Tis the Season for Holiday Golf Rates

I. The Holiday Rate Mystery

Southern California golfers know the drill. You check the tee sheet in late December, and suddenly your favorite muni is charging “holiday rates.” The catch? It’s not Christmas Day. It’s not New Year’s Day. It’s not even a holiday. It’s… the Tuesday before New Year’s.

Cue the collective groan: “Wait, why am I paying $15 more for a round on December 30th?”

Welcome to the world of holiday golf rates — a seasonal tradition that’s equal parts economics, psychology, and (let’s be honest) corporate creativity.

II. What Exactly Are Holiday Rates?

Holiday rates are premium green fees charged by golf courses on certain days of the year. In theory, they’re meant to cover:

• Holiday pay for employees (legit on Christmas, New Year’s, Easter Sunday)

• High demand (everyone’s off work, everyone wants to play)

• Revenue maximization (because they can)

In practice, many SoCal courses extend “holiday rates” to days before and after the actual holiday — days when employees aren’t getting holiday pay. That’s where golfers start to cry foul.

III. Why Golf Is Different From Other Sports

Bowling alleys don’t charge “holiday rates.” Tennis courts don’t suddenly cost more on December 26th. Boating rentals may have peak pricing, but they don’t call it a “holiday fee.” Ski resorts raise prices during Christmas week, but they’re transparent about it being peak season pricing.

Golf is unique because it slaps the word “holiday” on the fee — even when it’s just demand‑based pricing. That branding makes golfers feel like they’re being gouged, not just charged more because the tee sheet is full.

IV. The Economics Behind It

Holiday rates are really about supply and demand. Courses know:

• More people are off work

• Families are in town

• Golfers want to sneak in a round before or after holiday obligations

• Tee sheets fill faster

So they raise prices. It’s not always about employee holiday pay — it’s about maximizing revenue during peak demand.

V. Why Golfers Feel Gouged

The problem isn’t the price increase itself — golfers accept that demand drives cost. The problem is the label.

Calling it a “holiday rate” when it’s not a holiday feels shady. It suggests you’re paying for employee holiday pay when you’re not. It’s marketing spin that leaves golfers feeling tricked.

VI. Humor Break: Holiday Rate Logic

• Christmas Day: Okay, fair.

• New Year’s Day: Sure, makes sense.

• December 30th: Wait, what holiday is this? “National Pre‑Hangover Day”?

• January 2nd: “National Recovery Round”?

Holiday rates have become the golf world’s version of “surge pricing” — except Uber doesn’t pretend it’s a holiday.

VII. National Context

Nationally, holiday rates are common in golf, but less so in other sports. Ski resorts and amusement parks use seasonal peak pricing, but they’re transparent. Golf’s holiday rate branding is more unique to the industry.

According to the National Golf Foundation, over 60% of public courses in the U.S. charge holiday rates. In SoCal, that number is closer to 80%, thanks to high demand and limited supply.

VIII. How to Navigate Holiday Rates

1. Know the Calendar

Check your course’s holiday schedule. Many post it online.

Pro tip: avoid Dec 24, 25, 31, Jan 1 — and sometimes the days around them.

2. Play Twilight

Holiday rates usually apply to prime tee times. Twilight and super‑twilight often stay cheaper.

3. Use Loyalty Programs

Players Club, JC Players Card, resident discounts — these can offset holiday premiums.

4. Drive an Hour

Inland Empire and Ventura often have lower holiday surcharges than LA/OC.

5. Laugh It Off

Sometimes the best defense is humor. Call it “Festivus Pricing” and enjoy the round.

IX. Final Thoughts: ’Tis the Season

Holiday rates aren’t going away. They’re part of the golf economy, especially in Southern California. But understanding why they exist — and how management companies apply them — helps golfers make smarter choices.

So next time you see a $15 surcharge on December 30th, remember: it’s not about holiday pay. It’s about demand, branding, and a little bit of corporate creativity. And if you can laugh at it, you’re already ahead of the game.