Top 10 Most Expensive Golf Courses in the World

Every golf course is unique when it comes to terrains, views, and challenges. These unique qualities can give a different experience on the playing field as well as a higher cost just to tee off on the green.

The following golf courses may be the most expensive in the world, but their hallowed turfs are an irresistible destination for golf enthusiasts.

10. Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wisconsin – $340

Priced at $340 per person, per round, the Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wisconsin is one of two 36 holes golf courses associated with the luxury resort, The American Club. Located close to Kohler in Wisconsin, the golf course has a length of 7,123 m (7,790 yards) and a par of 72. It has hosted several golf championships namely the 2014 PGA Championship, the 2007 US Senior Open, and the 2010 PGA Championship.

Designed by Alice and Pete Dye, it was constructed to resemble the ancient seaside courses in Ireland and UK. Currently located along a 3 km (2mile) stretch close to Lake Michigan, the golf course has 8 holes close to the lake. There are three stone bridges and even a flock of Scottish Blackface sheep. It features vast rolling greens with grass-topped dunes and pot bunkers.

Before the area was turned into a golf course, an abandoned airfield, Camp Haven, was located there. It is expected that the Whistling Straits golf course in Sheboygan, Wisconsin will host the 2020 Ryder Cup. Ranked as one of the world’s best golf courses, players have the choice of choosing between the Irish course and the Straits course.

9. Kiawah Island Golf Course, Kiawah Island – $350

Located on the eastern end of Kiawah Island, the golf course charges $350 per round, per person. Designed with more golf courses than any other in the Northern Hemisphere, the golf course hosted the 2007 Senior PGA and 2012 PGA Championships. It is expected that the 2021 PGA will be held on the golf course.

As the fourth course to have hosted the PGA for American major championships, there is no golf course outside Ireland or UK that experiences so much wind. Designed and built by Pete and Alice Dye in 1991, it allows players to have a view of the Atlantic shoreline. As one of the best golf courses in the world by Golf Magazine and Golf Digest, it has been ranked the top “25 in Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Courses in America.”

It stretches for 7,199 m and has a slope rating of 153 plus a course rating of 79.7. It is one of the toughest golf courses in the US as a result of the large slopes, challenging Bermuda grass, and many bunkers. The golf course has been featured in the 2000 movie, The Legend of Bagger Vance.

8. Spyglass Hill in Pebble Beach, California – $360

As one of the greatest openings stretches in golf, the Spyglass Hill in Pebble Beach, California has five sand splash holes scattered up and down a sea of dunes. Designed to complement the sublime oceanfront scenery, it has 18 holes and a par of 72.

Located on the Monterey Peninsula in California, the golf course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and is owned by Pebble Beach Company. Having been ranked among the top 5 best on the list America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses, the golf course has been featured in Tiger Woods PGA Tour video games.

The golf course was opened in March 1966 after six years of designing and construction. It has a course rating of 75.5 and a slope rating of 144. The first hole on the golf course is called Treasure Island but one of the most renowned holes is called Blind Pew (338 m par 4).

Priced at $360 a round per person, other holes on the golf course have been named after a character or location from the Treasure Island novel.

7. Cordevalle Golf Club in San Martin, CA – $360

Having a unique blend of natural and designed elements, the Cordevalle Golf Course is intertwined with the hospitality and convenience of a luxury golf course and resort. As a private course located close to San Martin in California, the golf course and resort are operated by Rosewood Hotels and Resorts.

Established in 1999, the golf course has 18 holes spread over 6,730 m (7,360 yards) and a par of 72. With a course rating of 76.4 and a slope rating of 142, the golf course has hosted the Frys.com Open during the PGA Tour. Other events hosted at the golf course include the 2015 PGA Cup and the 2016 US Women’s Open.

Designed by Robert Trent, the greens are decked with Bentgrass while the fairways are decked with Ryegrass. It is located on 270 acres of land that include gently rolling terrain enhanced by streams, broad meadows, and mature oak trees. The golf course is a proud partner of the PGA of America (25th PGA Cup), USGA, and PGA Tour (Frys.com Open).

6. Pinehurst No. 2 in Pinehurst, North Carolina – $375

As the centerpiece of Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst No. 2 is one of the world’s most celebrated golf courses. Having served as the site for several golf championships, the golf course has hosted US Women’s Open and US Open championships. This happened in 2014 and the events were held back to back. It is expected that the US Open will be held at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2024.

Designed by Dr. Leroy Culver (first nine) and John Dunn Tucker (Second Nine), the golf course has a length of 5,568 m (6,089 yards), a par of 70, and a course rating of 68.5. With a slope rating of 118, the golf course has a statue behind the 18th hole. The statue depicts Stewart’s famous victory pose after defeating Phil Mickelson.

