Golf trips in the United States often start with a dreamy “wish list.” How ‘bout 18 holes at Augusta National? Cypress Point? Shinnecock Hills or Oakmont perhaps? Sounds great. Just one small issue; they’re private—as in REALLY private—you either know a member or know someone who does or you don’t play.
OK, so what’s next on the list? Surely, there are some great courses open to the public. Absolutely. Pebble Beach, Pinehurst 2, Whistling Straits, and Bandon Dunes all come to mind. Perfect, looking forward to packing right? Guess again. All of the aforementioned feature triple-digit greens fees. And, in some instances, several hundred dollars is needed to get you to the first tee. Not to mention those pesky ‘must stay’ requirements since lodging is often required.
Thinking of canning the trip all together? Perish the thought. There’s a third alternative. Throughout America, there are golf courses equally outstanding on both fronts—first-rate designs with prices that won’t cost you your first born. The courses outlined below don’t have big time marketing campaigns to get noticed so it’s likely they fly considerably under the radar. The issue with “value” courses is that while they cost less—they often provide less. These dozen courses are the ultimate co-mingling—all in one package. Hurry now while the tee box is clear!
Black Mesa in Espanola, N.M.
(Maureen A. Vaccaro)
Located 20 miles northwest of Santa Fe, the state’s capital, Black Mesa is high desert golf at its finest. Why is New Mexico aptly named the Land of Enchantment? Simple. Watch the surrounding rock formations change shades of color as the day progresses.
Keep in mind, Black Mesa is far more than eye candy. The short 7th and 14th holes test your appetite for risk and reward. The vexing greens, showcased by the par-5 16th bedevil and unravel even the surest of putting strokes. The key to the course is never pushing the envelope beyond your capability to play the shot. Knowing your limits is the best way to max out the lowest score here.
Best of all, Black Mesa is under $100 with cart included at peak with walking always an option. Also, the replay rate is just $35 with cart included; that’s two rounds, costing less than one round at Bandon Dunes.
www.blackmesagolf.com
Four Mile Ranch in Canon City, Colo.
(Courtesy of Four Mile Ranch)
Roughly, 45 minutes south of Colorado Springs is Four Mile Ranch. The greens are a marvelous mix of challenges and even with the added distances because of the elevation, the need for sound placement is always present.
Architect Jim Engh adds a few riddles—drivable par-4 holes such as the 8th are ripe for the taking but will bite back with the slightest miscalculation. Blind shots, even on the par-3 14th and the par-5 6th, add to the challenge.
There’s also a fun “stay and play” special between the club and Royal Gorge Anglers. You get a full day guided fly fishing expedition on the Arkansas River—one night at their Lodge and an 18-hole round of golf including cart, a winning combination all the way around.
www.fourmileranch.com
Wine Valley in Walla Walla, Wash.
(Maureen A. Vaccaro)
Walla Walla, which means “many waters” in the Sahaptin Native-American language, is located in the southeast corner of Washington State—and is home to Wine Valley.
With its artful logo of a corkscrew attached to a flagstick, Wine Valley has been open only a few years, but it has quickly become a “must play” for golfers seeking a truly adventurous course. Firm and fast turf conditions with amply wide fairways are in the mix along with sweeping wind conditions providing ever changing elements from one day to the next.
Various “stay and play” packages are available as well as tours of some of the best vineyards in the western United States. Sit out on the back porch, wine glass in hand, as the sun descends for a grand conclusion to your day.
www.winevalleygolfclub.com
Bethpage State Park (Black Course), Farmingdale, N.Y.
(New York State Dept. of Parks)
The site of the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Opens, the course is a physical endurance test as well as a golf examination of the highest order.
Suffice to say, if you can’t hit your driver consistently for length and direction, you’re in for a long day. Although the 18th is a so-so closing hole, it’s the three holes preceding it—most notably the uphill par-4 15th—that vividly illustrate the quality of the golf shots you’ll need.
Always call ahead before going because the Black can sometimes close with very limited notice, and each Monday it’s closed for maintenance. Fees are reasonable and the facility provides a variety of other activities all in one location.
nysparks.com/parks/108
Rustic Canyon in Moorpark, Calif.
An hour northwest of central Los Angeles in the Simi Valley area is Rustic Canyon. Gil Hanse, the man selected to design the golf layout for the 2016 Summer Olympics, was the point man in bringing to life Rustic Canyon. The course provides roughly 250 feet of elevation change that’s hardly noticeable in the canyon-setting it occupies. Wide fairways provide clear angles to play into the challenging putting surfaces. In an area of the country where surface level glitz is often the rule, Rustic Canyon demonstrates substance can still win over golfers in a big-time way. For just $66 on weekends, you can walk this amazing layout. Incredibly, for just over $100 you can play two rounds on weekends and holidays.
www.Rusticcanyongolfcourse.com
The Rawls Course in Lubbock, Texas
(The Rawls Course at Texas Tech)
The Rawls Course at Texas Tech is named for its benefactor Jerry Rawls. Architect Tom Doak manufactured a superior layout from some of the most featureless property one can imagine. Doak’s layout is quite versatile no matter the wind direction. Keep in mind, Lubbock is historically one of the windiest places in the USA—30 mph, or more gusts are not uncommon. Cart and practice range accessibility can be secured for just $34 Monday to Thursday before 11 a.m.—just mention you saw the special on their website. Even the top rate on weekends and holidays is quite a bargain, $64 includes cart and practice facility access.
www.therawlscourse.com
Wild Horse in Gothenburg, Neb.
