Do You Remember the First Time You Paid $100 (US or More) to Play Golf?

[Golf2Much]

With all this talk about inflation and the price people pay to equip themselves and play golf, I thought I'd throw out the question:  Do you remember the first time you paid $100 or more to play golf?  It might be interesting to hear when it was and the story behind it.

I remember my first time paying over a $100 for a round of golf.  I was an at-large volunteer member of an international professional society.  It was my second year on the Executive Committee and still trying to fit in.  Our summer meetings were always at a nice location, and we were encouraged to bring our spouses (sort of payback for us traveling every six weeks or so for meetings).  It was the summer of 1993.  Our meeting was at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, Michigan.  Fortunately, we had several committee members that like to play golf.  The first day we got there, we were set to play The Bear at the resort.  It was a Nicklaus signature course, once rated the 18th most difficult course in America, and it was over $100.  Back then on a young engineer's salary, that was a lot of money.  But I signed up to play, got exposed to a great golf course and had a wonderful experience. 

After the round we all met up for an outdoor cookout.  The first thing my wife said was "how it was?"  My response was "if we lived here, it would be cheaper to be addicted to cocaine than golf!"   

The strange part is that I just checked on the Grand Traverse website, and the same round of golf 31 years later is only $140.  

How about you all!  Any similar experiences or stories?  I'd love to hear them!

Edited February 10 by Golf2Much

[bens197]

2004, the Champion at PGA National where the former Honda Classic is held…sorry, I don’t immediately recall the new sponsor…

$165 was the *discounted price for PGA club professionals and apprentices.

Biggest waste of money for someone taking home $460/week as an assistant professional.  There were no comps and while everything in life isn’t free, I cannot find the words to describe how much I disliked this golf course.  The most unremarkable, unmemorable course I’ve ever played.  

[MattWillGolf]

August 24, 2017. The Kapalua Plantation Course. $265 which was the afternoon rate. The most beautiful course I’ve ever played. It was worth every penny. It’s a course I’d recommend to anyone. During our stay in Maui we ate at the Plantation House several times. The food and service was every bit as good as the course.

[GolfSpy_APH]

I am pretty sure I did when I played once in Halifax, but that included actually purchasing golf balls, rental clubs and the round itself. 

I also remember getting so sun burnt that I radiated heat on the flight home. 

[Guest-0]

5 hours ago, Golf2Much said:

With all this talk about inflation and the price people pay to equip themselves and play golf, I thought I'd throw out the question:  Do you remember the first time you paid $100 or more to play golf?  It might be interesting to hear when it was and the story behind it.

I remember my first time paying over a $100 for a round of golf.  I was an at-large volunteer member of an international professional society.  It was my second year on the Executive Committee and still trying to fit in.  Our summer meetings were always at a nice location, and we were encouraged to bring our spouses (sort of payback for us traveling every six weeks or so for meetings).  It was the summer of 1993.  Our meeting was at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, Michigan.  Fortunately, we had several committee members that like to play golf.  The first day we got there, we were set to play The Bear at the resort.  It was a Nicklaus signature course, once rated the 18th most difficult course in America, and it was over $100.  Back then on a young engineer's salary, that was a lot of money.  But I signed up to play, got exposed to a great golf course and had a wonderful experience. 

After the round we all met up for an outdoor cookout.  The first thing my wife said was "how it was?"  My response was "if we lived here, it would be cheaper to be addicted to cocaine than golf!"   

The strange part is that I just checked on the Grand Traverse website, and the same round of golf 31 years later is only $140.  

How about you all!  Any similar experiences or stories?  I'd love to hear them!

So funny!!!! I was just going to write my story about my first 100 dollar round and it was at the Bear as I live two miles from it.  Small world

[Guest-0]

So I remember coming home from overseas in I guess 2002 and I had been hearing how well my local track The Bear had been getting along (Michigan Open is played there yearly) well it was $102 for locals and I about died but was hell bent on playing!! At that time I was a brand new golfer which is a very bad thing to be at The Bear as trouble is everywhere!!! Well not only was i new but I have always hit a very long ball so when learning my misses were catastrophic!! I think by #12 I was looking in the creek for balls as I was out but I think I somehow cooked up a 105 that should have been 195 and it was several years before I played there again  

[MattF]

I haven't paid that much for a round yet...hope I won't.

