At what point does golf get too expensive? Oobgolf.com had a post today titled How Much Is Too Much For Golf? and it got me thinking. At what point does a high greens fee become outright extortion?
Is $495 too much to play Pebble Beach, arguably the most beautiful golf course in the world? Many people will argue that price shouldn’t matter when it comes to a “once in a lifetime” experience like Pebble Beach. But I disagree. While I understand that maintaining a golf course isn’t cheap, greens fees at renowned golf courses have officially become ridiculous.
To get to this conclusion, let’s start with what we know. Here in Columbus, Ohio (one of the larger cities in the country) your average public greens fee is $40-$50. Obviously, at those prices you aren’t getting a world-class golf course; keeping a golf course immaculate isn’t cheap. That being said…the price of maintaining a Pebble Beach doesn’t equate to an additional $450!
Please don’t misunderstand me – I’m typically not one to complain about costs and I don’t expect to pay $100 to play Pebble Beach. And for all my bitching, apparently I’m still willing to pay the ransom these courses charge because earlier this year my wife and I went to play Pinehurst #2. Playing Pinehurst is the first time I’ve shelled out hundreds of dollars for a round of golf, and at the end of my round I found myself feeling confused.
On the one hand, I now have the memories of playing one of the most historic golf courses in American golf history. I even played from the tips to get the “US Open experience.” The problem is, after spending that much money for a round of golf, I pretty much expected to experience 4.5 hours of heaven on earth. And while I will say it’s my fondest memory so far in 15 years of golfing, I still felt somewhat disappointed afterwards. Why is my ball sitting on a dry patch – for $400 can’t they get grass to grow here? Why do I have a thin lie in this bunker – does my $400 no go towards the sand budget?
So my question is – unless you’re wealthy, is it even possible for a round of golf to live up to the expectations you have after paying so much?
All of this being said, sadly I would still pay $495 to play Pebble Beach (if I can ever convince the wife to take another “luxury golf vacation). So maybe the reason these courses charge so much, is that despite our bitching, in the end we’ll still pay whatever they ask.