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High Greens Fees to keep out Hackers?


Shankster

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We are talking the top 100 public courses ranked. The resort courses, munis, and others are all grouped as "public" so as public courses, looked at as public courses only not the resort or if the state/county owns it. In comparison, #1 Pebble Beach is $500 and #11 Acadia Bluffs is $110.

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But at Pebble, you are paying for the name and the history as much as you are the view. To see and hit the same shots as Jack, Tiger, Tom and the likes.

Is it overpriced? Sure

Is it worth it? Probably so as well.

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First hand knowledge thanks Burk. My thought is though... What makes them so special? Skip the resort part. Are they really worth $500?

 

 

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I think we've clearly established that they aren't trying to keep anyone out.

 

I've played Whistling, Pebble, Blackwolf, Bethpage Black, Sawgrass, World Woods Pine Barrens all of which appear on the top 100 you can play. The prices of those courses vary from 500 to 40 depending upon circumstances.

 

They are all great courses. It's hard to describe how beautiful Pebble is although it may have been my least favorite golf course of that group. Of course I played it in the 70's and conditioning was difficult back then. It's also hard to imagine how difficult Bethpage is.

 

For me it was worth it. But keep in mind you can play great courses without breaking the bank. I don't think I've ever spent 50 at World Woods. Courses there are in great shape, nice layouts but in the middle of nowhere with no amenities beyond the golf. Practice area is the best in the U S bar none.

 

You can bet you will be in for a long day at the big name courses. They attract the casual golfer or the guy who wants to be as close to the tips as possible. Both types take forever to play so you might as well enjoy it.

 

A funny thing happened to us at Sawgrass. I had heard that rounds there are normally more than 5 hours. I was playing with Jacksonville Beach Packer fan, one of the assistant pros and his father. Since Jax is a member we didn't need a fore caddie. It was a typical July day in Florida - hot humid threat of rain. There was always a hole open in front of us and we were never threatened by the group behind us. But for some reason a ranger decided to hassle us about pace of play. The assistant pro asked if the guy knew who he was after pointing out that there was no one within sight in any direction. The ranger made a snide remark. The pro got on his cell. I'm not sure what happened but I don't think it went well. We played in 430 hours and never saw a drop of rain. It poured my entire drive home though.

 

 

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Yeah, I hear you guys. I would love to play these places. Yeah, the big name courses have had the best players come through. But you'd think the top 100 would all be closer in price. There's $425 difference from high to low. Just makes a "reader" of the rankings wonder why not play #13 and have room to enjoy more for less than #4?

 

 

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I'm not disagreeing with anyone. Just seems odd to me. I get the history and the location adds to it all. My mom went to Pebble Beach and watched the sunset at a bar. I saw pictures, it is amazing. I'm a bang for buck guy. If I could play 4-5 of them for the same as 1 round I'd go for the 4-5.

 

 

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I understand your question. But is really hard to separate them. I stayed at Pinehurst Resort last year for 2 nights and two rounds of golf, a couple dinners, breakfast daily. It was a good value in my mind for $1200. Include full locker room access with a shoe shine. Plus the atmosphere of walking the halls of the clubhouse, the rocking chairs on the porch of 18 on No.2, with a beer in hand watching groups come in.

 

Much the same at Kohler with the locker room, upstairs cigar bar, all present a true unique experience. I haven't been to pebble, but would expect its even more of the same.

 

It makes for the total package.

Fair enough. Maybe when I retire!

 

 

- Alan

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Oh, the other good deal on great courses in the US, those run by Indian casinos! A lot of these places are a bit remote and want to attract people out there to play. For instance, Yoche Dehe is about an hour drive from me, is consistently rated one of America's best public courses and the most they charge is around $100

I ❤️ Yocha Dehe! God that's an awesome course.

I think courses will change whatever they can get away with.

There's a semi private course near me in Auburn CA called Winchester, and they charge $250ish for non members, but you can play Dark Horse, also in Auburn for $50-$60.

I got to play Winchester from a charity auction I won with a buddy, but Dark Horse was just as good.

 

 

 

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I understand your question. But is really hard to separate them. I stayed at Pinehurst Resort last year for 2 nights and two rounds of golf, a couple dinners, breakfast daily. It was a good value in my mind for $1200. Include full locker room access with a shoe shine. Plus the atmosphere of walking the halls of the clubhouse, the rocking chairs on the porch of 18 on No.2, with a beer in hand watching groups come in.

 

Much the same at Kohler with the locker room, upstairs cigar bar, all present a true unique experience. I haven't been to pebble, but would expect its even more of the same.

 

It makes for the total package.

Pinehurst is best bang for the buck out there. Holly inn, and resort packages very fair value.

 

 

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Hackers can have money too. Everyone on this forum knows someone with the latest and greatest equipment and talks a big game but can't get the ball airborne.

 

I agree with Carolina - the upscale public courses like Pebble and Whistling keep good players out who don't have enough to shell out on a $500 round.

