Golf Courses: The Wealthy Man's Playing Court - By: Corrie Duana

We all know the popular notion that golf is a rich man’s sport but probably a few knows why. Similarly, most knew that the game of golf requires the most expensive set of equipment but only a few relatively know that golf is a game that could be played practically anywhere as long as there is a golf club, golf balls, and a series of holes. Other games like basketball and football are more restrictive, in fact, for their need for a specific playing court and a complete set of players.

Golf courses are the major reason why golf has been a wealthy man’s sport. The one day fee alone is more expensive than signing up for a whole month worth membership of tennis, especially those on elite golf clubs where fees could range up to several hundreds of dollars. Some golf courses are very strict in regulating the greens, which makes walking prohibited. So you have to rent a golf cart which again costs a few dollars.

But overall, it is the golf courses that make up the bulk of the fee. That’s due to the cost to maintain and upkeep of a golf course. Though almost every other sport requires fees for the upkeep of a pitch or court, golf courses requires a more meticulous maintenance because the golf game itself is very dependent on the natural factors of the golf course. Such instances like the presence of a stone, the cut of the grass, and presence (or absence) of trees that can cut wind direction can affect a ball’s movement, therefore also defining game play.

Perhaps too, the social aspect makes golf an expensive sport to play. Most professionals and peer of the realms do commit on this sport than any other. And in the United States and some parts in Europe, golf became the unofficial pastime of the business world. A definite official pastime it is, that Stanford University and other schools have even integrated courses that teach “business golf etiquette” along the curriculum. Corporate meetings are being held on junctions of a golf game. Executive deals are wagered while setting tees and business arrangements are signed more often during golf than in an office setting.

Golf courses have also evolved, particularly in architecture. Not only golf courses boast challenging landscape, ambiance is now a real factor in judging the overall score, a feature that has been somewhat ignored in the past. Golf course architects and builders have seriously (this time) implemented ambiance on their design. Creeks and bunkers are now built strategically not to create challenge but to provide beauty as well. Flora and fauna are being implemented, now golf courses have a small population of squirrels and antelopes that provides a picturesque effect. And golf courses have been creatively built, a long depart to the standard links that always take place on a monotonous landscape of greens and gentle undulating slopes of Scotland. Take for instance the Golf Digest No.6th pick of the Top 100 Golf Courses Worldwide which is the Pebble Beach G. Links. Picturesque indeed, as it sits atop a finger jutting out of mainland California, affording a really splendid view of the ocean. The rate to play on this public golf course you ask? Stagger yourself a bit; it cost $425 plus $25 cart fee to play.

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