The year has just started. Imagine for a few minutes that you're a non-golfer, and to begin 2024, you want to start by picking up a new sport/hobby. Golf has always intrigued you, but the costs can be quite steep and you're not willing to shell out a fortune on something as silly as a game for old folks.

How much does golf really cost for a beginner, an occasional player, a full-on enthusiast? While golf can get as expensive as you'd like it to be, let me share a more practical and realistic point-of-view.

Beginners

You aren't sure yet if you'll like golf or not, but you are curious enough to be willing to spend a little bit to find out if your golf-crazy buddies are on to something. My advice is to not buy equipment yet. Just go to your nearest driving range and speak to a teaching professional.

Ask for lesson packages as they are usually cheaper if you pre-pay for a number of lessons in advance. Ask if you can borrow an old club/s from relatives or friends. Maybe your golf pro can lend you an old 7-iron during lessons.

Let's say you do get to borrow some clubs, book 10 one-hour lessons for P 1,500 per session. Buy two pairs of decent gloves. Expect to spend around P500 for every range session for balls and tee person. No need for golf shoes yet, just wear decent rubber shoes with some grip.

Cost — P22,000.

Social Player

You've done the lessons, you've been on the fairway a couple of times using a borrowed set. You're now ready to play regularly, say at least once or twice a month. You don't want to spend for membership yet, but having your own set is now a necessity.

Scouring the Internet, you'll find old sets for as little as P5,000. Don't get those. They're probably a few decades old, heavy, rusty and will be a waste of money. Decent complete sets can be had for around P20,000 — P30,000.

That's below the price of a new driver. I suggest getting Japanese-made clubs as they're usually lighter and fit better to the average Filipino build. On Facebook, there's a JDM Golf Clubs Philippines group where people post ads on clubs for Japanese clubs for sale. For other brands you can also join Manila Golfer's Hub or other selling groups. Spend a few minutes and you're sure to find a set within your budget.