Like we all know, the world’s most famous sport – golf is quite an expensive hobby to maintain. Now question is really What is the Cost of a hobby like golf ? that should not however prevent you from taking it up or enjoying it. You need to be sure that golf is a hobby you want so you can be dedicated.It shouldn’t be one of those hobbies you pick up only to drop like a bad habit.
1. What Is The Cost Of A Hobby Like Golf?
Like we all know,the world’smostfamoussport – golf is quite anexpensive hobbytomaintain. Now
question is really What Is The Cost Of A Hobby Like Golf? That should not however prevent you
from taking it up or enjoying it. You need to be sure that golf is a hobby you want so you can be
dedicated.It shouldn’t be one of those hobbies you pick up only to drop like a bad habit.
This is why you need to know the cost of everything you will need for this hobby:from golf must
haves to training sessions, shooting range fees to the expenses attached to joining a golf club.
The beauty of this hobby is that there is always a golf course that fits your budget.As a beginner
golfer,youcan contact coursesaroundyouand compare rates.Let’sexplore everything that adds up
to make golf a hobby worth maintaining.
Golf must haves
Here are a couple of things you need to have as a golfer.You need to know what kinds of golf clubs
you should get, what types of golf ballsto purchase,the gadgets and appsto help you play golf
better.Here we go.
Clubs
There are different clubs for different stages of golfing. You need a golf club that will help you
achieve higher handicap.A good driver; a long-shafted, large-headed wooden club, can cover far
distance from the tee box.Ensure you check the flex of the club shaft. Ions and hybrids are shorter
golf clubs that you need for your lay-up, approach, pith and chip. You can get brand new or used
clubs depending on your budget.
Golf balls and tees
Very important must have for golfers.
Energy bars/drinks, glucose or chocolates
You need to keep up your strength during the hours of swinging and walking around on an 18 hole
course.Tiredness and golfing do not go well so have something with which to recharge your body.
2. GPS / Range finders
This comes in handy at times when you won’t have a professional caddy and pre-walk yardages.
Sunscreen
Nothing like a good protection from the sun for the long hours you’d be exposed to it. Preferably,
you should get the spray-on kind so you won’t have to bother about slippery hands when hitting a
drive.
First aid kit
This is very essential. You will need some bandages for small cuts, scratchesand blisters you may
sustainwhile lookingthroughthe bushesfor your ball or your opponent’s. Throw in some panadols
too.
Golf apps
There are lotsof great golf appsthat can helpyou understandthe game or helpyou play golf better.
They include, WGT Golf Lite, Visulax Golf, SwingSmart, My Pro To Go, Swing by swing golf GPS
Rangefinders, Skydroid golf GPS, golfshot, to name a few.
Golf shoes and clothes
The kinds of shoes used on a golf course are not the regular kinds of shoes we wear. They are
specially made with sharp bottoms to ease movement on the treacherous course. In Japan, some
golf clubsprovide shoes,butyouhave nochoice whenitcomesto size.Bottomline, it may not fit as
you want.You also need to buy the right kind of clothes for golf.
Your golf bag
Get a gag that all these can convenientlyfitinto. Itwillcontainall your equipments, balls, golf clubs
and so on.You take it alongon the drivingrange or onthe golf course duringrounds.Also,keepyour
umbrella close, who knows?
Cost of joining a golf course or a game
The golf marketin yourcity isone factor youhave to be conversantwith when finding the right golf
course withpocketfriendly prices. The golf market obeys the law of demand and supply. What this
means is, fees will obviously be on the high side in cities with morecourses that cater to resort
touristsandlesspublicgolf courses.Resortcoursesare mostlybuiltfor luxury travellers and tourists.
There are cities withanabundant array of public golf courses. Thesecity-owned public golf courses
tendto charge lowerfees,aslowas$15 dailyfee.Private courses onthe other hand are constructed
and maintainedbycompanies.Private countrygolf clubsare reallyexpensive. Theyare usuallyclosed
users; members only with prices ranging from $25 per round to about $100.
Some schools and colleges also own courses where they offer very low prices as part of school
programs for a decent amount.I must not fail to mention practice areas and driving ranges, they
3. offeraffordable golf practicing.Foraslow as $15, you getto shot a bucketfull of ballsto improve on
your pitching, putting and pitching.
Small-town9-holecoursesare the cheapestamong the rest. Golfers pay less than $10 to play for an
entire day. If you are looking to further reduce your cost, executive courses and par-3 courses are
optionsyoumightwantto explore.They costlesscomparedtocityor countyownedcoursesand are
also great for beginners.
Anotherfactorthat influencescost,withregardstoregisteringatagolf club,is the types of facilities
available at the golf club. Some golf courses offer golfers carts for an additional cost but you can
always inquire if walking will be cheaper, that is if you want more pocket friendly golf courses.
If you are wondering; what about additional costs or hidden charges? For some clubs, tipping is
expected while otherclubs charge a monthly minimum for food and beverages whether you eat or
not. Assessments also attract extra $100 or $200 for 24 months. They are used for emergencies or
course renovation.
Joining a golf club in Japan
The Japanese appreciate golf a lot and the number of golf courses they have is a testament to that
fact. The country boasts of some of the most exquisite courses in the world, over 2,300 courses;
actuallymore than you will find in Scotland.They also possess some of the most amazing facilities.
Lookingto playgolf inJapan? Well, you’re in luck; some courses that were once members-only are
now open to the public at affordable prices. Where do you find these outstanding courses in
Japan?Tokyo and its environs have the largest concentration of excellent quality golf courses. The
easily accessible courses are in higher demand and their green feereflects this.
When to plan your trip to Japan; in April and May the temperature is great,but it is much better in
June and July.However, October and November are the best times. The weather is usually dry and
mild;perfectforgolfing. However,youmightwanttoget conversantwiththe local weather as well.
Coursesare usuallyverybusyon weekends as people normally plan golf outings several months in
advance.Gettinga tee time isverydifficult. So, it would be better for you to go on weekdays when
you only pay half the amount you would ordinarily pay on weekends and holidays.
4. Now,howmuch will it cost you to play golf in Japan? At a top-quality facility on weekdays, you are
likelytopayabout10,000 yensthat isthe equivalent of $90 (U.S dollars). The same club will charge
twice that amount or even more on weekends. Renting a club costs about 3,000 to 5,000 yens.
So, whenever you plan a trip to Japan, do visit some of the best golf clubs such as;
1. Kawana Resort popular known Pebble Beach of Japan located in Ito.
2. Phoenix Country Club which is part of the Phoenix Resort Seagaia Complex in Miyazaki
3. Gotember Golf Club located on Mt. Fuji beside a hillside
4. In Chiba, there is Abiding Club golf Society
Remember, golf is only as costly as you make it; it is all up to you. The cost doesn’t really matter
what counts is that it is good for business, it is great for your career and your health. At the end of
the day, what’s important is all you stand to benefit from playing golf.