How many golfers?

[Bob B.]

I golfed a little bit with friends in high school. I'm 41, so it's been 20+ years. I always borrowed clubs, and usually played at relatively cheap public course. I've not golfed once since 1991.

I've always been turned off by my perception of the expense of the game. Clubs($200-300?), greens fees($20 at the low end and up to a couple hundred at a nice course?), balls, shoes, gloves. Practicing at the driving range, plus the practically mandatory stop for drinks after a round to add another 5 or 10 bucks to the experience. And, I would guess that most people who golf regularly end up renting a cart.

I've also heard that you have to play once or twice a week to be any good.

It all sounds expensive and time consuming to me.

So, do any of the frugal minded folks around here play golf regularly?

It's fine if it's your identified hobby, and you enjoy it, and aren't in debt up to your eyeballs. I'm just curious.

[rennigade]

Yes, I golf on a regular basis. In terms of equipment it can be as expensive as you want. My clubs/bad are probably around $1,000 total...thats a full set of irons, driver, 3 wood, putter and wedges. Although I get a 50% discount because my friend is a golf coach at a university and can buy directly from the manufacturer.

That being said..Ive never worn golf shoes. I havent tried a pair on yet that were as comfortable as sneakers. I have no issue with slipping while swinging. All the golf balls I play are ones Ive basically found. And there are plenty of whats considered pro quality golf balls in my bag. Tees are cheap and most can be found laying around on greens. I always walk unless im playing during the summer months in Florida...where the cart price is built into the round. Its really cheap to play anytime after noon in FL in the summer months cause most people cant take the heat...the warmer the better for me so it works out well.

What pisses me off the most about golf are 2 things. Slow play is one of them. I live in the tri state DC area...so unless you're one of the first groups off in the morning you're almost guaranteed a 4.5 to 5 hour round. When I play courses in PA where Im from rounds never take more than 3.5 hours. Of course if you're a member at a private club that doesnt get as much play as public courses this doesnt apply to you. Its not much fun when half of the time being out on the course is spent standing there waiting for your turn.

The other thing that angers me is how courses jack up prices during weekends. I never understood that. The only time that most people get to play are on weekends because of work. I hate the fact that courses see this as an opportunity to stick it to everyone. Nothing like getting punished because you have to work 40 hours a week and the only downtime you have is a couple hours saturday and sunday. Thats really awesome. There are only 2 courses that I know of, one in DC and one in Maryland that do not jack up rates during peak times/hours.

But as for golf rates in general...yea they can get pretty expensive especially if you go out in the morning. I usually like to go around 1pm or 2pm...whenever the "twilight" rates kick in. twilight = cheaper. But at this point you're guaranteed a 5 hour round.

I personally do not have to play multiple times a week to stay pretty consistent. I havent gotten to play in about 1.5 months...I do go to the range every other week or so. That being said if I step on the course now id prob shoot a 90. IN the past when I was able to play a lot more I was a high 70's low 80's player. Living where I do now golf just isnt as fun having to stand around and wait for people...so I choose not to do it as much anymore.

Also, another benefit is the exercise you get walking a couple miles with a heavy bag on your back.

[greenskeeper]

Big hitter....the Lama. Worked for him as a looper once, promised me "total consciousness on my death bed" in lieu of a tip....so I got that going for me....which is nice.

[rennigade]

Thanks Carl.

[dawnwes]

Well.......DH is a former golf pro, so this is something he spends money on and we have some for him to spend and enjoy the game.

BUT......

He was given golf clubs as a golf pro and had those free clubs for over 20 years before finally getting a new set.

He often gets FREE golf games through work. They have to entertain clients and his firm pays the green fees.

He also volunteers to help with golf tournaments in exchange for free rounds.

He joined a club for very reasonable fees.

[feh]

I golfed a little bit with friends in high school. I'm 41, so it's been 20+ years. I always borrowed clubs, and usually played at relatively cheap public course. I've not golfed once since 1991.

I've always been turned off by my perception of the expense of the game. Clubs($200-300?), greens fees($20 at the low end and up to a couple hundred at a nice course?), balls, shoes, gloves. Practicing at the driving range, plus the practically mandatory stop for drinks after a round to add another 5 or 10 bucks to the experience. And, I would guess that most people who golf regularly end up renting a cart.

I've also heard that you have to play once or twice a week to be any good.

It all sounds expensive and time consuming to me.

So, do any of the frugal minded folks around here play golf regularly?

It's fine if it's your identified hobby, and you enjoy it, and aren't in debt up to your eyeballs. I'm just curious.

I agree with all the points you make here. It is a somewhat expensive hobby.

I now golf 2-5 times a year. When I was younger (20s & 30s), I used to go a couple times a month. I consider it an entertainment expense.

[Bob B.]

I guess my take home message is that if a frugal person enjoys a hobby, he or she can do it without spending gobs of money. My family enjoys camping. We just bought a 1978 model for $800. It needed a new roof. We fixed the roof for about $60. We stay at state campgrounds.

Some people spend tens of thousands of dollars on campers, and camp in exclusive camp grounds. Others camp in tents.

[rennigade]

Different strokes for different folks. Thats what it boils down to. If you can afford it...it really doesnt matter what it costs.

Theres no difference if someones savings has 1 million and they spend $100k on a camper...or if someone with $100k spends $10k on a camper. It still only makes up 10% of their savings.