There are a lot of words to describe golf, but cheap is not one of them.

Between green fees, lessons, golf accessories, and equipment, it can really add up. We even documented how much golfers spend per year (spoiler alert, it’s a lot more than you think). 

But today, we’ll help you learn how to play golf on a budget so you can still enjoy the game without breaking the bank. Keep reading to learn 11 proven ways to save money while still playing and practicing. 

How to Play Golf on a Budget – 11 Easy Ways

Key Takeaways 

• Golf is an expensive sport as you have to buy tee times, equipment, lessons, and accessories.
• If you’re on a budget, it’s a good idea to buy used clubs, sell old clubs, and find trade in programs.
• For tee times, make sure to book during twilight hours and weekdays to save money. 
• If you need lessons but want to save money buy a training aid, get an online lesson, or group lessons to save money.

1. Buy Used Golf Clubs 

One of the easiest ways to save money on golf is buying used equipment instead of brand-new clubs. 

Don’t get me wrong, it’s rewarding to be the first golfer to hit a brand-new driver or set of irons, but it’s similar to buying a car. Once they’re used, the value goes down overnight on both cars and clubs.

This is why buying used clubs is such a good way to save money. As long as the previous owner took care of the clubs, buying them used should have zero impact on performance. Especially with drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, and putters.

The only clubs I’d suggest avoiding buying used are wedges. As the grooves get worn down it’s harder to create backspin which is needed to play your best golf. While you can use a groove sharpener tool, I still think it’s best to buy new SW and LW. 

You can buy used clubs at big box golf stores, eBay, Craigslist, OfferUp, and other sites. Make sure to confirm the refund policy (if there is one) in case the pictures are better than the actual clubs.

2. Buy Last Year’s Model

If you want to buy new, you might not need to get the current year’s model. Each year big brands – like Callaway, Cobra, and TaylorMade – produce new irons, woods, and putters. But a lot of times it’s more for more marketing purposes vs. being vastly different from the previous model.

Buying last year’s model often has nearly the same results and a significantly lower priced tag.

For example, most new drivers are $600 – that’s without an upgraded driver shaft. But if you buy the previous year model, they’re $100 to $200 less. 

I recently did this when buying a new lob wedge. Instead of opting for the Vokey SM10, I went with the Vokey SM9 and saved $50. Wedges and putters tend to change even less year to year, so buying previous models is a great way to save money. 

Additionally, keep an eye out for sales in the off seasons for bags, clothes, and other accessories as manufactures make room for new products. 

3. Sell Old Golf Clubs 

If you’re like most golfers, you have a ton of old clubs lying around the house or taking up space in the garage. Instead of letting them collect dust, sell them online to make some extra money. Then use it towards lessons, tee times, accessories, or new clubs. 

The easiest way to sell golf clubs online is through a local marketplace like Facebook, Craigslist, or OfferUp. With these sites, you don’t have to worry about shipping clubs or transaction fees. You can meet the buyer (somewhere that isn’t your house for safety purposes) and do a cash transaction.

I’ve bought and sold countless golf clubs using this method and it’s been a game changer. Or, you can also post them on eBay to reach a larger audience. 

The only problem is that you’ll have to ship the clubs and deal with seller fees too. But it’s still worth it as you’ll earn some money and clear up space too. 

Learn more about selling golf clubs online now. 

Trade In Program 

If you don’t feel comfortable selling golf clubs online but want some new gear, check to see if local shops have a trade-in program. While you don’t get as much money as you might by selling yourself, it’s still a good way to clean your garage and trade towards new gear. 

4. Play the Right Time of Day  

Now let’s get into some ways to save money on green fees, as they can add up quickly. Did you know that TPC Sawgrass is now doing variable pricing, with a tee time costing up to $900! 

Needless to say, it’s essential to make sure tee times aren’t breaking the bank. Start by playing public golf courses, as they’re much cheaper than private courses. 

Next, make your tee times accordingly by playing more in the afternoons and weekdays. Morning weekend tee times are typically the most expensive and might hurt pace of play as they’re so many golfers on the course. It’s also a good idea to skip holidays or play later in the day, as tee times tend to increase as more people have the day off. 

Try Out an Executive Golf Course 

If you’re trying to save time and money, consider playing an executive golf course. These are shorter courses made up of par 3s and par 4s and typically much cheaper than a normal course. Plus, it usually takes less time to play these types of courses, too. 

5. Find Summer or Winter Passes 

Depending on where you live, a lot of public golf courses offer summer or winter passes to save money. 

For example, I live in Arizona and it’s very hot in the summer, which decreases tourism and how many people play golf every day. One of my favorite courses offers a summer pass which is $100 to buy the pass and then every tee time from Memorial Day to Labor Day is only $65. 

