Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching, the first Hong Kong golfer to qualify for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour in 2017, is living proof that golf isn’t only for the rich. She’s far from being rich and only learned golf by paying $6 per hour at a public driving range. She didn’t even have her own clubs when she started. It’s just her and her passion for the sport.
But fast-forward to when she qualified for the tournament. Chan earned a full scholarship in a United States-based college because of her success in the sport. This allowed her to transfer to one of the top athletic schools in the country—the University of Southern California. Chan is right. She is proof that the sport isn’t just for athletes, celebrities, and billionaires. It’s for everyone who wants to learn it.
So if you’re on tenterhooks about going to the driving range, think again. You can put on your best rubber shoes, rent some clubs there, and practice your swing. And you can be a member of an exclusive club or buy your own set of clubs and a small golf cart later on. Figure out if this is something you want to do long-term before you pour resources into it.
Can Anyone Afford It?
But you have to be realistic, too. Although it’s not expensive to start learning golf, you also need to spend on it if you want to turn it into an actual hobby. If you are living paycheck to paycheck, that might not be possible. So, consider looking for a side job to earn what you need to start this new hobby. You can also offer to caddy for some golfers. This way, you will have access to the greens, and if they like you enough, they might just let you take a swing with one of their clubs.
How Much Do You Need?
So just how much do you need to start learning how to golf? First is the equipment. Although you can rent many of these, basic starter sets that contain woods, irons, and a putter will start at $200. Balls will cost around $15 to $20 for a dozen. If you want to upgrade your equipment, you can do so for $150 to $500 for driver and woods, $50 to $300 for putters, and $400 to $1,500 for a set of irons.
For your clothes, gloves will cost between $5 to $25, depending on the brand. You need gloves to steady your grip on the club. The right golf shoes are also important. You can buy a pair for $50 or as much as $200. Make sure the shoes are designed for golfing because they should help you maintain proper footwork when you swing. As for your pants and shirt, go for the typical that you see in golfers; chinos and a polo shirt will do.
If you plan to enroll in a course, you have two choices: join a group or have a one-on-one session. Depending on the facility and instructor, you will need between $40 and $150 per lesson. Most driving ranges have a professional who you can ask for lessons and tips. Other fees you have to take care of when you want to learn how to golf are the motor carts rental for $5 to $25 and green fees, which vary depending on the location, time, day, and season.
Why Is it Intimidating?
Golf tends to be intimidating because people allow themselves to think that only rich people can play it. The truth is that clubs and driving ranges shouldn’t stop you from wanting to learn this sport. Yes, it’s hard to get into golf clubs. Not to mention, it is expensive to be a member. But do you know that there are public golf courses? You don’t need to pay a membership fee to use these facilities.
News and social media posts about billionaires going for a round of golf shouldn’t make you feel that this isn’t for you. No law is stopping anyone from trying to learn how to golf. Is security going to bar you from entering a driving range, for example? No, right? What’s stopping you is the thought that you cannot afford it when actuality, there’s a way around this predicament.
Don’t let anything stop you if you want to try a sport, even if it means taking on an extra job to afford it. Sports have an incredible effect on people’s well-being. Finding something that you want to do will give you the mental fortitude to face many of the things you must do but don’t.
