Getting ridiculous

[rhaze91]

Has golf jumped the shark to a degree?  Seeing even this site talking about an $80 hat, serious?  I saw somewhere a review on $400 golf pants.   This is a joke, a pair of pants almost half the price of a new set of clubs.  

I have a tough time getting family members who would be new to the game because of the elitist stigma then I see this.   Maybe I'm turning into old man yelling at clouds but what the heck is going on

The price of a nice round of golf to splurge for my high school kid would be almost $500 for two and it's a joke that this is "public".    Sorry for the rant but damn.

[GolfSpy_APH]

I think in the end ppl are willing to pay for it then a company is going to make it. 

There are still plenty of value purchases to be made and deals to be found. For every $200 shirt there is a pack of 3 for $24.99 like @StrokerAce posted in our deals thread. 

Same goes for rounds. There are value times, packages and more which can be found. Are they always the greatest courses? No, not likely however in the end a lot of the time it is the company that matters more than the speed of the greens or conditions. 

[RickyBobby_PR]

The best thing about consumer goods is you don’t have to buy any of them if you don’t want to. Golf pants can be had for cheap at a number of places. One can get a nice pair of pants at target cheap or one could go to a higher end store and get a nice pair and pay more.

I never understood the rant about the prices of products. Nobody is forcing anyone to spend their money on high end items. I have a friend that is still wearing an Ironmans watch from 20 years ago. It works for his needs he doenst have to go buy an AP or other high end brand, or even something less expensive like a citizen

[skraeling]

8 hours ago, rhaze91 said:

Has golf jumped the shark to a degree?  Seeing even this site talking about an $80 hat, serious?  I saw somewhere a review on $400 golf pants.   This is a joke, a pair of pants almost half the price of a new set of clubs.  

I have a tough time getting family members who would be new to the game because of the elitist stigma then I see this.   Maybe I'm turning into old man yelling at clouds but what the heck is going on

The price of a nice round of golf to splurge for my high school kid would be almost $500 for two and it's a joke that this is "public".    Sorry for the rant but damn.

You uh, also dont have to buy stuff that expensive.

Big box store dryfit polo for 20.00 and call it a day if the course has a dress code.

Round too expensive?  Dont play at a course that has a dresscode..

Golf can be while not cheap, certainly can be done cheaper.

You dont need to play the A+ tier course ya know.

What the hell course are you playing that its 250 each?  Dude I can play the tiger woods course here in missouri for that.  

My regular golf league course is 30.00 for 9 holes and thats only gone up thanks to the course massively improving in its condition (thanks new grounds keeper its looking awesome).

A I feel more valid gripe is single clubs (drivers) costing 600.00+, that truly makes no sense to me.  But the market seems to be bearing it so the prices wont go down.

Edited February 8 by skraeling

[Rob Person]

8 hours ago, rhaze91 said:

Has golf jumped the shark to a degree?  Seeing even this site talking about an $80 hat, serious?  I saw somewhere a review on $400 golf pants.   This is a joke, a pair of pants almost half the price of a new set of clubs.  

I have a tough time getting family members who would be new to the game because of the elitist stigma then I see this.   Maybe I'm turning into old man yelling at clouds but what the heck is going on

The price of a nice round of golf to splurge for my high school kid would be almost $500 for two and it's a joke that this is "public".    Sorry for the rant but damn.

Oh I definitely agree. However the deeper you get into golf, the more you realize you really don't need much more than the basics to simply play the game. 

Want vs Need: That is one of the biggest issues since the beginning of time. Necessity will get you by.

I myself am a bargain hunter. I shop goodwill, thrift stores, garage sales,  clearance online sales, and sites like temu, etc. Some things you just can't knock quality with,  and others you can. Example, rain gear- this is something i dont own (for golf purposes) but if I buy a $20 plastic suit, I'm going to be feeling like a sauna after 10 minutes, uncomfortable,  not breathable material, etc

Will I spend 400 on one? Nope! But I will hunt down a bargain somewhere , and if I can't find one, I'll do without until I do.

[RTH1]

Actually agree with both sides, crazy high prices, but you don't have to pay them, my question has always been is the quality, performance, improvement worth it, or even necessary ? 

[johngschulz]

9 hours ago, rhaze91 said:

Has golf jumped the shark to a degree?  Seeing even this site talking about an $80 hat, serious?  I saw somewhere a review on $400 golf pants.   This is a joke, a pair of pants almost half the price of a new set of clubs.  

