Golf is also said to be the sport of kings. And there are some expensive golf courses in the world that drive even the richest of players crazy.
Do you need to pay a king’s ransom to play the game? Well, you do at certain golf courses.
What’s so special about them? After all, you could also just head to a cheaper local course, right? Rather than an exotic one in say – Bali!
Firstly, these courses are immensely costly and secondly, they are extremely unique in their own individual way. Only a true golfer can understand the passion and will to play all of these courses at least once in their lifetime.
However, you don’t have to be an avid golf lover to understand the magnificence and aura of these courses. One look at these expensive golf courses and even a person with no interest in golf will be captivated by their beauty.
Let’s take a look at some of the best pay as you play golf courses available to non-members and visitors.
1. Old-Head Golf-Links, County Cork, Ireland
This golf course is like a mecca for all golf lovers in Europe and around the world. Every diehard golf fan has dreamt of playing here at least once in his/her life. But what is the cost of doing so?
Well, interestingly, the fee for entrance to this wonderland is 350 Euros which in the UK or Europe is expensive but, compared to other courses around the world, isn’t out of reach for most players.
The course is specifically designed for international memberships. The Old-Head Golf-Links course in Ireland is an entirely different world in itself. A world of wealth, multi nationalities, prosperity and obviously, fun! Just when you start to think that this course is going to end, there occurs one more hole and an endless green yard in front of you.
The course is a par 72, comprises five Par 5s, five Par 3s, and eight Par 4s – It stretches from the ladies’ tees at 5,413 yards to over 7,100 yards from the tips, with a minimum of six tees per hole making it suitable for golfers of all handicap abilities.
While choosing a tee, you need to be careful, because all the tees are completely contrasted from each other. Most of the holes are located along a cliffside and give a water view. This sort of raises the difficulty bar as you have to be extra cautious with the cliffside. Some holes even run through the water with cliffs on both sides. This is considered the toughest part of the golf course, trying to drive over cliffs and water in windy conditions is not for the faint-hearted.
Despite being famous for a course that offers one of the most expensive golf rounds, this course has been built in one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland.
It only remains open from mid-April to the end of October and the green fee ranges from 200 Euros to 350 Euros. The Old-Head Golf-Links course is perfect for those who wish to challenge themselves with a tough game. Also, beware of the wind, because in addition to being one of the most expensive golf courses in the world, this course can also qualify as one of the windiest in the world.
2. Shadow Creek, Nevada, United States
What can be as expensive as spending one night at one of the most luxurious hotels in Las Vegas? Spending a day at one of the most luxurious and opulent golf courses in the world!
Located in the northern part of Las Vegas, the Shadow Creek is an 18-hole golf course established in the year 1990. This course has given a different touch to Las Vegas! People don’t just come to party at Las Vegas anymore, they come to have a golf game of their lives.
The legendary challenge match that happened in 2018 between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson was hosted at the Shadow Creek golf course.
Wondering what makes this course so expensive?
The Shadow Creek golf-course was built amid a whopping number of 21,000 trees. These trees are of 200 different varieties and are meant to keep the course away from the public eye. Built in the middle of the Nevada desert, this golf course is estimated to cost between 5 million to 9 million Euros.
Maybe this explains why you have to pay $500 (443.49 Euros) for one visit to the course. One of the many reasons why this golf course is very popular is its exceptional customer service. Once you enter the course, you are literally treated like a king here. Not just that, there is a personal limo just for you to roam around the course.
But what’s the catch?
The only guests allowed at the golf course are those who have the privilege of being an invited guest of the prestigious MGM Mirage-Resort. With the Shadow Creek golf course, now we have one more reason to declare Las Vegas as the city of the rich.
3. Royal Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Melbourne is often known as the golf capital of Australia. The city is lucky enough to have 4 of the 10 best golf courses in Australia.
It won’t be an exaggeration to state that the Royal Melbourne is indeed the epitome of golf in Australia. It is divided into two parts, each part consisting of an 18-hole golf course.
The West Royal Melbourne golf-course is frequently ranked as the top golf course in Australia and one of the best golf courses in the world. Green fee for this course is $300 (265.99 Euros) for visitors from the interstate and $500 (443.32 Euros) for foreign visitors.
