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The words 'bargain' and 'California' don't generally pair well.
Just like everything in the Golden State, golf is expensive compared to what tee times cost elsewhere in the country. When I lived in Michigan, a bargain tee time was $35 (green fees have certainly gone up since moving a decade ago). Today, a bargain tee time in California ranges from $65 to $100 depending upon how good the course is.
It's tough to find absolute steals. Even courses that are "off the beaten path" or "hidden gems" - two buzzworthy phrases for golf writers - cost more here. It's just a fact of life living where the sun never stops shining and you're never more than an hour from an ocean, mountain or famous tourist destination. But there are some really good California courses that fit into that budget range. Most of them are munis, while others are just more affordable than their closest competitors.
Here are my picks for the 10 best bargain courses in California:
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Rustic Canyon Golf Course - Moorpark
![Rustic Canyon GC]()
Highest Green Fee: $104 Star Rating: 4.8 Architects: Gil Hanse, Geoff Shackelford
Notable: This well-regarded muni tucked away from the hustle and bustle of LA plays like a bouncy and firm links. Even if you end up paying a Benjamin, that might not feel like a 'bargain' to many golfers, but you have to look at it from this perspective: Considering the quality of the course, you get your money's worth and then some.
GolfPass Review: "Finally made the trek from downtown to Rustic Canyon, and to say I was blown away would be an understatement. One of the best layouts I've ever played and the greens were vicious. Simply couldn't miss long all day and were often penalized short as well. The fairways were wide and easy to hit so very playable for players of all skills levels. Will be back soon!" - nickbutler80 -
Coronado Golf Course - San Diego
![Coronado Golf Course]()
Highest Green Fee: $73 Star Rating: 4.8 Architect: Jack Daray
Notable: Five holes play at or along the San Diego Harbor, giving golfers a scenic round near the coast.
GolfPass Review: "Love This Place. Used to play here quite a lot back in the 90s. It's still a great place. The staff are great and the course is in good condition. Pace of play has significantly improved since the 90s." - mpsprowl -
Soule Park Golf Club - Ojai
![Soule Park GC: #5]()
Highest Green Fee: $71 Star
Rating: 4.3 Architect: William F. Bell, Gil Hanse
Notable: Gil Hanse updated this 6,806-yard William F. Bell muni in 2005 before he became a household name.
GolfPass Review: "A Gil Hanse golf course that you can actually play, yes please. Love everything about this laid-back California course. Conditions are almost always great but unfortunately the word is now out and the course is as busy as ever. Zadee's Restaurant is so good, people who don't even play golf come for breakfast, lunch and dinner." - BrewmasterGolf -
Pacific Grove Golf Links - Pacific Grove
Highest Green Fee: $105/cart Star Rating: 4.5 Architects: Chandler Egan, Jack Neville
Notable: Bargain golf can come with some quirks, like a 5,700-yard routing that starts on a par 3. But this "poor man's Pebble Beach" delivers a killer back nine with views of the lighthouse and ocean.
GolfPass Review: "I hadn’t played Pacific Grove Golf Links since 1992 & I really enjoyed the course! Very challenging with breathtaking views! Pace of play was atrocious & painfully slow! 4 1/2 hours to play this short of a Golf Course is not acceptable! But it is really a Gem of a course. If you don’t mind a really long round of golf, I would highly recommend playing Pacific Grove Golf Links." - ghulkman -
Rancho Solano Golf Club - Fairfield
Highest Green Fee: $87 Star Rating: 4.5 Architect: Roger Thomas Baird
Notable: Halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento, Rancho Solano serves golfers traveling both east and west. At least six holes interact with ponds as the muni weaves its way through a neighborhood. The club's website touts the "largest greens" in northern California, so bring your best with the putter.
