Why is Golf considered as "A Rich Man's Sport"?

Golf has always been a sport associated with wealth and status and used by the rich as an opportunity to network with other wealthy and affluent people. But have you ever wondered how golf came across to be known as a “rich man’s sport?” And why particularly GOLF?? Why not some other sport like basketball, soccer or hockey even? When a single game of golf costs around INR 5,000 - INR 8,000 in India for a mid-range scenario on a private course going upto to INR 15,000 per game, why do rich play this game?

The perception of golf as a rich man’s sport comes primarily from its history, the large amount of costs involved in playing the game and the luxurious nature of the sport. Golf originally originated in Scotland in the 15th century, where it began as a game played on the coastal sand dunes. Initially, the game was accessible to all people, but over time, it evolved into a sport favored by the aristocracy due to the involvement of royalty, such as King James IV of Scotland, who played golf in 1502 (such long back! woah), helping elevate the sport’s status. Some famous clubs were established, like the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 1754, which marked the beginning of golf's association with the elite. 

Soon after, the game spread first to the UK, then due to the ruling British Empire across the globe, the game was popularised in the United States of America and in no time, the rest of the world too. As golf became increasingly popular, it also started getting considered as exclusive and private with access to only those with significant financial means, which means that people who could afford to play regularly.The aforementioned expensive nature of the game finds it's cause in the following costs inolved, like: 

-The cost of the field : The golf course area is huge. The golf course has an area of approximately anywhere from 30 hectares to 200 hectares and usually on a lush green land. This reason is one of the reasons why golf is so expensive because the maintainance of greenery in such a huge area is difficult and costly.

-The cost of Equipments : A set of good quality golf clubs ranges anywhere from between INR 50,000 to INR 2,00,000+ and that too is excluding the other necessary accessories such as golf balls, tees, gloves, and shoes, which add to the total overall cost further. Imagine buying all of that before your first game, your pockets must hurt a little!

-Golf training : To play golf, you need to have basic training about the rules of the game, how to play the game, how to use the right techniques and so on. The training is costly because it also requires golf fields and equipments which are very very expensive.

-Club Memberships : Golf club memberships are the biggest expense in the game of golf. Either you can own a golf club, which is rare, or you can take a membership at a golf club. The membership fees can go as high as or even be higher than INR 10,00,000. Annual maintenance fees are also charged, often as high as tens of thousands INR.

-Non-Member Fees: Good news is that if you are a non-member, you can still play golf on a public golf course. Green fees or the fees that every golfer must pay to be allowed to get on the green or in other words, the charges for playing a round of golf, can range from INR 1,500 to INR 7,000 per round in India, depending on factors like the golf course's location, time of the day, amenities and season and so on.

-High entry barrier : Number one, not a lot of people have access to the game. Number two, it requires you to devote your time, focus and learn strategies to play well in the game. Number three, your competitive advantages are technique and experience - things that rich people can get by paying for lessons, equipments, and many game rounds on the golf course.

The costs clearly show that the game is certainly expensive. So why do people play this game when there are hundreds of other things you can do or buy with that large amount of money? Why exactly do rich people like golf? The answer lies in its exclusivity and the experience it provides. It’s not just about the game, it’s also about the status you get, the kind of people you meet and the luxurious experience it offers. Think about it- It’s almost the same as with the philosophy and psychology of why would you buy first-class or business tickets even when the economy takes you to the same place in the same time. Why would you pay more to travel business? Because it’s exclusive and the experience it offers is luxurious! 

Just like that, exclusive golf clubs provide a level of privacy and luxury that appeals to the affluent. These clubs often feature luxurious clubhouses, fine dining, spa services, and other high-end amenities that cater to a wealthy lifestyle. A round of golf takes around four hours. People who have to work for a living find it hard to do this on a regular basis, which means golf fits well with the lifestyle of the rich and wealthy, who often have more flexibility with their schedule and work, which allows them to spend time whenever and wherever they want to- even at a golf course! By the way, have you ever played golf? If yes, how was your experience? If no, then you know how much it is going to cost you the next time you play it! Also, if you enjoyed reading it, subscribe for more.