Golf is an unusual sport in that despite being associated with financial prestige, it’s played by a pretty financially diverse crowd. Unfortunately, over time it can become one of the most expensive sports the average person plays. While many have begun to give up the game due to lack of time and money, there are ways to cut corners while still feeding your addiction. Here’s how I nearly halved my golf budget, saving thousands yes, thousands of dollars in the process, while still playing just as much.
1. Take the time to look for lost balls.
If you’re a serious golfer, you know what a difference having quality golf balls can make in improving your game. Still, the good balls are extremely pricey. Any time I lose track of ball, I take the time to look for it; if I can’t find it immediately and I’m holding up play, I go back after the round is over. Taking a few minutes to do this can save you hundreds over the long-term. Also, when I’m teeing off from a hole with a water hazard that presents immediate danger, I usually keep a handful of cheap balls for these occasions.
2. Avoid golf gadgets like the plague.
I don’t think any other sport has as many useless accessories, all promising to improve your handicap. I’ve gone through quite a bit of these, and truth be told, nothing will improve your game like quality practice and maybe some coaching nothing. Skip the gadgets, avoid the infomercials on the Golf Channel, and stick to the basics.
3. Befriend other golfers outside your home course.
This tip can stand to save you a ton of money in green fees. Since many golf course members can invite friends to play for free, if you develop a large social network of other golfers, you’ll be cutting back on your spending tremendously. Golfers come in all shapes and sizes, so strike up conversations with co-workers, members of your church, or acquaintances in other social networks. You’d be surprised by how many people you know who play golf that you had no idea about.
4. Maintain your clubs well.
Golf clubs don’t last forever, and they’re extremely expensive to replace. Invest in a quality set of clubs and take good care of them. Clean each club after each shot, and store them in a dry, well-ventilated place.
5. Don’t play for money unless you’re sober and you’re sure you’ll win.
Since playing golf is an inherently social game, it’s particularly conducive to having a few drinks. It’s also common for golfers to gamble. Combining alcohol and gambling is always a surefire way to overestimate your capabilities and lose a lot of money. If you are going to play and gamble, make sure that you have a reasonable chance of winning, and avoid consuming alcohol. In fact, another great way to save on the course is to forgo alcohol completely. It’ll improve your game and cut back on your general golf budget. As you probably already know, drinking on the course can be just as pricey as drinking at a club or baseball game.
We golf devotees know that there’s pretty much nothing that can stop us from hitting the links when our passion is calling. Still, it’s a shame that something so fun and engaging can take such a huge chunk out of our earnings. Following these guidelines, however, will enable you to play without spending nearly as much.
About the Author:
This guest post is contributed by Raine Parker, who writes on the topics of online accounting degree. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: raine.parker6@gmail.com.
