Top Golf Destinations for a Golf Trip on a Budget

Need some inspiration with planning your next golf trip? When it comes to playing golf, it’s always a good time to get away. The question is where are the budget trips? And importantly, where can you go for a long, relaxing weekend without breaking the bank? Golf trips can be very expensive, especially if you don’t want to pay $300 for a round of golf. 

Here are a few suggestions for cheap golf vacations in the US. These are all budget-friendly golf excursions and some courses only charge $10 to $20 for golf fees. Included are ideas for couples, the whole family and guys-only getaways. Yup, it’s time to go pack your clubs!

Note: Now’s your chance to sign-up for the $100,000 Hole in One Contest. See below for more details!                                                                                                  

San Juan Oaks Golf Club

“The most important shot in golf is the next one,” Ben Hogan

Located in sunny California, you can enjoy as much golf as you want at San Juan Oaks. Tee off for about $32 to $46 (online rates) at this 18-hole golf club. Higher winter rates can run $85. With weekend specials available, there’s plenty of activities for your family while you enjoy the front- or back-9. Hollister has a host of fun activities like paintball and skydiving or take in a vineyard tour if you’re bringing your spouse.

Golfers like San Juan Oaks because there’s a good practice area set up and a grass tee driving range. The fairways are beautiful and the food is yummy. Note: there are no sand in their bunkers. They have a chipping practice area. Staff is friendly and it’s not crowded in the afternoons. With great seasonal weather and the mountains in the background, it makes for an enjoyable trip. 

  • View the course here or schedule your tee time. 
  • Golf Advisor rates San Juan Oaks Golf Club a 4.3 out of 5. There are 7,092 yards and it’s a par 72. 
  • Location: 3825 Union Road, Hollister, CA 95023 (831) 636-6113                                                                                                                                                               

Redlands Mesa Golf Course

“The only sure rule in golf is he who has the fastest cart never has to play the bad lie,” Mickey Mantle

Located in mountainous Colorado, this picturesque golf club is breathtaking. 9-hole rates range from $40 to $50. 18-holes range from $60 to $87. Bringing the family? Children aged 12-17 can play 18-holes for $15. 

If you’re bringing your family, Grand Junction has a Children’s Nature Center and Canyon View Park. It has a duck pond, play area, baseball and soccer fields. Top tours include Grand Mesa for fishing, hiking and camping. If time and weather permit, go see the horses at Little Book Cliff Wild Horse Area.

Golfers note that the food at Redlands Mesa is good, house music is upbeat and the views are quite enjoyable. The course is well-maintained. There are several elevated tee boxes and golfers will find an interesting uphill approach shot or two. Staff is friendly and the pro shop is quite helpful. Golf carts have their own GPS. 

  • Book a tee time here. 
  • Golf Advisor rates Redlands Mesa Golf Course a 4.1 out of 5. There are 7,007 yards and it’s a par 72. 
  • Location: 2325 W. Ridges Blvd., Grand Junction, CO 81507 (970) 255-7400                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Cobleskill Golf & Country Club

“Golf is a puzzle without an answer. I’ve played the game for 50 years and I still haven’t the slightest idea of how to play,” Gary Player

Located in New York, there are all kinds of vacation packages offered at Cobleskill. Check their schedule for special offers like a round of golf with a golf cart included for $30 or $22 twilight rates in the summertime after 3 pm. Rates range from $10 for 9 holes to $38 for weekends with a cart included.

Bringing the family with you? Cobleskill activities include the Muscle Motors Speedway, the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum and Fly Creek Mill & Orchard tours. 

