**The column below represents the personal views of the student journalist.
A kid stood by the counter at the clubhouse while his friends handed over money for a junior tournament. When the worker said the entry fee, he checked his phone, did the math, and just shook his head, he didn’t have anything to spare. Golf looks fun and welcoming, but for a lot of kids, the price is what really decides who gets to play.
People like to say golf is a sport built on character. They talk about honesty, patience, and respect. And yeah, that’s all true. But none of that really matters if you can’t even afford to get on the course. Golf is one of the most expensive sports a kid can choose, and that automatically shuts a lot of people out before they ever get a real shot.
David Kruger, the head pro at Covered Bridge, says he sees it all the time.
“We have kids who love the game,” he said, “but sometimes the financial side makes it tough for families to stay consistent with tournaments and lessons.”
Even at a public course, he explained, there are still costs that add up. Discounted junior rates help, but they don’t erase entry fees, equipment, or travel.
First, there’s the equipment. A decent set of clubs can cost hundreds of dollars, even if they’re used. I remember when I first started taking golf more seriously and realized my old clubs just weren’t cutting it anymore. I started looking at prices and couldn’t believe how expensive even “beginner” sets were. Then you need golf balls, tees, a glove, and shoes. That might not seem like a huge deal at first, but it adds up fast. And golf balls disappear constantly. If you’re practicing a lot, you’re basically watching money fly into the woods or sink to the bottom of a pond.
Senior golfer Tyler Barnett understands that pressure.
“If you want to compete at a higher level, you have to play tournaments,” he said. “But every tournament costs money. It’s not like you can just show up for free.”
He explained that during the summer, players often travel on weekends, which means more than just the entry fee, it means gas, food, and sometimes hotels.
According to the National Golf Foundation, most golfers end up spending a lot more money than people think each year once you add up clubs, greens fees, and tournaments. It can easily reach into the hundreds or even thousands. That doesn’t even include things like gas or lessons. When you really look at it, it makes sense why some families just can’t keep up with the cost.
Some people say, “Well, there are public courses,” or “Just buy used clubs.” That helps a little, but it doesn’t solve the problem. Even the cheaper options are still expensive compared to other sports. Basketball needs a ball and a hoop. Soccer needs a ball and some space. Golf requires constant spending just to stay involved. It’s hard to call something “growing the game” when the cost keeps so many kids on the outside.
What makes it worse is that golf has so many benefits. It teaches you how to stay calm under pressure. It forces you to take responsibility for your mistakes because there’s no ref calling penalties for you. It builds mental toughness in a way that not many sports do. Those are lessons that could help any kid, not just the ones who can afford private lessons and tournament schedules.
Kruger believes there are ways to help.
“If we want the game to grow, we have to make it more accessible,” he said.
That could mean more junior programs, more sponsorships, or even community fundraising to help cover costs for players who need it. Small changes could make a big difference.
At the end of the day, talent doesn’t depend on how much money someone has. There are probably kids walking around right now who could be amazing at golf, but they’ll never know because they never get the chance. That’s the frustrating part. A sport that talks so much about fairness and integrity shouldn’t be this uneven when it comes to opportunity.
Some people would argue that golf is not as unfair as it seems. Compared to sports like hockey or travel baseball, golf can actually be cheaper in the long run because you are not constantly replacing major equipment every season. There are public courses with junior discounts, hand-me-down clubs, and community programs that make it possible to play without spending thousands of dollars. Organizations like First Tee are built specifically to give kids affordable access to the game. Supporters would say the opportunity is there if families are willing to look for it. From that point of view, golf is not excluding kids on purpose, it just requires commitment and effort to find the cheaper options.
That kid at the counter shouldn’t have to step aside while his friends sign up. He should be able to grab a scorecard, head to the first tee, and compete like anyone else. Golf shouldn’t feel like a luxury. It should feel like a chance.