TPC Sawgrass $600

[Mark Mammel]

Costs costs costs. Especially here in the states, but sadly now often in the UK, the goal is to figure out what the traffic will bear and charge the top price. For me, TPC Sawgrass would be good to see but for my money, if I were going to Florida I'd go to Streamsong. For outside play it between $139-299 depending on the season, and the designs are more to my liking. But it's the balance between what you like, what you feel like you just have to play, and how you prioritize those spots.PS Tom- $5000/yr for Crystal Downs is a bargain in my book!
From their brochure

[Gib_Papazian]

$600 seems cheap  . . . . . . . considering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Angelo Spagnola.

[JMEvensky]

$600 seems cheap  . . . . . . . considering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Angelo Spagnola.

The best part of that story (SI? GD?) was the group trying to play 17 via the walking path.

[William_G]

it's worthh it if you haven't palyed it before
it's the ultimate shot makers course
plus you get to see it on TV every year
my favorite Pete Dye course, love it!

[corey miller]

My own self-imposed rule is to not play any private course where I would have to pay the unaccompanied greens fees which has forced me to turn down many offers over the years.


With that in mind I would have a hard time paying such an exorbitant rate for a public.   

[Rob Marshall]

My own self-imposed rule is to not play any private course where I would have to pay the unaccompanied greens fees which has forced me to turn down many offers over the years.


With that in mind I would have a hard time paying such an exorbitant rate for a public.

Why not pay the unaccompanied greens fees?

[Matt MacIver]

If TPC Sawgrass was private it would be ranked 20% higher.

[corey miller]

I won't pay the unaccompanied greens fees at a Private Club because in the end, no course is worth it to me.  I just as soon not play than pay an outrageous rate.


I have turned down more than a few "invites" from people not knowing who I would be playing with or what the invite entailed.


Friend at Shinnecock that I have never played with but I used to go an unaccompanied four once a year....Just not worth it anymore.

Tennis pro at my club, knowing that I love architecture asked if I wanted to play Sebonack as he is connected with that crowd from Florida.... Never took him up on the offer because frankly it was not worth having to play unaccompanied rate and not like I was going to ask.

[size=78%]Caddie Master at my club offered to set me up in [/size]California[size=78%] and even told me what Hollywood member would set it up but I knew it would be [/size]unaccompanied[size=78%] and I did not even know the club.[/size]

[Jim_Coleman]

   If one is operating a course for profit, the correct green fee is the most one can charge and fill the tee sheet. A municipality should charge a fair amount (very subjective) to service it’s citizens. Likewise, a private club’s guest fees should a fair amount to service its members. If it’s not worth $600 for you to play TPC, then unfortunately you just can’t afford it. It’s no different than not being able to afford a Porsch.

[Kalen Braley]

   If one is operating a course for profit, the correct green fee is the most one can charge and fill the tee sheet. A municipality should charge a fair amount (very subjective) to service it’s citizens. Likewise, a private club’s guest fees should a fair amount to service its members. If it’s not worth $600 for you to play TPC, then unfortunately you just can’t afford it. It’s no different than not being able to afford a Porsch.

Jim,

Sorry to niggle on this one but its a bit of pet peeve! (I had a econ prof back in college who drilled this into out brains over and over) 

I can afford to play TPC or Torrey Pines or Shadow Creek, but I choose not to because i don't agree with the value proposition, its not explicitly about the money.  Its no different than refusing to spend $5 for a $2 latte at Starbucks. Now all that being said, yes of course there are many golfers who truly cannot afford the $600 green fee at Sawgrass.

[Jim_Coleman]

Kalen: I feel exactly the same way. I will pay $1000/ticket for a Red Sox World Series game, but I won’t stay at a Four Seasons. I’ll pay whatever the going price to play Shinnecock, Augusta, Cypress and a few more, but only once.  I can afford lots of things I don’t buy.
   What I was driving at is that I disagree with the suggestion that TPC was over charging. As a for profit operation, TPC can rightly charge whatever the market will bear.  Many are not as fortunate as we are and simply cannot (or should not) pay $600 for a round of golf.  Nothing wrong with that.

[Richard Hetzel]

   If one is operating a course for profit, the correct green fee is the most one can charge and fill the tee sheet. A municipality should charge a fair amount (very subjective) to service it’s citizens. Likewise, a private club’s guest fees should a fair amount to service its members. If it’s not worth $600 for you to play TPC, then unfortunately you just can’t afford it. It’s no different than not being able to afford a Porsch.

I can afford a Porsche, but that doesn't mean I want one.