Is There Any Justification For High Green Fees

How much is too much? Many of you are nomadic golfers who choose to pay green fees whenever you play this wonderful game of ours - and that can be extremely expensive.

So where do you draw the line? How much are you prepared to pay for the privilege of visiting a golf course, perhaps one that you have not played before?

Having recently returned to the game, I wasted little time in joining Dunston Hall Golf Club, on the outskirts of Norwich. But, like many of you, I enjoy playing other courses.

In recent weeks I have tackled Killin Golf Club on the banks of Loch Tay, Eaton Golf Club in Norwich and Diss Golf Club on the Norfolk-Suffolk border. I also have plans to tackle Heacham Manor, Sheringham and Sprowston Manor.

The first thing I have to say is that considering the dreadful weather we have experienced, Killin, Diss and Eaton were all in exceptional condition. And in my mind they all represent superb value for money.

Killin is one of the prettiest little nine-hole courses I have ever played. It has a greens staff of one! And a day ticket costs around £30, and allows you to play as many rounds as you want. The Indian-themed food served in the clubhouse is the best golf-club food I have ever eaten.

Diss will set you back £40 for 18 holes. For that you get the opportunity to tackle a delightful tree-lined heathland golf course with small greens and several extremely challenging holes. An added bonus was being charged less than £8 for two pints of beer at the conclusion of our round. I played another Norfolk course that shall remain nameless - they charged £7.60 for a single pint of beer! 

Eaton is a gem, set near the heart of Norfolk’s county town. It was in fabulous condition. Although preferred lies were in operation the ball sat up on the fairways. The bunkers were filled with soft sand and the greens were the best I have experienced for several years. It cost £70 but is worth every single penny. Oh, and everybody at the club greeted us with a warm smile. Bliss!

We recently asked you to tell us about the best value courses you played in 2023. 

More than 700 of you responded. From your responses we came up with a list of 18 courses. In all honesty, I would have expected most of them to have come in at less than £40 and while there were several bargains in the list, you also told us about some courses where you had to dig deep. Really deep.

Top Meadow costs a mind-boggling £14, Bentham GC charge a princely £17.50, College Pines comes in at £20, Prestatyn GC is £30. 

But there were some real surprises too. Nairn GC will charge you £230 but one of our reviewers wrote: "Personally, I rate this higher than Dornoch and would consider this the best course in the Highlands. Although I may be a little biased with this being my home course as a junior. Stunning condition and views always, traditional challenging links that you need to think your way around."

For the record, Royal Dornoch, which is among Tom Watson’s favourite golf courses, will cost £280 - if you can get on the course!

Dundonald Links also featured, and it costs £210. It came with this recommendation: "From walking into reception to leaving the clubhouse after a great round and excellent meal, the guys at Dundonald Links didn’t put a foot wrong. Very friendly welcome in the pro shop and starter. The course was in excellent condition, the layout is great and was a good test - playable but testing - a really enjoyable day and top quality at a fair price. Will be visiting again."

The criteria for making our list was that we needed a minimum of three recommendations, so the above views are not voices in the wilderness.

Of course, everything will depend on your individual circumstances. 

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

How many of us would be able to hand over in excess of £490 to play Donald Trump’s Ailsa Course at Turnberry, around £418 to tackle the magnificent Kingsbarns, £325 to play Muirfield, £340 to take on Royal Troon, £320 to play Royal Lytham, £340 to play Royal Birkdale or £300 to face the 18 holes at Carnoustie or £320 to play The Old Course at St Andrews, the most famous course in the world?

I know that the green fees for Muirfield, Troon, Lytham, Birkdale, Carnoustie and St Andrews are high but consider this…if you play football, you have little or no chance of ever treading the turf at Wembley, club cricketers will never stride out to the middle at Lord’s and tennis players can only ever dream about playing on Centre Court at Wimbledon.

Golf is unique in allowing players of all standards to be able to play golf courses that host The Open Championship and others that have staged many of the top tournaments on the DP World Tour schedule.

And let’s face it - it is not just about the course. It is about the entire experience. You can play the best course on the planet but if you are made to feel unwelcome by the people who work there it is going to taint your experience. I have to say that some of the best courses I have played were also among the worst it terms of the welcome we received. 

We all love a bargain, of course we do. I have played Top Meadow in Essex and I am here to tell you that it is by a mile the best value course I have EVER played. But like most of us who play and follow this sport, there are courses I still want to tackle that I know are going to cost me an arm and a leg. 

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