Reader comments
Keeping golf light on the wallet in Utah

Classic, typical government thinking: raise prices in a down economy when fewer people can afford to pay the current green fees. Don't you know that it will reduce the number of paying customers and result in a loss of income. If you want to generate more revenue, lower the green fees to attract more customers - including youngsters who can't afford to play as it is.

I used to play golf and love the game. But my family now plays tennis. Less start up costs. Better exercise, less money and a lot faster. In this economy just what the Dr ordered. I really think golf people need to rethink the cost structure and make it affordable. Or it will return to the country club elite status it use to enjoy.

If you are complaining about golf at $40 per round I want to see what you say about skiing. As a person who traves I will take Utah's golf courses and prices anyday. We are all very fortunate for what we have. Also, sometimes less people on the course would be more enjoyable. Nobody likes a 5 hour round.

It seems to me that this article is trying to persuade us that golf is affordable when the fact is it is just cheaper here in Utah than in other surrounding states. The question I would like answered is why is it cheaper? Affordable, I think not. Many discourage their kids to play because they simply can’t afford it. It is not an affordable activity for an individual and certainly not one for a family. This article makes you believe that we are doing something right with golf here in Utah until you realize that one of the credible sources was recently hired out of Denver. I have to ask, was there no one in Utah qualified for this job? Why would we hire out of state people if we are doing such a good job here in Utah with golf? Lastly, what direction is Utah going with golf? It is not a good one in this reader's opinion. Fishing, biking and hiking are much better and much more rewarding options.

I noticed that the guy in the picture was putting with the flag in. Umm...isn't that cheating?

i played a single round with a cart at mick riley thurs afternoon....cost was $27.oo not the $14.oo mentioned in the article!! was i ripped off??!

Tennis courts, jogging trails, sports fields, parks, recreation centers and many more so-called affordable activities are subsidized or paid for by tax dollars. Golf courses are primarily paid for by users. In many cases municipal Golf has been one venue that stands on its own and potential makes some extra to help support other venues. For example, my children play soccer in a multi million dollar park and we pay no fees for the use of the park. We ride our bikes on the Jordan River trail, no fees, swim in pool 1.50 none of these venues will ever pay for them self’s; not even the operation and maintenance expenses. For example South Mountain Golf course is being considered on the chopping block because it is loosing money. Remove dept service it would likely make money. Other municipal courses most of them are older have no or smaller debt service costs so they look better on paper. Someday the dept service should be paid off. I am not apposed to paying a little bit more per round of golf, however I would also like to see fees being charged for other venues to cover Their Costs

Regarding Anonymous: "so-called affordable activities"? What do you mean? This is double talk. It is affordable to use tennis courts, jogging trails, sports fields etc! The fact that I pay for these things with my tax $'s is even more reason to use them instead of play golf. Golf is not affordable! If the tax payers felt that they should subsidize golf they would and they don't. Give it up. Golf is a rich person's sport and because of this it is also a dying sport. Accept it!

I agree 100% with anonymous. I am a Utahn who was transplanted to SoCal. There is not $75.00 to $100.00 for 18 holes, course in SoCal that is any better than most of the courses I play when I am in Utah visiting my family and friends.
If the City or State would charge fees for the tennis courts, the bike riding trails, or the city owned swimming facilities, there would not be such a discrepency in the cost between all theses activities. We each have our own individual sports that we enjoy. Mine happens to be golf, and I don't mind paying a little bit more if it means keeping the golf courses as nice as they have always been.

Cheap golf in Utah!!! In Arizona you can play for less than $20 for 18 with a cart. Cheaper in the summer time in Phoenix. Ask any local and you will see that there are expensive courses but there are just as many inexpensive courses. The reason is because the golfing season is so short in Utah they have to make the money in shorter time frame.

Scott T - Golf in Arizona in the summer is horrible because of the heat. It's cheap because no one can stand it. As soon as the winter months come, the prices skyrocket! Locals do have a price advantage on public courses.

... you don't start from the assumption that you have to buy everything new. Same as with my kids for skiing - we started them off with sets I bought at the ski barn at the Fairgrounds.

A number of years ago, I bought a set of used rental clubs for just over $200, and have had these same clubs for almost 10 years. And you can get starter sets at the sporting goods stores for $100-150.

Can you spend a lot of money of golf? You bet, but you can also get started for a fairly modest investment, and it's a great way to be outdoors with friends or family.

This article has nothing to do with golf equipment but the price to be on the course. Take your kids to play golf once a week in Utah (regardless of what you paid for equipment) and it will cost you more than $300 a month. Maybe you should read the article again.

Utah is a golfing paradise. I live within 15 minutes of over 12 courses. Golf to me is the best game in the world! You can spend a lot of money on golf, but you can find some great deals on used golf equipment that is in good condition. Chipping and putting are FREE as long as you have the equipment. You can also buy cards/magnetic keys for the driving range, which gives you discounts on buckets of balls for the driving range. Walking 9 holes is the way to go if you want to save money, try playing the par 3's this will help to improve your short game and costs even less. Golf is a great investment and helps to build character, get exercise, improve hand-eye coordination, and even helps your thinking process.

I'm in South Florida, and I play 9 holes here for 5 dollars. Actually, the deal is 5 dollars all day until 3 o'clock. Summer is the off season here.

The reason golf is cheaper in Utah is because most courses are owned by a city or county. The ons that are not are the most expensive. Unfortunately, too many government leaders look at golf now as a money maker instead of recreation, and that's when they try to raise prices.