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how to play on a budget? how do YOU golf cheap?

clearwaterms

By clearwaterms,
in Golf Talk

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clearwaterms Great Member

clearwaterms

Golf isn't a cheap sport, between golf balls ranging between $1 and $3 a ball, greens fees anywhere between $10 and $200, playing this game on a regular basis can put a dent on average Joe America's budget. So my question to everybody is this...

In these tightening financial times, how do you golf cheap? What things do you do to save money so that you can enjoy your sport / hobby more often?

me personally, I play my 9 hole rounds early in the morning before work, taking advantage of the early bird specials. I check out course websites for e-coupons before booking tee times and pick courses that have coupons. I sign up for my top two or three favorite courses email list so that I can get emailed special promotions.

but the question is what does everybody else do?

In my bag:

some golf clubs

a few golf balls

a bag of tee's some already broken the rest soon to be

a snickers wrapper (if you have seen me play, you would know you are not going anywhere for a while)

and an empty bottle of water

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JohnP Member

JohnP

Well, unfortunately I work from 8 - 5, M-F sooo it is really hard for me to take advantage of any Round specials at courses. No more twilight because fall is hitting, and it gets early to soon. I would have to say I would cut back on some of the more expensive courses and move to Sub 50 dollar range play, and walk more....also in trying financial times I seem to skip work less to go play haha.

962 : 3 - PW

DCI Gold : 1 & 2 Iron

976R , 8*Ried Lockhart 56 wedge.Studio Select Newport 2.6I hack
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JohnP Member

JohnP

Also, I would spend more time on the practice greens now its free :). Drive for show put for Dough, and Im broke as He**. haha
962 : 3 - PW

DCI Gold : 1 & 2 Iron

976R , 8*Ried Lockhart 56 wedge.Studio Select Newport 2.6I hack
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kfowler Great Member

kfowler

Great question since I've got our first child on the way and we're going to one income. I'll definitely have to be more cost conscious next year.

Here's my plan so far:

1.) Walk instead of ride. I like walking better anyway.
2.) Look for coupons and twilight specials.
3.) Instead of going to the driving range, go to an open soccer field to hit.
4.) Mooch off Dad's club membership as much as I can when in town. Which is not too often unfortunately.
5.) Save during the winter months.

Kevin

-------
In the Bag
Driver: G15 9.0*3 & 5 Wood: BurnerHybrid: Pro Gold 20*; 23*Irons: MP-58 (5-PW)Wedges: Vokey Spin Milled 52*8; 56*14Putter: Newport 2.0 33"Balls: NXT

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Smallville Great Member

Smallville

We play after prime time on weeknds on the regular courses; one we play is after 3:00, one is after 2:00 and one is after 2:00 on Saturdays and noon on Sundays. Greens fees are about one-third off regular weekend rates. Still gotta pay full price for carts. We walk our executive course that we play ($19 prime time, $14 twilight).

I say this but Saturday morning I am leaving my house at 4:00 to get up to the Des Moines area by 7:30 or so and we have a 10:24 tee time at a $55 golf course. So with gas this round is going to cost me about $130.00!
My Equipment:
Northwestern 3-, 5-, 7- and 9-wood;
Goldwin AVDP Irons (5-10 plus PW);
U.S. Golf 60 degree wedge;
See-More Putter; Bushnell Yardage Pro 1000 Rangefinder;Golflogix GPS.
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Jay-Bird Great Member

Jay-Bird

I play a lot during twilight rates.

driver: FT-i tlcg 9.5˚ (Matrix Ozik XCONN Stiff)
4 wood: G10 (ProLaunch Red FW stiff)
3 -PW: :Titleist: 695 mb (Rifle flighted 6.0)
wedges:, 52˚, 56˚, 60˚
putter: Studio Select Newport 1.5

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Chief Broom Great Member

Chief Broom

Play local muninciple courses, cow pastures, etc. The course conditions are less than ideal, but golf is golf whether you are playing on a PGA tour stop or an open field. I also walk a lot. Walking usually cuts your round cost in half. Ironic but most of your courses that are walker friendly are also the cheaper course to play.

