The year has just started. Imagine for a few minutes that you’re a non-golfer, and to begin 2024, you want to start by picking up a new sport/hobby. Golf has always intrigued you, but the costs can be quite steep and you’re not willing to shell out a fortune on something as silly as a game for old folks.
How much does golf really cost for a beginner, an occasional player, a full-on enthusiast? While golf can get as expensive as you’d like it to be, let me share a more practical and realistic point-of-view.
Beginners
You aren’t sure yet if you’ll like golf or not, but you are curious enough to be willing to spend a little bit to find out if your golf-crazy buddies are on to something. My advice is to not buy equipment yet. Just go to your nearest driving range and speak to a teaching professional.
Ask for lesson packages as they are usually cheaper if you pre-pay for a number of lessons in advance. Ask if you can borrow an old club/s from relatives or friends. Maybe your golf pro can lend you an old 7-iron during lessons.
Let’s say you do get to borrow some clubs, book 10 one-hour lessons for P 1,500 per session. Buy two pairs of decent gloves. Expect to spend around P500 for every range session for balls and tee person. No need for golf shoes yet, just wear decent rubber shoes with some grip.
Cost — P22,000.
Social Player
You’ve done the lessons, you’ve been on the fairway a couple of times using a borrowed set. You’re now ready to play regularly, say at least once or twice a month. You don’t want to spend for membership yet, but having your own set is now a necessity.
Scouring the Internet, you’ll find old sets for as little as P5,000. Don’t get those. They’re probably a few decades old, heavy, rusty and will be a waste of money. Decent complete sets can be had for around P20,000 — P30,000.
That’s below the price of a new driver. I suggest getting Japanese-made clubs as they’re usually lighter and fit better to the average Filipino build. On Facebook, there’s a JDM Golf Clubs Philippines group where people post ads on clubs for Japanese clubs for sale. For other brands you can also join Manila Golfer’s Hub or other selling groups. Spend a few minutes and you’re sure to find a set within your budget.
Golf shoes are also now a necessity if you still haven’t bought a pair. There are plenty of brands and if you spot promo or sale, you can get a good pair for around P5,000. Used golf balls are easily available and affordable. A dozen decent balls should be around P300.
Playing a round can cost anywhere from P2,000 — P3,000 per round on weekdays, caddie fee and light snacks included. Depending on where you wish to play, this price range should be enough. On weekends, maybe add a thousand more.
Cost — P20,000-P30,000; plus P2,000 — P4,000 per round.
Regular Golfer
You’ve fallen in love with the game and have a regular foursome. You are now ready to fully dive in and spend your life as a golfer. You play at least once a week and try to fit in a range session weekly too. You need better equipment and feel the need to join a club.
Again, options will depend on your willingness to spend. Premium sets can cost P300,000 or more. Custom-fitted shafts can add another P100,000 or more. But like I mentioned earlier, there is a practical and realistic way to play golf and enjoy without spending ridiculous amounts.
For big savings, build a second-hand set of clubs. There are loads of pre-loved clubs online. If you want to be able to see and waggle clubs in person, there are a number of used clubs for sale in some driving range pro shops.
Personally, I like going to Progear in MCS (Makati Cinema Square). It’s like Disneyland for new and used clubs. My suggestion would be to buy a two- to three-year-old driver, five-year-old woods, irons and wedges.
Of course, you need to pick ones that aren’t abused. As for putters, as long as they’re not chipped or dented and the face is still good, you can go as old as you’d like. Just for price reference, I’d estimate the following: Driver — P15,000; Woods/Hybrids — P15,000 (2-3 clubs); Irons — P25,000; Wedges — P10,000; Putter — P5,000.
Total = P70,000 for a good set of used clubs.
As for joining a club, the most reasonable rates are usually in public, military courses. Each course should have their own “playing rights/membership” scheme. A common promo is to pay a yearly fee of, say, P20,000 — P50,000 and you become a member with discounted or waived green fees.
Private clubs, on the other hand, are enjoying a rise in share prices so joining may cost at least P500,000 but more courses are in the P1.5 million — P2M and up range. There is also an option to pay for playing rights in private courses. Instead of buying shares, you just “rent” shares to play.
Cost — P70,000 for equipment; P20,000 — P500,000 for membership/playing rights.
So, to answer the question “does cheap golf exist?” my simple answer would be no. Sadly. Not yet at least. There is however “cheaper golf.” Hopefully, cheaper golf is encouraging enough to would-be golfers. It’s a beautiful game that should be enjoyed by more.