 

 

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Just outside Newark Oh is a course formerly known as Longaberger, now virtues. It is one of the most beautiful courses I've played over the years. Cost $99 and well worth it. So to the question of course, sometimes, it's just the cost for a wonderful experience. I think that goes to all those in this thread. I'll gladly let a group of jerks play through so my round is not ruined.

 

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IMP green fees are dictated by the market. If a course can get away with charging $500, they will, while a select few others have intentionally tried to keep green fees reasonable so they don't freeze out the locals.

 

Some where like Shadow Creek has to charge as much as they do, as the amount of work necessary to maintain that course in the desert, combined with fewer rounds, they likely need a lot of the money to sustain itself.

 

I'm not sure many courses use green fees as a way to freeze out duffers. There's a lot of wealthy hacks out there and the course probably doesn't care how good or bad you are.

Shadow does it as an experience. They only get a dozen groups on a Saturday and about half of that the rest of the week. The deal through MGM is $500 for a limo ride out and back, golf as well as food and booze. The amount they get yearly in greens fees more than likely doesn't cover their property tax bill.

 

 

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Shadow does it as an experience. They only get a dozen groups on a Saturday and about half of that the rest of the week. The deal through MGM is $500 for a limo ride out and back, golf as well as food and booze. The amount they get yearly in greens fees more than likely doesn't cover their property tax bill.

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Fairway Metal- Taylormade SLDR Mini Driver 12* w/ Fujikura Rombax TP95-X"

Utility- Mizuno MPH5 1 iron w/ Aldila RIP 85X (depending on course/ conditions)

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Wedges- Scratch 8620 Driver/Slider set.  50*, 54* bent to 55* and 60*

Putter- Taylormade Spider Tour w/ flow neck
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Bag- Sun Mountain C130 Supercharged

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I understand your question. But is really hard to separate them. I stayed at Pinehurst Resort last year for 2 nights and two rounds of golf, a couple dinners, breakfast daily. It was a good value in my mind for $1200. Include full locker room access with a shoe shine. Plus the atmosphere of walking the halls of the clubhouse, the rocking chairs on the porch of 18 on No.2, with a beer in hand watching groups come in.

 

Much the same at Kohler with the locker room, upstairs cigar bar, all present a true unique experience. I haven't been to pebble, but would expect its even more of the same.

 

It makes for the total package.

 

I got to do a family trip to Pebble Beach when I was a kid. Rode in the cart with my dad while he played, we had a cottage that over looked the most beautiful oceans cape you can imagine and we could hear the bag piper playing the last groups in over at Spanish Bay. It was awesome. Wish I would have been able to play!

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I'm not disagreeing with anyone. Just seems odd to me. I get the history and the location adds to it all. My mom went to Pebble Beach and watched the sunset at a bar. I saw pictures, it is amazing. I'm a bang for buck guy. If I could play 4-5 of them for the same as 1 round I'd go for the 4-5.

 

 

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I would suspect that many of the ultra-famous courses understand that there are some willing to pay the price just to be able to say they played it.   I ask, does the Pinehurst resort pay more to maintain and up keep #2 much over what it does for its other courses, or do they know people will pay more to play #2.

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Seems around here that the prices of the more expensive courses is determined by how many rounds they want to be played annually not revenue

 

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Any vacation mecca whether it be golf or a family oriented one can charge higher prices just for the fact that people will go there no matter what the price. Pebble Beach pricing doesn't just cover the cost to maintain the course, it's how much are you willing to pay for the experience, the views, the ability to walk and play a course that past and present golf greats have tread on. Just like Disney this year which jacked their prices up because demand is high. I know people are still willing to pay it though.

 

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Seems around here that the prices of the more expensive courses is determined by how many rounds they want to be played annually not revenue

 

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This is a reason I've heard before. Some courses want to remain "public" but the price will certainly deter a good number of people away which helps keep the rounds down and the course in assumptively better condition.

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This is a reason I've heard before. Some courses want to remain "public" but the price will certainly deter a good number of people away which helps keep the rounds down and the course in assumptively better condition.

This is actually one of the reasons I'm not a member of the Courses I was previously. I thought they should raise their prices another $50 per month(memberships range from $150-$320 per month) to try and get less play. That place was freaking PACKED all the time. I'm talking 200+ groups going out literally every Saturday and Sunday. Just about no matter what. 

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This is actually one of the reasons I'm not a member of the Courses I was previously. I thought they should raise their prices another $50 per month(memberships range from $150-$320 per month) to try and get less play. That place was freaking PACKED all the time. I'm talking 200+ groups going out literally every Saturday and Sunday. Just about no matter what. 

 

200 groups? I would think that would have to be combined for the two days. If that is the case the course was packed from 6 am to 6 pm at 8 minute intervals which equals 90 groups and 360 players. That is a ton of play! I'd rather pay more for more exclusive rights.

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I'd quit golf if I had to deal with 200 groups a day. That would take for friggin ever. Just dumb.

