Rising Costs of Fuel and Frequency of Playing

[WillieT]

Just pondering the current fuel climate and how it may/will affect the frequency of play for me.  The closest course to me is about 20 miles away.  My truck “averages” about 19mpg.  That’s two gallons and at $4.50 a gallon (currently about $4.20 locally) that’s a ten spot just to get there and back.  Big caveat - I can drive the MX5 Miata (if I am going solo) to alleviate the brunt some.  Also my son typically rides with me to the course so I know we can share the fuel costs.  Also I have to factor in how much the cost to drive will dig into the discretionary income.
For many that is not a big deal, but for the budget minded such as myself it has me thinking what is the breaking point for the “average” golfer who may not live on the course and has a good ride to get there and back.  Also thinking the courses with gas powered carts will be pushing these increases out to riders as well.  Any thoughts out there along this line? 

[ChetlovesMer]

6 minutes ago, WillieT said:

Just pondering the current fuel climate and how it may/will affect the frequency of play for me.  The closest course to me is about 20 miles away.  My truck “averages” about 19mpg.  That’s two gallons and at $4.50 a gallon (currently about $4.20 locally) that’s a ten spot just to get there and back.  Big caveat - I can drive the MX5 Miata (if I am going solo) to alleviate the brunt some.  Also my son typically rides with me to the course so I know we can share the fuel costs.  Also I have to factor in how much the cost to drive will dig into the discretionary income.
For many that is not a big deal, but for the budget minded such as myself it has me thinking what is the breaking point for the “average” golfer who may not live on the course and has a good ride to get there and back.  Also thinking the courses with gas powered carts will be pushing these increases out to riders as well.  Any thoughts out there along this line? 

Perfect plan. 
Drive once to the course and then NEVER LEAVE... 🤪

[jmanbooyaa]

Thankfully the course 5 minutes from my house opens for the season on Wednesday of next week. 

[WillieT]

27 minutes ago, ChetlovesMer said:

Perfect plan. 
Drive once to the course and then NEVER LEAVE... 🤪

Yup!

[mcanadiens]

With the home course just a few miles from the house, I'll probably play the same amount, but road trips might be another story.

In the past I've driven up to 45 minutes away to play with particular people at particular courses as often as twice a month.  I'll make a point of seeing those guys a few times this year, but I may cut those trips back a little bit or try to get them to meet me closer to halfway. 

 

[iacas]

I mean, it's $2 more than last year. Right?

My fuel costs won't affect how much I play at all.

[Bucki1968]

Yea, fuel costs won't change how much I play. So far, in the Tampa area, I have not seen any major shift in tourism based on fuel costs. It has, however, had some effect on getting your food delivered (uber eats, door dash, etc.). With spring break coming, It'll be curious to see if the people still come in droves. I have a feeling they will. Maybe we'll see more of the cost/travel effects next year? My work collogues have changed some spring break plans because of fuel costs and pulling boats or RV's somewhere over the break.  

[pganapathy]

I have been playing almost daily for the past week.  It is about 25km one way so 50 km round trip.  Not fun with the current cost of petrol but I have decided to sacrifice my discretionary income for things like eating out.  Golf takes priority for me.

WRT other expenses on the course, I pull my own trolley and have reduced snacking at the club

[boogielicious]

It’s just the cost of playing golf. The price will eventually drop.

[jsgolfer]

20 minutes ago, iacas said:

I mean, it's $2 more than last year. Right?

My fuel costs won't affect how much I play at all.

This^

[ChetlovesMer]

57 minutes ago, iacas said:

I mean, it's $2 more than last year. Right?

This is a good point. The percent is pretty big. ... what 20-30%, but overall that's just 2-3 bucks. 

So, perhaps drop down from PRO-V1's to a Vice ball?

[saevel25]

Yea, the math makes it not to bad. 

$2 dollar difference from 2021 to 2022, let's say you have a 30 mile total trip, that is about 1.2 gallons at 25 miles per gallon. Which is only $2.4 more. 

 

Edited March 11, 2022 by saevel25

[ChetlovesMer]

1 hour ago, iacas said:

I mean, it's $2 more than last year. Right?

My fuel costs won't affect how much I play at all.

8 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

Yea, the math makes it not to bad. 

$2 dollar difference from 2021 to 2022, let's say you have a 30 mile total trip, that is about 1.2 gallons at 25 miles per gallon. Which is only $2.4 more. 

 

I suppose with inflation being what it is, I think it hit a four-decade-high in February. (it all depends on how you look at the numbers, but suffices to say inflation is going to be high this year.) 

Perhaps, your entire budget may get squeezed and that may cause your golf budget to shrink. But, I tend to prioritize differently. I mean seriously, do my kids need to eat EVERY day? 

[iacas]

2 minutes ago, ChetlovesMer said:

I suppose with inflation being what it is, I think it hit a four-decade-high in February. (it all depends on how you look at the numbers, but suffices to say inflation is going to be high this year.) 

Perhaps, your entire budget may get squeezed and that may cause your golf budget to shrink. But, I tend to prioritize differently. I mean seriously, do my kids need to eat EVERY day? 

If you only feed them twice instead of three times, that's 33% savings!

[WillieT]

1 hour ago, iacas said:

I mean, it's $2 more than last year. Right?

My fuel costs won't affect how much I play at all.

Good point and maybe I am being too “the sky is falling” in my thinking.  The cost of fuel has fueled conversations in other areas and was wondering how the TST community sees it.  

[GolfLug]

Overall life priority dictates that golf will not take a hit because of fuel price increase. Some other discretionary spending will be reigned back though.  

[WillieT]

36 minutes ago, ChetlovesMer said:

This is a good point. The percent is pretty big. ... what 20-30%, but overall that's just 2-3 bucks. 

So, perhaps drop down from PRO-V1's to a Vice ball?

I play cheap balls anyway - so to get any cheaper they would have to be free….lol. 

[TourSpoon]

I don't see it as a factor at this point. And besides, how much is your mental health worth? Now my buddies that bought boats, they are probably gasping every time they pull into the marina!