Just minutes off I-80, Wild Horse is golf the way it is supposed to be. No bag boys leaping at you as soon as you park the car. No clubhouse the size of the Taj Mahal; just straightforward golf with a quality design. The bunkers give the appearance of having always been right where they are and the routing takes advantage of ever changing wind patterns and velocities.
Architects Dan Proctor and Dave Axland emphasized a less-is-more style with the course design, and that same approach is carried forward with the rates charged. Wild Horse is in a consortium called playthewest.com.
Five Western Nebraska courses make up the group and you get three rounds of golf, which can all be played at Wild Horse if you wish with a two night stay at the nearby Comfort Suites along with a continental breakfast. Rates start at $200.
www.playwildhorse.com
World Woods in Brooksville, Fla.
World Woods is a sensational complex 50 miles north of Tampa and 80 miles west of Orlando that flies in the face of the typical pedestrian Sunshine State golf development. The 36-holes are the handiwork of architect Tom Fazio and feature two different styles of golf courses.
Pine Barrens presents more of a “Pine Valley” look with waste areas to be carried and greens set like islands of oasis calling upon pinpoint approaches. Rolling Oaks is the exact flip side—reminiscent of Augusta National—beautifully framed by oak trees with large white-sand filled bunkers and immense rolling greens.
World Woods has varied pricing throughout the year so gauge what works best for your budget. There’s also an incredible practice facility. Fully equipped three-bedroom villas for up to six players can be had for as little as $217 per night.
www.worldwoods.com
Golf Courses of Lawsonia (Links Course) in Green Lake, Wis.
The Links Course is a step back in time—a warm embrace and hearty salute to classic architecture.
The William Langford/Theodore Moreau design eschews mindless overkill. No hideous waterfalls or contrived containment mounding. Instead, steep-walled bunkers and elevated greens insist upon deft approach-play time after time.
Hats off to architect Ron Forse in restoring the spacious vistas you enjoy when walking this rolling piece of terrain. Ninety bunkers dot the landscape and each is carefully placed.
There are “stay and play” packages, including two days/one night at $300, which includes four rounds with cart, a meal coupon for dinner for two up to $40 at an area restaurant, plus lodging. The price for weekend/holiday unlimited play is quite good at $145. Twilight rates are also outstanding—after 3 p.m. it’s just $35 to walk.
www.lawsonia.com
Tobacco Road in Sanford, N.C.
(Tobacco Road Golf Course)
Just 30 miles from Pinehurst is an option worth exploring.
Designed by the late Mike Strantz—a talented young architect who succumbed to cancer just as his career was fully blossoming—Tobacco Road is rather unconventional and clearly a conversation starter with visual distraction elements—baffling and confusing for even the most polished players.
Most important admonishment, never attempt to steer the long shot, as the course plays just over 6,500 yards from the tips but sports a 141 slope. Best of all, summer and winter time-frames are the best to play with various “stay and play” packages.
www.tobaccoroadgolf.com
Twisted Dune in Little Egg Harbor, N.J.
(Twisted Dunes Golf Course)
Amazingly, when you pull into the parking lot you won’t fathom what lies ahead. Twisted Dune is sheltered by dunes encircling the property; after just a few holes, you might get the impression you’re on a lunar landscape rather than in the States.
Fescue rough grasses blow like Kansas wheat and the fairways slide in different directions with solid hole variations throughout. Top rates in season are $99—after 3 p.m., drops to $65.
There are not many sure bets in Atlantic City—Twisted Dune is one of them.
www.golfAC.com
The Trophy Club in Lebanon, Ind.
(Courtesy of The Trophy Club)
The Hoosier State of Indiana often gets little attention from golfers and even most golf magazines. Indiana has some of the best designs equally strong on the dollar side too.
The Trophy Club is the handiwork of Tim Liddy—a former Pete Dye associate. The property isn’t all that special on first glance but Liddy learned well from his master. The course demands high level shot execution and the overall routing leaves no stone unturned.
At 7,300+ yards from the tips, The Trophy Club is rated 75.3/138 slope and only the gifted, or foolhardy venture there.
www.thetrophyclubgolf.com
M. James Ward is a 25+-year member of the Golf Writer’s Association of America (GWAA) and also served as a member of the Met Golf Writer’s Association (MGWA). He lives in Clifton, N.J., and writes for several different publications in the travel and golf arenas. He has played over 2,000 courses globally.