A lot of times they’ll still charge $75 to $100 per round, so this saves me money to play one of the better courses in the valley. Plus, they have two 18 hole golf courses and a fantastic practice facility. 

Also, don’t forget to ask about driving range passes or punch cards. For example, a golf course near me has an incredible practice facility that costs $25 to use for an hour on the driving range (and also includes unlimited time at the short game area). 

But if you buy their punch card pass, which includes 10-practice sessions, it equates to $18/session. This saves $70 total and well worth it for the grass driving range, chipping, and putting green. 

6. Get Online or Group Golf Lessons

Just like equipment and tee times, golf lessons have increased dramatically in price. 

One way to offset the cost of in-person lessons is trying out online lessons. A lot of coaches offer one off or monthly packages to help players without having to meet up.

This is a lot more convenient than in-person lessons and allows you to work with coaches around the world. Plus, a lot of them offer deals for first time students and players who want to work together with regular lessons. 

If you prefer to work with someone in-person, inquire about group lessons with one more person. This way you and a friend(s) can learn together and save money too. 

Lastly, don’t forget to look for low-cost free clinics that a lot of courses offer. 

YouTube University 

If you’re really strapped and can’t afford lessons but need some, don’t forget about the power of YouTube and social media. There is an endless amount of content to help with all parts of your swing. 

However, less is sometimes more when it comes to free content. Don’t think that more golf tips will instantly make you a better golfer. 

While it’s a good idea to read golf books and learn more about the game, don’t overwhelm yourself with countless swing thoughts. This can make it hard to trust your swing and get to play golf swing vs. play golf on the course. 

7. Pack Your Own Food and Drinks 

One of the most overpriced things during a round of golf is food and drinks. While I know you want to support the cart girl, make sure to pack snacks and drinks so you’re not wasting money.

True story – last summer I got paired with two guys during a twilight round when the tee time was only $55. Yet, each time they saw the cart girl, they spent $40 for drinks and random snacks that they could’ve brought from home. After the final time they saw the cart girl, one of them even joked they spent more on food/drinks than the actual golf. 

Needless to say, pack a cooler with water and other snacks to save money and eat better foods. You can sneak some drinks in too if you have a golf cart bag with a cooler too. 

8. Practice Short Game More Often 

Hitting range balls used to be cheap and much more cost-effective than playing a round of golf. Twenty years ago, when I started playing, a medium bucket was $5. Sadly, that’s not the case anymore.

In fact, a public golf course near me was charging $20 a bucket (to hit off mats) last time I checked. If you do practice on the driving range, make sure to not rapid fire golf balls so you make the most out of your time. 

If not, most golf courses allow you to practice at the short game area free. This is a great time to work on your chipping, bunkers, pitching, and putting without spending a dime. 

9. Practice in the Backyard

Another way to avoid $20 buckets of range balls is to set up your own backyard practice area. Not only can you work on your game, but you can also build your own golf simulator too (even if you don’t have a screen). 

Learn more about outdoor golf simulators here. Also, make sure to invest in an at home putting green and chipping buckets to complete your practice area. This way you can work on all areas of your game even if you’re strapped for time and money. 

If you aren’t ready for a simulator, start with a net and mat. Then add on other accessories like side netting, launch monitors, hitting trays, and other items over time. 

10. Skip the Cart

Another way to golf on a budget and improve your health is to walk instead of ride. A cart fee is typically $20 per round (or more) which can add up if you play a lot of golf. 

Instead, opt to use a push cart and get some extra exercise. Walking a championship golf course is usually four plus miles and a great way to burn calories. Learn how many calories you burn during a round of golf here. 

Plus, a lot of golfers tend to play better and stay more focused when walking vs. riding in a cart. But I’d avoid carrying your clubs, as it can cause common golf injuries and negatively impact performance. 

Instead, opt for a push cart and check out our best push carts here. 

11. Consider Joining a Country Club 

You might think, this is about golf on a budget, how would joining a country club help? If you’re playing a lot, you might actually save money by joining a club, as you only have a set membership fee. This might make it easier to budget as long as you play enough golf.

Learn more about joining a country club here.  

My Experience

My first job was working at a golf course, and my first side hustle was selling golf clubs for members on eBay. Needless to say, I’ve always been pretty creative when it comes to monetizing my passion for the game. 

I’ve used a mixture of all these ideas to save money on clubs, tee times, and equipment. If you love the game and want to lower your handicap, there are tons of ways to save money and practice enough. 

Final Thoughts 

Golf is a fun way to enjoy the outdoors, connect with friends/family, meet new people, and enter into competitive events. But it’s not cheap, so make sure to use these 11 strategies to save money and be able to golf on a budget.