Opinion: Is Never Playing High-End Courses Frustrating?

[milesgiles]

Hit me up when you do, I promise not to moan..

my golf club tour has been going about 35 years and they used to go to Lancashire, Kent, Inverness, Bournemouth.. none are viable anymore for the better courses. Been to Notts and Leeds recently, these are getting very expensive as well. I’m just trying to say, it’s not just me, the 24 of us that usually go away make decent livings close to London, and aren’t keen on paying more than £60 -£70 a round on average. Hardly any of us would look at courses over £100.

Anyway there are still bargains to be had in England and Wales, far more than in Scotland imo. I’d happily go to Northumberland or North Wales, for example, every year. Going to have a look around Birmingham this year, some very well rated heathland courses mostly at a good price.

[Golfnuck]

For most of us it is normal human nature to want something better.

The guy that has the $300k condo wants the $1M house and the guy with the $1M house wants the $5M house etc etc.

Golf is one of those sports where it is reasonable to to reach up and play somewhere exclusive and expensive but doesn't break the bank.

I will never be able to buy a $400,000 Ferrari but I can fork out $5k for a weekend to play Pebble Beach.

Of course I will never get onto Augusta or Pine Valley but it is affordable to get onto many of the course around the world that have hosted major championships.

It may cost you $500 to $1,000 a round plus accommodations but I would argue that is within reach for most.

[Qqq123xx]

I play muni's all the time. One of these days might get a mid-range membership. Drive the same vehicle for 25 years. Drink good, but cheap, booze. Do my own cooking. Am kinda a low rent kinda guy. And I am very happy to be so. So not playing high-end golf doesn't bother me in the least. Once in a great while will play a 'high end' course but not really interested in doing so often. Yeah the conditions for most part are much better than muni's, just never been interested in 'that' scene overall. As for destination travel, which I love to do, then yeah will spend some $$$ to play great places in Scotland, Hawaii etc. etc.

[cristphoto]

That sums it up nicely. I've played golf all my life and the memorable courses, while maybe pricey are worth it. I'd rather do the two-day package at Pebble Beach than a week or two at Myrtle Beach (no offense Myrtle lovers). The money saved at mundane muni's is soon forgotten. Premium courses by leading designers offer challenges that are enjoyable. You only live once - work on that bucket list while you still can.

[LeoLeo99]

I don't know about that. I know a guy that belongs to an exclusive private course and owns another very nice private course. We've played a bit together at our local muni. Guess he prefers our company.

[david.c.w]

I was certainly speaking as a generalization.  There are always exceptions.   But your friend belongs to an upscale course and owns another.   I would assume he does not have those options and then play muni's all year. 

[teejaywhy]

"I ask if that exclusivity is bad for golf because how many people have become frustrated with the county course golf life and stopped playing?"

I have serious doubts that very many people have given up golf because they couldn't play exclusive or expensive courses. That notion is a fallacy.

Every facet of life presents choices between costly or less costly options, be it automobiles, houses, restaurants etc. Don't be frustrated when you can't always have what someone else has. Envy is negative energy and a waste of time.

Fact is, I've played many low-cost golf courses with interesting layouts and/or superb conditioning. I've also been able to play some nice high-end (=expensive) courses by careful budgeting and nickle saving. I'm not able to do it all of the time and that's fine with me. I'm OK with my position in life and make the best of what I have.

Tell us where you are located OP and people here will be delighted to offer suggestions for affordable golf with better conditions and/or architectural interest in your area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hawkeye77]

Haha, moan all you want, I know I'd enjoy the experience either way!

[raynorfan1]

As great as “nice” courses are, is there anything better in golf than finding a scrappy hidden gem of a course?

[smashdn]

Fifteen years ago it was Tobacco Road. It appears I got to it right before it got very popular and the price jumped significantly to play there.

 

There are a couple of Donald Ross publics and one Alistair MacKenzie in the US that I am aware of.

[Hawkeye77]

It's not really links turf, and doesn't cost much, but if I'm ever lucky enough to go back to North Berwick I'll play Glen Golf Club again. Would I make a point of driving away from other options if I lived in the UK? Maybe not and I get that. But I found the views from much of the course incredible, had fun with the elevation changes and didn't even play great. Much more of a by the sea experience, for example, than North Berwick - so part of it all is cost, and all sorts of preferences even on a particular day and that day it was a beautiful day and the sea looked spectacular and the coastline rugged!

[trojanhorse]

Idk where you are located but down here we have the Robert trent Jones golf trail and all of those courses are public and VERY well maintained. They sell a trail card which is valid at all the courses (12 in the state) for $40/year but depending on the course it can take your green free from $95 to $40 with a one time purchase. In my opinion I think they are the best balance between price and quality in the state. A blue collar country club if you will.

[fawley]

To me, this seems to be exactly the same as most things in life.

is it frustrating to people who can afford to eat at chain restaurants and don’t get to try Michelin starred restaurants? Is it frustrating that some people can afford to stay at a Holiday Inn and not a St Regis? Should everyone be able to drive a Bentley even if their budget only allows for a Toyota?

The same is true for a lot of sports Some people can afford to ski their local hill and some can afford to ski Aspen. Some people compete for access to the local muni tennis courts, whereas others can afford to play at a nice club with easy access to perfectly maintained grass courts.

i’ve been able to afford different levels of “stuff” at different times in my life. I can’t recall a time where I was frustrated because I couldn’t afford a higher tier of something. I try to make the most of the situation I’m in, have fun “loving the one I’m with”, and work my ass off to get “more” if that’s what I really want