It’s no secret that golf is an expensive hobby. Between the green fees, club rentals, and cart rentals, it can be a costly endeavor.
But how much does it really cost to play a round of golf?
In this blog post, we’ll break down the average costs associated with playing a round of golf at different types of courses.
Here's What We'll Cover
What’s the average cost of a round of golf?
On average, it will cost you about $35 for an 18-hole round of golf on a weekday, while costing about $40 for an 18-hole round on a weekend.
But, there are a lot of factors that can make this price vary:
- Will you be playing a twilight round?
- Are you going to walk or rent a golf cart?
- Do you need to rent golf clubs?
- Are you playing 9 holes or 18 holes?
But on average, you should expect to pay between $30-35 dollars for an 18 hole round of golf.
Different types of golf courses
There are a lot of different types of golf courses, and the pricing will depend on which you’re playing.
Municipal Courses
Municipal courses are typically the cheapest, with an average 18-hole round costing between $15 and $30.
These are city-owned courses that are made for casual players, due to their lower price and barrier of entry!
Executive Courses
Executive courses are typically par-66 or par-68 courses that are great for beginner golfers since they’re shorter and most of the holes are par 3 instead of par 4.
The average 18 hole round of golf at an executive course costs about $20-$30, depending on how busy the course is and whether or not you’d like to take a cart (if they allow them).
Public Courses
The most common course you’ll come by is a public course.
Public courses are typically 18-hole golf courses that are usually par 72, but can be anywhere from par 69 to par 75 depending on how long it is and how difficult the course itself is.
On average, you should expect to pay between $30-$60 for an 18 hole round of golf at a public course, but this can vary depending on how busy the course is, when you’re playing, and whether or not you rent a cart.
Famous Public Courses
Some of the most famous public courses include Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, and Shinnecock Hills.
If you’re going to play a course like this, expect to pay anywhere from $150-$750 for an 18-hole round of golf!
And on some of these courses, you may need to hire a caddie and/or rent a room at the course for the night!
While it can get very expensive to play one of these famous courses, if you have the money available, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Semi-Private Courses
If you’re looking for a less expensive option than famous public courses, semi-private golf courses may be the way to go.
Semi-Private golf courses are just what they sound like: part private and part public.
They have fewer restrictions on how many people can play at once but have more restrictions on when you can play.
On average, they cost about $40-$60 for an 18-hole round of golf.
And if you’re looking to become a member of a semi-private course, it’ll cost you between $2,000 and $5,000 annually.
These costs will vary greatly for each specific course, but it’s a baseline price for reference.
Private Courses
Private courses are the most exclusive of all and there’s a reason for it: exclusivity.
If you’re going to play at one of these fancy places, expect to pay between $5,000 and $25,000 for a year of membership depending on the quality of the course!
It’s also worth noting that private course fees are much cheaper if you own or rent property on the course.
And while most private courses won’t allow you to go out without a member, it’ll cost you between $100 and $500 to play a round with a member.
Private courses are expensive, but if you have the money and want to golf in luxury, this is the right way to do it.
How about tournaments, simulators, and leagues?
Tournaments
If you’re looking to compete in a golf tournament, the sky is the limit on how much it could cost.
The most common tournaments are amateur tournaments and they can range from $50-$500 to enter, depending on how prestigious it is.
However, professional tournaments like The Masters or PGA Championship can cost upwards of $30,000 to enter.
It’s also worth noting that if you’re going to play in a tournament, you’ll typically be paying for prizes, food, and charity donations in the fee to sign up.
Simulators
For how much a simulator costs, you can expect to pay between $15-$60 for an hour of play, which is a pretty good deal considering how fun simulators are!
Simulators give you the opportunity to practice your game in the winter months when most courses aren’t open, and they’re just a generally fun experience.
Golf Leagues
If you’re looking to play in a golf league, it’ll cost you between $150 and $500 for the season depending on how many rounds of golf are included.
On average, a typical golf league will include six rounds of golf with green fees and cart rental included in the price.
The more expensive leagues may be played at private courses or include more rounds of golf, drinks, and a dinner party at the end.
Golf leagues are a great way to meet people who enjoy playing golf as much as you do, and are generally a lot of fun!
Final thoughts
Golf can be an expensive hobby, but it’s a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities, whether casually or competitively.
If you’re just looking to play a round of golf with your friends, it can cost as little as $20 for nine holes.
And if you want to get involved in leagues and tournaments or play some of the world’s most famous courses, it could easily cost upwards of $500 per round!
However, how much you spend on golf is completely up to you and there are plenty of affordable options out there.
Rounds of golf at certain courses will take longer than others, so it’s good to find a balance between price and wait time.
