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Grooming a young golfer can feel overwhelming to many parents.
All of the lessons, equipment changes and tee times can feel like a financial drain. Finding somewhere to play and practice that won't break the bank is probably the no. 1 responsibility of the parent of a junior golfer.
Many facilities that are friendliest to young golfers are short courses and very crowded (and often scruffy) municipal golf courses. There's nothing wrong with that. Tiger Woods got his start on hardscrabble courses around Los Angeles.
But we've found an attractive alternative for young golfers who are ready to take the next step. With our new list of America's Top 100 Kid-Friendly Golf Facilities, we've tapped into the amazing playing benefits of Youth on Course to identify the best golf courses juniors can play for the most affordable rates.
Parents will be thrilled to know that their young Youth on Course members (ages 6-18) can play at legendary places such as Bethpage Black, Spyglass Hill, Chambers Bay and many other state- and nationally-ranked courses for only $5. Youth on Course, a non-profit based in California, offers $5 tee times for its members at more than 2,000 courses across the U.S., Canada and Australia.
Every U.S. facility on our list has at least one course that has been honored among the "best in state" by major publications such as GolfPass, Golf Digest, Golfweek or Golf Magazine. Another 120 state-ranked candidates didn't make the cut for this Top 100, proving how deep the roster is for Youth on Course members who want to play and practice at high-quality facilities around the country.
We've organized the selections by region and by state, so you can find the courses nearest you. Savvy golf parents can also use this list as a guide for planning family trips, where younger golfers can play for a rate so cheap that the extra money left over could be spent on a nice room or better meals. The Sandhills of North Carolina and California's Monterey Peninsula, for example, are littered with choices.
While there are time restraints and day of the week limitations for securing Youth on Course tee times - sometimes paying cart rental fees or calling ahead is required as well - those hurdles are minimal compared to the priceless opportunity to expose your kids to the greatest game of them all: golf.
Here are America's Top 100 Kid-Friendly Golf Facilities thanks to Youth on Course:
East Coast (13 in 7 states)
Connecticut (2)
Tallwood Country Club
$5 policy: Weekdays anytime
Comment: Tallwood, ranked among Golfers' Choice best in state four times, plays more than 6,500 yards with water in play on half its holes.
Timberlin Golf Club
$5 policy: M-F anytime. Weekend after 3pm
Comment: This 6,858-yard muni, which has finished among the state's top 15 in Golfers' Choice five times, has been updated twice, most recently by Ray Hearn in 2014.
Maine (1)
Riverside Golf Course
$5 policy: South nine: M-F 10-2. Weekends after 2pm. North: Weekends after 2pm
Comments: The North dates to the 1930s. As a classic course, it's easily walkable and cherished for its value.
Maryland (1)
Worthington Manor Golf Club
$5 policy: Walking only every day starting at 5pm
Comment: This 7,034-yard gem, ranked among Maryland's best five times in Golfers' Choice, made the leap to the national top 50 in 2023, ranking sixth.
Massachusetts (1)
Cranberry Valley Golf Course
$5 policy: Every day after 4pm
Comment: Geoffrey Cornish, New England's most prolific architect, designed this 6,761-yard muni in 1974 with Mark Mungeam modernizing it.
New Jersey (3)
Blue Heron Pines
$5 policy: M-Thurs after 3pm. F-Sun after 4pm
Comment: The 6,810-yard Blue Heron Pines was designed by Stephen Kay.
Riverwinds Golf & Tennis
$5 policy: Walking only M-Thur after 5pm. F-Sun after 6pm. Under age 12 need an accompanying adult charged the twilight rate.
Comment: Owned by former NFL quarterback Ron Jaworski, the 7,072-yard RiverWinds sits between the banks of the Woodbury Creek and a deep harbor marina on the Delaware River.
Vineyard National at Renault Winery
$5 policy: After 4pm Sun–Thurs.
Comment: The 7,213-yard Vineyards is situated in the South Jersey Pinelands with beautiful views of orchards and vineyards. Mom and dad can sip while the kids chip at this golf-and-wine destination.
New York (3)
Bethpage State Park
$5 policy: NY state residents weekdays only after 4pm
Comment: Getting on the popular Black, host of the 2025 Ryder Cup Matches, won't be easy, and maybe not advisable for juniors, but the Red Course is highly regarded, too, and more playable.
