How to Play More Golf for Less Money

Playing Golf on the Cheap 

The warm weather and long days make the summer months a great time to hit the links. There’s plenty of ways to play lots of golf this summer without spending lots of green. 

County courses

• Municipal and county courses are made for the public and have inexpensive greens fees.
• Essex County residents can purchase a county golf ID card and receive huge discounts on greens fees as well as schedule tee times up to seven days in advance.

Walk, don’t ride:

• Golf carts can get expensive very quickly at a rate of an additional $16 per round of golf for Essex County courses.
• Golf bags are free to carry and many have backpack straps for easy and comfortable carrying.
• Walking the course provides cardiac exercise, allows time to plan the next shot or get over a poor previous shot.
• Push carts are a nice compromise between riding and walking. Purchasing a push cart can pay for itself after five rounds of golf.

Twilight golf

• Most golf courses offer discounted rates in the later afternoon.
• This time of year, playing 18 holes in the late afternoon is easily achieved.
• Essex County twilight golf in the summer months begins at 5 p.m., but many other courses begin twilight rates as early as 2:30 p.m.

My favorite Essex County golf course is Francis Byrne because of its long length and pristine conditions. Within the last three years, several million dollars were invested into Essex County golf courses.

According to George Sheraton, ranger at Francis Byrne, the money went towards, “fixing the traps, fertilizing ever two weeks, new tee boxes, fairway treatments, new cart paths and a brand new sprinkler/irrigation system."

Personal testimony:

As a local golfer, I can attest that the course really looks better than it has in years. I usually play in the mid morning and always carry my own bag. With my county golf ID card and carrying my bag I pay only $25 instead of $61 without a card and taking a golf cart. 

Other Essex County golf courses include:

• Hendricks Golf Course in Belleville
• Weequahic Golf Course in Newark