Some of the world's best golf experiences don't require a second mortgage. While headline courses charge $300-$500 a round, there are dozens of outstanding courses where you can play championship-quality golf for under $100. Here are our picks, organised by region.
Scotland
Carnoustie Championship Course — from $75 (off-peak)
One of the toughest Open venues in the rotation, and it's a public course. The off-peak shoulder season rates in April and late October make this an incredible bargain. The Barry Burn, the deep bunkers, and the fearsome closing stretch are all waiting.
Cruden Bay — from $70
Hidden on the Aberdeenshire coast, Cruden Bay features enormous sand dunes, quirky routing, and genuine links character. At a fraction of what courses of similar quality charge, it might be the best value in Scottish golf.
North Berwick West Links — from $80
Home of the famous Redan hole, North Berwick is pure entertainment. The course is full of character — walls, blind shots, and creative greens — and the views across the Firth of Forth are stunning.
Ireland
Carne Golf Links — from $70
Eddie Hackett's final masterpiece in County Mayo is routed through some of the tallest dunes in Ireland. The Wild Atlantic Links added another 18 holes in 2013, making this a 36-hole destination. It's remote, uncrowded, and magnificent.
Enniscrone Golf Links — from $60
Massive dunes, a challenging layout, and green fees that seem too low for the quality on offer. The back nine at Enniscrone, threading through cathedral-like dune valleys, rivals anything on the island.
Donegal Golf Club (Murvagh) — from $65
A true links course on the shores of Donegal Bay. The front nine is exposed to the elements while the back nine dives into the dunes. A wonderful course that rarely appears on the tourist trail.
United States
Bethpage Black — $75 (NY residents)
The only public course to host the US Open (twice), Bethpage Black is a brute of a layout that lives up to the sign on the first tee: "The Black Course Is An Extremely Difficult Course Which We Recommend Only For Highly Skilled Golfers." Even for non-residents, the $150 fee is remarkable value for a major championship venue.
Bandon Dunes (Sheep Ranch) — from $100 (walking)
Right at our budget ceiling, the newest course at Bandon is a 13-hole walking-only experience along dramatic Pacific cliffs. No bunkers, no trees — just golf and ocean. The most natural course in America.
Chambers Bay — from $75
The 2015 US Open venue offers stunning views of Puget Sound and a firm, fast links-style playing surface. The green fees have come down significantly since the Open, making it accessible to all.
Continental Europe
Praia D'El Rey — from $60 (twilight)
On Portugal's Silver Coast, this cliff-top course offers dramatic ocean holes and immaculate conditioning. Twilight rates make it exceptional value, and the long Portuguese summer evenings mean you'll still get a full round in.
Empordà Golf (Links Course) — from $60
Tucked behind the Costa Brava in Catalonia, this underrated links-style course is a gem. Designed by Robert von Hagge, it plays through wetlands and sandy terrain with views to the Pyrenees.
Southeast Asia
Danang Golf Club — from $50
Greg Norman's design along the coast of central Vietnam offers genuine links golf in a tropical setting. Green fees include caddie, making the value extraordinary. The course is beautifully maintained and rarely crowded.
Hua Hin (Black Mountain) — from $60
Regularly ranked among Asia's best, Black Mountain weaves through a dramatic landscape of mountains, canyons, and lush vegetation. The conditioning is immaculate and the green fees are a fraction of comparable courses elsewhere.
Tips for Playing on a Budget
- Play off-peak. Shoulder season rates at premium courses often drop 40-60%.
- Book twilight rounds. Many courses halve their green fees for afternoon play.
- Look at municipal courses in the US and public courses in Scotland and Ireland. Some of the best golf in the world is publicly owned.
- Travel in groups. Many courses offer group rates for 8+ players.
- Walk. Skipping the buggy saves $30-$50 and gives you a better experience on links courses.
- Check for replay rates. Some courses offer a second round at 50% off.
Great golf is about the experience, not the price tag. Some of our most memorable rounds have been at courses that cost less than a decent dinner.
