Greens Fees Around the World

Howdy apatriot, looks like your up there to the north...hill country. I'm close to the fall line...pretty much a flatlander, although there is a course here in the foothills of the appalachians called Hickory Ridge. It is by far one of the most well maintained courses but it is so damn hard...I call it the mountain golf course because all you do is hit from one mountain to another; topped or fat shots end up unplayable in a shrubby rock filled valley. The first tee is 500+ feet down to the tight, woodlined fairway over some haggard looking shrubs and rocks that doglegs right to the green some 400 odd yards away. I love the view up there, just not of my ball down in the valley and I'd never walk that course...hell it almost chokes my truck down trying to make it up the hill to the clubhouse. Poor location and the difficulty of the course have resulted in low attendance and there is a big For Sale sign that greets everyone at the gates, but it still open; it's one out of the 4 courses that I mentioned earlier. I'm ready to go back now that I talk about it...

My home course (6,911, 72.6/135)- 18 w/ cart= $43 on weekdays, $50 on wknds. Walking knock $12 off each.

Other "home" course (6,430, 71.2/127)- 18 w/ cart= $20 weekdays, $30 on wknds.

In Japan, golf is EXTREMELY expensive. A round at a normal course would cost on average $150US on the weekend. On the weekdays, it is much cheaper at around $80US. They truly make it into a luxury sport here where you have golf carts that follows a track by itself and can be remotely controlled to stop and start. Almost all courses make you play 9 holes have lunch and then go for the other 9. You can ofcourse ask for caddies which takes your club to and from the cart (cart is stuck on a path and cannot be driven on the grass) and look for your balls etc.

As with all courses here in Japan, they are out in the moutains and you have to drive there which takes over an hour easily. Highway toll costs are also very expensive here. All in all, the average cost to play golf here would probably be $200 per day! It is truly a whole day event.

The above would be a person who is not a member. However, being a member is not what you guys would think either. Here you pay a ridiculous sum of money to join, then you have a yearly fee which is not so bad. But here comes the surprise. You still have to pay EVERY TIME you play but at a discounted price (maybe half).

You guys do not know how lucky you guys are. Being member and being able to play anytime you want. Luckily for me, I know someone living in Nagano who owns a golf course and I can go play there when I head there. The only problem is, to get to Nagano from Tokyo would cost $150US for a return trip by the bullet train anyway....

Here in Chicago a run of the mill private club will cost around $40,000 to join and another $500 per month for dues. Upper echelon clubs on the North Shore and clubs like Medinah, Butterfield, Olympia Fields cost $100,000+ to join and dues over $700 per month + assessments.

Middle of the road public golf is around $50.00 per round. There are plenty of upper echelon public courses in the $100 to $200 range.

Below is the link to my home course. $25 before 11 A.M. $18 After 11 A.M. It's a real nice course. Prices will go up as the snowbirds return. I think December 1st you'll see $45 for a round with a cart. It's the only private course in our county.

http://www.floridasbeach.com/sports_...nwoodsgolf.com

Average seems to be 20 - 30 € for 18 holes. Hard to get cheaper, but easy to pay more. I played a round in Ozon golf in Riga/Latvia, It was 45 euros.

I have heard that South Africa and also Australia has inexpensice but very good courses? Can anyone verify?

Hannu

ps.
just started to learn - but maybe I'll find a came before I'll turn in to a senior. ( 7 years).

I am from Australia and I have to say that golf is very cheap there. The cost is a bit more if you live in the major cities but in general it is still very good compared to other countries in the world. For $AUD50, you can expect to play at decent courses.

I also live in Sweden (south) and the prices seem about right.

Prices for seniors are about 40-50% off and off-season (october to april) are significantly cheaper at many courses as well.

ettem, where in Sweden do you live?