Type “Forest Park golf course” into a search bar and you’ll get results from at least four different states. There’s the 18-hole municipal layout inside St. Louis’s Forest Park, a 9-hole option in Springfield, and separate courses tied to Forest Park neighborhoods in Queens and elsewhere. That mix-up trips up more golfers than you’d think when they’re trying to book a tee time.

This guide sorts out which Forest Park golf courses actually exist, what they charge, and how their layouts differ, so you can book the right round instead of turning up at the wrong car park.

Which Forest Park Golf Course Do You Mean?

The name “Forest Park” gets attached to public parks in several US cities, and more than one of them has its own golf facility. Before you book anything, confirm the city, because fees and layouts vary a lot between them.

The best-known is the Forest Park Golf Course in St. Louis, Missouri, sitting inside the 1,300-hectare Forest Park that also holds the zoo and art museum. It’s a full 18-hole municipal course run by the city, popular with weekend regulars and visitors combining a round with a day out at the park.

Springfield, Massachusetts, has its own Forest Park with a shorter 9-hole municipal layout, aimed more at quick evening rounds than a full day of golf. There are also smaller Forest Park-branded courses and driving ranges attached to parks in cities like Baltimore and parts of the Midwest, though these tend to be modest, locally run setups rather than destination courses.

If you’re planning a trip from the UK, the St. Louis course is the one that shows up in most golf travel writing and tournament history, so it’s worth double-checking the state name before you book flights or a tee time around it.

Green Fees: Municipal Pricing, Not Private Club Rates

Every Forest Park course worth mentioning here is municipal, not a private club, and that matters for your wallet. Expect fees closer to a local council-run course back home than a private members’ club, typically in the range of £15 to £45 per round depending on the day and course length.

Municipal pricing works on a public rota system, and it usually splits by residency, day of the week, and season. A round at the 18-hole St. Louis course generally runs cheaper on weekday mornings and rises for weekend afternoon tee times, following the same logic as most local authority courses in England or Scotland. The 9-hole Springfield layout is priced lower across the board, since you’re playing half the golf.

Here’s a realistic estimate of what to expect, converted to sterling for comparison:

Don’t assume the price you see on a booking app in January still applies in July. Seasonal rate changes are the biggest source of confusion for visiting golfers, since fees often rise in peak summer months and drop again once the clocks change in autumn. Always check the current rate card on the course’s own booking page rather than relying on an old blog post or forum thread.

Course Layout, Par, and Difficulty

Layout is where the “Forest Park” name causes the most planning headaches, because a 9-hole course and an 18-hole course demand completely different amounts of time and different levels of game management.

18-Hole Layouts

The St. Louis Forest Park course plays as a full 18 holes, typically around par 72, with tree-lined fairways running through parkland rather than open links-style ground. It’s walkable but hilly in places, and the back nine tends to get the tougher reputation among regulars for tighter driving lines. Expect a round to take four to four-and-a-half hours with a cart, longer if you’re walking and carrying your own bag.

9-Hole Layouts

Springfield’s Forest Park course is a shorter, tighter 9-hole design, usually playing to around par 35. It suits an after-work round or a quick practice loop far better than a full day out, and you can realistically finish in under two hours. This makes it a solid option if you’re short on time or want to work on course management without committing a whole afternoon.

Checking Before You Book

Before booking anywhere, run through this quick checklist:

1. Confirm the city and state — don’t assume it’s the St. Louis course by default.
2. Check whether the layout is 9 or 18 holes.
3. Look at the current seasonal rate card, not last year’s pricing.
4. Ask whether cart rental is included or charged separately.
5. Check if twilight or resident discounts apply on the day you want.
6. Confirm the booking window — many municipal courses open tee sheets 7 to 14 days ahead.

Booking, Amenities, and Getting the Best Rate

Booking a Forest Park course works much like booking any UK council course: online through the city’s parks and recreation booking system, by phone, or occasionally through third-party tee time apps. Tee sheets for the busier 18-hole courses often open one to two weeks in advance, and weekend morning slots go quickly.

Most of these courses run a modest pro shop and a driving range or practice net, though don’t expect the range facilities of a big resort. The St. Louis course has a full pro shop with rental clubs and lessons available, which is handy if you’re travelling without your own set. Springfield’s smaller 9-hole setup keeps things simpler, with basic rentals and a snack counter rather than a full retail operation.

If you’re weighing up whether a Forest Park course is worth the trip against other local options, checking a proper course review first saves you a wasted round, and that’s exactly the kind of comparison you’ll find covered on sites like Golf Yet.

Discounts are worth chasing before you pay full price. Many municipal Forest Park courses offer resident cards, senior rates, or junior pricing, and some run loyalty punch cards for regular players that knock a few pounds off every round after your fifth or sixth visit. Always ask about discount cards at the pro shop counter rather than assuming the online price is the only option, since front-desk staff often know about deals that never make it onto the booking website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Forest Park Golf Course in St. Louis 9 or 18 holes?

It’s a full 18-hole municipal course, playing to roughly par 72 through parkland terrain. Budget four hours or more for a round, especially on a busy weekend morning.

Are Forest Park golf courses private clubs?

No, they’re municipal, city-run courses, so pricing sits closer to £15-£45 a round rather than private club membership rates. Anyone can book a tee time without joining.

Do I need to book a tee time in advance?

Yes, especially for the 18-hole courses, where weekend slots can fill up 7 to 14 days ahead. The smaller 9-hole layouts, like Springfield’s, are usually easier to walk onto same-day.