Georgia’s Best Public Golf You Can Play for $100 or Less

Affordable, well-maintained courses across the state — great golf without breaking the bank.

Georgia is home to world-class private clubs, but it’s also packed with public courses that deliver excellent design, conditioning and scenery for modest green fees. Below I’ve rounded up standout public courses that regularly let you play for $100 or under (tips included on how to lock those lower rates). Prices and availability can change with season, so I cite the club pages and recent rate listings below so you can check tee times before you go.

Cherokee Run GC

1. Cherokee Run Golf Club — Conyers

An Arnold Palmer design that plays big but stays friendly to your wallet. Cherokee Run is carved through rolling, wooded terrain with dramatic green complexes and some memorable risk-reward holes; it’s a favorite for Atlanta-area golfers who want a “destination” course close to the city. Typical public tee times and third-party booking listings show green fees well under $100 on most days. (golftriplist.com)

Why go: strong conditioning, varied holes, classic Palmer shaping.

Money tip: book midweek or use discount tee-time sites for the best rates.

Legacy Golf Course

2. Lanier Islands — Legacy Golf Course — Buford

A scenic, lake-lined championship course that’s repeatedly listed among Georgia’s top public courses. Legacy hugs the shores of Lake Lanier and offers dramatic finishing holes and resort amenities — yet weekday and advance-booking deals frequently keep playable rates at or below the $100 mark. If you’re willing to tee off earlier or take a cart-included deal, you’ll often find very solid value. (lanierislands.com)

Why go: lakeside holes, championship presentation without private-club exclusivity.

Money tip: check the course’s tee-time partners and special offers; senior/season cards and off-peak times can lower the price further. (Legacy on Lanier)

Château Élan

3. Château Élan — Braselton (Château / Woodlands / Par-3)

Château Élan is a resort complex with multiple championship layouts that punch well above their price point in terms of conditioning and ambience. While premium tee times can creep higher, the resort runs regular deals and the resort’s Par-3/short options and weekday walk rates can be excellent value — and the property runs preferred-player discounts that dramatically lower weekday prices for frequent players.

Why go: resort setting, multiple courses, reliable conditioning.

Money tip: play the Par-3 course for a quick, inexpensive outing, or join a short-term package to access reduced rates.

Cateechee Ranch

4. Cateechee (Cateechee Ranch) — Hartwell

A well-maintained, sculpted 18-hole layout in northeast Georgia with a clubhouse and conditioning more like a resort course — but frequently bookable for under $100, especially on weekdays and via discounted tee-time platforms. Cateechee’s rolling topography and strategic bunkering make it fun and memorable. (cateechee.com)

Why go: stellar shaping and conditioning without resort prices most days.

Money tip: check GolfNow/GolfPass and the club’s site for off-peak deals and early-booking discounts. (GolfNow)

5. Highland Walk — Victoria Bryant State Park (Royston)

Georgia State Park golf courses are consistently some of the best values in the state, and Highland Walk (Victoria Bryant) is no exception. The course offers classic routing through rolling hill country and public-friendly green fees that are a fraction of private-club rates — walking and weekday prices are particularly affordable. (Georgia State Parks)

Why go: natural setting, value pricing, great autumn colors.

Money tip: state-park courses typically have fixed, low daily rates; bring a camera for the views. (Georgia State Parks)

6. Sky Valley Country Club — Sky Valley (seasonal walking rates)

If you’re after mountain golf in North Georgia, Sky Valley offers cooler summer conditions and dramatic elevation changes. Its published seasonal walking rates (often under $100) make it a good value if you don’t need a cart. Check the club’s seasonal rate schedule before booking. (skyvalleycountryclub.com)

Why go: mountain golf, cooler temps in summer, varied routing.

Money tip: play as a walker in season or look for twilight rates to keep the round under $100. (skyvalleycountryclub.com)

How to consistently play great public courses in Georgia for ≤ $100

Weekdays & twilights: most premium public tracks drop below $100 midweek or later in the day.

Third-party tee-time sites: GolfNow, GolfPass and similar aggregators frequently list discounted blocks. (GolfNow)

State parks & municipal courses: these are often the best values and deliver surprisingly good conditions (Georgia State Parks)

Membership/season cards & preferred-player programs: if you play often in one region, the small upfront investment in a card can cut green fees dramatically (Château Élan and Lanier Islands both run such programs). (Legacy on Lanier)

Final Notes

Green fees change by season, holiday, and special events — always check the course website or a trusted tee-time partner before you book. The courses above represent a cross-section of Georgia golf: coastal/resort, lakeside championship, mountain golf, state-park value and an exceptional Arnold Palmer design — all playable for $100 or less if you time it right.