Is golf your most expensive hobby?

[Stanks]

Paintball. You guys complain about $500 drivers but kids 1/3 your age are doing whatever they can to buy a $1200 marker and have a $150-200 practice twice a week for paint, air and team fees.

 

Paintball has calmed me down and kept me sane for 20 years. Golf has been pissing me off for 3 years.

 

Paintball will always be more expensive and give me more joy.

[spartan6910]

Yes, but it's close. I play both golf and ice hockey, and hockey in 2 leagues. Equipment is pretty much set outside maybe 1 or 2 $100 sticks each year, but ice is the killer. I figure I play in 2 leagues with 2 seasons per year, and my ice bill total is around $1250. Then if I decide to go to a pick-up session that's an additional cost, plus skate sharpenings once a month (times 2 pair of skates since I play both defense and goalie) and I'm looking at probably in the area of $1750 total per year. If I buy new equipment, that could be anywhere from an additional $100 to $2500. Luckily I do that maybe twice a decade.

 

Golf I figure my average round is $75ish, probably play between 30-40 rounds per year, plus range sessions and new golf balls, plus any new equipment if I get it.

 

I'm guessing realistically it's a ~$500-$750 gap between the two sports.

[Stanks]

Yes, but it's close. I play both golf and ice hockey, and hockey in 2 leagues. Equipment is pretty much set outside maybe 1 or 2 $100 sticks each year, but ice is the killer. I figure I play in 2 leagues with 2 seasons per year, and my ice bill total is around $1250. Then if I decide to go to a pick-up session that's an additional cost, plus skate sharpenings once a month (times 2 pair of skates since I play both defense and goalie) and I'm looking at probably in the area of $1750 total per year. If I buy new equipment, that could be anywhere from an additional $100 to $2500. Luckily I do that maybe twice a decade.

 

Golf I figure my average round is $75ish, probably play between 30-40 rounds per year, plus range sessions and new golf balls, plus any new equipment if I get it.

 

I'm guessing realistically it's a ~$500-$750 gap between the two sports.

 

Know a bunch of hockey players around here (SAN DIEGO) and I totally feel for you man. That's all I ever hear about is how expensive the ice fees are.

 

A lot of people in the golf world don't know how to cut their prices. Use the same equipment. Buy used. Play shagged balls. Walk, don't ride. Play twilight. Talk to the starters / owners (A good rapport has gotten me free rounds at a lot of places in SD including Torrey, Rancho, etc.). Don't buy tees (they can add up). Don't buy "golf clothes".

 

This sport is affordable and totally can be taken advantage of.

[SoCalTitleist]

Golf isn’t too bad since most of us resell what we don’t want .

[phil6380]

No. I play and record music a lot and play multiple instruments - guitar, bass and keyboard. Between the instruments and the recording gear it's not even in the same ballpark. I used to collect vintage German microphones. 1 of those would be more than I can ever imaging spending on golf stuff. Maybe if I start traveling to Pebble Beach or some such golf will get up there, but swapping out clubs once every year or 2 and playing my local favorite spots I'm good for a long while before golf could keep up.

[GSDriver]

Yes and no. We're fortunate enough to be able to play at one of the top courses in DFW metro for a reasonable fee. Could be like if on vacation or bucket list stuff. I quit club Ho'ing when I got into shooting. It doesn't take as long but can burn though a round of golf worth in ammo in hour or two. At least the equipment part doesn't depreciate like golf. Overall, about equal and something to do when weather requires indoor activity.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

No golf isn't very expensive. I don't buy much equipment and when I do it's often used, and greens fees are reasonable in western NY. Sure an occasional golf trip but that's smaller than my non-vacation budget. Now if I belonged to a fancy club it may jump to the top of the expense list.

[HillbillyInBC]

Golf has higher recurring costs, photography has higher capital outlays. I've spent way more on lenses than golf gear over the years.

[padge1984]

We boat in the summer. Blows golf out of the water on price lol. Boat hold 85 gallons and will use a tank a weekend.

[tocino]

right now, yes... but the wife and I are starting to really think about getting into semi-competitive/recreational shooting. Purchasing primary and backup firearms, modifications, travel, and ammo consumption can definitely rival or exceed the cost of golf. Lol it's funny that I'll probably never spend more than $1000 building a bag for myself but i'd spend twice that on a quality piece of glass if and when i do start to get serious about shooting

[Naptime]

Not even close.

[Baitkiller]

We boat in the summer. Blows golf out of the water on price lol. Boat hold 85 gallons and will use a tank a weekend.

Yep, just brought the Nautique home from the high and dry for her winter love. Full service plus some interior repairs, a new head unit and a pair of new JLs will put me over what I spend on golf all year. Not to mention the 300 a month at the boat barn. BTW, real surfing is done on the ocean! Sorry, couldn't resist. :)

[padge1984]

We boat in the summer. Blows golf out of the water on price lol. Boat hold 85 gallons and will use a tank a weekend.

