How much should I expect to pay to play for a round of golf at a public course? (Raleigh: coupons)

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

I recently got back into playing golf and while visiting family in Florida I played a few times at some nice public courses for about $30 a round + golf cart rental. How much should I expect to pay at a public course in the Triangle? I am open to places in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Wake Forest so if you have any suggestions on specific courses to check out that would be great. I'm still not very good so it doesn't need to be a very challenging course. Right now affordablility is the biggest consideration for me.

Thanks!

~ NRG

[rwsnc]

If you're a Senior, you can expect to pay anywhere from $20 - around $35 during the week. If you're a "youngster", then probably around $35 - $55 per round. Both includes carts. If you want to golf for free, then see if your favorite golf course needs any rangers or starters. In most cases, if you work one 5 or 6 hour shift, you will be able to golf for free and have free range privileges.... That's what I do.

[brooks2007]

This site might help you. You can check rates & tee time availability and select and book your round online. This site is kind of like a Travelocity or Expedia of golf courses (available in most states).

The Raleigh area site represents 46 courses (at this time):
North Carolina - Raleigh/Durham - Tee Times | Golfnow.com

Hit 'em long!

.

[Beermat]

Another option is to register online at a number of Golf Clubs websites so they email their special offers - that works pretty good for me. Another good way is to collect a free copy (or several copies ) of 'Triangle Golf' from Dicks Sporting Goods and most golf courses advertise specials where you clip the coupon and take it to the course to get the reduced rate. Their website link is below

Triangle Golf Today Magazine

[h2ohzrd]

Or try clickitgolf.com. They send weekly discounts.
Lakeshore in Durham is relatively cheap and very walkable. I think you can walk it for ~$14.00 weekday afternoons (18 holes). Lakeshore Golf Course
Others are more costly and certainly the time of day and day of the week will change the price.
Knights Play in Cary is a par 3 18 hole course that is very walkable, inexpensive and fun Knights Play Golf Center, Day and Night Par 3 Golf Course in Apex, North Carolina
Hillandale in Durham gets a lot of play but is also very walkable and inexpensive. Hillandale Golf Course | World Class Golf Courses in Durham, NC

Stop in any golf shop or store and pick up a copy of Triangle Golf Today Magazine. It's free, has coupons and a map of all the courses in the area http://www.trianglegolf.net/

[Streamer1212]

Here's a link to Wil-Mar Golf Course on Old Milburnie Rd., on the east side of Raleigh: Rates (http://wil-margolfclub.com/zrates.htm - broken link)

Here's the one to RGA, on Tryon Rd., Lake Wheeler Rd. and 70 East:
Raleigh Golf Association, Raleigh North Carolina | Raleigh Golf Courses

These courses are the oldest in Raleigh besides private clubs, and offer well cared for courses, short-ish but somewhat challenging layouts, and very nice people who run the clubs.

Knights Play is a par three course on 1010 rd., just east of US 1. It has 27 holes. Probably a good way to sharpen ayour game (Read: lower your scores) before you get back on the regulation courses. Here's the rates: Knights Play Golf Center, Day and Night Par 3 Golf Course in Apex, North Carolina

I've been playing all these courses since the early '80's (or at Knights Play, since it was built). They're friendly and fun courses. Championship courses? Nope. What you asked about? Definitely.

Note that unlike many golf courses built into planned home neighborhoods like Hedingham, Prestonwood, etc., these courses are alll easily walkable.

Fairways and greens will take you to the land of par.
A 220 yd. 3 wood in the fairway is better than a 310 yd. drive into the tall grass and long leaf pines. Ask me how I know.

Regards,
Streamer1212

[NRinNC]

Hillandale in Durham is another walkable course with reasonable rates - and they drop in the afternoon, currently 2 PM, if you want to play for under $30 on a weekend including a cart. (It's shown as the "late play" rate on their web site fees page, hillandalegolf.com/green-fees.html.) Hillandale is a nice layout, quite well maintained and not overly long, though it's quite a challenge to slicers - the creek that runs through it is on the right on most holes where it comes into play.
Lakeshore by RTP and Brevofield in Wake Forest are also low-cost and walkable. Not as nice as Hillandale, but worth a shot for a change or if they're closer to you.
By the way, quite a few other courses, including some nice semi-privates, have lower afternoon rates - they can kick in any time from noon to 3 PM, depending on the course. And definitely do check the coupon specials on the website for Triangle Golf Today - you can save a lot. Go to trianglegolf.com, click on "read our current issue", and, when the new page opens, look for the icon to download a .pdf copy at the bottom. Save it, and you can print as many coupons as you like until they expire.