Data Methodology
How we collect, verify, and maintain green fee pricing data for 7,471+ public golf courses across the United States.
Our core principle
A published green fee is only useful if it's accurate. We prioritize data quality over data quantity. When we cannot verify a rate with confidence, we mark it accordingly rather than publish a number we cannot stand behind. Every rate in our database is sourced, not estimated.
Step 1 — Initial data collection
When we add a new golf market or course to the database, our first source is the course's own published rate schedule. This is typically found on the course's direct website, their tee time booking page, or a third-party booking system where their rates are publicly listed.
We collect the following fields where available:
| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| Weekday 18-hole rate | Standard rate, Monday–Friday. We note whether cart is included. |
| Weekend 18-hole rate | Saturday and Sunday rate. Resort courses often differ significantly. |
| Twilight rate | Start time threshold and reduced rate. Noted as approximate where only a time window is published. |
| 9-hole rate | Weekday and weekend where available. |
| Senior rate | Discounted weekday rate for seniors, typically 60+. |
| Walking allowed | Whether golfers can walk without a cart, and any restrictions (weekdays only, etc.) |
| Cart fee | Separate cart fee if not bundled into the green fee. Marked 'included' or listed separately. |
Step 2 — Verification
Rates sourced from course websites are tagged as website-listed. For courses that do not publish rates publicly, or where the published rate is ambiguous (cart included vs. excluded is a frequent source of confusion), we contact the course directly by phone or web inquiry.
Rates confirmed by direct conversation with course staff are tagged as phone-verified. This is the highest confidence tier in our database.
Confirmed directly with course staff. Highest confidence. Prioritized for re-verification every 6 months.
Sourced from the course's own published rate page. Re-checked when rates are known to change seasonally.
Website-listed rate that has not been re-verified in over 90 days. May not reflect current pricing.
Course does not publish rates online and did not provide a rate when contacted. Call the course directly.
Step 3 — Update schedule
Green fees are not static. Most public courses adjust rates at least once per year; resort and high-traffic destination courses may reprice seasonally or use demand-based pricing. Our update schedule reflects this:
Weekly
High-traffic destination markets (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, Orlando, South Florida). These markets see the most rate volatility.
Monthly
All other published markets. We check for seasonal repricing, especially at transition points in spring and fall.
On-demand
Any course where a user submits a correction. We review and verify all correction submissions, typically within 24–48 hours.
Known limitations
We document what our data doesn't capture well because accuracy starts with honesty:
Dynamic pricing
Resort courses increasingly use revenue management systems that change rates based on demand, weather, and tee time availability. Our published rate may be the list price — the actual booking price may differ.
Cart fee bundling ambiguity
Some courses list walk-only rates; others bundle cart fees. We note cart-included status on every course, but confirm with the course if this matters for your booking.
Promotional and package rates
Twilight specials, loyalty program discounts, and resort package rates are often not published. Our rates represent the standard walk-in rate.
Newly opened or recently repriced courses
Courses that open or reprice mid-season may take 30–60 days to appear in our updated database.
Military, resident, and junior rates
We collect these where published, but coverage is incomplete.
Submitting a correction
Golfers who have recently played a course are often the most current source of green fee information. If you paid a rate that differs from what we show, please submit a correction. See our Correction Policy for how we handle submissions.
Submit a rate correction