I have a tough time getting family members who would be new to the game because of the elitist stigma then I see this.   Maybe I'm turning into old man yelling at clouds but what the heck is going on

The price of a nice round of golf to splurge for my high school kid would be almost $500 for two and it's a joke that this is "public".    Sorry for the rant but damn.

Kirkland Clubs, Kirkland Pants.

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

I am in the camp of you dont have to buy that. Of course its going to be on this site, its all golf stuff....

Personally I go with bang for you buck. I am not going to buy cheap stuff just becuase its cheap. I will wait for the deals on quality clothes/material. Example Under Armor at the end of seasons always ALWAYS does up to 80% stuff. I got 5 quarter zips last spring/summer for less than $100. Titelist golf caps, amazon had a deal last year where I purchased 2 for less than $40. I also only play an "expensive" round a few times a year and its a treat with family or friends. Other than that I get my 18 in for sub $50 every week.

All in what you want. If you want that $80 hat then have at it, but I am sure many of us will not purchase it.

[GolfSpy_KFT]

Golf only has to be as expensive as someone wants to make it. You can get into good, used clubs for a  fraction of the cost of new. Global Golf, eBay, 2nd Swing, the list goes on. People just starting out can sometimes be well enough off with a box set from a company like Tour Edge if they don't want to pay thousands for clubs just getting into the game. It is valid that certain things are not cheap. You absolutely don't need to spend $80 on a hat or $400 on a pair of pants. I don't think I've ever paid more than $35 for a hat, even golf pants I buy a certain brand but only when they run deals. 

I don't know where you're playing that is $250 a pop for a "nice" course, but you're being raked over the coals at that rate. I can play Sand Valley here in Wisconsin for less than that. Tons of public courses that are as good or better condition wise for less can be found if you don't need the name recognition of a certain course to make it nice. Case in point my home club is $89 for 18 w/cart on weekend peak rates, twilight something like $49 for 18 w/cart, and has as good or better course conditions with less traffic than the resort courses in Wisconsin Dells 15 minutes away that go for more than $150 a pop. 

[StrokerAce]

kinda funny that this would come right when the main site posted a story about how to find deals on shoes...

https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/the-best-places-to-buy-golf-shoes-for-less-than-retail/

anyhow: I agree with @rhaze91  Since the rise in popularity (i.e. Covid onwards) it seems that people realize that there is a segment of the golfing population that is willing to spend - and spend a lot - on golf gear. And of course like all things prices will continue to rise until consumers stop buying.

But - like most everyone else here has said - I'm not included in that group.... I don't know if you want to call it cheap or frugal but I'm fine without the latest-and-greatest. 

Amazon warehouse, Dick's warehouse, outlet malls, goodwill, 2ndswing, ebay, golfnow, facebook marketplace, etc.

Golf can be as cheap or as expensive as you want to make it. I kind of see it as a challenge to get the most that I can while spending as little as possible.

[russtopherb]

2 minutes ago, StrokerAce said:

Golf can be as cheap or as expensive as you want to make it. I kind of see it as a challenge to get the most that I can while spending as little as possible.

This is the money quote, right here. There's expensive stuff EVERYWHERE no matter what your hobby is. You can buy used or slightly older gear for a great deal - no one said you need to go buy the expensive high end stuff. You can play public courses for less than $50 all over the place. No one said your experience is going to be "better" if you're on a expensive high end course.

If someone wants to shell out $400 for a pair of pants, it's their money, they can do what they want with it. I'll be fine with my $30 Kohls or Amazon pants. The game is what you make of it. 

[ejgaudette]

11 minutes ago, StrokerAce said:

anyhow: I agree with @rhaze91  Since the rise in popularity (i.e. Covid onwards) it seems that people realize that there is a segment of the golfing population that is willing to spend - and spend a lot - on golf gear. And of course like all things prices will continue to rise until consumers stop buying

I agree with this so much and it feels like more and more businesses are not trying to grow the number of people but focus on their core market and see how much they will pay. Moving less units but making more for each unit. Need to keep those eyes out for deals wherever you can.

[RickyBobby_PR]

Look into other hobbies and see how expensive things can get if one chooses. 
 

Or secondary markets for some putters, putter covers, golf bags. Look at knives which there is a pretty good population of collectors and you will see knives sell out quick and for a lot of money.