  • View the course guide here. To book a tee time, call the Pro Shop at (518) 234-4045.
  • Golf Advisor rates Cobleskill Golf & Country Club a 4.4 out of 5. There are 6,163 yards and it’s a par 70. 
  • Location: 2322 State Route 7, Cobleskill, NY 12043  (518) 234-4045 

Primm Valley Golf Club

“Actually, the only time I ever took out a one-iron was to kill a tarantula. And I took a 7 to do that,” Jim Murray

Located in California, Primm Valley is ideal if you’re bringing your family before a trip to Las Vegas. Preferred packages include their Stay and Play Package that runs under $300 for three nights. The rate is good for up to 2 adults and 2 children. With family-friendly activities, it can make for a relaxing weekend for everyone.  

Golfers state play pacing is exceptional and the layout is excellent. With a desert and lake course, the desert course is the tougher option. Service is phenomenal and the practice range is nice. 

  • Book a tee time here. 
  • Golf Advisor rates Primm Valley Golf Club a 4.1 out of 5. There are 6,945 yards and it’s a par 71.
  • Location: 1 Yates Well Road, Nipton, CA 92364 (702) 679-5509 

Salish Cliffs Golf Club / Little Creek Casino Resort

“It took me seventeen years to get three thousand hits in baseball. It took one afternoon on the golf course,” Hank Aaron

Located in picturesque Washington, Salish Cliffs is a “one-stop-shop”. It’s 20-minutes from Olympia and one hour from Seattle. It was voted Best New Course by Golf Magazine and Golfweek. With 600-feet of elevation, there are panoramic views of the Kamilche Valley in the backdrop. 

Salish Cliffs has a lot of activities to choose from. There are car shows, concerts, events and a bar and grill. The Little Creek Casino Resort is also located here. Take lessons through the Golf Academy. Rates vary as they list “demand-based pricing” but are affordable so pack up the family or invite your colleagues. 

Look for their Stay and Play packages. These include a single or double room, 18-holes of golf, a golf cart with GPS, a bucket of balls and a 50-minute massage (call for pricing).

  • View the course here or book a tee time here. 
  • Golf Advisor rates Salish Golf Club a 4.9 out of 5. There are 7,269 yards and it’s a par 72.
  • Location: 91 West State Route 108, Shelton, WA 98584 (360) 462-3677 

Dayton Valley Golf & Country Club

“Give me golf clubs, fresh air and a beautiful partner, and you can keep the clubs and the fresh air,” Jack Benny

Located in Nevada, this Arnold Palmer course is very affordable with golf fees priced from $20 to $45. There are several dining options nearby and with the Nevada desert backdrop, it’s picturesque and tranquil. If you want to spice up the trip, head to Las Vegas as a stopover in your itinerary. 

If you bring the family, view the lights tour at the Bellagio, take the kids on a fun roller coaster ride or spend a day at the Grand Canyon. If it’s a guys-only trip, watch the fights or head to the casinos. There are several great ways to enjoy Sin City. 

  • Golf Advisor rates Dayton Valley Golf & Country Club a 4.1 out of 5. There are 7,218 yards and it’s a par 72.  
  • View the course here.
  • Location: 101 Palmer Drive, Dayton, NV 89403 (775) 246-7888 

 Pheasant Run Golf Course

“If you drink, don’t drive. Don’t even putt,” Dean Martin

Located in Illinois, this is one of the most affordable golf vacation resort destinations for families. The par 72 course includes fees of $20 for its twilight special. Family-friendly activities include a crafts area, outdoor theater and pool activities. 

Golfers state the course is in good condition. There’s a nice pitching and practice putting area. There’s also a grass driving range and practice bunker. The staff is friendly and food good. 

  • Golf Advisor rates Pheasant Run Golf Course a 4.3 out of 5. There are 7,329 yards and it’s a par 72.
  • View course details here or book a tee time here.
  • Location: 19 Clubhouse Drive, Chowchilla, California 93610 (630) 584-6300 

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

“I started watching golf for the first time yesterday. I`m really worried about myself. I was actually enjoying it,” Ewan McGregor

Located in Florida, the Sandestin resort is perfect for a long weekend. There are four courses available and fees start at $60. If you bring the family, sign the kids up for Club KZ. The resort property sits on 2,400 acres and it has 1,250 vacation rentals. There’s a spa, marina, tennis and beach area. There are four courses to play on. These include the Link Golf Club, Baytowne Golf Club, the Raven Golf Club and Burnt Pine Golf Club. 

