Is Golf An Expensive Sport – How Much Does It Cost To Start Golfing
After watching a tournament like the Masters, with people walking around with green jackets and pulling into the club in their Bentley’s, it may make you think that golf is going to cost you an arm and a leg. In fact, golf can be quite expensive, but you should not let that keep you from playing.
It’s is no secret that golf is one of the most expensive sports in the world to get involved in. You need to buy clubs, shoes, balls, carts and and bags and that is before you even get to the course and pay your green fees. There is always a way to get involved more cheaply, like using an old set or used set of clubs, playing at off peak times and hitting the driving range more often.
Golf is a sport that is good for you, a tremendous amount of fun, and can work for almost any budget. Let’s take a look at some of the expenses you will face when you decide to take up golf. Not everyone needs a $600 driver in their golf bag just to start playing the game. Don’t let the cost’s subtract from all of the enormous benefits.
Is Golf An Expensive Sport
When you look at the equipment costs plus the costs of greens fees each time you go to play, golf can be quite expensive. However, you must also analyze how those costs can change from one person to the next.
Player A – “Paddy Expensive”
Let’s look at player A. Player A is a new golfer that only wants the best of the best.
He spends $2500 on a new set of clubs and and another other $400 on attire to look the part alongside a $200 pair of golf shoes.
He bought a golf push cart for $500 but he usually just rents a gas cart anyway to speed up the round costing another $80.
He will only play at the finest club in town so his greens fees are $95 each time he plays, and he often stays for lunch and a few drinks with friends after his round costing another $200+.
Player A Total Costs: $ 4,000
Player B – “Budget Bob”
Player B decided he wanted to give golf a try. He bought a beginners golf set on Black Friday for $200 down from $299, and he plays a twilight round at a local club for $20.
His bag came with a stand bag so he carries it around the course each time avoiding the $5 rental fee at the course on push carts.
He bought a bag of 100 used golf balls for $30 on Amazon and a highly rated budget pair of golf shoes for $40.
Player B Total Costs: $ 250
Each of these players is still getting to enjoy the game of golf. They are both spending time on the course; one is just spending much more money than the other.
Although you will need an initial investment to get involved in golf, you can certainly find ways to make the game more affordable.
Break Down Of Costs
Clubs: $250 – $3,000
Shoes: $50 – $300
Balls: 20c – $10 Per Ball
Tees: $5
Apparel: $50 – $1,000
Push Cart:$100 – $500
Green Fees: $20 – $1000
Membership: $5,000 – $200,000
Gadgets: $0 – $5,000
Driving Range: $10 – $50
Is There A Way To Do It More Cheaply?
If you want to set yourself up for golf but not pay very much money, you will have to look at used equipment. Used equipment is usually perfectly good for a new golfer, and you will probably enjoy not being the one to make the first mark on the golf club.
Better yet, you might even be able to source an old set of clubs from someone that you can use for free.
Golfers that want to enjoy the game but pay less money can absolutely find a way to do so. Where there is a will, there is a way.
What Are The Costs Involved With Taking Up Golf
If you want to keep this as cheap as possible, you need a few clubs, tees , and a few golf balls. You will then have to pay greens fees at a local club to allow yourself access to a course.
For people who know that golf is going to be a long-term commitment, clubs, shoes, and apparel will be the three significant costs in the beginning. The pricing on a decent set plus some accessories is probably going to cost you at least $700 to get more involved.
The good news is that set should take you through at least the first five years of your golf career.
Mandatory Purchases To Begin Playing Golf
To help you get a better idea of how much it is going to be to take up the game of golf, let’s break down all of the individual costs. Some of these are going to make it possible for you to play golf, and others you can start to collect over time.
Golf Clubs
A typical set of golf clubs is going to have the following set makeup.
- Driver
- 2 Fairway woods
- 2 Hybrids
- 5-PW
- Gap Wedge
- Sand Wedge
- Lob Wedge
- Putter
You can only carry 14 clubs in your golf bag, but those that are just getting into the game can get away with having about ten clubs for the first few years. Most beginners will hit the ball about the same length as all clubs in the beginning.
Beginner Sets – Cost
Beginner sets start around $150 and go up to about $1000. Beginner golf sets are lightweight and usually have quite a bit of flexibility. A beginner set may come with a golf bag, and everything needed to get started on the course.