 

 

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Main reason I did not join DuPont CC when I liv d in DE. Once they told me as a new member I may get a time one or two weekends during the summer I went elsewhere.

 

 

 

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Main reason I did not join DuPont CC when I liv d in DE. Once they told me as a new member I may get a time one or two weekends during the summer I went elsewhere.

 

 

 

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Am I spoiled then getting the course to myself? I thought golf was "dying". 200 groups and "once or twice" a summer is not a dying game.

 

 

- Alan

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200 groups? I would think that would have to be combined for the two days. If that is the case the course was packed from 6 am to 6 pm at 8 minute intervals which equals 90 groups and 360 players. That is a ton of play! I'd rather pay more for more exclusive rights.

Welcome to what was my hell. Its not even that tough of a course. Boxes sub 5k to 6900 tipped. Rarely was it tipped all the way.

Yet I was lucky to get a round in sub 5 hours on the weekend.

You are spot on with the 8 min splits and packed tee sheet. Good luck calling in within 2 weeks and trying to get a tee time before 12 on a Saturday.

 

Edit: just noticed what I had typed earlier and I'm an idiot. I meant 200 plus ROUNDS minimum. Between first tee time available and 4pm which is when tee times stop and first come first serve becomes available. They generally don't count rounds that go out after that. Hell there are only 73ish tee slots in that time period (6ish-4pm). I dunno why I said that many groups. I'm losing my mind, I swear.

Driver- Tmag 2017 M2 tour issue 8.5* actual loft 7.8* w/ HZRDS Green PVD 70TX"
Fairway Metal- Taylormade SLDR Mini Driver 12* w/ Fujikura Rombax TP95-X"

Utility- Mizuno MPH5 1 iron w/ Aldila RIP 85X (depending on course/ conditions)

Irons- Mizuno MP- FLI HI 2i w/ Aldila Proto ByYou 100X
          Mizuno MP59 4i-6I w/ PX 6.5

          Mizuno MP69 7i-PW w/ PX 6.5

Wedges- Scratch 8620 Driver/Slider set.  50*, 54* bent to 55* and 60*

Putter- Taylormade Spider Tour w/ flow neck
Ball- Bridgestone Tour B X

Bag- Sun Mountain C130 Supercharged

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Welcome to what was my hell. Its not even that tough of a course. Boxes sub 5k to 6900 tipped. Rarely was it tipped all the way.

Yet I was lucky to get a round in sub 5 hours on the weekend.

You are spot on with the 8 min splits and packed tee sheet. Good luck calling in within 2 weeks and trying to get a tee time before 12 on a Saturday.

 

Edit: just noticed what I had typed earlier and I'm an idiot. I meant 200 plus ROUNDS minimum. Between first tee time available and 4pm which is when tee times stop and first come first serve becomes available. They generally don't count rounds that go out after that. Hell there are only 73ish tee slots in that time period (6ish-4pm). I dunno why I said that many groups. I'm losing my mind, I swear.

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Hey!  We have a new senior member in the group.  Welcome!!    :D

I did recently have a birthday. We'll blame it on that :D

Driver- Tmag 2017 M2 tour issue 8.5* actual loft 7.8* w/ HZRDS Green PVD 70TX"
Fairway Metal- Taylormade SLDR Mini Driver 12* w/ Fujikura Rombax TP95-X"

Utility- Mizuno MPH5 1 iron w/ Aldila RIP 85X (depending on course/ conditions)

Irons- Mizuno MP- FLI HI 2i w/ Aldila Proto ByYou 100X
          Mizuno MP59 4i-6I w/ PX 6.5

          Mizuno MP69 7i-PW w/ PX 6.5

Wedges- Scratch 8620 Driver/Slider set.  50*, 54* bent to 55* and 60*

Putter- Taylormade Spider Tour w/ flow neck
Ball- Bridgestone Tour B X

Bag- Sun Mountain C130 Supercharged

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I played Torrey South for $128 this year, and two rounds at the Ocean course for around $600 (including caddie). Torrey is a muni, while Ocean Course is a public course owned by a private resort company. This explains some of the price difference.

 

Torrey was incredible, but it was not as nice as Kiawah. Torrey was completely booked with foursomes. I was hit on from 110 yards out, and I had a group of guys jamming techno from the adjacent teebox. 

 

Ocean Course was barely booked (not fantastic weather), with only twosomes, caddies required in the morning ("watchdog effect"), and Ocean Course was in perfect condition in every area on every hole. The pro shop was much more expensive too. 

 

I think this explains why some public courses cost as much as they do, or why some don't. 

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I think that course fees for playing parallel golf equipment in a way. People will pay for a name if they feel the product is justified. PXG has very high priced equipment and doesn't make any excuses for it but people pay. Just like golf balls as well.

 

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It cost a lot to keep a premium course in top condition. Maintaining and watering a course to be in perfect condition to play cost a premium. The high price probably would probably keep away the average Joe golfer, but I don't believe it is to keep anyone off the course. It's the old saying, you get what you pay for.

 

 

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