From time to time, we encounter the question, Is golf is an upper class sport? More often, however, that question is not even asked. People flatly declare that golf is a sport for the upper class or the elitist.
Most certainly, getting into golf presents more challenges to the poor compared to other sports. For instance, basketball can be played almost anywhere by as many as ten players using one ball and a ring. Golf, however, requires a vast tract of land. Every golfer has to have his set of clubs, one ball (at least), and a pair of gloves. Despite that, you can play golf at a minimum expense.
Let’s examine it in detail.
Table of Contents
Why Do People Play Golf?
There are many reasons why you should play golf, but it may not be the real motivation of people playing it. They get introduced to the sport in many different ways but what keeps them in the game is unique to golf. Here are actual reasons provided by golfers.
- The natural high after hitting a good shot, hearing that beautiful crack at impact, and the prospect of being able to repeat that in the next shot. It rarely happens but the anticipation keeps you coming back.
- The slow pace of the game is suitable for long conversations and relaxed business negotiations
It gets you outdoors and fills your lungs with fresh air. - You get several hours of quality bonding with family and friends.
- The serenity of the golf course. When you are in the middle of a fairway, there’s hardly a sound, except the whistling of the wind. It’s a good stress reliever.
- A good exercise in focus
- Golf is so difficult that nobody has gotten close to mastering it. The prospect of playing a better game next time, keeps you coming back.
Legendary golfer Arnold Palmer said it best: “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening – and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented.”
What Does It Cost To Play Golf?
You must own a golf set, several balls, a pair of gloves, and golf shoes to be able to play. The minimum investment can go as low as $100 for a pre-owned golf set, new gloves, and shoes. That is not so bad considering that you can use the clubs and shoes for years and the gloves become optional after some time.
I’ve gone to the range without gloves and hit more than a hundred balls each time. I never felt discomfort even without the glove.
Buying a brand new golf set can cost from $500 to more than $50,000.
There is decent golf courses charge as low as $10~ 30/game, but some impose up to $500. There are also golf courses exclusive to members and charge more than $100,000 in joining fees and monthly charges, up to $150/month.
Golf can be pricey if compared to basketball where an expensive ball costs approximately $35, and most basketball courts are accessible for free. However, we have seen that even ordinary people can afford golf. Golf is an upper-class sport mainly by reputation.
What Makes Golf So Prestigious?
Golf is prestigious for many reasons. Head of states and most industry leaders are known to play it, it has a high degree of difficulty, and golfers are known to speak highly of it.
Being one of the most difficult sports provides its appeal. Most beginners cannot hit the ball well within a week after starting to play it and there’s the possibility of growing old without being able to score it well. Despite that, people will likely enjoy it from Day 1 until retirement from the sport.
Golf also has year-round tournaments pitting the world’s best against each other in PGA and European Tour events. Besides, its most popular tournaments like the 4 majors (The Masters, US & British Open, and the PGA Championship), the President’s, and the Ryder Cup are viewed live, all over the world.
Those are perhaps, some of the reasons why people answer in the affirmative when asked, “Is golf an upper-class sport?”
What Do Non-Golfers Think About Golf?
Is golf is an upper-class sport? To non-golfers, golf can be very strange.
Some people think that golf is downright stupid. They see it as a repetitious cycle of hitting the ball far then start looking for it. While that is partly true, it is not the point of the game and people need to be taught how nice the sport really is.
Elitist and expensive. Most will say yes when asked, “is golf is an upper-class sport?” They think that it is played mostly by the upper class. While that is not the case and a lot of public courses charge inexpensive green fees, golf is not for the poor either.
Golf is an old man’s sport. Let’s face it, the average golfer is 54 years old and what we see during awarding ceremonies of big tournaments are men in suits. Tiger Woods inspired a lot of young people and men of all races to play the sport but more needs to be done. Today, players are seen, on the gym, working on their flexibility and strength. We need more people preaching about golf as an exciting sport.
Golf is time-consuming. Well, you need to have at least 3.5 hours to play one game.
Some of the golf rules seem unfair. Your ball lands in the middle of the fairway but unfortunately, on a divot. The rules say it should be played as it lies. Some people don’t think that the rule is fair and they don’t want to play an unfair sport.
“Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots – but you have to play the ball where it lies.”
-Ben Hogan
