Golf is expensive! Use these tips and save $$$ - Part 2
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 EXPENSIVE!!! From equipment, to clothes, to green fees and everything in between. BUT, fear not! We are hear to teach you a few golf hacks to put more green in you wallet and more putting on the green.
Here is the link to PART 1 in case you missed it…
Tip #5 - Take Advantage of Utah PGA Member Days
Members of the Utah Golf Association ($36 a year) receive quite a few perks. These include discounts on a variety of courses throughout the state, a yearly subscription to Fairways Magazine, a one year subscription to Golf Digest magazine, $10 discount on both the Utah PGA Golf Pass Booklet and a $10 coupon to Uinta Golf stores. But, my favorite benefit of being a member is access to the UGA Member days. These are specific days that UGA members can play at private country clubs not available to the general public. Here is the list of courses for the 2020 season:
Logan Country Club
Jeremy Ranch Golf and Country Club
Hubbard at Hill AFB
Ogden Golf and Country Club
Oakridge Country Club
You will still need to pay for the round (E.G. $65 to play at Logan Country Club includes 18 holes, a golf cart and lunch). I’m not sure if these courses change every year but this is a great way for the general public to play at these private courses without paying membership fees.
Tip #6 - Re-Round Rates
Most of my readers gasp when they hear that I play 36 holes on a regular basis. These same readers nearly pass out when they hear about my 2 day, 108 hole golf trips. But, if you can golf all day like me, there are certain discounts available to you. Lots of courses have a re-round rate discount if you play a second 18, normally a free cart with the twilight rate discount. Check with the golf course to see their discount before booking your next tee time. A great way to play a lot of golf and not break the bank.
Tip #7 - Utah Golf Passes
If you are anything like the Utah Golf Guy, I won’t pay for a membership to play the same 1 or 2 courses over and over again. No matter how nice the course, variety is the name of the game in Utah. That is why the Davis County Golf Passport is my top golf pass choice of 2020. Choose from 9 rounds of 18 holes ($149) or 9 rounds of 9 holes ($89) and play each of the 9 courses that Davis County has to offer. This is a 40% discount off of green fees (save $118.98 on the 18 hole option). This pass allows you to play some of the most beautiful golf courses in Utah at a significant discount. This comes to $16.56 for each 18 hole round. Cart fees are not included but are also NOT mandatory. The majority of these courses are walkable.
Other deals can be found throughout the state, including a great deal in St George, called the 2020 Summer Golf Pass. You can purchase a monthly pass for $100 to play unlimited times at Dixie Red Hills, Southgate and St George Golf Club. For $50 more a month you can add Sunbrook to the list. If you know you will be in St George throughout the summer (June thru September), you can buy the $500 summer pass to play all four of these courses as many times as possible. If purchased at the beginning of summer they give you a $50 discount. I know summer is running out but I believe they have this deal every year. If you can handle playing in plus 100 degree weather, this deal is fantastic (cart fee not included).
Tip #8 - Buy the Large Bucket at the Range
The Utah Golf Guy can’t hit a large bucket of balls without rushing through my shots. I prefer to take my time between each shot and visualize that I am playing an actual round. I also don’t like to keep buying a small/medium bucket every time I hit the range.
Here is my recommendation. Buy the large bucket (best value). Hit the number of balls you feel good about without rushing through to finish off the bucket. Put the leftover practice range balls in a plastic sack and leave them in your golf bag or in your trunk. The next time you are at the range, pull out the balls and you are ready to go. Make sure to only do this if you are returning to the same driving range. Most courses have their own practice balls and you don’t want to mix them up on different courses. A large bucket can usually last me 3 full sessions at the range.
If you missed Part 1 of how to budget golf in Utah, click on this LINK. Part 3 coming soon…