If you book your rounds online, there is a good chance you are paying more than you think. Those few extra dollars at checkout may not seem like much, but over a season they can add up to hundreds. Most golfers never notice them because the booking process feels automatic. Click, confirm, and move on. But buried in those checkout screens are a few sneaky fees that can easily be avoided once you know where to look.
The biggest trap for modern golfers is the convenience fee. Sites like GolfNow, TeeOff, and other marketplaces make it simple to book a round at almost any course, but that simplicity comes at a cost. In many cases, when a player books through one of these apps, a small per-player fee is added at checkout.
It might only be a few dollars per golfer, but multiply that by four players and 30 rounds a year, and you start to see how quickly it grows. These fees are not green fees, and they do not go to the course. They are platform charges that support the booking service. In exchange, you get easy scheduling and quick confirmation, but you are also paying a quiet premium for the convenience.
GolfNow’s famous Hot Deals look like bargains, and sometimes they are, but they come with fine print that can cost you later. Many Hot Deals are prepaid and non-refundable, which means if your plans change or the weather turns bad, you will not get your money back. Instead, you receive a credit voucher that may expire or be limited to certain times and courses.
If you know you will play rain or shine, a Hot Deal can be worth it. But if you value flexibility, consider using the regular listings that allow “pay at course” or “free cancellation” instead. That small difference in policy can save you more than the few dollars you might save upfront. That’s almost as helpful as knowing when to buy golf clubs to get the best prices.
One of the lesser-known quirks of online tee time sites is that the same round can appear at multiple prices depending on the platform. Supreme Golf, for example, pulls listings from several partners, including GolfNow and TeeOff. The same course and time can show different totals once fees are included.
This means the cheapest price on the surface is not always the cheapest total cost. Before confirming, check Supreme’s comparison view or open both sites in separate tabs. You may find one provider charging a few dollars less after fees, even though the headline green fee looks identical.
Many golfers forget that they can often book directly with the course. Sites like Chronogolf connect you straight to the club’s reservation system. When you book there, the price you see is usually the same one you would hear if you called the pro shop yourself.
Booking direct often removes service fees and gives you a clearer look at walking rates, nine-hole options, or senior discounts. It also helps you understand cancellation rules that the bigger sites sometimes bury. When you want accuracy and transparency, going straight to the source is still the best option.
How to Avoid the Extra Costs
The trick to getting the best prices is being smart about how you use golf tee time apps. Here are a few quick steps that help:
- Always log in first. Some discount codes only appear for registered users.
- Compare totals, not just green fees. Always look at the final checkout price.
- Read the cancellation policy. Flexible listings are worth a few extra dollars.
- Check the course calendar. Some leagues or maintenance days cause surprise blockouts.
- Look midday before your round. Afternoon rates often drop when courses try to fill their sheets.
Frugal golfers know how to avoid hidden fees. The key is knowing when to expect them. Just double-check totals, and you can book smarter and keep that money in your pocket. A few extra minutes before you click “confirm” can make a real difference over a season of golf. Convenience is valuable, but awareness pays better.
Clint is PGA-certified and was a Head Teaching Professional at one of Toronto's busiest golf academies. He was also featured on Canada's National Golf TV program, "Score Golf Canada," twice. He graduated with a degree in Golf Management from the College of the Desert in California and studied under Callaway's co-founder, Tony Manzoni. He has a handicap index of 6.2 and spends the winters near Oaxaca, Mexico, where he plays twice a month at the Club de Golf Vista Hermosa. He's written over 100 articles at GolfSpan since 2021. You can connect with Clint at LinkedIn, FB, his website, or Clintcpga@gmail.com.
