Strip.

5. Treetops Resort – Gaylord, Michigan

Approx. Peak Green Fee: $65–$120
Website: https://www.treetops.com/

Northern Michigan is becoming known as a "hidden gem" for affordable, exciting championship golf. Treetops Resort has a lovely set of courses designed by some of golf’s top course architects, providing variety and interest on a multi-day golf trip.

They all look great and play great. With elevation changes and tree-lined courses, there is something for all skill levels at Treetops. Packages that include lodging and golf can be had at a significant discount, saving golfers a great deal of money on their per-round cost. In the spring and fall, rates drop even further, making it a great time to golf in Northern Michigan if you don't mind cooler temperatures.

5 Best Affordable Golf Retirement Communities

For golfers who are thinking more long-term, there are other costs to consider beyond just green fee play, such as home prices, association fees, membership details, flexibility, and the overall cost of living. These communities offer excellent golfing opportunities for those who are of retirement age, without ultra-luxury pricing.

1. The Villages – Florida

Approx. Home Prices: From $969/mo (to rent)
Golf Access: Executive courses free; championship courses with additional fees
Website: https://www.thevillages.com/

The Village in Florida is one of the largest active adult communities in the country. It offers great value with dozens of executive courses and multiple championship courses. Residents have access to a variety of tee times, and executive golf is often included in the community amenity fee.

The community's size allows for competitive pricing compared to other private golf communities. It has excellent facilities, including recreation centers, clubs, dining, and entertainment, all part of daily life, and it is also quite affordable at an entry-level price.

2. Sun City Hilton Head – South Carolina

Approx. Home Prices: From $1997/mo (to rent)
Golf Fees: Membership price packages include all discounted resident rates
Website: https://www.suncityhiltonhead.org/

The Lowcountry community, created by Del Webb, offers players three championship golf courses, all set amid scenic wetlands and coastal beauty. It has a tiered membership structure that accommodates different needs based on play frequency.

In contrast with other private, gated golf communities in the South Carolina coastal area, Sun City Hilton Head has a much lower entry cost, which will please many, and still maintains high-quality golf and year-round play.

3. Hot Springs Village – Arkansas

Approx. Home Prices: From $950/mo (to rent)
Golf Fees: Tiered membership pricing spread over nine courses
Website: https://www.hsvpoa.org/

Hot Springs Village offers its residents nine golf courses spread across wooded hills and lakes, and the village excels in the sheer quantity and cost-effectiveness of its facilities. Residents can also choose a membership based on usage, helping keep monthly costs under control.

Home costs and property taxes in Arkansas are typically lower than in coastal states, making the package even more attractive to players. For those considering retirement and seeking the utmost variety without the cost of coastal courses, this community offers a strong alternative.

4. On Top of the World – Florida

Approx. Home Prices: Starting in the $300s (to buy)

Golf Fees: Optional memberships with resident rates
Website: https://www.ontopoftheworld.com/

This active adult community in Ocala, Florida, features several private golf courses and practice areas. Courses are nice, and course membership is optional, which helps manage the cost of living for those who are not tried-and-tested golf enthusiasts.

It offers tax benefits and affordable home prices for golfers who want to retire and enjoy a high quality of life with plenty of golf activities.

5. Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach – Florida

Approx. Home Prices: Starting in the $300s (to buy)
Golf Access: Public and semi-private courses close by
Website: https://www.latitudemargaritaville.com/

Latitude, while not built around a private course, has a 55+ community that offers access to many affordable public courses within the Daytona Beach area. Residents can play various courses based on price and preference, rather than pay membership fees.

The active lifestyle model and Florida sun make this community perfect for the golfing retiree who wants the option of playing as often as they want at different courses. A case of sit back, enjoy the sunshine, and play golf whenever you please.

Our Verdict

Affordable golf does exist and is alive and well, if you know where to look. Whether you’re planning the next buddies trip or thinking about the next chapter in life, there are plenty of exceptional options that offer you the best golf without the price tag.

With a focus on affordable destinations like those above, golfers can easily stretch their budgets and play more golf, more frequently, without sacrificing either quality or lifestyle.