Golfing is expensive! Use these tips and save $$$
The Utah Golf Guy has made it his mission, to play and review every golf course in Utah over the next three years. This feat will take a lot of time, planning and effort. Golfing is one of my passions and I am truly blessed to take on this task. But, I do have one giant road block standing in my way…
Golf is not a cheap hobby. From the equipment (clubs, balls, tees, etc..), to the clothing (pants, shirts, shoes, hats, etc..) and then the actual golf course fees (green fees, cart fees, practice range balls, food, etc…). If you do not have the means, this sport can drain your wallet faster than hitting through a small bucket of balls.
Fortunately for my readers, the Utah Golf Guy has learned some tips to make golf not only more affordable but also more enjoyable, especially here in the state of Utah. Here are some of the most important golf hacks to save your hard earned $…
Tip #1 - Buy the Utah PGA Golf Pass Booklet
This $75 booklet is a must for all Utah golfers. This book has deals on almost every golf course throughout the state. These offers include free golf carts for your rounds, BOGO free green fees, free buckets of balls, local rates for some of the more expensive courses in the state and even access to some of the state’s private country clubs (this year Jeremy Ranch Golf & Country Club in Park City is included).
But, the top reason to purchase this pass booklet? 7 free rounds of golf. If you visit 3 of these courses throughout the year, the passbook will already pay for itself. This year, these free rounds include a few St George courses (Sunbrook and Coral Canyon), Soldier Hollow, River Oaks, Fox Hollow, Mountain View and Schneiter’s Bluff. The green fee is free but you will be required to purchase a golf cart at the special rate that they set.
This booklet is $75 but if you are patient, you can find times that they will discount the price to $50. The Utah Golf Guy attended the Utah Golf and Travel expo and the booklet was discounted at the event, not to mention the expo gives you another free voucher to golf at Soldier Hollow.
Tip #2 -Take Advantage Of Weekday and Twilight Rates
Golf courses are a business. They overcharge when the course is busy and attempt to bring in more golfers by providing discounts when times are a little slower. Take advantage of their pricing schedule and you can save serious money. Weekdays and evenings are always cheaper than during the prime hours of the weekends.
If possible, take a few hours or even a day off of work to enjoy a round without crowds. Can’t take off work? During the summer, some courses allow tee times at the crack of dawn. Being the first one out on the course means that you could potentially finish your round in less than 3 hours and get right back into the office. Twilight rates (usually after 3pm) are also a great alternative to save some money. Not only will these times save you money but you will almost always beat the dreaded slow pace, waiting 10 minutes at a time at each tee box during their busy times. Another bonus, these non-peak times give you the perfect summer weather being a little cooler in the morning and in the early evening. Sunrise and sunsets on a golf course give you quite the backdrop as well.
Tip #3 - Don't Buy Golf Balls
Shopping online, a dozen brand new Titleist Pro V1 golf balls sell anywhere from $44 to $55. Buying a 24 pack of recycled Pro V1’s? $55 to $60. Depending on the course and the player, a dozen of these balls might only last you a few rounds before they are lost in the trees, scuffed up beyond playability or at the bottom of a ball collecting pond. This means a reoccurring cost will continue every couple of weeks to pay for balls that you will soon lose again.
The Utah Golf Guy has NEVER bought a golf ball in his life! Yet, I consistently play with the best balls on the market; Titleist Pro V1, Titleist Pro V1x, Bridgestone Tour B’s and Taylormade TP5 to name a few.
How???
Go out and find balls, for free! Now let me clarify, I do not condone or support the golfers who look for golf balls on every hole during an actual round. Everyone knows the type, golfers holding up the groups behind them while they search for balls in bushes, creeks and even people’s backyards. PLEASE don’t be these people.
Instead, plan a time to scour a golf course while you are not playing. Find a hole that has a risk/reward tee or approach shot with the high potential of lost balls. Plan to scour this hole after hours or spend some time looking for extra golf balls if you know you are the last group out on the golf course. The Utah Golf Guy has found such a hole and collects on average 40 new balls every week. About 30 of these balls are in great shape and about 12-15 are the top brands that you would pay top dollar for. This takes about 20 minutes on a weekday night to accomplish. Kids will love coming with you hunting for golf balls like it is an Easter egg hunt. Create a surplus in your stockpile and NEVER pay for a golf ball again.
Tip #4 - Avoid Peak Season
Utah has some of the best vacation spots in the United States. Two of my favorites are Park City and St George. It is not a coincidence that both of these places are renowned for their golf courses. What do Park City and St George also have in common? These courses are expensive! Especially during their peak seasons, with St George being January thru May and Park City being the end of May thru September.
So what can be done by a budget conscious golfer? Go during the off-season rates, of course. Here is an example of the money that can be saved. I chose two separate golf courses at random to show the difference:
Sunbrook Golf Course – St George
Peak Season rates for 18 holes and a cart: $65
Off Season rates for 18 and a cart: $47.50
Park City Golf Course – Park City
Peak Season rates for 18 and a cart: $63 (for Utah residents)
Off Season rates for 18 and a cart: $47
These beautiful, resort style courses are well worth the money to play. But, if you can schedule during the off-season, your wallet (and probably your wife) will thank you as well.