I have played courses that were well over $100 a round but I didn't have to pay it.

[Rob Person]

While the course itself is around 40-50 to play, Dothan National (host of the Junior Masters) was hosting a Cancer benefit charity scramble for a friend of mine Son's treatment.  Was 150 to enter.

But, RTJ courses run 110+ per round normally, unless you are a Trail card member, them they are approximately 50% off (45 for the annual card) . They are some very well-maintained championship courses and are host to multiple PGA/LPGA events every year.

 

[Josh Parker]

I don't know that I have ever paid for a round over $100.  I have participated in some scramble tournaments for work that were over that price but the company paid for entry. 

[Shapotomous]

I have paid over $125 a couple times to play.  I was joining up with our group trip to OC Maryland for a single round when i couldnt stay for the 3 day package.  I had to pay the green fee rate for that round at Rum Pointe.  It is my favorite course in that area and combined with the social aspect of seeing friends from college i dont mind the cost once a year.

[cnosil]

Only paid over $100 one time for a round of golf.  Was at a work event and since my buddy and I were on east coast time we did a first light round at Torrey  Pines.   

[johngschulz]

I’ve done so a handful of times for charity scrambles etc. but the first time was for our first buddies golf trip we did last year.

We went to Big Cedar Lodge, Paynes Valley was tooooo much, but we played Ozark National and the Mountain Top courses. The practice facilities were incredible, bison dogs and snacks were “free” on the turn, and they brought iced and mint infused towels out to us on the hot day which was soo nice. Not something I would do often, but a great experience with good friends, and luckily we found a cheap VRBO to stay at!

[Guest-0]

3 minutes ago, johngschulz said:

I’ve done so a handful of times for charity scrambles etc. but the first time was for our first buddies golf trip we did last year.

We went to Big Cedar Lodge, Paynes Valley was tooooo much, but we played Ozark National and the Mountain Top courses. The practice facilities were incredible, bison dogs and snacks were “free” on the turn, and they brought iced and mint infused towels out to us on the hot day which was soo nice. Not something I would do often, but a great experience with good friends, and luckily we found a cheap VRBO to stay at!

Did you actually play Payne's Valley??? And get to play that insane extra hole??? Bucket list for me for sure!!!!!

[TylorJudd]

Have never eclipsed this mark, that I won’t but at $140 CAD, that’s a big round here

[Preeway]

Only paid over $100 for a round of golf once and that was last year at Landmand. Have a couple rounds booked this year that will be over $100. Playing Bandon Dunes in June and Landmand again in August. 

[Kenny B]

Yes!  I distinctly remember that day as I made a comment to my wife... then girlfriend.  I attended my professional society annual meeting in Orlando in July 2004.  The meeting had an annual golf tournament and we played in it on the Sunday before the meeting started.  Later in the week we played ChampionsGate International Course because I had already played the National Course on a previous trip.  The comment I made was "Well, that's the most I've paid for a round of golf."  $200... $100 each!!  

And so it continues...  I have to pay double now!!  But it's worth it to have a playing partner!!  Kapalua Plantation course was $325 for both of us the week after the Tournament of Champions at the afternoon rate.  Over the next two weeks in Palm Springs, most of our rounds are over $100 each with the most expensive round being $155 each.

[Golf2Much]

2 hours ago, cnosil said:

Only paid over $100 one time for a round of golf.  Was at a work event and since my buddy and I were on east coast time we did a first light round at Torrey  Pines.   