Nike Vapor Speed driver 12* stock regular shaft
Nike Machspeed 4W 17*, 7W 21* stock stiff shafts
Ping i10 irons 4-9, PW, UW, SW, LW AWT stiff flex
Titleist SC Kombi 35"; Srixon Z Star XV tour yellow

Clicgear 3.0; Sun Mountain Four 5

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Dub Great Member

Dub

My work schedule allows me to play during the week.


Our groups usually use discount coupons or Heart and Lung Association discount books for rounds.


I walk when I practice. I'll generally game two balls. I'll spend extra time around the green / bunkers / chipping.

I play great balls but not the top notch models. I feel that I'm getting a lot of performance for the money with this E5+ ball. It does well by me and will last a few rounds if I don't loose it sooner.

I buy consumables, like shoes, tees, gloves, etc on clearance sales form TGW.com and other places. Ebay is a great source for stuff, too.

There is a local course with a very nice practice facility that I use about once a week or so. Great putting green, chipping green w/ sand bunker and nice targeted driving range. I can basically get a $5 bucket of balls.....stretch and practice swing for several minutes....hit the balls and work on chipping , bunkers and putting. Great value and a relaxing way to spend a two hours working things out.
909D Comp 9.5* (house MATRIX OZIK XCON-6)
Burner Superfast 3 & 5 woods (house MATRIX OZIK XCON-4.8)
G15 Hybrid 23* (AWT shaft)
G5 5 iron-PW-46*, UW-50*, SW-54 & LW-58 (AWT shaft)
Studio Select Newport 2 Mid SlantGrips: PING cords & Golf Pride New Decade Multi-Coumpound Bag: C-130...
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Dent Great Member

Dent

i sometimes play twilight golf. cheaper rate, $20 for as many holes as you can play with a cart.
In My Bag

Driver: Sasquatch 460 9.5°
3 Wood: Laser 3 Wood 15°
5 Wood: r7 19° (Stiff)Irons: S58 Irons 4-PW Orange DotWedge: Harmonized 60°Wedge: Z TP 54°Putter: Tiffany 34"Balls: Pro V1 Shoes: Adidas Tour 360 IIThe Meadows Golf Coursewww.themeadowsgc.comAge: 16
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zeg Great Member

zeg

Until this week, both my wife and I were graduate students. Between that and having a kid, I definitely try to golf cheaply. Fortunately there are a couple of decent inexpensive courses near here. Weekday 9-hole rounds are less than $15, down to $8 or so for super-twilight (which is just about to become pointless when daylight savings wears off). But, mostly, I just go spend a couple hours at the driving range + chipping / putting greens. Given my, ahem, prowess on the golf course, that's probably more productive for me anyway. Certainly less frustrating, and I keep it fun by coming up with practice games so it's not just mind-numbing repetition.

Only bummer is that they've moved from having grass range stations to using mats for the winter months. That makes it less of a replacement for getting out and playing on real turf.

In the bag:
FT-iQ 10° driver, FT 21° neutral 3H
T-Zoid Forged 15° 3W, MX-23 4-PW
Harmonized 52° GW, Tom Watson 56° SW, X-Forged Vintage 60° LW
White Hot XG #1 Putter, 33"

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Mr Eagle Dedicated Member

Mr Eagle

Bunk on. A guy I know has been walking on to his local course and drinking in the bar that often everyone thinks he is a member.He even got me guest rates once!

In The Bag
Mizuno MX 560 Driver
Taylor made 3 wood
Mizuno HIFLI 21*
Mizuno MX 25's 4-pwMizuno MX series wedges 50, 56*/11 & 60*Bettinardi C02 putter4 bottles of pilsner,2 packs cigars

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glebert Dedicated Member

glebert

I haven't bought a new golf ball in at least a year, I get used balls at a thrift store for about $1-2 a dozen. Usually you get a mix of good and bad, but it is still a good deal.

"You can foment revolution or you can cure your slice - life is too short for both" David Owen

WITB*: 2010 winter edition

Driver: AyrtimeFW/hybrid: Distance Master Pro Steel 5w, 7w, 27* hybridIrons: Powerplay 5000 hybrids (6i-SW)Wedge: SMT Durometer 55 degPutter: Z/I Omega mallet*as soon...

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Dub Great Member

Dub

Oh yeah....another thing is that I'll generally stick a few bottles of water in my bag and save on buying them at course prices.....great to refill on the course if available, too.


I'll sometimes slip a six pack on ice in a cart cooler or garbage bag into the back for sipping on the course, too.

