Everywhere you look lately, people are asking the same question: Is golf getting too expensive? And as someone who lives in South Philadelphia and spends plenty of time playing in South Jersey and the surrounding counties, I’ll give you my honest answer. No, I don’t think golf is getting too expensive. Is it cheap? Absolutely not, and it probably never will be. But that’s always been the nature of the sport. Golf has never been a dollar-menu hobby. It’s a game where you use sticks that cost more than your first car to hit a little white ball across hundreds of acres of manicured land. There’s always been a price tag attached, and if anything, the real question isn’t about cost, it’s about value. That’s why when people search for Affordable Golf Courses Near Me, what they’re really asking is, “Where can I get the best value for my $40 or $50?”
When it comes to the top-tier, premium courses, I don’t fault them for charging what they charge. They know their value, and they know their tee sheets are booked solid every weekend from sunrise to sunset. If demand is that high, it only makes sense that the price reflects it. In fact, you could argue they’d be crazy not to charge more when people are lined up to play regardless. Business is booming in golf right now, and you can see it in how quickly those prime tee times disappear. It’s the simple reality of supply and demand, and at the end of the day, no one is being forced to play those premium courses. They’re a luxury, not a necessity, and sometimes paying a little extra for that once-in-a-while special experience is worth it.
And let’s be honest, the surge of interest in golf over the past few years has only made this more noticeable. When the pandemic shut down so much of life, golf quietly became one of the safest escapes available. While other sports struggled or were canceled outright, golf was thriving because it’s played outdoors and naturally keeps you spread out. It became the perfect blend of social interaction and safe distancing, and as a result, thousands of people picked up the game for the first time. On top of that, plenty of lapsed golfers dusted off their clubs and got back into the rhythm of weekend tee times. Golf quietly became one of the biggest beneficiaries of that strange era. Now, before anyone thinks I’m about to spiral into a full-blown Covid debate, relax. That’s a whole different blog for a whole different day.
But here’s the thing: for the average golfer, or for someone who just wants to get out a few times a year, golf doesn’t need to be expensive. There are plenty of courses that offer good golf at reasonable prices. Are they Augusta National? Not even close. Are you stepping onto the hallowed grounds of The Masters? Absolutely not, unless you’ve been living a very different life than I have. But the truth is, you don’t need Augusta to enjoy the game. There are countless public courses around Philadelphia, South Jersey, Delaware, and even when I travel all over the country to visit friends, the first thing I do is book a tee time at the local public course. Most of the big cities in the United States are surrounded by the local counties that offer solid layouts, decent conditions, and just enough challenge to keep things fun, all without draining your bank account. And trust me, if you pop "Cheap Golf Courses Near Me” into Google, you’ll be shocked at just how many great options are out there that you can play for less than the cost of a full tank of gas.
Take this weekend, for example. I’m heading out to Paxon Hollow in Media, Delaware County, with my uncles, cousins, my dad, and my brother-in-law. It’s one of those local gems where you know you’re going to get a fun round of golf without feeling like you’ve just taken out a small loan. We booked an 11am tee time, and each of us is paying $40. That’s it. Now, think about what that really gets you: four or more hours of fresh air, sunshine, and exercise, all while surrounded by your closest family members. Add in a few beers, plenty of laughs, and the stories that come out when family gets together, and suddenly that $40 feels like the best investment you’ll make all week. Honestly, I dare anyone to tell me a better way to spend that amount of money. I mean, I can walk into Target for “just one thing” and somehow end up at the register with a $100 receipt full of stuff I already own or definitely don’t need. Golf, in comparison, feels like a bargain.
And don’t forget, there are amazing public courses all over the country where you can tee it up for under $50 and walk away feeling like you just stole an experience. Some of the courses that I've played are the Lake Marion Golf Course in South Carolina, Mile Square Golf Course in California, I've played a few rounds at the Ogden Golf Courses out in Utah, or even the Tapps Island Golf Course in Washington with those breathtaking water views. They’re not Augusta, but they deliver gorgeous golf for less than the cost of filling your car’s tank these days. I’m not saying $50 is pocket change, but for the return on your investment, those 18 holes are priceless. The same goes for the Best Golf Courses in Michigan whenever I travel there to visit my old college friend. We play them in the spring and summer, when the weather is perfect and the scenery is unbeatable, and you’ll see how much bang for your buck you’re really getting. It’s proof that affordable golf doesn’t just exist, it’s thriving.
And beyond the money, what often gets overlooked is the mental health benefit that comes from playing golf. The scorecard is only part of the story, sometimes the smallest part. What really sticks with you are the moments. Catching up with an old friend you haven’t seen in a while. Spending time with your dad in a way that feels meaningful but easy. Meeting new coworkers in an environment that isn’t a stuffy office. Or maybe the best scenario of them all: the famous Tee Time With The Boys. Those rounds don’t just fill your day, they fill your soul. It’s therapy disguised as a sport, and you walk away feeling lighter, happier, and more connected than when you arrived. And if you’re looking to make those tee times even better, you can grab our “Tee Time With The Boys” Golf T-Shirt.
So, is golf too expensive? Not in my eyes. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth every penny if you find the right course, the right group, and the right reason to play. And sometimes, those four hours on the course are worth more than anything money could ever buy. And if you don’t believe me, just try searching Affordable Golf Courses Near Me and go see for yourself.
And just so you know where this perspective comes from, my name’s Mikey Parisano, and I’m the owner of Dad Bod Summer, a Men’s Mental Health Brand that donates 5% of every sale to charities that support Men's Mental Health Awareness. Golf is a big part of what we do, which is why we built our Golf Tee Time Collection filled with golf t-shirts, golf hoodies, and Golf Performance Hoodies made for people who love the game and the connection it brings. Because when you combine time on the course with a cause that matters, you realize golf gives you far more than a scorecard ever could.
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