Currently ranked as the world’s largest golf resort by Guinness World Records, the golf course is only surpassed by Mission Hills Golf Club in China. The Pinehurst was owned by the Tufts Family. In 1970, they sold it to Malcolm Mclean. Later on, the property was acquired by several banks in 1982 and later sold to the founder of ClubCorp, Robert H. Dedman Sr.

5. The Players Stadium at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida – $400

It was built in 1982 with the goal of hosting the Players Championship, The Players Stadium originated from an idea conceptualized by former PGA Tour Commissioner, Deane R. Beman. Built to be the permanent home to the Players Championship, it was also designed to offer fans the overall experience.

Located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, it is home to the PGA Tours headquarters. With a capacity of 36,000 fans, it was designed by renowned architects, Pete and Alice Dye. As one of the most difficult courses in the world, the architects employed a stadium design just like a vast majority of other sports.

Instead of seats, fans have the opportunity of seating on raised mounds of grass. The golf course is renowned for its signature hole – par 3 referred to as the Island Green. This is one of the world’s most recognized and difficult holes in golf.

Built on 415 acres, the land was donated for a dollar to the PGA Tour. Currently, the original check is displayed in the clubhouse. The golf course has a length of 6,574m (7,189 yards), a course rating of 76.4, and a par of 72.

An interesting fact about the golf course is that it was the site where the US Amateur was held in August 1994. During the event, 18-year-old Tiger Woods defeated Trip Kuehne in the finals.

4. Old Head Golf Links in County Cork, Ireland – $400

Sitting on a promontory jutting out two miles into the Atlantic Ocean, the Old Head Golf links has one of the world’s spectacular golf courses. Located in County Cork, the golf course is the brainchild of Patrick O’Connor and his late brother, John O’Connor.

Today, it has become more than a world-class golf course. It is also a sanctuary for people who are looking for the finest personalized services. Currently sitting on 220 acres of land, the promontory is almost like an island.

It has numerous caves beneath. The golf course was designed as follows – the practice and links area occupy 180 acres while the rest of the 40 acres is occupied by vast areas of the cliff that frames the course.

With a par of 72, it comprises five Par 5s, five Par 3s, and eight Par 4s. Players can enjoy unsurpassed ocean views while playing 18 holes. The other nine holes are located along the cliff tops. Facilities available on the golf course include Oak lined locker rooms with spa and shows.

Learn more about The Old Head Story.

3. Blue Monster at Trump National Doral Miami, Florida – $450

Having hosted the PGA Tour for the last 55 years, the golf course was founded by Alfred Kaskel in 1962. The name “Doral” is an amalgamation of Kaskel and his wife, Doris. With 90 holes and a signature course – Blue Monster – the course and resort sits on 800 acres of land.

Before it was renovated, the course and resort had 700 hotel rooms spread across 10 lodges, four golf courses, and 8000 square meters of meeting space. It included a 2300 square meter ballroom, extensive retail, and private members clubhouse.

Designed by Greg Norman, the course has a length of 6,557 m (7,171 yards), a course rating of 74.5, and a par of 72. The golf course and resort were purchased by the Trump Organization in 2012 leading to the change of name from Doral Resort and Spa to its current one. After the purchase, $250 million was used to renovate the golf course and resort.

Other tournaments held at the Blue Monster include the Doral Open (1962 to 2006) and WGC-Cadillac Championship (2007 to 2016).

2. Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, Nevada – $500

Designed by Tom Fazio, the golf course is built on empty desert flatland that measures 350 acres. Built by Steve Wynn, Las Vegas casino magnate in 1989, the golf course has 18 holes and reportedly cost $60 million dollars.

Over 3 million cubic yards of dirt were excavated from the desert leading to the creation of a berm. 21, 000 trees that included more than 200 varieties were planted on the sides, in and around the golf course. This helped to provide a much-needed sense of intimacy.

Opened in 1989, it is one of the most exclusive courses in the world with a green fee of $500 that includes a round-trip limousine rental that will take you from the Strip to club rental. The course does not experience more than two dozen rounds each day.

1. Pebble Beach Links in Pebble Beach, California – $525

As one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world, it’s located in Pebble Beach, California. Opening to the Pacific Ocean, the golf course became the first public course to be ranked as the No 1 Golf Course in America by Golf Digest.

Green fees at the golf course are one of the highest in the world at $525 plus $92.50 caddie for non-resort guests and a $40 cart fee per round. Owned and operated by Pebble Beach Co, it has 18 holes.

Designed by Douglas Grant and Jack Neville, the golf course has a course rating of 75.5, a length of 6,437 m (7,040 yards), and a Par of 72. The course has hosted the following events – US Open, PGA Championship, Nature Valley First Tee Open, and AT&T Pebble Beach ProAm. It is expected that the 2018 US Amateur and 2019 US Open will be held there.