With golf having gotten even more expensive than usual in the last few years, you may find yourself needing to spend less – yet still wanting to play as much as you'd like. The Frugal Golfer is here for you.
Here are 40 (succinct) ideas for accomplishing that. (This website features much detail, but this is our quick overview of money-saving ideas for avid golfers.)
GREENS FEES & COURSE ACCESS
Become a "weekday warrior." It's cheaper to play during the week, not to mention less crowded.
Early to rise, late to bed. Play as early as possible and/or late as possible. Most courses offer discounted twilight rates; some have early bird rates.
Play when it's not crowded. Many golf courses now use "dynamic pricing," so unpopular tee times can be had for less. If the weather is so-so and the tee sheet is open, for example, you may get to play for less.
Buy a season pass. If you mostly play your home course, consider buying a season pass that lets you play as much as you want. If you get range balls as part of the deal, all the better. If you play a lot, you'll likely save money over the year.
Buy a course discount card. Many courses offer discount or "preferred player" cards that get you discounted greens fees and range balls throughout the year.
Buy multiple rounds. If your home course or one you play often offers "punch books" of multiple rounds, that'll save over paying individually. Course punch books often can be purchased at golf expos.
Grab senior, junior, or military discounts. Lots of courses offer deals for the over-60 and under-18 crowds, as well as active-duty and retired military members. Take advantage of lower daily greens fees or discounted annual passes.
Play in the city where you live. It doesn't always help on daily greens fees, but if you purchase a season pass or a course discount card, often there's a discount for local residents.
Play par-3 and "executive" courses sometimes. If you're just looking for a practice round, play a low-cost par-3 or short executive course occasionally. Your golf budget will benefit, as well as your short-irons game.
Buy a golf discount card covering multiple courses. Check out the golf discount card database on this website. Discount cards/books/apps can get you discounted , 2-for-1, or even free rounds. Cities that have have multiple municipal golf courses often have discount cards that give you discounts at all of them.
Watch for and use "hot deals." Services such as GolfNow and TeeOff regularly send their users discount deals at some courses.
Sign up for course email and smartphone alerts. Most courses send their regular golfers email or smartphone alerts with news and special offers.
See if your course has reciprocal agreements with other courses. This mostly applies to private courses and clubs. You can get access to courses in other cities that otherwise might be off limits to you.
Volunteer at golf tournaments. Sometimes the "pay" is free or discounted rounds of golf.
Become a (volunteer or paid) course ranger. Free golf is usually included.
Walk, don't ride. Pass on the riding cart, save the money, and improve your health. If you must ride, split the cost of a cart with a buddy on courses that charge by the cart and not by the golfer.
EQUIPMENT
Get your own push cart. Rather than rent a push cart from the course, get your own.
Actively search for stray balls when you play. Think golf balls are too expensive, especially since they keep disappearing in ponds and bushes? How about free, then?
Replenish your ball supply when you meet child golf-ball entrepreneurs. You'll find them living next to golf holes, hawking balls they've found – usually at bargain prices. Support these fledgling golf moguls and buy a dozen of their best balls.
Buy gently used golf balls. There are a bunch of online retailers that sell used golf balls at a steep discount over prices for new balls. Pay for their best-condition balls and it'll be pretty much like playing new balls. See our list of used-ball retailers.
Purchase golf equipment at discount golf retailers. Buying at course pro shops, Dick's Sporting Goods, or Golf Galaxy often means you pay more than you have to. Shop golf discounters instead. See our list of some good ones.
Buy used clubs. Our discount-retailers list includes online stores that sell used clubs. Look for clubs that are in excellent shape and of modern vintage, of course. You can also look for gently used clubs at second-hand stores, used-sporting-goods stores, or consignment shops.
Buy gently used golf clothes. Online fashion marketplaces such as Poshmark are a great place to find deals on near-new golf attire. (We wrote about this.) Also look for golf clothes at thrift stores.
Wear "regular" clothes when golfing. You don't have to purchase golf-specific clothes. If you're not playing at a course or club with a strict dress code, no one will care. When clothes shopping, choose multi-functional items that can be worn on and off the course.
Put your golf clothes in your daily fashion rotation. The nice thing about "golf clothes" is that they usually look like regular street clothes. Why wear a "golf polo" only when playing? "Golf shorts"? They look like regular shorts.
Wear spikeless golf shoes. You'll avoid having to regularly buy replacement spikes.
Purchase off-season. Winter is a great time to buy golf gear, when it's most likely to be discounted. End-of-season sales also offer bargains.
Regrip your clubs rather than replace them.
Ready for new clubs? Shop for rental clubs on sale. Many golf-course pro shops sell their rental sets at the end of the season. It's often a way to get a quality set of clubs (and bag) for a great price compared to new.
Check out your course's lost-clubs bin. Most pro shops have lost clubs for sale (after giving the previous owners time to reclaim them). You never know when you might find a gem.
Make your golf gloves last. Take good care of them and you won't need to buy so many during the year. Also, buy multi-packs of gloves to bring the per-pair price down.
PRACTICE & INSTRUCTION
Take group lessons. In addition to scheduled group lessons, see if your friends would like to join a small semi-private group lesson and ask your instructor if they can give you a deal.
Use online golf lessons. Many excellent instructors offer valuable free lessons on Youtube. If you like them, consider signing up for their premium online lessons membership. Check out our article about some of the best online instruction.
Take lessons from your club's assistant golf professionals. They typically charge less than the head teaching pro.
Visit driving ranges that use TopTracer or other digital ball-tracking systems. The feedback can make your range sessions more productive. Some course ranges that have TopTracer systems include use in the price of the balls.
Purchase bulk discount range cards rather than individual buckets.
Skip the range occasionally and focus purely on your short game. Not only will it likely improve your scores, you'll spend less on range balls. Bring a shag bag of your own balls and use the course's free practice areas.
MISCELLANEOUS WAYS TO SAVE
Skip the beverage cart. Many courses technically prohibit bring food and drink (especially alcohol) onto the course. But put some snacks, maybe a sandwich, and a bottle of water in your bag and you'll probably be fine.
Carpool to the course. Saving money on golf can start before you arrive at the course.
Save on ball markers. Use a coin or metal washer found in your garage, instead of buying fancy ball markers.
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