Livingston Country Club
$5 policy: M&F after 11am, T&Th between 11-2pm, Weekend after 1pm
Comment: This historic 6,462-yard Seymour Dunn design from 1927 has ranked among New York's top 25 five times in Golfers' Choice.
Wild Wood Country Club
$5 policy: M-Tues & Thurs 11am-3pm. Weekends after 3pm
Comment: This 6,473-yard course is a regular in New York's Golfers' Choice ratings, finishing among the top 20 five times.
Virginia (2)
Hobbs Hole Golf Course
$5 policy: M-Thur after 1pm. F-Sun after 3pm
Comment: Ranked among the state's top courses by Golfers' Choice eight times, the 6,700-yard Hobbs Hole is a favorite of members and locals alike.
Kiskiack Golf Club
$5 policy: Weekdays anytime. Weekends after 12pm. Parent required.
Comment: Another eight-time state honoree, Kiskiack is known for lots of water and nice natural views without houses in sight.
Golf facilities where juniors can play free golf
What's better than $5 tee times? Free golf, of course.
There are several ways junior golfers can play free at some really nice golf clubs, resorts and facilities around the country. Ten different Marriott golf resorts offer a Kids Golf-4-Free program where juniors ages 15 and under enjoy a complimentary round with a full-paying adult after 3 p.m. year-round. Click on our resort pages below to learn more about each course.
Myrtle Beach, S.C., isn't just a beach destination in the summer. Its popular 'Kids Play Free' initiative allows junior golfers 16 and under to play free with a paying adult at 50 area courses June through August. Many of the Grand Strand's best are available, including TPC Myrtle Beach, Tidewater, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, True Blue and the four courses at Barefoot Resort. For a full list, click here.
One last tip: It's always wise to check in with local golf courses and see what junior golf promotions they have cooking. Last summer, Manitou Passage in northern Michigan announced a Twilight Special, where every day after 3 p.m. kids ages 17 and under play free with a paying adult round.
Midwest (26 in 13 states)
Illinois (1)
Harborside International Golf Center
$5 policy: Tues-Wed after 3pm
Comment: Both the Port and Starboard courses have earned 'best in state' recognition since opening in 1995. Harborside, a muni that hosted the PGA TOUR Champions in 2002, was designed by Dick Nugent to be a treeless links featuring vistas of Chicago's skyline and Lake Calumet.
Indiana (3)
Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex
$5 policy: Ackerman-Allen every day after 4pm. Kampen Course weekdays after 4 pm
Comment: Purdue's 36-hole facility is headlined by the Kampen Course, host of the 2008 NCAA Men’s Championships and the 2003 NCAA Women’s Championships.
Chariot Run Golf Club
$5 policy: Walking only Mon-Thu anytime after 2pm. Mon-Thu (with adult after 1pm)
Comment: Few courses have done as well in Golfers' Choice as this Bill Bergin design. It has ranked among our national top 50 five times and also scored highly for its value, course conditions, friendly staff, layout and off-course amenities.
Swan Lake Resort
$5 policy: Weekdays any time. Weekends after 3pm
Comment: Although the Black Course (4.8) is more highly regarded, only the Silver Course (4.8) appeared in the Golfers' Choice Top 50. Both are old-school designs where thick rough and a few hazards are the biggest obstacles.
Iowa (2)
Bos Landen Golf Club
$5 policy: M-Tues anytime. Wed before 12pm. Thurs after 12pm
Comment: Bos Landen, located 40 miles outside of Des Moines, means “Land of the Woods” in Dutch. It's a stout test of golf through the trees.
Hunters Ridge Golf Course
$5 policy: Mon-Thu after 2pm
Comment: Fifty bunkers and 10 ponds make Hunters Ridge (4.3) a challenge for golfers.
Kansas (1)
Buffalo Dunes Golf Course
$5 policy: Weekdays after 2 pm
Comment: The mostly treeless Buffalo Dunes could be the best public course in Kansas. A course-wide renovation is set to be completed in 2026 to celebrate the city muni's 50th anniversary.
Kentucky (5)
Dale Hollow Lake Golf Course
$5 policy: Weekdays anytime. Weekends after 12pm
Comment: Golfers don't mind the drive because of the views and the value of Dale Hollow, which has ranked among the state's top courses in Golfers' Choice eight times.