I think the second time I paid over $100 for a round of golf was also at Torrey Pines.   In 1994 (a year after The Bear), the same organization had their summer meeting at La Costa.  At that time, La Costa hosted the PGA Tournament of Champions.  We played their South (Legends) course, played Torrey Pines the next day and finished with La Costa's North (Champions) course on the last day.  I remember that because we were not locals, in order to secure a Torrey Pines' tee time we all had to pay for a "group playing lesson" where one of their pros rode on the back on a cart, told us about the hole and left us when we got close to the clubhouse.  It was worth it!  If not the most expensive golf weekend I've ever had, it was certainly one of the most memorable.  

Edited February 10 by Golf2Much

[cnosil]

23 minutes ago, Golf2Much said:

 I remember that because we were not locals, in order to secure a Torrey Pines' tee time we all had to pay for a "group playing lesson" where one of their pros rode on the back on a cart, told us about the hole and left us when we got close to the clubhouse. 

My buddy and I had planned on playing and I used the call in system and had gotten a tee time for the day we were arriving.  Unfortunately,  due to ongoing fires the course was closed.  We went a few days later to get a souvenir and learned we could get in line early and go off before the scheduled tee times; which is what we did.  it was probably in the 90s but we didn't have to do the "group playing lesson".

[KC Golf]

I will be totally honest.  I can’t remember.  But in Toronto back in the day, a lot of courses had some expensive public courses on weekends during prime time. 

We found that Avoiding long 5.5+ hour rounds was worth the extra money.
 

[KC Golf]

15 hours ago, MattWillGolf said:

August 24, 2017. The Kapalua Plantation Course. $265 which was the afternoon rate. The most beautiful course I’ve ever played. It was worth every penny. It’s a course I’d recommend to anyone. During our stay in Maui we ate at the Plantation House several times. The food and service was every bit as good as the course.

Love this course.  It’s epic.  Great layout with awesome views.  The clubhouse bar facing the 18th is a perfect 19th hole.  The locker room with the player names and photos is small but pretty cool too.

The Manele course on Lanai is pretty awesome too.  No one is on it and it reminds you of a Hawaii version of Pebble.

[William P]

Let me preface this by noting that I typically play weekly and spend no more than $50 in green fees.

I don't recall the exact year, but I was on a 3-month consulting job in Charleston, SC, and had the opportunity to play the Oceans Course at Kiawah Island. The company I was working with had a couple of foursomes that played regularly and had scheduled this little outing a couple of months prior. During the week one of the gentlemen had to have an appendectomy and was unable to attend.  They knew I played and asked if I wanted to take his place. Of course I jumped at the opportunity without giving a thought to the cost. 

I remember at the time that the cost was north of $200 and included caddy fee. Add food, drinks, and tips to that and it set me back a nice piece of change...

That was the first and only time I paid that much for a round, but I had a great time playing and walking the course I had seen on TV and dreamed of one day playing.

Like others have commented, I have played a few other courses of $100+ club but either as the customer or sponsor company so the cost was not mine.

Edited February 11 by William P

[Guest-0]

13 hours ago, Rob Person said:

While the course itself is around 40-50 to play, Dothan National (host of the Junior Masters) was hosting a Cancer benefit charity scramble for a friend of mine Son's treatment.  Was 150 to enter.

But, RTJ courses run 110+ per round normally, unless you are a Trail card member, them they are approximately 50% off (45 for the annual card) . They are some very well-maintained championship courses and are host to multiple PGA/LPGA events every year.

 

When I saw Dothan first question was going to be is it RTJ??? I have yet to play any of them are they that magical or just another hundred bucker????

[RoyN]

8 hours ago, Kenny B said:

Yes!  I distinctly remember that day as I made a comment to my wife... then girlfriend.  I attended my professional society annual meeting in Orlando in July 2004.  The meeting had an annual golf tournament and we played in it on the Sunday before the meeting started.  Later in the week we played ChampionsGate International Course because I had already played the National Course on a previous trip.  The comment I made was "Well, that's the most I've paid for a round of golf."  $200... $100 each!!  