  • Golf Advisor rates the Links Golf Club 4.4 out of 5. There are 6,710 yards and it’s a par 72. The Raven Golf Club is rated 4.6 out of 5. There are 6,931 yards and it’s a par 71. Baytowne Golf Club is rated 4.3 out of 5 and there are 6,804 yards and it’s a par 72. The Burnt Pine Golf Club is rated 5 out of 5 and there are 7,001 yards and it’s a par 72.
  • Book a tee time here. 
  • Location: 9300 Emerald Coast Parkway, Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (850) 267-8000 

Tobacco Road Golf Club 

“If you watch a game, it’s fun. If you play at it, it’s recreation. If you work at it, it’s golf,” Bob Hope

Located in North Carolina, seasonal packages make this an affordable vacation. With a clubhouse and golf shop, it’s easy to enjoy a relaxing day of golf. Fees range from $80 to $185. 

Golfers find it a challenging course with a lot of hazards and new challenges with each hole. With a unique design and a few washout areas, the fairways are wide and 

  • Golf Advisor rates Tobacco Road Golf Club a 4.7 out of 5. There are 6,557 yards and it’s a par 71.
  • View the course here.  
  • Location: 442 Tobacco Road, Sanford, NC 27332 (877) 284-3762 

Enter the Swing King $100,000 “Hole in One” Golf Contest

Have you ever hit a hole in one? Want to try? You can sign up now for the Hole in One Contest and win cash prizes as high as $100,000? If you’ve heard about the HIO Contest or saw a Swing King Contest ad, here’s what you need to know.  Maybe you’ll be the next Swing King and have a featured video. Now’s your chance to find out. The “Hole in One” contest is ongoing and powered by the “Swing King” system. See the Official Terms and Conditions here.

Sign Up Now for Your Chance to Win Up to $100,000 

Your entry into the Hole in One (HIO) contest makes you eligible for the following prizes:

  • $5 entry fee for up to a $10,000 prize
  • $10 entry fee for up to a $20,000 prize
  • $20 entry fee for up to a $50,000 prize
  • $40 entry fee for up to a $100,000 prize

90 winners have already won cash prizes. See videos of winners and their winning shots here. 

Sign Up for the Swing King Contest

The contest is offered at Chimera Golf Course and the rules are easy. Once you book a tee time through the Chimera Golf Course website, you will be redirected to a link for Swing Kings where you can enter the contest. Good luck!

Chimera Golf Club 

“The only sure rule in golf is he who has the fastest cart never has to play the bad lie,” Mickey Mantle

Located only minutes from the Las Vegas strip, Chimera Golf Course is in Henderson, Nevada. The course was designed by Ted Robinson, Jr. and it rests on 6,906 yards. There are 68 white-sand bunkers and plenty of water hazards. With four different tee markers, it’s welcoming to pros and novices. Fees can vary so look for $30 after 2:30 pm which can include a golf cart with GPS, ice and a cooler. Players can get a bite to eat at Slice 19. 

Golfers can enjoy the pub and restaurant as well as a 31,000-square-foot Tuscan Village meeting and banquet area. The 4,000-square-foot patio offers sweeping views of Las Vegas. Golfers state the fairway is lush and tee boxes are in good shape. With beautiful desert views, the lakes and bunkers are well-positioned. The course is 70.3/122 rating/slope if you’re hitting from the serpent tees. Mid-mornings midweek are slower and discount rates can be found off-times like mornings during warm weather. Other activities  at the club include foot golf and golfboards.

See what others say about Chimera Golf Club

Arrow-up
Receive the latest news

Newsletter

Stay up to date and get notified about golf and food specials, exclusive benefits and special events at Chimera Golf Club

*Required