GolfPass Review: "I played during the day, so the pace was uninhibited. Course was in good condition when I played. The greens were fast, and I had to get used to them, but the roll was true. The fairways were well maintained. Thanks for an enjoyable round." - djclink -
Paso Robles Golf Club - Paso Robles
Highest Green Fee: $101 Star Rating: 4.7 Architect: Bert Stamps
Notable: Pasa Robles started as a private club in the 1960s before a new owner invested steadily the past 15 years to not only improve the course but the clubhouse and restaurant as well. Don't let the 6,157 yards on the scorecard fool you. With water on half the holes, Paso Robles will provide all the challenge most of us need.
GolfPass Review: "It's a Beauty. Friendly reception and starting experience. Course is absolutely beautiful and maintenance up to par for it. Greens are not tricky, don't give away the hole. Very flat, any walker would love this place. Only complaint is that it is a bit pricey. Amenities are all there. The grill for 19th hole activity has excellent food." - javavoudis -
Olivas Links Golf Club - Ventura
Highest Green Fee: $79 Star Rating: 4.4 Architect: William F. Bell/Forrest Richardson
Notable: Located between LA and Santa Barbara, this city-owned muni - also run by KemperSports - resides next to the Santa Clara River and the Ventura Harbor. Trees, shaped by the wind off the ocean, and contoured mounding guide golfers through the natural layout.
GolfPass Review: "Great value. Well maintained. The course was in great shape. Best course around for the price." - mpollock2002 -
Ridge Golf Course & Events Center - Auburn
Highest Green Fee: $80 Star Rating: 4.1 Architect: Robert Trent Jones, II
Notable: Just a short drive from Sacramento on the way to Lake Tahoe, The Ridge, built in 1999, rides 100 feet of elevation changes at the gateway of the Sierra Nevada.
GolfPass Review: "Pretty scenery. Challenging.
A well maintained course. Lots of local regular players who are very welcoming and helpful. Hilly terrain." - SonomaValleyTom -
Ridge Creek Dinuba, Dinuba
Highest Green Fee: $85 Star Rating: 4.6 Architect: John Fought
Notable: This muni, circa 2008 south of Fresno, is a local favorite run by KemperSports. Fought is also an underrated architect. It is surrounded by the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and canals that feed the orchards of California's agricultural-based Central Valley.
GolfPass Review: "Great course. Course and staff are fantastic. Thus was my first time playing here and I will definitely come back." - takalaka -
Mt. Woodson Golf Club, San Ramon
Highest Green Fee: $70 Star Rating: 4.3 Architect: Lee Schmidt/Brian Curley
Notable: Mt. Woodson is southern California's version of Pacific Grove Golf Links, the "poor man's Pebble Beach" that ranks higher on our list. Mt. Woodson is crazy short at 5,700 yards like Pacific Grove, but instead of the ocean, it's the surrounding rocky hillsides that provide the stunning views. The wild terrain and forced carries make it a tactical challenge. The one downside is that this style of target golf can lead to inconsistent pace of play.
GolfPass Review: "Interesting Layout. Fairways were o.k. for the most of the time. There are some bare spots. Greens were good and putted consistently. They are fast. Downhill chips and putts are difficult to stop. We played in 4 hours 15 minutes. It could have been less than 4 except the twosome we played with hit two balls each over the first four holes. The layout is definitely different than a lot of courses. Lots of uphill, downhill, or sidehill lies." - Prettygoodgolfer
Comments (1)
Although I don't live in California, I've played quite a few courses there in the past. One more recent standout was Los Verdes GC in the Los Angeles area. The William F. Bell layout--not a masterpiece but impressive--sported terrific views from high above the coastline. Still, the conditioning did not match the course; I felt it was a decent (but not great) value.
Judging by your concise reviews here, these courses look like superior options. I hope you'll do more of these for some of the premier--or even underrated--golfing destinations across the U.S.
Although I don't live in California, I've played quite a few courses there in the past. One more recent standout was Los Verdes GC in the Los Angeles area. The William F. Bell layout--not a masterpiece but impressive--sported terrific views from high above the coastline. Still, the conditioning did not match the course; I felt it was a decent (but not great) value.
Judging by your concise reviews here, these courses look like superior options. I hope you'll do more of these for some of the premier--or even underrated--golfing destinations across the U.S.