 

[Preeway]

I’m not necessarily a thrift shopper but I am notorious for buying stuff only when it’s on sale. Callaway, Adidas, Puma, Travis Matthew, and the list goes on, can all be had for 30%-70% off if you watch closely and stay patient. Maybe once or twice a year will I pay full price for something. But yes, it does seem like men’s clothing has skyrocketed compared to what it used to cost 10 years ago. 

[Another Steve]

1 hour ago, RTH1 said:

Actually agree with both sides, crazy high prices, but you don't have to pay them, my question has always been is the quality, performance, improvement worth it, or even necessary ? 

And this is why i am playing 25 year old irons that are a combo mb/cb….  
 

oh and I would not call myself a thrift shopper, but I definitely do some sort of cost benefit mental debate on most purchases. 

Edited February 8 by Another Steve

[fixyurdivot]

1 hour ago, RTH1 said:

Actually agree with both sides, crazy high prices, but you don't have to pay them, my question has always been is the quality, performance, improvement worth it, or even necessary ? 

 

45 minutes ago, GolfSpy_SHARK said:

I am in the camp of you dont have to buy that. Of course its going to be on this site, its all golf stuff....

Personally I go with bang for you buck. I am not going to buy cheap stuff just becuase its cheap. I will wait for the deals on quality clothes/material. Example Under Armor at the end of seasons always ALWAYS does up to 80% stuff. I got 5 quarter zips last spring/summer for less than $100. Titelist golf caps, amazon had a deal last year where I purchased 2 for less than $40. I also only play an "expensive" round a few times a year and its a treat with family or friends. Other than that I get my 18 in for sub $50 every week.

All in what you want. If you want that $80 hat then have at it, but I am sure many of us will not purchase it.

^^These^^

We're all fish in the Sea of Commerce. What bait and lures we choose to bite is largely our decision.  I'm a value buyer and if I don't feel the value justifies the price, I look elsewhere.   

Disclaimer; I had to refresh myself on the term "jump the shark"... that's a pretty skookum idiom 

[Rob Person]

2 minutes ago, Another Steve said:

And this is why i am playing 25 year old irons that are a combo mb/cb….  

I'm playing an inherited set, with only 2 wedges and putter being a recent change. 

The only thing I'm seriously considering is a driver, (after I fix my swing)

[fixyurdivot]

29 minutes ago, ejgaudette said:

I agree with this so much and it feels like more and more businesses are not trying to grow the number of people but focus on their core market and see how much they will pay. Moving less units but making more for each unit. Need to keep those eyes out for deals wherever you can.

Ah, missed this aspect...good point.  I'd hate to see golf get pulled into the draft of the relative few who mindlessly spend money on products and drive inflation.  To the OP's underlying point, golf has long had a stigma of being an expensive, affluent sport... I for one would hate to see that become reality.

[EasyPutter]

I'm a storyteller so I hope the reader enjoys this short story:

I started life with being told golf was a sport for other people, one of my earliest memories standing with my grandfather looking through a gap in the hedgerow behind his home onto a fairway of Wolstanton Golf Course in Staffordshire, England.  That rooted memory kept me from pursuing it despite a near craving to chase the little ball.  Most were colored using putters when going to Putt-Putt miniature golf as a teen and later bought a putter when stationed at Fort Dix and living next to the 3rd fairway of Fountains Green Golf Course.  It was when I turned 50 and in my last months of military career stationed at Fort Leavenworth I took a lesson and got on the course.  My last question for the Teaching Pro was how to golf as inexpensively as possible.  His words had me playing for less than $20 a week until retirement.

A fellow Veteran and Golf Course manager at the nearest city park municipal course clued me into the value and cost for playing locally at the Olmstead Conservatory Golf Courses https://www.bfloparks.org/golf/.  Prices went up last year for a 7-day a week season pass to $410 at the senior rate.  I have considered a once in a lifetime round at Pebble Beach for what is quoted at the top of the thread but apart from going with others for such a round, I would never go or pay that much for a round of golf.  Not with so much excellent golf on discount sites like GroupGolfer.  

Thanks to everyone for helping keep the golf industry by paying so much (please don't hear sarcasm there) as investment pushes innovation.  But I strongly encourage everyone to join (what it looks like a good number of) our fellow Spies who know it is not necessary to pay top dollar.  Golf is my peaceful place and that is not going to happen unless my money stays in my wallet where it is needed for family spending.

[Another Steve]

1 hour ago, fixyurdivot said:

 To the OP's underlying point, golf has long had a stigma of being an expensive, affluent sport... I for one would hate to see that become reality.

