One could argue golf courses that host PGA Tour events are as accessible to the public in 2014-15 than they have ever been. That's partially a result of the fact that three of the four major championships this season are taking place on courses anyone can play.
Of course, there are varying degrees of "public access" in U.S. golf.
With that in mind, here's your guide to the courses where you can follow in the footsteps of the PGA Tour pros. We've grouped them together by the ease and expense of Joe Public being able to book a tee time.
The most affordable and accessible golf courses on the PGA Tour
These courses are the easiest to book -- usually at the lowest cost -- but they generally lack much event prestige or top-100 acclaim.
TPC Louisiana: Dynamically priced online and seasonally, TPC Louisiana can be played for around $150-225. (Read Mike Bailey's review of TPC Louisiana.)
TPC Deere Run: The fact that this oft-overlooked venue in Quad Cities is in one of the smallest markets on tour (and overshadowed on the schedule) helps keep the green fees at less than $80.
RTJ Trail Lake Course at Grand National: A top stop on the famed (and affordable) Alabama Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, the Lake Course at Grand National is new to the tour schedule and sports green fees of less than $100.
Tournament Course at the Golf Club of Houston: Formerly Redstone Golf Club, you can expect great conditions at this rare Houston-area, cool weather-grassed course that prides itself on presenting an Augusta-like playing surface leading up to the Masters.
Morning Drive ranks the top PGA Tour venues you can play
Muni courses on the PGA Tour
The cost and ease of getting a tee time on these municipal facilities can vary greatly depending on your driver's license.
Torrey Pines South and North: This beloved 36-hole muni in La Jolla, Calif., receives plenty of play from fortunate county residents. For visitors, there are also two luxury hotels -- Hilton Torrey Pines and the Lodge at Torrey Pines -- that offer stay-and-play packages. A la carte tee times are available directly with the pro shop starting 90 days in advance. Torrey Pines South peaks at $229 on weekends, while the North Course peaks at $125.
TPC Harding Park: Operated by TPC but owned by the city of San Francisco, historic Harding Park is a townie's oasis in a prestigious neighborhood. With Olympic Club and San Francisco Golf Club nearby, this President's Cup and World Golf Championships host is extremely popular among city residents. Non-city residents will pony up closer to $150-175 for a round.
Chambers Bay: The links-inspired 2015 U.S. Open host, molded out of an abandoned quarry beside the Puget Sound, is owned by Pierce County and managed by KemperSports. Its intrigue is largely due to the fact that it's such a deviation by the U.S. Golf Association from a traditional U.S. Open venue. Summer green fees for non-residents push $200.
Resort courses with daily-fee access
These courses are tied to resorts or hotels that offer stay-and-play packages, but you can also book tee times a la carte.
North at Silverado Country Club: The new host of the Frys.com Open, the North Course at Silverado is a classic Robert Trent Jones Sr. design (later updated by now-owner Johnny Miller) in the heart of Napa's wine country.
Harbour Town Golf Links: The feather in the cap of the 54-hole Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, S.C., this Jack Nicklaus-Pete Dye collaboration along the Calibogue Sound remains a favorite among tour players and their families. It's also proof you don't need lots of yardage to be a challenge to the pros.
Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort: One of the early designs by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the jungle-framed Plantation Course is a very unique play in Hawaii, with sprawling fairways, huge greens and one of the most exciting finishing holes on tour -- a downhill, 600-yard par 5 showcasing the splendor of the North Shore.
Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale: The fan-friendly Stadium Course reopened this fall after an extensive renovation and some design changes by Tom Weiskopf. Green fees are among the Valley's highest, heading north of $300 peak, but they vary greatly by season.
The Champion at PGA National Resort & Spa: In Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., the 90-hole PGA National Resort & Spa is an impressive spread for golf junkies. The Nicklaus-designed Champion, recently updated for 2015, is the supreme test.
Stay-and-play resort/members club courses
You have to book at least one night's stay at these resorts, which also serve as member's clubs, in order to play their PGA Tour venues.
Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort: The 72-hole Innisbrook Resort is a members' club with lovely, spacious and shady quarters for resort guests. The Copperhead Course is undoubtedly one of the favorites -- if not a bit under the radar -- on the Florida Swing.
Bay Hill Club & Lodge: A small 70-room lodge oozing with class (whether owner and resident Arnold Palmer is on site or not), Bay Hill is a welcoming, quiet stay-and-play in Orlando, Fla., with a classic course design.
Seaside Course at Sea Island Golf Club: Lavish Sea Island has three courses, highlighted by the historic Seaside Course designed by H.S. Colt and Charles Alison and later updated by Tom Fazio.
AT&T Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio: There is a membership at the 36-hole TPC San Antonio, but the massive 1,000-room JW Marriott makes this property feel more like a resort.
TPC Four Seasons Dallas: The TPC Four Seasons in Irving, Texas will host the AT&T Byron Nelson Classic at least through 2018. Guests who stay here can play this Jay Morrish design, often one of the tour's tougher setups, that was updated in 2008 by D.A. Weibring and architect Steve Wolfard.
The elite courses on the PGA Tour
These venues, while technically accessible, check in among the 10 most expensive golf courses in the U.S.
Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course: Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course make up two-thirds of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am rotation. Playing Pebble Beach without a hotel reservation is possible only on a last-minute basis. (How to book a Pebble Beach tee time.)
The PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass: The home of the PGA Tour, this course offers a good chunk of public play, and you're often sharing the fairways with one of the 50-plus tour pros who live in the area and practice here.
Blue Monster at Trump National Doral Miami: Much fanfare surrounded the return of the brand new Blue Monster in early 2014. Gil Hanse made an extensive redesign, and it's now a bigger, bolder -- and pricier -- play.
Old White TPC Course at Greenbrier Resort: Old White is the most prestigious of the three courses at this West Virginia mountain retreat, and a rare C.B. Macdonald course open to the public.
Straits Course at Whistling Straits: Host of the 2015 PGA Championship, the Dye brute along the shores of Lake Michigan will eat up your scorecard (and your wallet).
The international courses on the PGA Tour
Considering that all-private golf clubs are predominantly an American pastime, it's no surprise that all the international venues on tour are available to the public.
Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland: The Old Course is not only host to the 2015 Open Championship, but it's also a regular stop on the European Tour with the Dunhill Links Championship. How to book a tee time? It's possible, but it's a little complicated.
El Camaleon Golf Club at Mayakoba: This Greg Norman design winds through dense mangroves and tiptoes around the occasional cenote on the Riviera Maya near Cancun.
Glen Abbey Golf Club, Canada Mostly private and the home of the Canadian Golf Museum and Golf Canada, it's part of the ClubLink brand of clubs. Limited public access is available, however, at $235.50 peak season.
Trump International Golf Club Puerto Rico: A licensee of Trump's golf brand, this 36-hole club (home to the Championship Course and International Course) is located next to the Gran Melia Resort on Puerto Rico's northern shore just east of San Juan.
