Is golf your most expensive hobby?

[dpark]

I've got two other hobbies in addition to golf and they cost just as much. Equipment costs and "playing costs" are pretty similar to golf.

[Gautama]

Funny how similar some of these hobby patterns are to my own. I've been into a lot of the things already said, like classic car restoration, skiing, cycling, acoustic guitars, shooting and gun collecting, etc. At any given time I've had more money going to some of those things, but over my lifetime golf probably wins. Cars would take the cake for actual money spent, but you sell them at some point so the net isn't quite as bad.

 

As I write this I also realize of all those things, golf is what I'm worst at. Whether that's correlation or irony I don't know.

[2putttom]

I make $$ on golf I spend $$$$ on

[sevenfourate]

Not close. Some of the rarer single balls (**Every ball pictured is a Ping) would cover my entire bag.....

 

 

Interesting and I had no idea. What is worth the most and why?

 

Thanks.

 

Ping ball collecting is primarily about collecting as many possible different colour combinations or solid colours available as you can. Simple supply and demand economics determines pricing.

 

For example Yellow and White is an extremely common combination (You could buy half a dozen on ebay every single day) and because of that they make from $3 upwards each.

 

The other end of the scale is the Bronze ball below (Just about one of the rarest colours Ping made at all - and only available in very small numbers....like less than 20 known about ever) and the two i've seen for sale in my years collecting have made $1500+ each.

 

The Bronze ball below was one of those commissioned by the Olympic committee from Ping in 1994 for the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. Just 14 each of Gold, Silver and Bronze were made; and competed for by Olympic Athletes on a giant putting 'arena' in their downtime on the 14 days of the Olympics.

 

 

Some rarer than this / Prototypes / one-off's can make a little more than that. There's a website with a raft of info, a 'Masterlist' of colours for collectors and the rarity ratings and approx values here if you're at all interested:

 

http://www.pingballs.com/

[Matt J]

Funny how similar some of these hobby patterns are to my own. I've been into a lot of the things already said, like classic car restoration, skiing, cycling, acoustic guitars, shooting and gun collecting, etc. At any given time I've had more money going to some of those things, but over my lifetime golf probably wins. Cars would take the cake for actual money spent, but you sell them at some point so the net isn't quite as bad.

 

As I write this I also realize of all those things, golf is what I'm worst at. Whether that's correlation or irony I don't know.

 

I've only restored one car, but it went from a 15k liability to a 7k profit with a handshake. Skiing, cycling, skeet and trap, and whitewater are all things I've been pretty passionate at other times in my life and each *can* be expensive, they don't necessarily *have* to be expensive. Ultimately looking back at it the opportunity cost of playing and not working is probably the biggest loss, but I wouldn't change that now that I don't feel like doing a lot of the harder days.

[J9293]

Can't a man enjoy things like boating and horseback riding without being labeled "rich"?

 

I am tired of all of this judgement. Ruined my appetite, really.

 

And i was almost finished eating this hobo.

 

Can't a man enjoy things like boating and horseback riding without being labeled "rich"?

 

I am tired of all of this judgement. Ruined my appetite, really.

 

And i was almost finished eating this hobo.

 

Me too man. I hate when I get labeled rich just because I cruise around on my boat after my rounds. C’est la vie. Haters gonna hate.

[Nateshot]

By far. Not even close. Club hoing is a serious problem. I bought 1 putter, 2 sets of wedges, 4 sets of irons, 3 hybrids, and a new driver this year. Wtf?

[Rob G 89]

Nope casino kills me usually after a bad session I tell myself damn I could of got new irons or went on a vacation.

[KillerPenguin]

I don't think raising my kids counts as a hobby and reading Reddit is free so yes, golf is my most expensive (and only real) hobby.

[TerpFangolfer]

i spend slightly more on tickets/support for my sports teams each year - ...but it's close

[mds5062]

Yes, but don't have many other hobbies outside of gaming. 3-4 rounds per month plus my recent club purchases to tinker, have really shot up my expenses.

[Prntscrn]

Unfortunately no. Grew up racing motocross and even though I don't race anymore I still ride for fun.

[beaureed445]

Nope. Not even close. Jeeps.....THAT'S my most expensive hobby.

[Augustok]

I don't think raising my kids counts as a hobby and reading Reddit is free so yes, golf is my most expensive (and only real) hobby.

 

Yea the kids were really expensive but a lot of fun, I which they weren’t all grown up. Maybe grandchildren will be next, so far they just have pets and really extensive knowledge of craft beer.

[deadsolid...shank]

I don't think raising my kids counts as a hobby and reading Reddit is free so yes, golf is my most expensive (and only real) hobby.

 

Yea the kids were really expensive but a lot of fun, I which they weren’t all grown up. Maybe grandchildren will be next, so far they just have pets and really extensive knowledge of craft beer.

 

Grandkids are awesome. Three years ago we didn’t have any, now we have three. Controlling Grandma’s spending on them is difficult (impossible) though!