Hate to break it to ya, but it IS an expensive, affluent sport if you want to play nice, well cared for courses that aren’t over booked and backed up all round. 
 

the courses us ‘po folk play will more closely resemble the original sheep pastures where the game originated than what we’ve come to know /expect golf to be from what we see on tv. Our fairways are just the rough that was cut with a slightly lower blade setting and our tee boxes are more divot than grass. We pay out the azz for the privilege of them shoving as many groups as possible onto the course. 
 

 

[RickyBobby_PR]

2 minutes ago, Another Steve said:

Hate to break it to ya, but it IS an expensive, affluent sport if you want to play nice, well cared for courses that aren’t over booked and backed up all round. 
 

the courses us ‘po folk play will more closely resemble the original sheep pastures where the game originated than what we’ve come to know /expect golf to be from what we see on tv. Our fairways are just the rough that was cut with a slightly lower blade setting and our tee boxes are more divot than grass. We pay out the azz for the privilege of them shoving as many groups as possible onto the course. 
 

 

Define expensive? It’s all relative to where ones lives and then economy around it. I play several courses when I visit my family that live in smallish blue collar town that are $85ish dollars. It might be a bit expensive for that area but it’s cheap for someone who plays in an area where courses run $105+ 

Even at $105-125 I don’t consider that expensive and play courses in that range on a regular basis. These courses are full tee sheets on the weekend. 
 

I also play courses in the same area that run $60-75 and are in just as good of shape as the $125 courses. 

[Kenny B]

2 hours ago, GolfSpy_KFT said:

I don't know where you're playing that is $250 a pop for a "nice" course, but you're being raked over the coals at that rate.

I was shocked when I started trying to book tee times last week for our yearly trip to a warmer place in the winter.  We are headed to Palm Springs next week, and Yes I know that is a pricey are to play golf.  I've been there every other year for the past 8 years.  There are courses that are easily over $250 a pop... for my wife and I that's $500.  We typically have looked for courses and deals that were around $80-120.  

This year there is virtually nothing in that range unless you booked weeks in advance.  Courses I played two years ago are now $150+ and two weeks out, they are booked until twilight and then it's still $100 with no guarantee of finishing before dark.  Many of the top end courses are in the $400+ range.  Many years ago I played PGA West Nicklaus Tournament course for $100.  Today the rate at 12:50pm is $445 and the next tee time is 1:20pm for $120.

I have to seriously think about future travel plans based on cost of golf.

[StrokerAce]

43 minutes ago, Another Steve said:

Hate to break it to ya, but it IS an expensive, affluent sport if you want to play nice, well cared for courses that aren’t over booked and backed up all round. 
 

the courses us ‘po folk play will more closely resemble the original sheep pastures where the game originated than what we’ve come to know /expect golf to be from what we see on tv. Our fairways are just the rough that was cut with a slightly lower blade setting and our tee boxes are more divot than grass. We pay out the azz for the privilege of them shoving as many groups as possible onto the course. 
 

 

I see you're in SouthWest Pennsylvania. 
I did a google search for golf courses in southwest pa
I found plenty to choose from and clicked on this one - https://www.golfglengarry.com/

These are the rates:

I would *kill* to play these rates! Not a course around me offering these.

I'm not sure what you're looking for but it sure seems like there are options around you ...

[Josh Parker]

Everything is expensive these days, but there are always deals to be had.  

Yes, in general golf is a more expensive sport but there are plenty of ways to make it affordable.  

 Clubs - FB Marketplace, CPO, Craigslist all sell golf equipment cheap all the time.  I have bought a ton of barely used clubs from these places.

Clothing - Costco, Amazon, etc. all have great options for cheap but quality clothing.

Golf Rounds - Golfnow constantly has deals every single day.  I have played for as little as $15 for 18 holes with cart.  

It all boils down to how bad do you want to play.  

[Rob Person]

35 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Define expensive? It’s all relative to where ones lives and then economy around it. I play several courses when I visit my family that live in smallish blue collar town that are $85ish dollars. It might be a bit expensive for that area but it’s cheap for someone who plays in an area where courses run $105+ 

Even at $105-125 I don’t consider that expensive and play courses in that range on a regular basis. These courses are full tee sheets on the weekend. 
 

I also play courses in the same area that run $60-75 and are in just as good of shape as the $125 courses. 