The golf course is built on a sandy base and if often considered one of the heathland types. The course is constructed in such a way that there are bushes, shrubs, and trees in between the holes. This makes for a difficult challenge to conquer for all of the golfers. The terrain is gently undulating and has a lot of slopes to climb.
The holes are crafted immaculately to make your golfing experience a memorable one. Remarkably, the golf course is built with immense simplicity and originality. It only consists of wide fairways and expansive layouts.
Why is it among the most expensive golf courses in the world?
The Royal-Melbourne golf-course is the oldest golf course in Australia and also the first non-American golf course to host the prestigious P.G.A President’s cup. The course has plenty of stylish vehicles to navigate around. In addition to being one of the costliest golf courses in the world, the golf course is also considered as one of the greatest courses for playing golf.
4. Iwate Hirono, Iwate, Japan
Situated near the beautiful city of Kobe, the Iwate Hirono golf-course is one of the most remarkable golf courses in Japan. Built in the year 1932, it is considered as the masterpiece of C.H. Alison.
The course is built in a similar fashion to that of the Pine Valley in the United States. The area is built with neatly planned routing. Iwate Hirono golf course is popular for its par three. These are exceptionally good and make the course stand out among all the other golf courses in Japan.
The fairways and greens beautifully complement each other. There are perfectly manicured trees everywhere that just enhance the beauty of the golf course and give the player a feel of being in a beautiful Japanese Garden.
Iwate Hirono golf course is evident in the many significant qualities of C.H. Alison. Some of the signature features exhibited by the course are double doglegs, little gardens that are elevated from rest of the course, strategic bunkering, and carries that are built over ravines.
Up until now, it might not have been clear to you what the fuss is all about: Iwate Hirono golf-course not only offers players a chance to play at one of the top golf courses in the world but also an opportunity to play at one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in the world.
What gives it an edge over other similar golf courses?
The golf course has many illusion spots and opaque depth perceptions that can fool you into taking the wrong shot. The Fiord hole at Iwate Hirono is the fifth hole of the course and plays over water to an uphill green. This is a smaller version of the extremely difficult 5th at the Pine-Valley in the United States.
Costing around $550 for one round this is certainly a once in a lifetime game.
5. Pebble Beach Golf Links, California – United States
The Pebble-Beach Golf-Links course in California is popular for hosting the Ryder Cup and US open cup plenty of times.
It is also famous for providing the players with a breathtaking view and surrounding scenery. The golf course was purposely placed in the Peninsula region so that the course can be jutted out over the Pacific. This has added a challenging touch to the course.
What is the price to play at one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world?
It is $475(421.38 Euros). Now it won’t come as a shock to you, that the Pebble-Beach Golf-Links course is the second most expensive golf course in the world. Designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, the course is frequently ranked as one of the best golf courses in the United States by several golf publications.
It was established in the year 1919 and is still considered as a golfers’ paradise. All of the course has been designed to be scenic, but the holes 7, 8. 9. 10, 18 are especially beautiful. They offer spectacular views of the California coastline. The views are deemed to be so beautiful that people spend their money and efforts only to come across this portion and experience these views.
If you ask any hardcore American golfer about his/her dream golf course, this golf course will easily get a mention.
6.TPC Sawgrass – Florida, United States
This almost infamous course in Florida was specifically built for tournament play and is not meant to favor any particular style of golf. Although it is most famous for its often-photographed 17th hole, people come here to spectate all the big tournaments each year. From the Tiger Woods PGA Tour golf game, to the Player’s Championship, this is certainly one of “those” golf courses you just have to see to believe.
What is the price to play?
Costs vary throughout the year, but golf.com claims a round at TPC Sawgrass can cost you anywhere between 500-500. So save your pennies before coming here!
Conclusion: Most Expensive Golf Courses
If you’re talking about the most expensive and best golf courses in the world we couldn’t end this blog without mentioning Augusta National, St Andrews the home of golf and Muirfield. All of which are amazing courses and a dream for all golfers to play.
Some of these courses don’t always visitors and therefore they didn’t make it into our list.
Playing at any of the above courses can certainly be exorbitant for most of us, but the experience of playing there will only be a once-in-a-lifetime and worth cherishing! Make a date with any of them, and you will truly have an experience to cherish forever.
