What Is The Cost Of A Hobby Like Golf?

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.

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, you can contact courses around you and compare rates.Let’s explore 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.

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 sustain while looking through the bushes for your ball or your opponent’s. Throw in some panadols too.

Golf apps

There are lots of great golf apps that can help you understand the game or help you 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 clubs provide shoes, but you have no choice when it comes to size. Bottom line, 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 conveniently fit into. It will contain all your equipments, balls, golf clubs and so on. You take it along on the driving range or on the golf course during rounds. Also, keep your umbrella close, who knows?

Cost of joining a golf course or a game

The golf market in your city is one factor you have to be conversant with when finding the right golf course withpocket friendly 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 touristsand less public golf courses.Resort courses are mostly built for luxury travellers and tourists.

There are cities with an abundant array of public golf courses. Thesecity-owned public golf courses tend to charge lower fees, as low as $15 daily fee.Private courses on the other hand are constructed and maintained by companies.Private country golf clubs are really expensive. They are usually closed 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

offer affordable golf practicing. For as low as $15, you get to shot a bucket full of balls to improve on your pitching, putting and pitching.

Small-town 9-hole courses are the cheapest among 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 options you might want to explore. They cost less compared to city or county owned courses and are also great for beginners.

Another factor that influences cost, with regards to registering at a golf 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 other clubs 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; actually more than you will find in Scotland.They also possess some of the most amazing facilities.

Looking to play golf in Japan? 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; perfect for golfing. However, you might want to get conversant with the local weather as well.

Courses are usually very busy on weekends as people normally plan golf outings several months in advance. Getting a tee time is very difficult. 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.

Now, how much will it cost you to play golf in Japan? At a top-quality facility on weekdays, you are likely to pay about 10,000 yens that is the 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 Miyazaki3. Gotember Golf Club located on Mt. Fuji beside a hillside4. 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.