Eagle Ridge Golf Course at Yatesville Lake State Park
$5 policy: Weekdays anytime. Weekends after 12pm
Comment: Arthur Hills designed Eagle Ridge (4.0) to play narrow at times. The elevation changes off the tee provide for thrilling drives and beautiful views.
General Burnside Island State Park
$5 policy: Weekdays anytime. Weekends after 12pm
Comment: Brian Ault squeezed the 6,394-yard course on an island surrounded by Lake Cumberland.
Kearney Hill Golf Links
$5 policy: M-F anytime. Weekends after 3pm
Comment: P.B. and Pete Dye collaborated on this popular Louisville muni. Approach shots and putting on undulating greens are at a premium for scoring.
Wasioto Winds at Pine Mountain State Park Golf Course
$5 policy: Weekdays anytime. Weekends after 12pm
Comment: The Michael Hurdzan design sits within a valley crisscrossed by a meandering stream and surrounded by mountains. With five par 5s and five par 3s, it's fun to play.
Michigan (4)
Black Lake Golf Club
$5 policy: M-Thur anytime
Comment: Rees Jones let the land guide him to 18 natural and engaging holes. Owned by United Auto Workers, there's also a place to stay nearby.
Gaylord Golf Club
$5 policy: Call for a tee time T-Thur after 3pm
Comment: Gaylord GC is known for its pure greens, friendly local vibe and enjoyable course. It's a stalwart in Michigan's Golfers' Choice rankings.
Radrick Farms Golf Club
$5 policy: Walking only M-Tues anytime
Comment: Radrick Farms, Pete Dye's first solo design, is normally treated as a private club with access only given to those connected with the University of Michigan, but young golfers are lucky enough to play it several days a week.
University of Michigan Golf Course
$5 policy: Walking only M-Tues anytime
Comment: This Dr. Alister MacKenzie design in the shadow of the 'Big House' - aka Michigan Stadium - is a rare MacKenzie that's kept in great shape while also open to the public.
Minnesota (2)
The Pines at Grand View Lodge
$5 policy: M-Thurs after 4pm. Additional $25/person for the cart.
Comment: Fresh off a renovation, The Pines has returned to the top conditions that made it a Golf Magazine Top 100 course in the early 2000s.
The Preserve at Grand View Lodge
$5 policy: M-Thurs after 4pm. Additional $25/person for the cart.
Comment: The Preserve is located farther from civilization but that gives its log-cabin clubhouse and rolling hills a northern woods vibe. Plan to rent a cart.
Nebraska (1)
Eagle Hills Golf Course
$5 policy: M-Thurs anytime. Weekends after 3 pm
Comment: This 6,515-yard city muni is also home to one of the state's best public practice areas, featuring a large lighted teeing area, two sculptured fairways and target greens and a three-hole Academy Course.
North Dakota (2)
Hawktree Golf Club
$5 policy: Walking only M-Tues&Thurs anytime. F-Sun after 2pm
Comment: Designed by Jim Engh, Hawktree is a modern marvel of hills, black sand bunkers, scenic views, a creek and native grasses.
The Links of North Dakota
$5 policy: Anytime
Comment: Overlooking Lake Sakakawea, The Links of North Dakota lives up to its name, traversing a windswept landscape of no trees or water hazards.
Ohio (1)
Heatherwoode Golf Club
$5 policy: Every day after 4pm. Call in advance
Comment: This city muni, a former host of the old Nike Tour's Miami Valley Open, is located partway between Dayton and Cincinnati.
Pennsylvania (2)
Galen Hall Golf Club
$5 policy: T&Thurs and weekends after 2 p.m.
Comment: The 6,271-yard historic course has roots to A.W. Tillinghast. Diabolical greens are its defense. It is home to what is marketed as the game's first island green.
Skytop Lodge
$5 policy: M-Thurs after 2 pm
Comment: The 6,656-yard Skytop Lodge is a mountain course in Pennsylvania's Poconos. A variety of elevation changes make it tough to hit the small greens.
South Dakota (1)
Meadowbrook Golf Course
$5 policy: Daily after 2pm excluding Wednesday.
Comment: Located near the Black Hills only 23 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Meadowbrook delivers a classic parkland experience of tree-lined fairways with Rapid Creek winding through the course and water coming into play on nine holes.
