Fore! for $25 to $40

There’s no shortage of places to golf near Piedmont, with three public golf courses in Oakland alone. In general, folks who don't live in the city where those public course is located pay $25 to $40 for 18 holes or $9 to $25 for nine holes Monday through Thursday, and more on weekends and holidays. Most public courses offer discounts for seniors, juniors, residents and those playing in the afternoon and evening “twilight” hours.

Located in the Oakland hills, with views of the Bay Bridge and the Lake Chabot area, the Lake Chabot Golf Course calls itself the Bay Area’s best golf value. Non-residents pay $29 to use its 18-hole course, and the cart fee is $14 per golfer. It’s just $9 to play on the nine-hole course and $4 to $7 to use the driving range. The facility, which also has a putting green and pro shop, has been around since 1923. The course has recently undergone extensive improvements, including reseeding, fertilization and improved irrigation. “It looks great out here, we kept it very green,” said pro shop attendant Will Bonner. “The grounds crew is doing a terrific job.”

Located next to Oakland Airport, along the water on Doolittle Drive, Metropolitan Golf Links charges non-residents $25 for nine holes (cart fee $10)or $40 for 18 holes (cart fee $16). The cart fee includes access to a new GPS system, according to the facility’s website. The facility also has a driving range that costs $10 an hour. Residents can book a tee time online at www.playmetro.com for additional discounts.

Located on Bay Farm Island in Alameda, the Chuck Corica Golf Complex charges $30 for 18 holes for non-residents weekdays and $40 on weekends and holidays. Monthly passes for those living outside Alameda are $200. The complex has two 18-hole courses—the Jack Clark Course, a links-style course, and the more park-like Earl Fry Course (the cost is the same for each). The cart fee is $15 per rider. The complex also includes the 9-hole Mif Albright par 3 course, which costs $9 for non-residents. The Lucious Bateman Driving Range costs between $5 and $9, depending on the number of balls used.

Located in the Berkeley hills, the Tilden Park Golf Course has one hilly 18-hole, par 70 facility. The cost for 18 holes is $29 and the cart fee is $16. The facility also has a three-tiered, 60-stall driving range with bucket sizes going from $4 to $12. The course’s signature first hole, a 420-yard par 4 straight uphill to an elevated green, is considered to be one of toughest starting holes in the Bay Area, according to the course's website. An employee said a new superintendent has just been hired and that that the course is in the best shape it’s ever been.

For those who don’t want to play a full game, the Montclair Golf Course on Monterey Boulevard in the Oakland hills offers a 9-hole par 3 pitch-and-putt course, where the longest hole is 81 yards. The cost to use the course is $7 per person weekdays, $9 weekends and holidays. The cost to use the driving range is between $7 and $10, depending on the number of balls. The Montclair Golf facility also offers lessons, equipment repair, a restaurant and bar, and a pro shop.