Top 100 courses under $100
From NBC/GolfPass reviewer Jason Deegan
Whenever the golf ratings staff at NBC’s GolfPass creates a cool list to help golfers find the best courses for their next dream golf vacation, inevitably readers respond about how expensive and unattainable playing some of the top places can be.
Almost every Top 100 list ever created highlights dozens of courses that cost between $200 to $500. That's a serious chunk of change.
However, its latest list might be an all-time favorite: the top 100 golf courses in America that cost less than $100.
GolfPass uncovered America's best courses that never charge more than $99 to play. You read that right ...never …unless they veer from their rack rates for a rare, inflated greens fee. They all include taking a golf cart (but not taxes and fees), even if you can walk the course. Golfers can often find better rates in myriad ways, especially by walking or playing on weekdays and at twilight. Short courses and nine-hole courses were not considered.
It does include courses designed by Tom Doak, Gil Hanse, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones II, Greg Norman, Rees Jones, Donald Ross, A.W. Tillinghast and other famous architects.
Following is the list of the five MICHIGAN courses found on GolfPass’ top 100 under $100 nationwide, but you can also click here to read the rest of the story to see where other top bargain courses costing less than a Benjamin are located across the country.
This list illustrates how great a state like Michigan is for top end golf at a value, boasting five such courses when the national average should be two per state.
Black Lake Golf Club - Onaway, Mich.
Highest Green Fee: $85 Star Rating: 4.7 Architect: Rees Jones
Notable: Black Lake, owned by the United Auto Workers, features 228 sleeping rooms available in the Old Lodge, the Upper Lodge Conference Center or a selection of condominiums and apartments.
GolfPass Review: "Absolutely love to tee it up here! Staff is always friendly and professional... Highly recommend this as a must play!" - Wolverine10
The Orchards Golf Club - Washington, Mich.
Highest Green Fee: $95 Star Rating: 4.0 Architect: Robert Trent Jones, II
Notable: The Orchards hosted the Michigan Open from 2011-13 and the 77th U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship in 2002 won by PGA Tour pro Ryan Moore. (Hunter Mahan also competed).
GolfPass Review: "A beauty that bites. Orchards is a great golf course. It’s very well maintained, extremely photogenic, and has a very fun design. Don’t let this deceive you though, the greens are fast, the bunkers are deep, and the rough is THICK. Make sure you hit the fairway on this golf course. If you don’t, you will be punished." – Nknotts
Sweetgrass Golf Club - Harris, Mich.
Highest Green Fee: $85 Star Rating: 5.0 Architects: Paul Albanese, Chris Lutzke
Notable: Part of the Island Resort & Casino, this pristinely-conditioned Upper Peninsula gem comes equipped with nods to the presiding tribe as well as Pete Dye, who mentored its architect.
GolfPass Review: "Sweetgrass is one of the best golf courses in the UP and in the same class as Greywalls, Pine Grove, Wild Bluff and Timberstone. This is one of the best conditioned courses I have ever played. The layout and greens have a very modern feel." – hornedwoodchuck
Pilgrim's Run Golf Club - Pierson, Mich.
Highest Green Fee: $99 Star Rating: 4.7 Architect: Mike DeVries
Notable: A past #1 "Friendliest Golf Course in America" in our Golfers' Choice rankings, this pleasant parkland layout north of Grand Rapids is full of charm, interesting shots and nice people.
GolfPass Review: "Was having major surgery in just a few days and I wanted to play one of my favorites before going under the knife. I have played almost 180 courses in Michigan alone and Pilgrims Run is easily in my top 5 favorites. Well maintained, great routing, friendly great Pro, and in a beautiful setting!" – VikingPro
Diamond Springs Golf Course - Hamilton, Mich.
Highest Green Fee: $65 Star Rating: 4.8 Architect: Mike DeVries
Notable: Ridges, ravines and rollicking greens make this woodsy layout south of Grand Rapids one of America's greatest bargains, and a walk that feels like playing golf at summer camp.
GolfPass Review: "Diamond Springs is one of the handful of courses I've played that has no weak holes. Each tee box provides a unique challenge that doesn't resemble anything you've done elsewhere on the course. The collection and routing of par 3s, 4s, and 5s, is exceptional. The way the land flows through the course gives it some visual flair and strategy." - noahjurik
