Golfing on a Budget...need some advice...

**Philip9210** · June 20, 2009

Ok, I am 17, my parents will not pay for my golf, and they shouldn't, I should pay for it. I currently work a summer job in fast food, and make about 70-100$ on a usual week. The local golf courses around me are about 25$ and they are pretty nice(this is for twilight hours), and I can afford to do that once a week. However, I want to also be able to practice on the range, and save up for some new clubs also. Anybody have any budgeting ideas? And getting a job at a local golf course for free golf is outta the question, I have already asked if they are hiring :X I have to pay for gasoline, etc... thanks for the help!

**uttexas** · June 20, 2009

I worked fast food for two years in highschool, so I understand your plight.
On a piece of paper, wright down everything you have purchased over the past three months (including dollar amounts). After looking at that, see what you can cut back on. It might be movies, video games, eating out.

Think about starting a lawn care service (mowing and weeding). Make some fliers and rubber band them to doors in your neighborhood. You might be surprised how much more you can earn (in cash) doing this over working fast food. I did learn alot by working fast food (customer service, working with others, that I didn't want to do it forever, etc)

**fendermallot** · June 20, 2009

are there any crappy golf courses, 9 holes, etc. near you that you could golf on the cheap?

A decent way to get "new" clubs is to hit up garage sales. I like to browse craigslist for this, as well as stop at the random sale while out driving. A friend picked up 1000 golf balls recently for $5. Remember that it's not simply having the best golf clubs, but having a matching set that's most important at this point. Check to make sure they fit you too. If you're extra tall or have really long/short arms, you may need fitted clubs. Which means you might have to get new clubs, or just have your current ones reshafted.

mine were a $20 garage sale special. Granted that's not far off from their retail value, from what I found out, they're still a matching set. check locak golf course websites. I just took a free 1hr lesson at a local one here. He gave me the basics of what I was ding right and wrong. We did some video work then went back and worked on his new tips. I'm sore, but I hit the ball alot better after just 1hr.

Welcome to the greatest game you'll love to hate!

**iWALK18** · June 20, 2009

You need to find a new / another job. $100 a week is nothing, doesn't matter how you budget.

**ryohazuki222** · June 20, 2009

I'm a college student with limited funds paying my own golf (admittedly only possible because parents are paying for other things). Look at my bag. No way in hell I could afford it without some serious internet sleuthing. Everything is new and from an authorized store. To actually golf, it costs me $2.50 a round to walk in addtion to about $70/month.

My point is this:

Spend some of your free time being proactive about finding deals. IMO, there should be no reason for you to pay $25/round for twilight AS A JUNIOR. Maybe your area is different, but I WISH I was under 18 when I took up golf. Any good golfing locale (again... imo) will be more than happy to get juniors into the game of golf.

If you're paying $25 so you can ride the cart....... then that's your problem.

Just an example of Austin, TX

Gives you access to 4 of the 5 city courses for $280/yr or $70 for a summer junior.... then only $2 for every round you play.

**Iowa Hawkeye** · June 20, 2009

Play early mornings. Shop around, you should be able to find specials. Around here I can get 18 + a cart for $18 before 9AM, I can walk 18 at another for $9.25 before 11AM, After 5PM at yet another All you can play for $25 a foursome including carts for all if you want them. All are good quality courses, only one plays to a below par rating, and are all sloped above average. Walked 18 for $14 Wednesday mid-day. Just do your homework. It's summer and you'll be able to find time around your work schedule, which seems to be pretty light. Don't get hung up on playing the best courses and don't let a cheap price make you think its not quality.

**Iowa Hawkeye** · June 20, 2009

Furman - $15 Jr rate
http://www.furman.edu/golf/greenfees-daily.htm

Proof21 · June 20, 2009

I wish I could get the junior rates, take advantage of them! I always am searching for the cheapest 18 hole course, it's tough, but the deals are out there.

**enis750** · June 20, 2009

there is some good advice on here dude
i really didnt have a budget when i bought my stuff this year
but i still looked for great deals......cause u can't be a SUCKA a pay retail! hahah!

