Discount Golf Equipment
You don't have to pay top dollar to play well. There is a wide range of discount golf equipment that performs well and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
Discount Golf Clubs: Your best route to finding discount golf clubs is to buy second-hand clubs. With top-of-the-line clubs priced at over $300, you can save a lot of money by buying good quality older models. Great places to look include garage sales, classified sections of newspapers, online auction sites, friends and clearance sections at golf retail stores. However, be careful that you don't get ripped off. To find reasonable prices for discount golf clubs, check the PGA Value Guide to find the average selling price for used golf clubs (Professional Golfers' Association).
Discount Golf Balls: If you want to save money, buying used discount golf balls is the way to go. Now, don't go buying the first bunch you see from a roadside stand. You must find quality used discount golf balls. The best places to look are online retailers, golf pro shops and sporting goods stores (Gordon). You can find balls for as little as 10 cents apiece if you buy them in mixed, bulk packages. If you want a specific type of discount golf ball, say a Nike or Titleist, you will have to pay a little more, but the used versions will still save you money.
Discount Golf Bags: Like golf clubs, the best way to save money on a golf bag is to by a used one. However, used golf bags are harder to find than used clubs because they don't retain their resale value as well. Your best search method will be to look at garage sales, ask friends or search online auction Web sites. Another option will be to look for new bags in clearance sections of online or retail stores as well as online auction Web sites. Though the new bags are a bit more expensive, you are assured that they are in good condition.
Discount Golf Courses
If you are looking to play discount golf, you'll want to find the cheapest greens fees possible. Your best option will be to play at one of your local municipal golf courses. Those owned and operated by cities and other civic groups often have the lowest fees. Many municipal courses offer weekday specials that drop the prices even more. For example, some weekday specials only charge $20 to play 18 holes, cart included. That is an incredible price considering some courses charge over $100 to play a round. Even when municipal courses aren't offering seasonal specials, their fees are still much lower than most other golf courses.
Discount Golf Instruction
Now that you know how to get discount equipment and where to play for the least amount of money, all you need to do is learn how to to get better on a budget. You have several options, ranging from online instruction to personal lessons.
Online Instruction: Many Web sites provide free tips and instruction. You can pick up a lot of great pointers about how to drop a few strokes from your game. However, most sites do not provide complete instructions about how to progress from knowing nothing to having a solid swing. Take advantage of the free information provided by Web sites because it doesn't cost you a thing, but don't solely rely on the tips and pointers to teach you how to play.
Books and Videos: Books and videos can provide detailed instruction about the basics of golf and advanced techniques. The in-depth information can help you learn what you need to know to play better out on the course. Also, videos and the pictures in books can demonstrate important positions and techniques that are essential for good play. If you want to save money on books and videos, you can find second-hand materials online. Most often, the prices are lower than the new versions. The biggest drawback to using books and videos is that you don't receive any feedback about your particular swing, which can make learning frustrating because you don't know what you are doing wrong.
Discount Golf Lessons: Lessons are by far the best way to learn how to play golf because you receive personalized instruction about your swing from a knowledgeable professional who can point out what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong. However, golf lessons are relatively expensive compared to free, online tips and used books. But you can find good lessons at reasonable prices if you know where to look. Most places where you can play golf or buy golf equipment offer lessons, and prices can range from around $40 to over $100 per lesson. As a general rule, lessons at driving ranges and public golf courses are less expensive than lessons at private country clubs. Also, group lessons are usually less expensive than individual lessons. So, to save the most money, try to find group lessons offered by public golf courses or driving ranges in your area. A good place to start your search is by checking out the "Find a PGA Instructor" Web site. You can search for local pros in your area, the services they offer, their rates and their contact information (Professional Golfers' Association).
Playing golf doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars. You can easily find discount golf equipment, discount golf courses and discount golf instruction that will save you a lot of money. Also, playing discount golf doesn't mean you have to sacrifice performance. If you do the research, you'll easily find ways to play well and save money in the process.