Check Out Our best Beginner Golf Club Sets Here:
Intermediate Sets – Cost
An intermediate set is one that you will probably have to put together by pairing up woods, hybrids, and irons. If you find a packaged intermediate set it will likely cost around $500 – $1000. Putting your won intermediate set together will be closer to about $1250-$1500.
Check Out Our best Intermediate Golf Club Sets Here:
Pro Sets – Cost
A professional-level set of golf clubs will end up being more than $2000. In fact, if you are buying everything new, you can spend up to $5000 on something that is a professional level set. Some of the drivers cost around $500 each, and the iron sets will be close to $2000. Professional level sets usually have high-end golf shafts and perfect weighting for the faster swinging player.
Apparel
Making sure you are adequately dressed to play golf is essential. You will need a collared shirt, tucked in, golf pants or shorts, and a belt as well.
This outfit could be something that you already have in your closet; however, you find over time that some of the performance type golf wear is much better.
A cheap cotton polo can work to help you pass the dress code, but over time a higher-performing golf shirt will help you be more comfortable on the course.
Shoes
Many golfers will choose to wear a sneaker or tennis shoe when they first start playing golf.
This type of shoe allows for some flexibility and movement in the foot and will also not damage the surface of the green. Golf shoes tend to cost anywhere from $50 to $200.
You won’t have to purchase golf shoes until you are certain that you are going to stick with the sport.
Check Out Our Best Golf Shoes Here:
Pants
Golf pants are going to be similar to slacks you would wear to work. You can also wear shorts to play golf. Expect to spend anywhere from $50 to $100 on a good pair of golf pants or shorts.
Green Fees
Depending on where you play, the greens fees will vary. Public golf courses will have lower greens fees than joining a private golf club.
Check the time of day that you would like to play because the greens fees can change considerably depending on when you play.
Playing at off peak times or using tee booking apps can be a great way to get the best deals on Green Fees.
Optional Purchases
Some golfers enjoy gadgets. You can buy all sorts of things to help your game, from rangefinders to umbrellas to golf cart Bluetooth speakers. There is no limit on the number of accessories that you can purchase as a golfer. Not all of these accessories are worth purchasing.
Golf Push Cart Or Rent One
A golf push cart is a great way to cut down on your golf costs. Walking the golf course is much less expensive than riding the course. Purchasing a pushcart is a great idea if you plan to walk the course ten or more times per year. A pushcart will be around $50 or more.
Memberships
Memberships at private country clubs will be very expensive.
Almost all memberships require an initiation fee and then monthly dues. Depending on your location and the type of the club, these numbers will vary.
A high end private club could have a $150,000 initiation fee and dues of $2000 per month.
Lessons
Golf lessons can range anywhere from $40 to $500 for a session. It depends on who you are taking a lesson with and the duration of the golf lesson.
If you want to keep things cheaper in the beginning, take a clinic as opposed to an individual lesson.
Driving Range
A driving range is a place that beginners should spend a great deal of time. Usually, you will pay for a bucket of golf balls at the range.
The bucket is around $8 to 12 dollars and will have anywhere from 50 to 100 golf balls. If you practice a lot, you can look for a frequent user card to help you save some money.
Why Golf Is Worth Paying For
As you can see, there are quite a few costs involved in getting started as a golfer. The most critical costs will be the clubs as they are what allows you to play the game. People don’t seem to have issues paying money to start the game of golf.
This is because golf is fun, it is a sociable game, and it is addicting. Once you play a few rounds, you will want to lower your scores and get even better.
The more time you spend practicing and working on your game, the lower you will be able to shoot. Golf is a hobby, a lifestyle, and for some, it becomes a passion. Most people will tell you that the money they invested in the game was well worth it.
Conclusions – Is Golf Expensive And Do We Recommend Getting Involved
There is no denying the fact that golf is expensive. However, try to find another sport that is similar. Find a sport that allows you to play from the time you are five to the time you are ninety-five.
A sport that challenges you both physically and mentally and allows you to spend your time away from work out in nature.
There are so many incredible benefits to golf that the money you pay to get started will become well worth it. Set your budget, find a way to stick to it but don’t let money keep you from playing golf.
KunLehane
Hi, I am Matthew, a mid handicap golfer who likes to play as much as possible. I love trying out new gear and this blog is where you can find all the gear I have tested over the years!
