Top cheap golf courses near Charlotte

From award-winning PGA Championship courses to popular public venues, there's no shortage of incredible golf courses around the Queen City. Luckily, with so many options to choose from, finding a course with cheap rates is completely possible, whether you want to play a full round of 18 holes or only nine. Here's a list of six cheap golf courses near Charlotte, because spending a day on the links doesn't have to cost a fortune.

Birkdale Golf Club
16500 Birkdale Commons Parkway, Huntersville
704-895-8038

While Birkdale Golf Club is a top-of-the-line Arnold Palmer designed Championship golf course, it still offers cheap rates for guests. Monday through Friday fees for 18 holes range from $35-$49, including a cart. Golfers can play nine holes for only $35. Weekend rates start at $39 and go up to $59. The course offers special rates for seniors, active duty military, police, firemen and college students. Birkdale has been named one of the top five golf courses in the state as well as Charlotte's best public course. The award-winning course has Bermuda fairways, Crenshaw Brent grass greens and a 10-acre driving range.

Highland Creek Golf Club
7101 Highland Creek Parkway, Charlotte
704-875-9000

Monday through Friday guests can play 18 holes at Highland Creek Golf Club for $37 and after 5 p.m. rates drop to $25, including carts. Weekend and holiday rates are only $10 more. The golf course offers even bigger discounts for seniors (over 60), juniors (17 and under) and college students (with valid school ID). Highland Creek has been named one of the toughest public golf courses in Charlotte, with narrow fairways that require precise shots right off the tee.

Larkhaven Golf Club
4801 Camp Stewart Road, Charlotte
704-545-4653

For another cheap golf courses near Charlotte, consider Larkhaven Golf Club, the oldest 18-hole public golf course in Charlotte. Weekday rounds for 18 holes are as cheap as $35 and each day at 2 p.m. fares drop even lower to $28. All rates include a cart. Weekend rates start at $32. Larkhaven also offers cheap twilight specials and is the only public course to offer green fairways all year.

Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation
7500 Olde Sycamore Drive, Charlotte
704-573-1000

Playing during the week is your best bet for a cheap price at Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation, with fees ranging from $49 Monday through Thursday to $59 on Fridays. Olde Sycamore does offer discounts for seniors (age 55 and up) and juniors, as well as twilight rates starting as early as 1 p.m. All rates include green fees and carts. The golf course is located only minutes from Uptown Charlotte and features fairways that are a hybrid of Bermuda and bent grass greens.

Pine Island Country Club
1701 Stoneyridge Drive, Charlotte
704-394-1422

You don't have to be a member to enjoy a round or two of golf at Pine Island Country Club — a USGA-regulated course. You'll get the best rate during the week when nonmembers can play 18 holes for $71 including a cart. While the price may seem high compared with most public courses, it's a very cheap rate for a country club playing as a nonmember.

Rocky River Golf Club
6900 Bruton Smith Blvd., Concord
704-455-1200

For 18 holes at Rocky River Golf Club fees range from $49 during the week to $69 for weekend play. Rates include carts. Winter rates are even more cheap and apply from late November through early March, with fees as low as $44 for 18 holes and $25 for nine holes. The course is a short drive from Charlotte and with four sets of tees at each hole, Rocky River suits everyone from avid golfers to beginners.

Cox Media Group