I have courses that range from $25- $160 within an hour of me. Some are top notch, some are great on tee and greens only, and some are garbage. Then some top tier courses have program cards or discount cards that bring the rates down. 

ie, the course I play at (RTJ alabama) you could pay $45 for a yearly "trail card", and were able to play a course that is $110+ per round, for only $54, across their network of courses.

Others partake in online rebate tee times (golfnow, golfbuddy, etc) that provide you with the best rates, based on when they have low volume, to fill the schedule.

 

[Preeway]

1 hour ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Define expensive? It’s all relative to where ones lives and then economy around it. I play several courses when I visit my family that live in smallish blue collar town that are $85ish dollars. It might be a bit expensive for that area but it’s cheap for someone who plays in an area where courses run $105+ 

Even at $105-125 I don’t consider that expensive and play courses in that range on a regular basis. These courses are full tee sheets on the weekend. 
 

I also play courses in the same area that run $60-75 and are in just as good of shape as the $125 courses. 

Expensive is definitely a relative term. Both in terms what one can afford and what your area can demand. I see $80 as the beginning of expensive golf and only pay that much if I’m on vacation and it’s factored into the overall cost or if I’m going to splurge on myself. My normal is $40-$70 with an occasional round dipping down into the $30s every now and then. 

[StrokerAce]

9 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

ie, the course I play at (RTJ alabama) you could pay $45 for a yearly "trail card", and were able to play a course that is $110+ per round, for only $54, across their network of courses.

What a deal! I wish more courses near me had a program like that.
Clearly a lot of it is regional. Seems funny that there seems to be some sort of a correlation to housing prices. 

But if you use @Kenny B example, there are some places that just keep raising the rates but the courses pretty much are the same. 
An odd situation where you can't point to something 'more' you are getting for the price. 

I was in Carmel about 25 years ago and walked on the beach right next to Pebble. I even walked up onto the course for fun. I swore I'd be back one day to play it, but now... ha! forget it. It's impossible.

Sadly, course owners are going to continue to gouge the customer and use these places like a cash cow. 

Demand pricing? Seriously? 

[RickyBobby_PR]

16 minutes ago, Preeway said:

Expensive is definitely a relative term. Both in terms what one can afford and what your area can demand. I see $80 as the beginning of expensive golf and only pay that much if I’m on vacation and it’s factored into the overall cost or if I’m going to splurge on myself. My normal is $40-$70 with an occasional round dipping down into the $30s every now and then. 

Exactly. I have had conversations with a friend I used to play with all the time. We would drive up to 1.5 hours to play on a weekend and the range was anywhere $100/-125. He would play some courses within that distance that were $60-85 that are good courses but outside of what’s considered the metro area. He has played less because it’s $100+ before he’s out the door and he’s doing pretty well financially. He was just tired of paying those fees and having to drive an hour.

We are fortunate that even our munis are usually well kept 

[fixyurdivot]

44 minutes ago, Kenny B said:

I was shocked when I started trying to book tee times last week for our yearly trip to a warmer place in the winter.  We are headed to Palm Springs next week, and Yes I know that is a pricey are to play golf.  I've been there every other year for the past 8 years.  There are courses that are easily over $250 a pop... for my wife and I that's $500.  We typically have looked for courses and deals that were around $80-120.  

This year there is virtually nothing in that range unless you booked weeks in advance.  Courses I played two years ago are now $150+ and two weeks out, they are booked until twilight and then it's still $100 with no guarantee of finishing before dark.  Many of the top end courses are in the $400+ range.  Many years ago I played PGA West Nicklaus Tournament course for $100.  Today the rate at 12:50pm is $445 and the next tee time is 1:20pm for $120.

I have to seriously think about future travel plans based on cost of golf.

Jeeber's Kenny, that is quite a price escalation...certainly way beyond inflation.  It's always been a supply & demand model but it does seem that certain commoditites have run wild and borderline pure price gouging.  Our courses here are $125 for non-resident/guest, public play during winter peak season... I think that's high.  They are really nice course, but still.

[Preeway]

42 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

I have courses that range from $25- $160 within an hour of me. Some are top notch, some are great on tee and greens only, and some are garbage. Then some top tier courses have program cards or discount cards that bring the rates down. 

ie, the course I play at (RTJ alabama) you could pay $45 for a yearly "trail card", and were able to play a course that is $110+ per round, for only $54, across their network of courses.

Others partake in online rebate tee times (golfnow, golfbuddy, etc) that provide you with the best rates, based on when they have low volume, to fill the schedule.

 

That’s the way to do it. I think Myrtle Beach has something similar for locals.