909D Comp 9.5* (house MATRIX OZIK XCON-6)
Burner Superfast 3 & 5 woods (house MATRIX OZIK XCON-4.8)
G15 Hybrid 23* (AWT shaft)
G5 5 iron-PW-46*, UW-50*, SW-54 & LW-58 (AWT shaft)
Studio Select Newport 2 Mid SlantGrips: PING cords & Golf Pride New Decade Multi-Coumpound Bag: C-130...
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yeis20 Well Established Member

yeis20

Twilight weekday at Muni: 12 after 5 for as many holes as you can play
Resident weekend walking at muni: 20

Afternoon specials (usually after 2-3pm) for other local courses on weekends: 40 with cart for 18; will only occasionally go for the 59 dollar course... not as nice as the 40 dollar course but friends live closer to it

Local short par 3: 8-10

Range with grass tees: 8 per bucket

Balls played: cheapo: noodle +; best ball for the money: top-flite gamer; preferred high end ball 25 per box for 07 TM TP reds; Ultra high end ball... I would play the bridestones but not often... not worth it

Taylormade TP 2010 9.5 Fubuki stiff
07 Burner 5W stiff

Adams F11 Ti 3W Adilia NVS Stiff
Bobby Jones 21* & 25* Hybrid
AP1 4-gw
CG14  60*::X forged Vintage 56* Ping b60 putter Balls: Bridgestone B330, ProV, Goals: Shot par over 18 holes, Best shot: Par 5 18th hole, Alling Memorial New haven CT; holed my 2nd shot for an Albatross! (June 20th, 2008)

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Brakkus Dedicated Member

Brakkus

I put together my equipment for about £300.I buy lake balls for 10-20 pounds for a 50 bucket.Good makes too.
I play once a month at a course on twighlight rates for around £15-£18.

I practice short game shots in my living room and garden,using airflow balls and real balls.

I get to the range about twice a month for further short game practice and hitting longer clubs,and it also has a pitch&putt; course for £4.

I've been playing 18 months and i'm now consistently in the low hundred barrier,broke it last week too.

It's possible to do,but it's frustrating for me that I can't play twice a month at a golf course at the moment.

"Repetition is the chariot of genius"

Driver: BENROSS VX PROTO 10.5
Woods: BENROSS QUAD SPEED FAIRWAY 15"
Hybrids:BENROSS 3G 17" BENROSSV5 Escape 20"
Irons: :wilson: DEEP RED Fluid Feel  4-SW
Putter: BENROSS PURE RED
Balls: :wilsonstaff:  Ti DNA

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Todd Established Member

Todd

Gonna bite the bullet and get yr membership, then rates for walking 18 at most expensive time is only $4. Plus, good way for exercise.

My bag:

Bag: TaylorMade

Driver: Taylormade Super Fast 2.0 (S)

3W: Taylormade Super Fast 2.0 (S),

Hy: 3 (18*) Rescue, Irons: 4-9, PW, AW TM Burner 2.0, Wedges: Rumar 56 and 60 degree, Putter: TM Ghost Blade

Ball: TM RBZ

Shoes: FootJoy DryJoys

 

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NM Golf Super Member

NM Golf

Get a part time job at a golf course. I work at a course and all my range balls, cart fees, and greens fees are free. I also get to play about 7 other course around town free as well. Plus I get equipment really cheap. Then on top of all that every two weeks I get a paycheck! Its the only way to go.

Danny    In my :ping: Hoofer Tour golf bag on my :clicgear: 8.0 Cart

Driver:   :pxg: 0311 Gen 5  X-Stiff.                        Irons:  :callaway: 4-PW APEX TCB Irons 
3 Wood: :callaway: Mavrik SZ Rogue X-Stiff                            Nippon Pro Modus 130 X-Stiff
3 Hybrid: :callaway: Mavrik Pro KBS Tour Proto X   Wedges: :vokey:  50°, 54°, 60° 
Putter: :odyssey:  2-Ball Ten Arm Lock        Ball: :titleist: ProV 1

 

 

 

 

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OldDog66 Established Member

OldDog66

I have a membership at two university courses open year round ($600 for the geezer rate) and usually walk. Last year I played 120 rounds ($5.00 a round).

Loyalty above all else, except honor.

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