Best places to live with great muni golf

[nevets88]

Obviously this list is not accounting cost of living, just the golf. Obviously, I'm not in that much agreement with the Long Island mention, the courses are good, but crowded, long rounds, practice facilities are almost nil. Yeah, don't come to NY for golf, Captain Obvious.

http://www.golfvacationinsider.com/cr/the-best-places-to-live-and-play-municipal-golf-courses-17778

 

[26point2]

 Nebraska is probably what you are looking for.  Maybe Kansas.

[jkelley9]

I've heard that North Carolina has the highest # of golf courses per unit area than any other state. So I would have to say North Carolina :) 

Here in the Triad, we have PLENTY of muni course options within a 20 minute drive. I'd say at least 15 courses. Probably 20-25 if you include semi-private

[lastings]

Minnesota is pretty exceptional.   

Arizona is awesome, but quite expensive in the winter. 

[David in FL]

Not Florida.  We have so many courses that most municipalities simply haven't bothered.  The few true muni courses that I can think of are pretty mediocre, and not necessarily any more competitively priced than better options in the area.  I'm sure there's a hidden gem out there that I don't know about, but it'd be the exception.

Too many courses, it's a good problem to have, which does make it a great place to live.  You just need to get used to playing on something other than a beat up muni.  

Edited August 31, 2017 by David in FL

[NJpatbee]

Monmouth and Somerset Counties in NJ have excellent county owned courses.  Morris County NJ has excellent county owned courses also and has hired a golf management company to run the courses - Not inexpensive for out of county but conditions and staff courtesy are similar to the higher end daily fee courses.   

[GolfLug]

Obviously the list is just a verrrry small sampling..

Of places I've lived in, MI (Detroit suburbs) has a large number of choices but I am absolutely certain that EVERY state has at least 3-4 great areas with a wide range of selection at many levels.  

 

[bkuehn1952]

I find fault with the author's premise that municipal (or perhaps more broadly, government-owned) golf is a key factor in an area's attractiveness to golfers.  As cities and local governments struggle to balance their budgets, golf courses are often seen as a luxury. I suspect as time passes, we are going to see local governments taking an exit from the golf business.  At one time, muni's provided a nice source of income. Now, the cost of running & maintaining many courses has become a negative on the government budget. When police, fire and road budgets are getting squeezed, spending money supporting a golf course becomes a real tough sell.

 

[MrGolfguy67]

Lots of great muni golf in Texas

[1badbadger]

I grew up in Madison, WI, and they had great municipal courses.  The city owns 4 courses (1 is a 36 hole facility, 2 are 9-holers and 1 18 hole track) and for a few hundred dollars you could buy a season pass for unlimited play on any of them.

It's been many years since I lived there, and I read just a few weeks ago the courses have unfortunately fallen into a state of disrepair and are in desperate need of reconditioning.  I hope they get it turned-around up there and get the conditions of the courses and clubhouses back to what they once were.

Edited August 31, 2017 by 1badbadger
added clarification

[Missouri Swede]

I would have guessed Scotland. 

[jlbos83]

Tucson has a lot of public golf, and isn't nearly as expensive in the winter as Phoenix, though the best courses are steep. The payoff is in the summer, when you can play better courses for less.

[billchao]

4 hours ago, NJpatbee said:

Monmouth and Somerset Counties in NJ have excellent county owned courses.

I can vouch for Somerset County courses. There's only one I won't play at and it has nothing to do with the management.

I've heard Monmouth County courses are great but never had the pleasure of playing them myself.

[sirsteveo55]

8 hours ago, jkelley9 said:

I've heard that North Carolina has the highest # of golf courses per unit area than any other state. So I would have to say North Carolina :) 

Here in the Triad, we have PLENTY of muni course options within a 20 minute drive. I'd say at least 15 courses. Probably 20-25 if you include semi-private

I grew up in NC just south of Raleigh, not currently there anymore. Looking to get back there eventually. I completely agree with you, they even have munis with lights, so you can play at night if you think its to hot during day or play at night once the kids are in bed. The winter is not to long so you don't miss out to much on golf. There is a lot of different courses to play so you don't get bored and they are never overcrowded. 

[Patch]

Don't come to the Las Vegas area to play. We have enough golfers here already. 

No, in reality, unless I missed it on the list, the Vegas area should have been listed. The area has some pretty nice munies, with decent pricing. Plus it's a year round deal for golfers. 

[No Mulligans]

Quote

From the article posted:

San Diego, California

One of America’s most famous municipal golf facilities, Torrey Pines Golf Course continues to get better and better, especially for residents, who pay $78 and $52 to pay the South and North Courses,

The above are the weekend rates, weekdays it's actually better than that.  I play the North mostly... For residents, $41 regular weekday rate, $25 twilight currently starting a 2 PM and that gives you time to play 18.  If you are a senior, 62 or over, $25 to play the north on any weekday.  That is a great deal.

Edited September 1, 2017 by No Mulligans

[Buckeyebowman]

Well, we have several "municipally owned courses" around here, but it depend on which municipality owns them. Mill Creek is owned by the county-wide Metro-Parks District. They are in the process of turning it into a jewel! Youngstown city has a muni, the Henry Stanbaugh golf course. I wish they had more money to spend on it, because the design is terrific. It is far from easy!

[Aguirre]

Milwaukee has a pretty good set. From lower end to higher end with accompanying green fee increases.

Still, Myrtle Beach man. Muni prices and high quality courses.