28 Ways to Golf on a Budget in 2023

Trying to save some money on golfing and everything golf related?

Look no further, these 28 tips will minimize the hurt on your wallet and help you golf on even the most frugal budget.

websites to help save money golfing

1. Groupon- Find Discount Golf Deals Near Me

This immensely popular coupon site has golf deals up to 90% off retail value!

Anything from discounted tee times, apparel, rangefinders, golf balls, etc. can be found at up to 90% off!

Groupon will often have huge discounts on local courses near you.

2. Groupgolfer

Who doesn’t love paying $35 for a round originally priced at $119?

They also have discounts on golf apparel, golf resorts (lodging + tee times), rangefinders, umbrellas, pull carts, golf clubs, etc.

Unfortunately, Group Golfer is only available in a select amount of states, but you do not need to be from the state the deal is located in to take advantage of these great deals! 

3. GOLF now, tee off, supreme golf (best online tee times websites)

All of these online websites listed above are great for finding and booking discounted tee times.

They often have a “hot deal”, where a tee time in the middle of the day or a tee time trying to fill out a foursome will be heavily discounted.

4. Globalgolf.com, rockbottomgolf.com, 3balls.com, ebay.com (best golf retail websites)

These sites constantly have clearance sales, especially during the late fall and winter!

Whether it’s a rangefinder, shorts, or a Scotty Cameron putter, the cheapest golf items can be found on these sites.

Do your research and reviews on the seller if going on Ebay or Amazon, there are a lot of counterfeits out there.

5. Rakuten

How would you like to see an email saying you get free cash back every time you buy something off of Dicks Sporting Goods, Adidas, etc?!?

By simply having a Rakuten extension or opening the website you intend to buy from through Rakuten, you will get anywhere from 1-10% cash back. 

See my referral link below to get started (Affiliate link, I get a small commission at no cost to you). 

https://www.rakuten.com/r/MARKKA403?eeid=28187

HOW TO GOLF FOR CHEAP AS POSSIBLE

6. Cheapest tee times are during the weekdays and afternoons

The cheapest golf will always be during the weekdays and the afternoons.

A $75 tee time will typically be around $50-$65 during the weekdays and afternoons. May not seem like much, but these savings add up over a year’s time!! 

7. Walk your round of golf to save money

Not only are you saving potentially $10-$30 every round, but the health benefits of walking versus riding are also immense! (Top 5 Health Benefits of Walking the Golf Course – YEG Fitness)

The average golfer tends to shoot lower scores while walking because they get time to process their emotions and think about the next shot as they walk up to their ball versus zipping up to it on the cart.

Walkers typically have a better time being able to talk to the others in their foursome when walking versus riding (if everyone else is also walking).

8. Find discounted rounds or package deals for discounted golf

Ask your favorite course if they have “resident cards” or package deals where you can get discounted rounds if you purchase so many rounds upfront.

Senior citizens, college students, and people under 18 also seem to get good discounts for tee times if asked for.

9. Buy driving range plan to save money

If you are a range rat, find a local range nearby that offers a yearly membership.

You will easily pay off this expense if you use the range a few times per week.

10. Buy a golf net for practice

You can find quality golf nets for under $200. If you have room too, the ROI will be high over the years compared to spending hundreds on range ball fees for your range sessions.

This is a great alternative for busy Dads with young ones who can’t get to the course as often as we used to. Here are 15 proven ways on how to golf with a baby.

11. Practice short game at course for free versus range balls

Practicing chipping and putting on the putting green cost $0 versus range balls which will cost $8-$20.

Chances are your scores will vastly improve as your short game gets better and your up-and-down percentage increases.

12. Buy “alignment sticks” from local hardware store

Instead of paying $12-$18 for a golf alignment stick, head to your local hardware store and buy the orange reflective rods for your driveway for $2-$3.

They are usually the same exact specs and both get the job done, one is just marked up as a golf improvement aid.

13. Regrip your own golf clubs to save money

It’s a fairly simple process with tons of tutorials on Youtube to show you how.

Buying off-brand grips will save you $4-$10 per grip (Champkey is my favorite).

My favorite grip replacement kit is Wedge Guys Grip Kits from Amazon.

14. bring water & snacks for golf to save money

I’m not sure where the line needs to be drawn with bringing your own snacks & water versus buying them in the clubhouse, but I’d rather bring healthier options (banana, trail mix, etc.) and drink water versus the unhealthier options that the clubhouse has to offer.

You could save $5-$10 per round bringing your own healthy snacks/water! That will add up over a year’s time. Plus if you’re looking for electrolytes, you could add some Himalayan salt to your water.

