Updated
May 25, 2023 Spending a day on the greens can be a great way to relax, enjoy friendly competition, or entertain clients—but as most golfers know, it can also be quite expensive, especially if you’re a regular.
If you’re a frequent golfer or spend money on golf merchandise and events, you may be able to reap some rewards for doing what you love. Many credit cards have rewards programs, but these credit cards offer golf perks and benefits.
Best Golf Credit Cards
Here are the top credit cards for golf rewards:
- PGA TOUR Cash Rewards Mastercard
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- Chase Freedom Unlimited Card
- Cash Magnet Card
Credit cards with golf benefits
The following two cards have been known to historically offer great golf benefits to cardholders.
PGA TOUR Cash Rewards Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
The PGA TOUR Cash Rewards Mastercard from Bank of America entitles cardholders to membership in the Tournament Players Club (TPC) Rewards Program.
As part of that membership, cardholders enjoy exclusive access to TPC golf courses where you’ll receive VIP membership treatment and other membership amenities. Green fees will be discounted, and golf shop merchandise will be available at 20% off. As a welcome offer, you’ll also receive two tickets to a PGA TOUR event of your choice if you make at least $95 in transactions in the first 90 days of account opening.
In addition to golfing perks, the PGA TOUR Cash Rewards Mastercard also entitles cardholders to a $200 cash rewards bonus after $1,000 in the first 90 days. Cash back rewards include 3%* back on a category of your choice (gas, online shopping, drug stores, home improvement, dining, or travel), 2%* back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% back on all other purchases.
*Note: The rewards rates on these categories are good for up to $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter. Once you hit the $2,500 limit, the reward rate drops to 1%.
To learn more about the PGA TOUR Cash Rewards card, click here.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Annual fee: $95
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is already one of the top travel cards available. Still, golfers may be able to find added benefits. The Sapphire Preferred card previously offered cardholders access to PGA championship tickets before the general public, access to PGA and LPGA events, as well as VIP packages for the PGA championships.
That partnership is no longer active but is something that Chase may consider adding back in the future. To get an inside look at one of the old perks from the partnership, check out this insider access article from the 2019 PGA Championship.
In the meantime, cardholders have a robust rewards program, with 5x the points on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x points on dining, online grocery stores (limits apply), and select streaming services, 2x points on all other travel, and 1x point on all other purchases. Plus, golfers who frequently travel can take advantage of an introductory offer of 60,000 bonus points equal to $750 towards travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. To receive this bonus, you must spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months after the account opening.
To learn more about the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, click here.
Credit cards that reward your golf spending
Due to COVID-19, professional golf tournaments are not currently allowing spectators. Due to these current restrictions, many previous golf rewards on credit cards are no longer being offered. However, if you are looking to be rewarded for your golf habits, a cash back card can do just that.
Unlimited cash back on all purchases is a nice benefit for those that don’t like to limit their cash back opportunities to one or two specific categories. In most cases, golf expenses don’t fall under one particular reward category for credit card spending. That’s why a high cash back rate on all purchases can be your best bet when looking to be rewarded for your golf spending.
Here are two cash back cards that offer unlimited cash back on all purchases.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Annual fee: $0
The Chase Freedom Unlimited doesn’t offer specific benefits for golfers, but it does have a 1.5% cash back rate in which golf purchases will fall under. An added benefit: new cardmembers can earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything they buy (on up to $20,000 in purchases in the first year).
Other cash back rates (excluding the additional 1.5% cash back) include 5% back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards® and 3% on dining and at drugstores. This level of cash back is uncommon for a card offering more than 1% cash back on non-categorized spending. The cash back you earn can be redeemed as cash, a statement credit, points on Amazon, gift cards, or travel.
To learn more about the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card, click here.
Cash Magnet Card
Terms Apply.
Annual fee: $0
The Cash Magnet Card from American Express offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on all of your purchases. This cash back is rewarded in Reward Dollars that can be redeemed only as a statement credit.
In addition to the unlimited cash back, there is a welcome offer with a value of up to $300. This offer includes 10% cash back, up to $150, during the first 6 months of card membership at U.S. supermarkets. Plus, $150 after you spend $1,000 on purchases during those same 6 months.
To learn more about the Cash Magnet Card, click here.
Recap of the best golf credit cards
| Card | Annual fee | Cash back on golf |
| PGA TOUR Cash Rewards Mastercard | $0 | 1% |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | $95 | 1% |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | $0 | 1.5% |
| Cash Magnet Card | $0 | 1.5% |
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