Is Golf For The Rich?

Written by Todd in Golf Club Questions

No, there was a period of time when the majority of golfers would have been considered rich.  However, in the past several decades the golf landscape has changed where people from all financial backgrounds have been introduced to the game and enjoy it regularly.

For many decades, golf was popular at the local country club.  It was a sport for many of the elite within society in the United States.  Things started to change as more municipal and public golf courses were built or country clubs closed up shop and sold the course to a private owner or to a city, county or state.

One of the reasons golf was originally for the rich is the expensive nature of the game.  Golf is not a cheap sport and it does cost time and money.  The good news for people just starting the game as there are many options on how to get started for a much lower cost.

Is Golf An Expensive Sport?

In many locations, there are organizations that attempt to get kids or youth to start playing the game and introduce the fundamentals of the golf swing.

Personal Story: There are many ways to play free golf or reduced green fee golf. While the perfect equipment, the perfect country club and the ideal weather may be difficult for the every day person, getting out and playing is very realistic for most. Have fun, get some clubs and go learn the game! Check out our tips below on playing on a budget!

New golfers are introduce to the game each year, including kids or various ages.

What Made Golf Popular?

The combination of introducing kids to the game, an increase in the number of courses and Tiger Woods entering the golf scene in the late 1990’s has helped golf expand.  More and more people start the game each year and attempt to enjoy the many benefits of a round of golf.

In addition, recently there have been TopGolf’s built throughout the United States that have created a social scene around hitting golf balls and tech based type driving range with chips in the golf balls and various targets.  On top of that, excellent food and beverages are sold, helping make golf a social gathering.

Why Golf is the Best Sport (11 Reasons)

Tips To Start the Game on a Low Budget

  • Find a free set of golf clubs
  • Volunteer or work at a golf course
  • Use pre-owned golf balls

Tip #1: Find a free set of golf clubs

Make a list of every golfer that you might know and inquire if they have an old set laying around the house.  This is a great way to start the game and to get out to see if the game is something that you would enjoy doing on a regular basis.  Chances are most golfers have 1-3 sets in their house and would be willing to help you start the game of golf.  

Tip #2: Volunteer or work at a golf course

A great way to learn the game and to get free golf is by volunteering or working at a golf course.  Most golf courses allow their volunteers and workers to golf for free or at a significantly reduced price.  Volunteering is one route that many senior golfers take to receive free rounds.  You might only need to volunteer for a six hour shift, once a week to get 1-2 free rounds per week.  If time is on your side, you can trade your time for free golf.

Or if you want time at a practice facility such as a driving range, you can volunteer there or apply for a job.  Free range balls can really help take your game to the next level!

If you have some money to spend on golf, buying a membership at a local public or municipal course can be a cost savings if you play on playing a lot of golf in one season.

Tip #3: Use pre-owned golf balls

You can ask a golfer you know if they have older golf balls that have been used before or you may go golf ball hunting the next time you are out on a golf course.  Until you learn the game at a decent level, the quality of the golf ball is not going to make a significant difference in your experience on the golf course or your score.

Golf is a great family sport that can be enjoyed by all.

Next Steps: Learn the Game

  • Learn about the golf swing
  • Practice as much as possible

Step #1: Learn about the golf swing

There are some amazing resources that are free online.  There are some amazing instructors that offer their recommendations and video instructions for free via youtube. Take advantage of this free information and learn as much as possible.  

Here are some resources on posts we have created that could be helpful:

Step #2: Practice as much as possible

If you struggle to pay for golf or range balls, go ahead and find a way to get free practice through working at a golf facility or volunteering.  The key now is to hit as many golf balls as possible, as often as possible.

The secret is in the dirt

Ben Hogan

This quote above is so true and the golfer must develop his or her own swing, with the guidance of some great instructors and find how they can best score.  

Another part of practice that often gets overlooked is the short game.  Most practice greens are free at public golf courses.  Grab your wedge, a putter and 3 golf balls and head to the free practice green and spend hours developing a basic chip, your lag putting, and your putting from 3-10 feet.  This is the quickest way to lower your score in the game of golf as a beginner.

Additional resources to help with the short game:

Final Thoughts: Is Golf For The Rich

Golf is an incredible sport enjoyed by people of all ages, financial background and ability levels.  Do not let any of these barriers stop you from taking up this fantastic game that so many people enjoy.  Golf is a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends on a beautiful piece of land and take on the journey and challenge of playing your best golf ever!

More private country clubs are loosening up on dress codes and other rules that make the game seem elite. Instead, they want golfers to have a blast, yet remain respectful to others enjoying the golf course that day and in the future!

Golf Etiquette Guide for Beginners!

My Secret To Golf Improvement

Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently.  About four years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage.  I went with a SkyTrak Launch Monitor and the TGC software and can now play over 100,000 courses including Augusta, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits. St. Andrews and many other of the top 100 courses in the world.

This golf simulator setup, which is more affordable that you might imagine, has been a game changer.  I can now play golf everyday of the year regardless of rain, snow, cold weather or time of day.  I can practice or play rounds of golf.  I can stand in the 11th fairway at Augusta and with the auto-rewind feature I am able to practice my approach shots from various differences.

It is worth checking out through Rain or Shine Golf as they offer some incredible packages along with financing offers that are difficult to beat.

Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:

Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better

What does this mean for you?  I believe in the following recipe to get better:

1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor.  Here are some options:

Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:

2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed.  Here are some options:

Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:

3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier.  Here is a series on breaking through:

We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.

4 – Practice Frequently

Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system?  It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:

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