And so it continues...  I have to pay double now!!  But it's worth it to have a playing partner!!  Kapalua Plantation course was $325 for both of us the week after the Tournament of Champions at the afternoon rate.  Over the next two weeks in Palm Springs, most of our rounds are over $100 each with the most expensive round being $155 each.

I live in the greater Palm Springs area and the cost in season to play here is ridiculous. Summer time its super cheap. Lucky for me I have never paid over $100 for any course out here.

[Rob Person]

4 hours ago, Marlin Dave said:

When I saw Dothan first question was going to be is it RTJ??? I have yet to play any of them are they that magical or just another hundred bucker????

Depending on your definition of magical. Some are absolutely spectacular,  others are frustrating and cumbersome to get around.  Highlands I'd rate in the middle ground somewhere to me. 3, 9 hole championship courses. Beautifully kept fairways and greens!

 

 

[russtopherb]

The only time I've ever actually paid over $100 was for a charity scramble, so those don't really count.

The most I've spent on a single round was $90. Wasn't really worth it in hindsight based on how difficult the greens were. 

I have had a few Groupons in the past that let me onto more expensive courses at a much lower rate, such has Pinehills in Plymouth, MA. 

[Swood1994]

On 2/9/2024 at 10:43 PM, MattWillGolf said:

August 24, 2017. The Kapalua Plantation Course. $265 which was the afternoon rate. The most beautiful course I’ve ever played. It was worth every penny. It’s a course I’d recommend to anyone. During our stay in Maui we ate at the Plantation House several times. The food and service was every bit as good as the course.

One of my biggest regrets was not playing the plantation course when I was in Maui. I opted for the gold course at Wailea mainly because I didn’t bring my clubs and we had shuttle service to the course from our resort. But it gives me a reason to go back!

The first course that would have been over $100 was the George Fazio course at palmetto dunes in Hilton Head, SC but we played a twilight for $65. This was back in 2010 but at the time they had carts with air conditioning which use fans connected to hoses and an ice box which was really cool.

I think the first time I actually spent $100 was at bear trap dunes in Bethany Beach Delaware in July of 2014. Fun little track and keeps up with the more popular tracks from down in the ocean city MD area. 

[Kenny B]

13 hours ago, RoyN said:

I live in the greater Palm Springs area and the cost in season to play here is ridiculous. Summer time its super cheap. Lucky for me I have never paid over $100 for any course out here.

We travel there every other year; will be there next week.  Last year was Phoenix.  When I was still working, my professional society's annual meeting was occasionally at either the Marriott Desert Springs or the Renaissance Indian Wells... in July!!  But I got to play both courses at these resorts along with PGA West and others at very cheap rates.  Can't afford them now, especially when I have to pay for two to play!!

[RoyN]

1 hour ago, Kenny B said:

We travel there every other year; will be there next week.  Last year was Phoenix.  When I was still working, my professional society's annual meeting was occasionally at either the Marriott Desert Springs or the Renaissance Indian Wells... in July!!  But I got to play both courses at these resorts along with PGA West and others at very cheap rates.  Can't afford them now, especially when I have to pay for two to play!!

I live right between those two resorts. Indian Wella was the first course I ever played out here. Won a free foursome in July and i ended up being thr coolest day of the summer, was under 98 that day. I was hooked. I have a love hate relationship with the Marriott Desert Springs courses lol. My home course is Desert Willow across the street. Ive played most of the PGA West courses. They cost an arm and leg right now. Lucky for me I don't pay full price for most courses. What courses you playing while you are out here?

[Kenny B]

Desert Willow is nice but sadly it’s out of our price range this time of the year, like most of them now.  It’s about getting somewhere warm even if it is only for a couple of weeks.  We are not snowbirds…. Yet.     Our favorites we play each trip are Cimarron, Indian Canyons, and Big Rock.  This trip we are staying at Terra Lago so we will play both courses there.  Not my favorite but it’s close.  My two BILs will make our foursome this week, then next week we are on our own.

[GolfSpy_APH]

What makes a course worth $100 for you?