Wisconsin (1)
Brown Deer Park Golf Course
$5 policy: Weekdays after 6pm. Weekends after 4pm
Comment: This classic muni hosted the Greater Milwaukee Open from 1994-2009 and is most famous for Tiger's PGA Tour debut in 1996.
Mountain West (6 in 3 states)
Colorado (3)
City of Greeley Public Golf Courses
$5 policy: Anytime weekdays
Comment: Both the older Highland Hills (1964) and Boomerang Links (1991) have garnered state ranking accolades from Golfers' Choice. A land swap in 2021 brought three new holes to Boomerang's back nine.
CommonGround Golf Course
$5 policy: Anytime (call 7 days in advance to book)
Comment: Tom Doak's 2009 redesign makes CommonGround a Denver-area favorite. As the home of the Colorado Golf Association, it welcomes all ages and skill levels to grow the game.
Vail Golf Club
$5 policy: M-Thu after 4pm
Comment: In the land of pricy private and resort golf in the Vail Valley, this local muni caters to the everyman golfer with nice conditions and a solid layout at the base of the Gore Mountain Range in the Rocky Mountains. Watch out for Gore Creek.
Idaho (2)
Jug Mountain Ranch Golf Course
$5 policy: Daily after 1pm. Cart required due to course terrain. Valid license required.
Comment: Jug Mountain has committed to helping beginners by building a short course near the range. Its main course starts out with a jaw-dropping first tee shot off of a ledge high above the first fairway.
BanBury Golf Course
$5 policy: March 1-Oct 31 four hours before sunset. Nov 1-Feb 28 anytime. Call for availability
Comment: Designed by John Harbottle III, the 6,890-yard BanBury wanders around the Boise River. Water feels omnipresent.
Montana (1)
Old Works
$5 policy: Daily after 4pm by calling for a tee time
Comment: That Jack Nicklaus transformed a Superfund cleanup site of an old iron ore mine into a nationally renowned course remains one of golf's great environmental success stories. Remnants of old equipment still decorate the property.
Southeast (17 in 6 states)
Alabama (4)
Cambrian Ridge
$5 policy: M-Thu depending on availability. Call in advance.
Comment: Cambrian Ridge is one of the lesser known stops on the Robert Trent Jones Trail because there's no hotel or par 3 course, but it's always ranked among the top courses in the state by multiple publications.
Capitol Hill
$5 policy: M-Thu depending on availability. Call in advance.
Comment: With three impressive layouts, Capitol Hill is one of the RTJ Trail's signature stops. The Senator Course hosted the LPGA Tour nine times from 2007-2016 and currently hosts The Guardian Championship, an Epson Tour event held every September.
Grand National
$5 policy: M-Thu depending on availability. Call in advance.
Comment: As a former host of the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's NCAA Championships, LPGA Tour, Symetra Tour, Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR, Grand National is a highly regarded tournament facility with 32 of its 54 holes playing along the shores of the 600-acre Lake Saugahatchee.
Magnolia Grove
$5 policy: M-Thu depending on availability. Call in advance.
Comment: Both the Falls and Crossings courses come highly regarded. The LPGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour competed on the Crossings course.
Florida (2)
Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne
$5 policy: Friday after 10am. Weekends after 12pm
Comment: A former PGA TOUR Champions host, this muni provides skyline views of Miami across Biscayne Bay. Mangrove thickets and seven saltwater lagoons are hard to avoid when the wind kicks up.
Sandridge Golf Club
$5 policy: Daily after 2pm
Comment: The two home munis of GolfPass Senior Staff Writer Tim Gavrich are eminently playable and enjoyable for all ages and skills. Although Gavrich favors the challenge of the Dunes, it's the Lakes that gets more love in Golfers' Choice.
Georgia (2)
Fields Ferry Golf Club
$5 policy: Weekdays after 12pm. Weekends after 3pm
Comment: Just minutes from I-75, Fields Ferry gets praised for its consistently good conditions and value for the dollar.
The Club at Savannah Harbor
$5 policy: Sun-Thurs after 3pm
Comment: Designed by Bob Cupp and Sam Snead, The Club at Savannah Harbor has been state ranked in Golfers' Choice six different seasons for its good conditions and resort vibe. It is part of the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort, which is located on Hutchinson Island in the Savannah River on the Georgia-South Carolina border. Sounds like a family golf vacation to us!
