Asked On Reddit: What’s The Biggest Money Waster In Golf?

Golf isn’t cheap. Between gear, green fees and all the stuff that marketers swear will lower your handicap, it can get expensive fast. Some of the golf expenses are worth your money but others become money-wasters. We found the question, “What’s the biggest money waster in golf?” asked on Reddit, and here is what golfers had to say.

Golf balls (Especially Pro V1s)

This one came up repeatedly. If you’re new or high-handicap golfer Redditors say buying a dozen premium balls like Pro V1s for $50-plus is just wasting your money. I think it comes down to what matters to you. When you see ball test results and golf balls travelling 10 or more yards less than others, it’s hard to say that money spent on golf balls doesn’t matter at all. Maybe there’s a balance to be found here.

Newly released golf clubs

Buying the latest driver or iron set at full retail was another top pick for wasteful spending. Redditors pointed out that club technology doesn’t change much year to year, and used gear offers 90–95 percent of the performance at half the price. Some pointed out that no club will fix your swing; lessons will. Of course, there were others that decided lessons were a complete waste of money, so you’ll have to figure that one out.

Fancy apparel

The $120 hoodies and $80 polos may look good, but Reddit golfers questioned whether they do anything for your game. Many suggested shopping at Walmart, Kohl’s or eBay and saving the expensive gear for special occasions. A few users admitted they splurged on one item, usually a hoodie or jacket, but said it had to earn its keep on and off the course.

Cart fees

If you want to cut golf costs fast, stop riding. Dozens of Redditors shared that walking saved them hundreds (or even thousands) per year. Plus, many said walking helps them focus more and keeps their game sharper.

Range balls without a purpose

Hitting range balls can be helpful, but only if you’re working on something. Redditors warned that aimless range sessions are one of the most overlooked money pits in golf. Reinforcing bad habits doesn’t help, and it doesn’t justify the bucket price, which has only gotten more expensive through the years.

Club covers

Some people love custom headcovers. Redditors say they are a complete waste of money. Multiple users roasted $300 “limited-release” covers. I also saw that people had very little patience for alignment stick covers and iron covers. The only exception was a sentimental cover, but one is enough.

Rangefinders

High-end rangefinders are cool but not always necessary, according to Reddit. Most of this came down to a beginner versus an experienced player debate. Several Redditors said beginners don’t need them since they’re not hitting consistent distances anyway. Walking off yardages or using course markers is plenty until your game tightens up.

One said, “If you’re new, just aim for the center of the green.”

Overpriced drinks and snacks

The cart girl made multiple appearances in this thread, not because of the service, but because of the price tag. Drinks and snacks can easily cost more than the round if you’re not paying attention. A soft cooler and a little planning go a long way.

One of the more popular comments was “I can fit 12 beers in my bag. That’s the real savings.”

Lessons?

This one was divisive. Some golfers poked fun at the idea of lessons. They blamed bad shots on clubs, but the majority of serious players said lessons with follow-up practice were worth every penny they spent.

Green fees add up fast

While not as “frivolous” as alignment stick covers, green fees were consistently mentioned as the biggest total expense over time. Redditors recommended finding memberships, twilight rates, discount cards or local deals to cut the long-term cost.

Final thoughts

Everyone’s entitled to their opinion on what’s worth spending money on in golf. There are two things I’ve always found to be a waste of money. The first is taking lessons without practicing. It’s like going to the dentist twice a year but never brushing your teeth.

The second is beginner boxed sets. They look like a deal, but if you’re serious about learning the game, you’ll outgrow them fast. A decent used set will take you a lot farther. It all depends on your goals in the game.

That said, one thing that’s never felt like a waste to me was finding a golf ball that works for my game, so I’ll have to disagree with Reddit on that.