[Hawkeye77]

I don't think raising my kids counts as a hobby and reading Reddit is free so yes, golf is my most expensive (and only real) hobby.

 

Yea the kids were really expensive but a lot of fun, I which they weren’t all grown up. Maybe grandchildren will be next, so far they just have pets and really extensive knowledge of craft beer.

 

Grandkids are awesome. Three years ago we didn’t have any, now we have three. Controlling Grandma’s spending on them is difficult (impossible) though!

 

LOL, we have zero at this point. We decided a good college graduation present for the youngest daughter will be a trip (with mom, of course) to NYC this summer - they are Broadway musical nuts. Booked their hotel today - tomorrow I'll find out shows (their choices) and begin the process of ordering tickets - not sure what hurts more, the growing realization of the effects on my golf budget or the look of pure joy on my wife's face today when I answered "no" to my daughter asking if I was going, lol. "Girls" trip, I get it. My wife and daughters would outstrip golf by a wide margin if they were a hobby, haha.

[deadsolid...shank]

I don't think raising my kids counts as a hobby and reading Reddit is free so yes, golf is my most expensive (and only real) hobby.

 

Yea the kids were really expensive but a lot of fun, I which they weren’t all grown up. Maybe grandchildren will be next, so far they just have pets and really extensive knowledge of craft beer.

 

Grandkids are awesome. Three years ago we didn’t have any, now we have three. Controlling Grandma’s spending on them is difficult (impossible) though!

 

LOL, we have zero at this point. We decided a good college graduation present for the youngest daughter will be a trip (with mom, of course) to NYC this summer - they are Broadway musical nuts. Booked their hotel today - tomorrow I'll find out shows (their choices) and begin the process of ordering tickets - not sure what hurts more, the growing realization of the effects on my golf budget or the look of pure joy on my wife's face today when I answered "no" to my daughter asking if I was going, lol. "Girls" trip, I get it. My wife and daughters would outstrip golf by a wide margin if they were a hobby, haha.

 

I only tag along on the girls trips on occasion. The occasion being they are going somewhere where I can play golf!

 

I’m “graciously” bowing out of the Denver trip in February to the ballet. Gosh I’m a good guy!

[Hawkeye77]

Exactly, you don't go they can spend that money on nicer seats or better restaurant - or you can get more golf stuff!

[jasonTeI3]

Haha I wish it was

[jb20]

I would say it is my most expensive hobby. Cigars are my other one but not nearly as much as equipment and rounds of golf.

[Ferguson]

My cars, then wine and then golf.

[sheppy335]

No my kids are, lol

[dubbelbogey]

Skiing is the most expensive for me, of which I pay for three participants. Golf is next for which I pay for myself and my son. (Hopefully that changes in a few years when he gets a real job!)

 

Equipment expenditures are relatively trivial - I tend to stick with my gear for a long time in both sports. It's the recurring costs (passes, green fees & meals while doing those activities).

 

Vacation travel can be even more expensive - but I don't really consider that a "hobby".

[Undonersg]

Golf and Bowling are my two hobbies and my membership is a bit more then my league.

[Pearson10M]

Not even close. Buy a 36' sailboat, you'll see. And I race sailboats, that more than doubles the costs.

 

Actually my wife and I spend more dining in restaurants in a year than I spend on golf and I play 2-3 times a week in season (May thru Oct).

 

I owed a 33' club racer sailboat. Just to put her in the water, have her float on a mooring all summer with launch service, insurer her, and then pull her out at the end of summer for winter storage was almost $4K. Add to that gas to and from, food drinks when sailing, general maintenance and it quickly adds up to over $5K a year. Add a new sail every 3 years at $3K+ each (boat needs two) and it starts to get pricey for the 15-20 times we went out on it. Anti-Fouling bottom paint for it was almost $300/gal. That is not a misprint.

 

$5K a year is a lot of greens fees and clubs.

[Schley]

Not even close. Buy a 36' sailboat, you'll see. And I race sailboats, that more than doubles the costs.

 

Actually my wife and I spend more dining in restaurants in a year than I spend on golf and I play 2-3 times a week in season (May thru Oct).

 

I owed a 33' club racer sailboat. Just to put her in the water, have her float on a mooring all summer with launch service, insurer her, and then pull her out at the end of summer for winter storage was almost $4K. Add to that gas to and from, food drinks when sailing, general maintenance and it quickly adds up to over $5K a year. Add a new sail every 3 years at $3K+ each (boat needs two) and it starts to get pricey for the 15-20 times we went out on it. Anti-Fouling bottom paint for it was almost $300/gal. That is not a misprint.

 

$5K a year is a lot of greens fees and clubs.

 

Doesn't BOAT stand for Break Out Another Thousand?

[burritos4breakfast]

probably not. archery/bowhunting adds up

[zebra2955]

It's my only hobby.

[PMACGolf]

Golf is my most expensive hobby, but it brings the greatest joy. I would spend much more if necessary!

[hypergolf]

Wine....