Missouri (1)
Innsbrook Resort Golf Course
$5 policy: M-F after 1pm. Weekends after 3pm
Comment: Rolling hills make for tricky lies and nice elevation changes and views at Innsbrook (4.6). Twelve lakes add to the challenge.
North Carolina (5)
Lonnie Poole Golf Course at North Carolina State University
$5 policy: Daily after 2 pm
Comment: The home of the Wolfpack ranks among the top college courses in Golfers' Choice regularly. The Arnold Palmer design offers glimpses of the Raleigh skyline.
Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club
$5 policy: M-W after 3pm
Comment: Mid Pines and Pine Needles - both heralded Donald Ross designs - are located across the street from one another and could easily be combined for a family golf getaway to the North Carolina Sandhills.
Pinehurst Resort and Country Club
$5 policy: Anytime (booked a day prior or day of play)
Comment: Only the Pinehurst 1, 3 and 5 courses - plus The Cradle - are available for Youth on Course $5 tee times, but those are some of the most fun and affordable courses at the historic resort.
Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club
$5 policy: M-W after 3pm
Comment: As a four-time host of the U.S. Women's Open, Pine Needles has a nice tournament pedigree to go along with its beautiful lodge and Ross features.
Southern Pines Golf Club
$5 policy: M-W after 3pm
Comment: Southern Pines was taken over by the owners of Mid Pines and Pine Needles and recently renovated by architect Kyle Franz.
South Carolina (3)
Charleston Municipal Golf Course
$5 policy: Daily after 11 am
Comment: Charleston Muni, a Seth Reynor original, was wonderfully restored by Troy Miller in 2020. It's great that such a historic city has revived such a treasured classic.
Founders Club of Pawleys Island
$5 policy: Anytime
Comment: Long playing second fiddle to so many top courses in Pawleys Island, Founders Club rose above its competition in the Golfers' Choice 2023 rankings, finishing first in the state and no. 36 among the nation's top 50.
The Links at Stono Ferry
$5 policy: Call for tee time M-Thurs after 12pm. F-Sunday after 2pm
Comment: This 6,756-yard gem was designed by Ron Garl. The front nine winds its way through pines and waste areas before the back nine follows the banks of the Intracoastal waterway, ending at an island green on no. 18.
Southwest (11 in 6 states)
Arizona (1)
Wigwam Resort
$5 policy: Daily after 3:30pm
Comment: With three different parkland courses to choose from in Arizona's Valley of the Sun, Wigwam would make for a great family golf vacation for a young Youth on Course member who's learning to love the game.
Nevada (3)
Angel Park
$5 policy: Daily after 2pm
Comment: Both the Mountain and Palm courses have been state recognized, and if you still want more golf after dark, The Cloud nine, a fun short course, is lit for night play.
Boulder Creek Golf Club
$5 policy: Limited before 12pm daily. Availability after 12pm
Comment: This 27-hole muni in Boulder City a half hour from the Strip is one the best value plays near Las Vegas.
TPC Las Vegas
$5 policy: June 6-Aug 20 after last tee time
Comment: TPC Las Vegas feels like a private club with its nice clubhouse and prime conditions. As a former host of the PGA TOUR, it's got a few challenging holes over desert washes.
New Mexico (2)
New Mexico State University Golf Course
$5 policy: Sun-Thurs anytime
Comment: The Aggies' home course shows up often in Golfers' Choice state and college rankings. It's a good value for the money.
Pinon Hills Golf Course
$5 policy: Anytime
Comment: Every golf publication considers this Farmington city playground by Ken Dye one of the country's best munis. A $10-million renovation wrapped up in 2023 has improved cart paths, drainage, turf, bunkers and the clubhouse.
Oklahoma (1)
Arrowhead State Park Golf Course
$5 policy: Daily after 2pm
Comment: This 6,761-yard state park course overlooks Lake Eufaula. It is considered a good value by locals.
Texas (2)
Brackenridge Park Golf Course
$5 policy: M-Thur after 10am. F-Sun after 1pm
Comment: The oldest public golf course in Texas was the first ever host to the Texas Open Golf Tournament in 1922. The 6,243-yard layout has a tight front nine with plenty of trees, demanding accurate tee shots. The back nine is more open, subjecting it to strong winds.