15. Buy plastic tees to save money

Plastic Tees will last 10x longer than wooden tees.

16. Never buy golf tees again by picking up golf tees off tee boxes

Want to never pay for tees again? Buy a small pack of plastic tees (I’ve found that “Zero Friction Tees” work the best), and continue to pick up broken/full tees off of the tee boxes.

It’s amazing how many people get mad after shanking/slicing a drive into the woods and leave their tee on the ground because it was obviously the tee’s fault they snap-hooked their drive.

17. Save hundreds and buy a golf ball retriever

You will be shocked at how many balls you can’t get to just because they are out of your reach. In 10 rounds, you can find $40-$80 worth of used golf balls, and the golf retriever just paid for itself.

If no one is behind you and you are golfing solo, you can find upwards of 10+ balls every 9 holes! Check out this article on 11 great reasons to golf alone for more benefits of golfing solo.

Be careful though, golf balls with scratches or scuffs allow water to seep into the core and significantly reduce ball speed and distance.

18. Look for golf balls in creeks, woods, ponds, etc.

There’s no bigger thrill than finding a Pro V1 or Chrome Soft in a woods or creek. 

DO NOT do this while the course is busy and there are multiple groups behind you. If there’s no one behind you and you are playing at a decent pace, take a few minutes to look in the woods, creeks, fields, etc.

BONUS TIP: Book a late tee time after a golf outing.

A bunch of alcohol-induced golfers who golf a few times a year buy sleeves at the pro shop to just leave them laying next to a hazard(sometimes not even in the woods!).

There are dozens and dozens of quality golf balls to be found this way, I know I have greatly benefited from this.

19. Buy packs of golf gloves

My go-to for the past 10+ years has been the Callaway 2 pack from Walmart ($14-$16) or the 2 pack of FootJoy WeatherSof ($20).

If you properly store them in your golf bag and keep your golf gloves clean, rotating between 2 gloves often lasts me a season or two!

This was after being a Footjoy guy in my high school years. I have found little differences between buying a premium cabretta leather $25-$30 Footjoy or Titelist glove and a $7-$8 Callaway Glove.

Check out this comprehensive guide for all things on golf glove fitting, different types of gloves, etc.

20. Save $$$ buying used golf clubs or new clubs a few years old

Just like cars, a golf club’s value goes significantly down when slightly used or still new but a few years after its release date.

Rockbottomgolf.com, 3balls.com, globalgolf.com, and amazon.com are some of my favorite websites to get budget golf equipment from. 

21. Save money buying discounted golf apparel

In golf’s off-season (October through February) is the best time to buy discounted golf clothes as stores try to get rid of the previous year’s supply.

Most websites such as the ones listed above often have year-round clearance sales, keep an eye on those for up to 85-90% savings! 

22. Buy used or refurbished golf balls for fraction of price

I have done this for years, and have noticed little difference between a used ProV1 and a brand new ProV1.

I’m currently at a 3.1 Handicap, and can definitely notice whenever a golf ball loses some of its greenside and full shot spin.

As long as there are no major scuffs or nicks on the ball, why not save up to $30 per dozen?!?

23. Don’t buy ball markers

Use a coin (maybe a lucky one?). Enough said. No reason to waste money on ball markers when spare change does the same exact thing.

24. Make your souvenir collection out of freebies from course (golf pencils/scorecards)

Use Golf Pencils or Scorecards if looking to make a souvenir collection of places you have played.

Pencils and Scorecards should be free at all courses and will save you hundreds of dollars down the line. 

25. Work part time at a golf course

Even if it’s only a weekend gig of 8-16 hours, employees either get free golf or highly discounted golf.

Not only will you get some cash from a side hustle you will love, but getting some free/highly discounted golf makes this one a no-brainer if you have the time to do it.

26. Save money by using free online golf lessons

I want to say, please get a lesson from a local PGA professional if you are brand new to the game.

But if you have been golfing for several years and are fairly familiar with the game, there are thousands of free articles and videos on how to improve your swing on Golf Digest’s website or Youtube such as Rick Shiels, Danny Maude, etc.

Pair this with recording your swing, you should be able to make significant improvements in your swing and short game.

27. Save hundreds to thousands by organizing golf trip

I have a golf trip once a year (sadly not more!). We usually book a course that is of great value and find a cabin/lodge on VRBO or AIRBNB that is within 30 minutes that can accommodate 16-20 people.

28. Unsubscribe to all golf magazines

This is for the extremely frugal penny pinchers.

But a majority of the articles in GolfDigest, Golf Magazine, etc. are online and there’s an overwhelming amount of practice tips & drills online for free.