Golf is expensive! Use these tips and save $$$
Tip #9 - Take Advantage of End of Year Clearance Sales
Much like car dealerships, golf stores and pro shops need to get rid of last year’s inventory to make room for the newest equipment/clothing. This usually occurs during the off-season, November thru February causing them to offer significant discounts. Take advantage and get high quality items for a fraction of the retail price.
Tip #10 - Buy Used Clubs
Every year, golf’s largest manufacturers make the latest and greatest clubs claiming they add “five more yards” or are “fairway finders”. The technology may be a little different but the majority of golfers cannot and will not tell the difference between a 2020 driver and a 2019 driver but their wallets sure will. Shop around online or at a local golf shop to see their used section. Websites that I have used in the past include www.3balls.com, www.callawaygolfpreowned.com and www.globalgolf.com. Often, these places will allow for trade-ins allowing you to have a little more cash to spring for your next set of used clubs.
Personally, Uinta Golf is a great place to find and actually test used clubs before buying. They have a hitting bay with golf simulators that allow you to hit and see how the club will play for you.. Their used selection, (Sandy location) is fantastic, and the best part, they allow you to return any club before 60 days to either try another club or receive store credit. Not sure their official policy, but I was able to return four different drivers this year until finally settling on my TaylorMade M5 driver.
Tip #11 - Take Care of Your Clubs
Clubs are expensive. Take care of them. Don’t be the golfer who buys new clubs each and every year. A good set of irons should last you a few years if you take proper care. This can include everything from re-shafting, re-gripping or simply wiping down your clubs after every round. A simple purchase of a brush with bristles or even an old toothbrush can clean out all the old dirt and grass and prevent rust that can destroy a clubhead’s life span. Simply add water to your cleaning tool, wipe down with a dry towel and boom, your clubs will not only last longer but striking the ball will improve without the layer of dirt and grass making contact with your ball. The pros have their caddies do this after every shot, you can at least do it after every round. Take care of your most expensive golf investment.
Tip #12 - Bring Your Own Snacks
$15 turkey club sandwich. $7 large sprite. $5 snickers bar. These were the prices at one of the country clubs I recently played. What did I have for lunch instead? $6 footlong sub from subway. $4 for a 20 oz sprite and 2 liters of water. $.79 for a snickers bar. Savings? Over $16 for a much better lunch. If possible, bring your snacks from home to save a lot of money while on the course. PB&J sandwiches, apples, pretzels, beef jerky, trail mix, etc. are great snacks to always have in your bag before a round.
Tip #13 - Walk Instead of Ride
The Utah Golf Guy has honestly golfed with some younger players who didn’t even know you could walk a golf course. They believed that carts were mandatory and part of the “golf experience”. A few courses will even charge you for a cart without even asking. Saving $10-$25 per round while getting exercise is a win-win. Walking a course has so many benefits other than saving $, including staying warm during the colder months, staying loose and more in rhythm in between shots and you get to play like the pros while truly enjoying your natural surroundings. Personally, I walk whenever I can albeit with a push cart. Walking is the way golf was meant to be played.
*** Due to the diversity of golf courses in Utah, there will be a few golf courses that walking is not only discouraged but not allowed. Due to the distance between tees and huge elevation changes, some of these course need a cart. Check with the pro-shop to see if the course is walkable before playing