Lighthouse Country Club
$5 policy: Anytime weekdays. Weekend after 12pm
Comment: Located in Texas Hill Country, the 6,558-yard course is located near Lake Lyndon B. Johnson. Condos on site offer stay and play opportunities.
Utah (2)
Eaglewood Golf Course
$5 policy: M-Thu after 12pm. Carts extra
Comment: With a perfect 5.0 GolfPass star rating, this Keith Foster design on the outskirts of Salt Lake City has ranked among the top six public courses in the state three times in Golfers' Choice. There's a great deal of elevation change and unique holes cut from the side of a mountain within a housing community.
Logan River Golf Course
$5 policy: Call ahead for tee time M-Thurs after 2 pm
Comment: The 6,502-yard course is loaded with ball-gobbling hazards, including Logan River. But players love the challenge, ranking it No. 1 in Utah in 2023 Golfers' Choice.
West Coast (27 in 4 states)
California (14)
Bayonet & Black Horse
$5 policy: Bayonet daily after 3 p.m. Black Horse daily after 2:30pm
Comment: Bayonet is the championship test, having hosted multiple PGA Professional Championships for the nation's top club pros, while Black Horse has recently been renovated to introduce the region's sandscapes into its design. Future plans include a hotel for a full-service golf resort.
Carmel Valley Ranch
$5 policy: Daily after 3p.m.
Comment: This Pete Dye design rides the hills of the warmer Carmel Valley inland from the Monterey Peninsula.
Corica Park
$5 policy: Oct 1-March 31 after 3 pm. April 1-Sept 30 free after 4pm
Comment: Corica Park sits on an island on the east side of San Francisco Bay adjacent to the Oakland International Airport. Rees Jones redesigned the South Course from 2016-18 to create an Australian Sandbelt-themed course home to 110 bunkers. Robert Trent Jones Jr., his brother, followed up by transforming the shorter North Course from 2022-2025 into an interesting Scottish-style links.
Half Moon Bay Golf Links
$5 policy: M-Thurs after 5pm
Comment: The Arthur Hills-designed Ocean Course features a windswept links landscape on the Pacific Ocean, while the Old Course by Arnold Palmer is more traditional, finishing at the magical 18th hole running along the coastal cliffs toward the Ritz-Carlton hotel.
The Links at Spanish Bay
$5 policy: Book tee times via the Youth on Course app and GolfNow. Members under 13 must have an adult chaperone. Availability varies daily.
Comment: Gil Hanse is set to revamp Spanish Bay in 2026 to maximize its gorgeous setting right on the ocean.
Pacific Grove Golf Links
$5 policy: M-Thu anytime. Weekends after posted twilight
Comment: The "Poor Man's Pebble Beach" is perfect for juniors. It's walkable and starts off with a bunch of par 3s before going dunesy along the ocean on the back nine.
Pasatiempo Golf Club
$5 policy: T-W after 4pm. Call for space available tee time
Comment: Following a two-year restoration, Pasatiempo has returned to its MacKenzie roots. Its five par 3s are a masterclass in shotmaking.
Pine Mountain Lake Golf Course
$5 policy: Anytime
Comment: Designed by William Bell, this 6,382-yard mountain course was a hidden gem until breaking out in Golfers' Choice 2023 and 2024, ranking among the nation's top 50 courses.
Poppy Hills Golf Course
$5 policy: Walking only M-F from 2:30-2:50 by calling in advance
Comment: The home of the Northern California Golf Association and Youth on Course, Poppy Hills hosts dozens of tournaments every year. The RTJ2 course is a nice walk through the Del Monte Forest.
Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club
$5 policy: Daily after 5pm (3:30pm during daylight savings)
Comment: Inland from the Monterey Peninsula, Quail Lodge's terrific 6,464-yard course winds through the rolling terrain of the Carmel Valley. Todd Eckenrode's redesign made it more environmentally friendly.
Rustic Canyon Golf Course
$5 policy: M-Thurs after super twilight
Comment: Rustic Canyon helped launch Gil Hanse to the international fame he holds today. Walking Rustic Canyon trying to solve its wicked greens feels worlds away from the crush of Los Angeles.
Spyglass Hill Golf Course
$5 policy: Book tee times (nine holes only) via the Youth on Course app and GolfNow. Members under 13 must have an adult chaperone. Availability varies daily.
