There isn't a better feeling for a golfer than watching a perfectly hit ball soar through the air and land on the green.
The problem for students when it comes to golf is that the sport is notoriously expensive. However, Utah County is home to a number of courses that have reasonable rates and deals for students.
East Bay Golf Course. (eastbaygolf.com)
East Bay is a public golf course located in south Provo. It is a beautiful course with long holes, a lot of water and a spectacular view of the mountains.
“East Bay is a great course,” said Malia Patching, an employee at the pro shop at East Bay. “The people are super nice and we have a beautiful course with some great deals for students.”
The adult rates for nine holes on the championship course are $14 walking and $21 with a cart on weekdays and $15 walking and $22 with a cart on weekends. It is $28 walking and $42 with a cart for 18 holes on weekdays and $30 walking and $44 with a cart on the weekend.
The course also features a special par three executive course. The rates for the executive course are $8 walking and $14 with a cart, but a student ID cuts the price to $6.
A new feature to the course is a foot golf course. It runs along the same track as the executive course, but golfers kick a soccer ball down the fairway and attempt to put it into a large hole. The rates for the foot golf course are the same as the executive course: $8 for adults or $6 with a student ID card.
East Bay also has a large driving range for practice. The rates for the range are $3 for a small bucket of balls, $6 for a medium and $9 for a large.Sleepy Ridge is a public golf course located in Orem. The rolling green hills and fair amount of water can make it a somewhat difficult course, especially for beginners.
Sleepy Ridge Golf Course (http://www.sleepyridgegolf.com/course-info/)
“The course was basically designed with the players in mind,” said David Strunk, tournament director at Sleepy Ridge. “Depending on which set of tees you decide to play from, it will challenge you differently.”
The rates for nine holes on the course are $17 walking and $24 with a cart on weekdays or $19 walking and $28 with a cart on weekends. For 18 holes it is $29 walking and $39 with a cart on weekdays or $34 walking and $49 with a cart on weekends.
“We don’t do traditional discounts or season passes like other courses,” Strunk said. “But we do offer punch cards in the 18 and nine hole increments.”
The nine hole punch card saves golfers $5 for every round. The 18 hole punch card saves $10 for every round.
Rates for the driving range are $6 for a regular bucket of balls, $10 dollars for a large and $27 for the “Vijay” extra large bucket.
“I just think they would have a really good golfing experience,” Strunk said. “We have a nice practice range and it’s in generally really good shape for all level skills of players.”Hobble Creek is a public golf course located in Hobble Creek Canyon in Springville. It has an 18 hole course and driving range. The course features shorter holes, with narrow fairways and a lot of trees on the sides. You can hear the stream running through the trees throughout the course.
“I love that it’s a public course with country club potential,” said Garrett Cox, a pro shop employee at the course. “It’s a really nice course for a public course price.”
The rates for nine holes on the course are $14 walking and $22 with a cart on weekdays or $15 walking and $23 with a cart on weekends. For 18 holes the rates are $28 walking and $44 with a cart on weekdays or $30 walking and $46 with a cart on weekends.
They offer a special twilight deal on weekdays excluding holidays where they charge $30 for 18 holes with a cart.
“I love that it’s quiet and in a somewhat secluded place,” Braxton Merideth, a cart boy at the course, said. “It’s not in the middle of a city with lots of noise.”
These courses prove that one can start golfing regardless of budget. Enjoy the summer with these deals.