The 12 Most Expensive Golf Courses In The World
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Jake was a competitive golfer for over a decade dating back to the days of being the Captain of his high school golf team. He has played more than 200 courses across 32 different states in the US. Now semi-retired, Jake continues to golf 3-4 days a week with a current 2 handicap, gives golf lessons to his friends and family, and provides a wealth of knowledge to Golf Circuit from his competitive playing days. Jake combines practical expertise with technical knowledge to create golfing strategies and training techniques for both beginners and scratch golfers.
Do you dream of playing golf on a luxury golf course? Some of the most expensive courses in the world charge green fees ranging from $400 to $1000 dollars! With top picks like the Shadow Creek Course in Las Vegas, USA, or the Royal Melbourne in Australia, these elite courses provide more than just a smooth field!
Read on to learn more about all the features offered by some of the most expensive golf courses in the world. Also check out our post on Clubcorp membership costs.
The Most Expensive Golf Courses in The World By Green Fees
1. Shadow Creek Golf Course – $1000
The most expensive golf course in the world is the Shadow Creek Golf Course, a short 20 minutes away from the popular Las Vegas Strip.
Open since 1989, this exclusive course normally has green fees of $500. But a recent peak season price hike has doubled its cost to $1000 a day!
Designed by landscape architect Tom Fazio, the course sits on 350 acres of what used to be desert flatland. More than 3 million cubic yards of earth were excavated to create the series of berms that mark this iconic course.
21 thousand trees of over 200 types line the boundaries of the course, giving it a heightened sense of privacy and intimacy. The Shadow Creek Course only caters to a maximum of 2 dozen rounds a day, so its elite clientele never has to worry about crowds on the green.
The fee even includes a round-trip limousine service to and from the rental.
2. Royal Melbourne – $890
The Royal Melbourne in Australia is one of the oldest and most prestigious golf courses in the world. Located in Black Rock, Victoria, the Royal Melbourne offers players a diverse selection of holes.
The acclaimed West Course charges golfers $750 a day during peak season, while its sister East Course charges $550 a day, with a compulsory $140 caddy fee.
There is also a Composite course comprising 18 holes across the East and West courses.
Open since 1891, the Royal Melbourne can house up to 15,000 spectators. They’ve hosted numerous national and international events like the 1972 World Cup, the 1959 Canada Cup, and 16 Austrian Opens.
Despite its international acclaim, the West course is not up to current championship standards for par 4s and 5s since the course hasn’t been extended or restored in recent years. In fact, its last major restoration took place in 2011 for the President’s Cup.
3. TPC Sawgrass Players Stadium Course – $720
The Tournament Players Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, was constructed specially to host national competitions. Designed by landscape architects Pete and Alice Dye, this tournament course boasts one of the most complex playing fields for golfers imaginable.
During peak season, the TPC Sawgrass Players Stadium charges golfers $720 a day. Its pride and joy – the Island Green – is one of the most difficult par-3 holes in the world.
This challenging course has narrow fairways lined with marshes and bunkers. These hazards include untamed strips of sand, thick rough, craters, mounds, and shot-blocking palm trees.
The green itself is designed to act as a stadium, with seats along the slope accommodating up to 36,000 spectators. TPC Sawgrass gained immense popularity after being repeatedly featured in Tiger Woods PGA Tour video games.
4. Trump National Doral Miami – $655
Trump National Doral Miami is a 72-hole luxury golf course owned by former United States President Donald Trump. It is one of the most expensive golf courses in the world, charging $655 a day during peak season.
Sprawled across 800 acres of prime real estate, Trump National Doral boasts a country club, resort, and lodges in addition to its 4 golf courses. With numerous spas, outlets, restaurants, ballrooms, and more than 700 rooms, Trump National Doral offers visitors a luxury golfing experience.
5. Pebble Beach Golf Links – $595
Pebble Beach Golf Links is one of the most picturesque golf courses in the world, in addition to being one of the most expensive.
Located just off the coast of California, within the Monterey Peninsula, Pebble Beach Golf Links is a golfer’s dream vacation. During peak season, the green fees are $595 a day.
Pebble Beach Golf Links has 18 holes that are all expertly designed and difficult to play. It’s hosted numerous national and international events, including 6 US Opens and a range of Tour Championships.
The resort hosts three luxury hotels overlooking the stunning Carmel Bay. A stay at Pebble Beach will rejuvenate players. It is definitely worth the high price tag, especially for expert golfers who want to enjoy a relaxing vacation.
6. Wynn Golf Course – $550
The Wynn Golf Course occupies prime real estate on the Las Vegas strip. The 18-hole course plays to a par of 70 and stretches across more than 6700 yards.
Designed by Tom Fazio, this Vegas highlight boasts six par 3s, a stunning 18th, and a green that hits a massive waterfall! With dramatic undulations and a picturesque setting, the Wynn Golf Club promises luxury golfers an experience they won’t soon forget.
The course is an extension of the luxury Wynn Resort, which includes a five-star hotel, casino, spa, and restaurant. The green fees are $550 and, although exorbitant to many, cater precisely to the select guests of the hotel and casino.
The golf course reopened after a complete overhaul in October 2019 and is undoubtedly one of the most luxurious golfing destinations in the world. Resort guests can book tee times with a 90-day advance notice, while public play is available with a 30-day advance booking.