Yep, just brought the Nautique home from the high and dry for her winter love. Full service plus some interior repairs, a new head unit and a pair of new JLs will put me over what I spend on golf all year. Not to mention the 300 a month at the boat barn. BTW, real surfing is done on the ocean! Sorry, couldn't resist. :)

 

Maybe so, but not all boats will throw down like mine!

 

[MountainGoat]

Man, there are some rich people on this forum.

[sevenfourate]

Not close. Some of the rarer single balls (**Every ball pictured is a Ping) would cover my entire bag.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Viktoryred3]

I played baseball through college, which majority of cost came from traveling and lodging fees. Majority of my equipment and apparel was either free or at a major discount through my university’s contract through nike/Wilson. Now after moving on and filling that void golf, there is no question in my mind that golf has been a more expensive hobby for myself. I’ve bought more golf equipment in the last 2-3 years, than my 15+ years of playing baseball.

[Need4spd]

It is for me which is by design. My wife and I don’t really have any shared hobbies so I simply choose to make golf my priority. She got me a drone for Christmas so I guess I do have that as a burgeoning hobby now. I can easily see where some others could rival golf though or exceed it in expense. We took my step daughter to an archery store/range the other night and I was floored at how much the equipment is, and some of the guys/gals who were there had some top end looking gear. Now I know what a 36 handicapper feels like playing golf with me. :)

 

One of my “resolutions” this coming year is to spend less on golf though. Love the game and will continue to be every bit as passionate about it, but I spent an obnoxious amount of money on clubs and what not over the past 12 months. I don’t do my own club work other than regripping so that adds up too. If anything, I’d actually like to reappropriate some of that money to instruction for once, but I’d still like to reduce my overall budget on what I spend away from the course.

[mackepa]

Some of you guys have some really cool and expensive hobbies besides golf. Golf is definitely my most expensive hobby but I did overlook my love for Disney World that I share with my wife. We’ll usually go twice a year and that can be pretty expensive as well. The difference with Disney is I’m always on the hunt for a deal or saving up my CC rewards so it usually doesn’t break the bank.

 

 

[Fade]

Man, there are some rich people on this forum.

 

How do you conclude that? Multiple expensive hobbies don't make people rich.

[Llortamaisey]

Man, there are some rich people on this forum.

 

How do you conclude that? Multiple expensive hobbies don't make people rich.

 

It’s actually the complete opposite. Multiple expensive hobbies makes people poorer.

[MountainGoat]

Man, there are some rich people on this forum.

 

How do you conclude that? Multiple expensive hobbies don't make people rich.

 

Give me a break. Multiple expensive hobbies are generally indicative of extensive wealth.

[howaboutme]

Man, there are some rich people on this forum.

 

How do you conclude that? Multiple expensive hobbies don't make people rich.

 

Give me a break. Multiple expensive hobbies are generally indicative of extensive wealth.

 

I wouldn't use a blanket statement. I'm currently involved in or have been involved with hobbies that may be considered expensive and draw a very eclectic and socio-economic crowd. A good example is people needing to sell their stuff to raise money for rent but yet are constantly showing off new toys...A bit sad to read but it's not up to me to determine where people spend their money.

[marmooskapaul]

Not close. Some of the rarer single balls (**Every ball pictured is a Ping) would cover my entire bag.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had no idea...lol....that is a cool collection!!

[Malvern]

It is for me which is by design. My wife and I don't really have any shared hobbies so I simply choose to make golf my priority. She got me a drone for Christmas so I guess I do have that as a burgeoning hobby now.

 

Hope you don't live near the others on this forum who like shooting stuff...…….we could have hobbies colliding.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

Not close. Some of the rarer single balls (**Every ball pictured is a Ping) would cover my entire bag.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting and I had no idea. What is worth the most and why?

[dropkicked]

I fish and some of my reels are $2k each.. i also like to hit the track days in summer and my tire budget kills me.. lol

[ssp]

Motorcycle hobby costs more theoretically.....but it is a better adrenaline bump than a good hole per se'.

offroad?

[ssp]

Right now ... probably yes.

 

Past years:

* Son was travel hockey player for 8 years. He is retired.

* Multiple years of offroad Motorcycles. Still have 1 but don't ride much.

* Still ski but less often now.

[J9293]

Not even close. My yacht collecting consumes most of my disposable income. But hey I love golf too!

[MtlJeff]

Can't a man enjoy things like boating and horseback riding without being labeled "rich"?

 

I am tired of all of this judgement. Ruined my appetite, really.

 

And i was almost finished eating this hobo.