Examples:

Ogio bag-Retail-$200 - i paid $125
Nike Irons-Retail-$700-ish i paid $300
Titleist D2 Driver-Retail-$400-ish i paid $150
YES Putter-Retail-$249 i paid -$99

Total Retail-$1550, i paid $675 all brand new still in the plastic for everything
if it was used, probably would have been 1/2 that

there are good deals my friend - keep ur eye on ebay for auctions that end in the middle of the night
stay up and win them, while everyone is sleeping :)

This is in Canadian dollars, including taxes and shipped to my door

**microcrayfish** · June 20, 2009

Also consider that all you need to practice is a bunch of old balls and an empty space. There's no need to pay $7 a bucket for range balls when you can just head down to your local park.

Proof21 · June 20, 2009

Also consider that all you need to practice is a bunch of old balls and an empty space. There's no need to pay $7 a bucket for range balls when you can just head down to your local park.

I used to do that, some people would get some irritated thinking I was going to shank one, backwards and hit them..it was crazy. I really liked doing that though to work on my pitching.

**Three Putt** · June 20, 2009

Also consider that all you need to practice is a bunch of old balls and an empty space. There's no need to pay $7 a bucket for range balls when you can just head down to your local park.

Excellent Advice.

We have a First Tee in Clearwater, FL (Chi Chi Roderiguez Course) they just bought the Driving range accross the street, anyway they had a sign up ...work 2 four hour shifts (picking balls) per week, free range balls and free golf at the course. So look around.

**ks8829** · June 20, 2009

What you can do is cut the time you go to the driving range and practice only putting and chipping for free. Most golfers if you are over 20 handicap need help with chipping and up and down more than hitting the driver and long irons, in fact the chipping and pitching practice will indirectly help you overall golf swing.

Write down on a piece of paper what your income is and your overall total expenses and see what you are willing to cut for golf.

research to see if there are specials on golf courses that fit in your budget. sometimes there are monthly specials that allow golf at discounted prices.

Let your folk in on your budget for golf and they will be impressed with your frugality. good job! you are more mature than some adults.

**jamo** · June 20, 2009

look for deals, for example, i played a Donald Ross course in great shape yesterday for $6

**Brakkus** · June 20, 2009

Took me ages to find an open field that wasn't private.I live in a fairly posh area,closest city is 20 miles away,lack of public fields.Schools don't allow you on like when I was a kid they were just open for you to use at weekends.

The ones that are say no golf.So I struck gold with this field just 6 miles away close when you live in a rural area.

**ApocG10** · June 20, 2009

Well, I dont agree that your parents shouldnt help, unless they cant affordto, then it is understandable. They should be encouraging you to play, golf is a wonderful sport and will teach you many lessons about life, loss, accomplishment, and failure.

That said,, its summer time, get another job, one that gives you at least 40 hours a week. 70-100$ really is a waste of time, when 40 hours would net you 200+$/week at minimum wage(7$/hr here), still leaving lots of time for golf and other hobbies.

Also, have a yard sale, sell old stuff you dont need anymore. Sell the videogames, Sporting gear that doesnt fit you anymore, stuff your parents dont need or want anymore.

Buy used clubs. lots of pro shops have used gear at excellent prices. Skip a few irons for now, get say, a 3,5,7,9, get one wedge for now, but get a decent one, not the cheapest you can find. Dont look to spend a fortune on your driver, its your least important club.

Also, birthday, x-mas, etc, ask for golf stuff.

Or, find a rich girlfriend.

**Mathlete1123** · June 20, 2009

Look for junior specials like others have said. Around here most courses have "Player Development Programs" where you pay a monthly fee (30-50 dollars) and you get unlimited range time and discounted greens fees. See if any of the courses/ranges near you have a similar deal.

**DaveLeeNC** · June 21, 2009

The cost of local golf play is kind of a local thing.

But from an equipment perspective, you need to go the used route. Stuff is WAY cheaper used. ebay, the various 'for sale' forums on boards like this, Play it Again Sports, some amazing finds show up occasionally at Salvation Army type stores, etc.

Good luck.

dave

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