Five Top New Affordable Priced Golf Courses in America

In this piece on the five top new affordable-priced golf courses, we will give a brief description of five courses that have been opened in 2009-2010, and offer some of the best values of any of the golf courses in the United States. These new courses are a vanishing breed, that is, quality courses recently built that can be played for $40 a round or less. Most of the new courses opening today are the high-end private courses built in accompanying residential communities, followed by upscale semi-private and resort courses.

These new affordability priced golf courses are located in five different areas of the country east of the Rocky Mountains, so a number of golfers will not have to travel too far to play one of these hidden gems. All courses will not allow metal spikes, and will have a driving range, rental carts and clubs, and will take credit cards unless otherwise specified.

• Lonnie Poole Golf Course at North Carolina State University. Raleigh, North Carolina.

This Arnold Palmer designed golf course gets an overall "good" course rating, although to fully enjoy this layout one should be in the low handicap area. There are some blind shots that must be contended with.

Weekday price range: $35-$75.

Weekend price range: $45- $75.

• CommonGround Golf Course, Aurora Colorado.

This course was originally opened as Mira Vista Golf Course, and was completely redesigned in 2009 by Tom Doak, who designed the course to maximize the enjoyment of the game for all levels of players. It is a fun course to play and can be walked easily.

Weekday price: $50.

Weekend price: $50.

• Highlands of Elgin, Illinois

The highlight of the course is the four holes built around a quarry, as they hug the top of the bluff thirty to forty feet above the water. The layout offers golfers numerous shot options and spectacular views on all four holes. They do not have clubs for rental, and are open from April to the end of October.

Weekday price range: $25- $36.

Weekend price range: $30- $45.

• The National Golf Club of Louisiana. Westlake, Louisiana, outside of Lake Charles.

Featuring 14 lakes, 80 bunkers, and very large, challenging greens, the five sets of tees offer an equal challenge to golfers of all levels. The course receives excellent reviews from those who have played it. Architect is Dave Bennett, and is open all year.

Weekday price range: $15- $25.

Weekend price range: $20-$35.

• Shining Rock Golf Club, Northbridge Massachusetts.

This course gets very high reviews. It may be quite difficult for the average golfer, but the course has five different tees ranging in yards from 6735 down to 5009, so you can shorten it up considerably if need be.

Weekday price range: $25- $45.

Weekend price range: $25- $55.

We are happy to recommend these five top new affordable priced golf courses, as they are able to provide all golfers a quality value with excellent golf at a comparatively low price. Of course there are other golf bargains if you search for them, but we tip our cap to these course operators for offering new, quality courses at good prices. We hope it will be a trend.