7. Old Head Golf Links – $512
The Old Head Golf Links is more than just an expensive golf course, it’s a heritage site! Located in County Cork, Ireland, the Old Head Golf Links sits in the shadow of a castle that dates back to the 3rd century.
Even the present structure traces its roots to 1223, making it a prominent heritage site that is only accessible to visitors of the private course. History buffs will be interested to know that the lighthouse, built during the 1600s, marks the 1915 sinking of the RMS Lusitania, which was one of the primary reasons the US joined the allies against Germany in World War 1.
Opened in 1997, the Old Head Golf Course covers 220 acres of land, with five par 5s, five par 3s, and eight par 4s, adding up to a par 72. It has a greens fee of 400 Euros or $512 that includes access to the warm-up range, putting green, and the short game practice area. All in all, a breathtaking golfing experience.
8. Kingsbarns Golf Links – $473
The Kingsbarns Golf Links in Fife, Scotland, has a rich and layered history. Although the private estate grounds served as a golf course as early as 1793, the current links were constructed in 2000.
The Kingsbarns course sprawls across 1.8 miles of stunning coastal land. Its hosted prestigious tournaments like the 2017 Ricoh Women’s British Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
See More: How Do Golf Tournaments Work
One of the most expensive courses in the world, the Kingsbarns golf links has a green fee equal to almost $473 during peak season.
The graceful undulating surface was designed by landscape architects Kyle Philips and Mark Parsinen. The highlight of the course is its 4th and 5th holes, placed on the upper deck offering stunning sea views. With overlapping fairways, the changing terrain feels natural despite its planned fairways, humps, and hollows.
This is the ideal course for golfers who want to experience a brilliantly constructed and picturesque seaside course.
9. Pinehurst No. 2 – $375
The crown jewel of the Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst No. 2 is the largest golf course in the world. And with a greens fee of $375, it is also one of the most expensive.
Located in North Carolina, The Pinehurst property has changed hands several times. Initially owned by the Tufts Family, it was purchased by transport magnate Malcolm Mclean in 1970 and later sold to ClubCorp founder Robert Dedman almost a decade later.
Covering almost 6100 yards, the golf course has a par of 70 and a slope rating of 118. It is renowned for hosting some of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world, including the US Open and US Women’s Open championships.
The 18-hole course was designed by Dr. Leroy Culver and John Dunn Tucker. One of the most interesting features of the course is a statue showing Stewart’s victory over Mickelson, placed behind the 18th hole.
10. Spyglass Hill Golf Course – $360
Perhaps one of the best golf courses on this list, Spyglass Hill Golf Course in Pebble Beach, California, is considered the fifth-best public golf course in America. With a green fee of $360, it is also one of the most expensive.
With magnificent oceanfront views and a series of gently undulating sand dunes, the Spyglass golf course is a pleasure to play in. The 18-hole course plays up to a par of 72 and is renowned for its challenging holes.
Most popular is the par-4 Blind Pew, notably designer Robert Trent’s personal favorite. The undulating wild green sinks and rises amidst harsh sand dunes. At its widest point, the putting surface is only 10 yards wide, with a 55-yard depth! Since each hole is named after a feature from the iconic Treasure Island novel, you’ll come across holes like Billy Bones, The Black Spot, and Captain Smollett!
The stunning Del Monte Forest borders the course on both sides, creating an intimate and secluded atmosphere on the green. It’s these aesthetic and technical qualities that have made Spyglass Hill the ideal location for competitions like the US Amateur Championships and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
11. Cordevalle Golf Club – $360
Another Robert Trent design, Cordevalle Golf Club ranks high on the list of most expensive golf courses in the world. With green fees of $360, this 18-hole course is a golfer’s dream.
The Cordevalle Golf Club brings together a variety of natural elements, including gently sloping hills, bubbling streams, rolling meadows, and solid oak trees. It plays to a par of 72 and is spread over almost 7360 yards. Since its opening in 1999, the course has hosted acclaimed tournaments like the Frys Open, GPA Cup, and US Women’s Open.
Plus, the Cordevalle Course acts as an extension of the luxury Rosewood Hotel and Resort. With premium service and top-tier hospitality, guests of the hotel and golf course can expect only the finest service during their visit.
It comes complete with a driving range, putting green, chipping practice area, and a pro apparel shop. With fitness professionals, golf butlers, and personal instructors, Cordevalle is committed to providing the perfect, most luxurious golfing experience! They’re more than worth the price point.
12. Kiawah Island Ocean Course – $350
A stunning seaside golf course, the Kiawah Island Course is unique in more ways than one. It is the fourth course to have hosted the PGA Championships several times and ranks high among the best courses in the US.
Not only that, Kiawah Island experiences the harshest winds of any golf course in the US, beaten only by its Irish competitors. This is because the entire course has been lifted to allow players unobstructed views of the sprawling ocean.
It is an incredibly hard course to play with extreme slopes, Bermuda grass, and scores of bunkers. The course charges a green fee of $350. Golf lovers may recognize this course from the 2000 golf film Legend of Bagger Vance.
Final Thoughts
From majestic ocean views and expert-designed holes, these courses are a golf lovers’ dream! With staff to wait on you hand and foot, these top-ranked courses offer a thoroughly relaxing experience to help golfers unwind and joy each moment on the green.
While they may be worth hundreds of dollars in green fees, for many golfers, the opportunity to play on the same courses as golf greats like Tiger Woods is more than worth the price point!
