Golf doesn’t have to be expensive, but poor purchase decisions can make it that way. When I first published this list last year, it got quite a response. There are always a few readers who agree and a few who don’t, and I like hearing both. Below are my original five things golfers waste money on. At the bottom, I’ve added some updates based on what MyGolfSpy readers said I missed.
Wedges and putters that aren’t fitted to your game
Most golfers understand that getting fitted for a driver or irons is a no-brainer. But wedges and putters? Those are still being grabbed off the rack like a pack of gum at the checkout line.
Here’s the thing: your wedge and putter are your primary scoring clubs.
If they don’t fit your short game, you leave strokes on the course every round and you’re probably replacing them more often than you need to. Isn’t the whole point of spending money on golf to buy back a few strokes?
Club memberships, leagues, apps and subscriptions you don’t use
“This is the year.”
How often have you done that to yourself, signing up for the stat tracking apps, the 3D GPS course maps, the Wednesday night golf league? While your intentions may be good, a few months later you realize you haven’t used any of the things you signed up for.
We’ve all seen this happen with gym memberships but it happens to golfers, too. Do an audit every once in a while to see what you use, what you need and what you can find for free.
Taking lessons, then not practicing
Lessons are great. If you find the right golf professional, you’ll completely turn your game around. However, you can’t take a single lesson and two weeks later pick up a club and question why your slice came back. Taking lessons without practicing is a waste of money.
You have to take an active role in improving your golf game. Lessons aren’t a magic fix and if you think they are, you will waste some money.
Tees with big promises
Do you remember during the pandemic when Bryson DeChambeau transformed his game by gaining serious ball speed. He did this through swing changes, speed training and a noticeable amount of muscle. It took months of work, biomechanics and repetition, but he gained yards.
Isn’t it crazy to think he could have just changed tees?
I don’t think so.
The tees that cost more than your glove and claim to reduce spin, increase launch angle and give you an extra 15 yards are a waste of money. However, teeing your golf ball the right height is always smart.
If you ever wonder whether these performance tees are legit, here’s a good check: Are the pros usingthem? You don’t see a lot of tees shaped like martini glasses being used by the pros. Many of the Tour professionals use the Pride Professional tees which hold up well and come in a variety of lengths.
Investing in gear that’s outside your league
Some things match the specific needs of your game. Some don’t.
Let’s take golf rangefinders as an example. One reads to within a yard while another claims accuracy to a foot but it’s $150 more expensive. Can you hit two golf shots a yard apart on command?
Probably not.
How about that Tour-level launch monitor? Unless you’re doing full swing analysis or coaching others, it’s probably more tech than you’ll ever need.
Golf technology can be incredibly useful but it’s also one of the easiest places to overspend. Before you buy, ask yourself: How often will I use this? How much will it help my game?
Stick with affordable, helpful products such as the Shot Scope Pro L2 rangefinder or the Rapsodo MLM2PRO launch monitor.
Honorable mentions
There are dozens of ways to waste money as a golfer and here are a few that didn’t make our top five.
- Novelty headcovers: We all know they will get lost at some point.
- Golf joke accessories: The golfer you are buying for would much rather have a sleeve of golf balls.
- Weekend golf schools (especially in the off-season): How will you work on what you learned and retain it during the golf season?
- Golf glove holders: Not necessary
- Training aids that are heavy and complicated: Don’t give yourself any reasons not to use the training aid. It will end up in the corner of the garage.
- Not buying golf balls in bulk: If you have a ball you like and you play a lot of golf, buy it in bulk.
What you said I missed
Last year’s list drew plenty of comments. These came up most, and I agree with several of them.
Expensive golf balls. One reader who plays to a 6-8 handicap runs a test every summer, premium balls against cheap ones, and says his scores don’t change. That’s one golfer’s test, not ours, but it’s worth running your own. Our 2026 golf ball test can help you find a ball that fits your game without overpaying.
An ultralight carry bag you fill up anyway. If you end up stuffing it with extra gear and putting it on a cart, you’ve paid for weight savings you aren’t using. Our list of [what actually belongs in your golf bag] can help you cut it down.
New clubs when something smaller would fix it. A few of you said to hold on to well-maintained older clubs. Before replacing a set, ask whether the problem is the clubs or something like worn grips, lie angle or shaft. Fresh grips can make an older set feel new again.
Buying new releases at launch price. Several of you noted that prices often drop not long after a new club comes out. If you don’t need the newest model right away, waiting can save money. Here’s a guide I wrote about when clubs drop in price. (Best Time To Buy Golf Clubs)
Disagree with anything here, or think I still missed something? Tell me in the comments.
Rick Ewert
6 days ago
How about exorbitant green fees at golf resorts or Pebble Beach, etc