Comment: Arguably Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s finest work, Spyglass Hill is lauded by some as better than Pebble Beach. It's certainly harder, with the first four holes delivering stunning ocean views before the layout climbs into the Del Monte Forest.
TPC Harding Park
$5 policy: M-Thu after 2pm (summer after 4pm). Fleming: Any day after 12pm
Comment: Host of the 2020 PGA Championship and other top events, TPC Harding Park celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025. If thick rough and long holes along Lake Merced are too much for your junior, play the shorter but still challenging Fleming nine.
Yocha Dehe Golf Clubb at Cache Creek Casino Resort
$5 policy: Call day of play for walking only tee time after 2pm
Comment: This tribal-owned course starts off with a dramatic drive off an elevated tee and never lets off the gas as the routing passes by a vineyard in the scenic Capay Valley.
Hawaii (2)
Maui Nui Golf Club
$5 policy: Anytime
Comment: $5 golf on Maui? It's true. Maui Nui wanders through the foothills of Haleakala, providing subtle elevation changes as well as views of the ocean and the surrounding West Maui Mountains.
Waikoloa Village Golf Club
$5 policy: Daily after 3pm
Comment: Affordable golf is hard to find in Hawaii, so take advantage of Waikoloa Village for a tropical island golf escape on Hawaii Island on the sunny Kohala Coast.
Oregon (7)
Bandon Crossings Golf Course
$5 policy: Call day of play for tee time M-F anytime. Weekends after 12pm
Comment: This Dan Hixson design is the more affordable inland option to the courses of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. The course's local owners even own a couple vacation rentals where you can stay, either on the ocean or on the course.
Eagle Crest Resort
$5 policy: Call day of play for tee times daily after 1pm
Comment: Few resorts can match the variety of golf experiences of Eagle Crest, which sits outside Bend in central Oregon. Both of its main courses, Resort and Ridge, have been state-ranked by Golfers' Choice, while the Challenge Course is shorter and sportier. A putting course completes the amenities.
Florence Golf Links
$5 policy: M-F after 12pm. Weekends after 12pm. Must call day of play.
Comment: A five-time selection for Oregon's best in Golfers' Choice, the Florence Golf Links was designed by Rees Jones in 1993.
Gearhart Golf Links
$5 policy: Call day of play for tee times daily after 2pm
Comment: The golf course is generally wide open, easy to walk and a pleasure to play. Legend has it that several Scotsmen laid out four holes on the wind-swept dunes in the 1880s, making Gearhart Golf Links the oldest course in Oregon.
Juniper Golf Club
$5 policy: Call day of play for tee times daily after 12pm
Comment: Oregon's best muni (ranked in Golfers' Choice seven different times) is perfect to play on arrival or departure day, being so close to the Redmond airport.
Salishan Golf Links
$5 policy: M-F after 12pm. Weekends after 12pm Must call day of play
Comment: Salishan starts out in the hills before a back nine situated on the west side of Highway 101 winds along Siletz Bay near the ocean.
Stonecreek Golf Club
$5 policy: Call for tee time M-F anytime
Comment: Designed by Peter Jacobsen and Jim Hardy, Stonecreek's front nine meanders in a meadow-like setting with the back nine winding through towering Douglas fir trees and bordering wetlands.
Washington (4)
Chambers Bay
$5 policy: Call for tee times available M-F beginning 3.5 hours before sundown
Comment: The host of the 2015 U.S. Open has solved its greens issues by converting them from fescue to poa. The result is more consistent putting. The walk in the former gravel quarry along the Puget Sound has always been sublime.
The Home Course
$5 policy: Weekdays anytime, Weekends after 12pm
Comment: The home of the Pacific Northwest Golf Association and Washington Golf (WA Golf) had a seven-year run in Washington's Golfers' Choice rankings from 2014-21, finishing as high as sixth in the state.
Suncadia Resort
$5 policy: M-Thu after 2pm
Comment: Both the resort's Prospector (4.4) and Rope Rider (5.0) courses bring the fun. After golf, your young golfer will love the resort's indoor pool and water slide. This is the drier side of the mountains so enjoy the sunshine.
Trophy Lake Golf & Casting Club
$5 policy: M-T & Thu after 2pm
Comment: Trophy Lake is one of several wonderful public facilities on the Kitsap Peninsula across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge from the mainland. A neighbor, the Cascade Course at Golf Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, almost made our list.
