Why is the Game of Golf so Expensive?
You may have played a few casual rounds of golf and enjoyed yourself but wondered why is the game of golf so expensive?
Firstly, Golf Course Maintenance is very labour intensive and costly, and there is a range of insurance, taxes and regulation required by law to operate a golf course. Water costs contribute significantly to why the game of golf costs what it does.
Golf courses require extensive maintenance to keep them in good condition. This includes regular mowing, irrigation, pest control, and overall course upkeep. These maintenance costs are often reflected in the green fees that golfers pay to play.
The golf course maintenance teams on a golf course do a fantastic job and work early and long hours to keep a golf course in perfect condition for paying golfers.
Think about the time required to play a round of golf and divide that into how much you have to pay per hour for a round of golf compared to other things we enjoy in life. Golf is not inexpensive as you can see, but neither are skiing, boating, fishing, or many other outdoor activities we enjoy.
What makes Golf so Expensive?
Obviously, running a golf course is expensive, but purchasing top-quality equipment can also be pricey depending on how serious a player wants to take the game and how much they want to spend.
Top-quality golf equipment, including Golf Clubs, Golf Bags, Golf Balls and Accessories, can cost golfers a decent amount of money, but if it is a hobby that a player can afford and enjoy, it is well worth it.
The game is expensive because of the costs and overheads to run the golf course, but the more expensive the golf course, the better quality and condition it is generally in.
Do more Expensive Golf Clubs make players better?
This is a good question and really depends on how long somebody has played the game and what they want to achieve.
The more expensive golf clubs will not make a massive difference in the initial stages for the beginner golfer starting out with the game.
Golf Manufacturers produce golf clubs that are more forgiving than others, but if a player has not learned the basics of grip aim and setup, then it won’t matter which clubs they use to play the game initially.
It is essential to get the correct length to start out with, so it might pay to learn with some slightly longer clubs if you are taller than average.
As a player improves, some of the more expensive golf clubs can make a difference, but it is more about getting a proper club fitting and making sure the shaft, loft, lie angles, and length are correct for how the golfer swings the club.
This can make a significant difference for professionals, as they consistently hit the sweet spot of the clubhead and need every edge they can get in tournament play.
For the average golfer, it doesn’t necessarily mean the more expensive golf clubs will make them play better, but some clubs are more forgiving, which means some mishits will not be impacted as much compared with some of the cheaper club options.
Are Golf Memberships Expensive?
This depends on where you live and what type of golf club you are looking to join.
It is always best to do a bit of research and do your maths to see if joining a golf club will be worth it in the long run.
The better quality the golf course, clubhouse and facilities, the more expensive the golf club will be to run and to join.
Golf memberships can be expensive, especially if a player does not really use the facility all that much, but if you play a lot of golf, membership is well worth it.
Can Golf be Less Expensive?
If you are starting with the game of golf, many public golf courses are less expensive that may be of lesser quality, but that does not matter for a beginner.
These golf courses are a great place to learn and usually have practice facilities to better your game.
When you want to buy golf equipment, it is easy to get the feeling that you need to spend a fortune, but that doesn’t have to be the case.
Golf can be an expensive sport when you think about all of the things that you need to buy and all of the things that are required when you are playing the game.
You need clubs, and it is recommended that you have a bag or a pushcart. All of that costs money, but if you shop around, you can find some essential equipment at a more affordable price.
Conclusion
Golf can be an expensive sport and always has been on the more expensive scale for the most part compared to other sports.
Even if you forget about the equipment for a minute, there are greens fees, carts, clothes and accessories to consider as well.
There is no question that all of these expenses can add up quickly. The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to spend a ton of money to enjoy the game of golf, especially if you plan accordingly and do your research before buying anything.
Golf can still be enjoyed by anybody and is a great way to relax and have some fun with your friends.
If you want to learn a little bit more about the game of golf and some of the basics, check out the post on How to Golf for Beginners.