Pete, unaccompanied overseas guests on the premier sandbelt courses pay between A$200-A$300 (about US$150-$200). There are some bargains around though -- eg Woodlands is about A$100

Extraordinary numbers David - for $21k you could hold memberships at the top six sandbelt clubs with money left over.

Where does all the money go?

The day ticket (36 holes) in Britain is often not much more than the 18.  So if you have time, it's better value.  Quite a lot of good quality clubs have 2 fore 1 voucher offers.

Golf is too expensive.

Some of you have gone the "it's all relative/subjective" route, and that's certainly valid.

Some have suggested that for many on this board "cost is not a factor"; but since I don't personally KNOW anyone on this board, I'll have to take your words for it.

But for anyone (your 'average Joe' let's say) who's paying a mortgage and raising a family on a salary that would have to rise ten-fold to pay the initiation fee at some golf clubs, golf IS too expensive.

Does it matter to him that golf might be, relatively speaking, "less expensive than it's ever been before"? Should it matter to him that others speak of paying for the "experience" of playing Pebble Beach?

Now, Pebble Beach can charge whatever it wants: no one is compelling any of us to HAVE to play there. But when coming on-line is one "high end" course after another, then it DOES matter.  And that's what seems to be happening, IMO; and it doesn't seem to be an 'accident' either.

A few years ago, I started seeing in course reviews the following phrase: "so-and-so is a course few will ever get to see, let alone play".  When I first saw it, I thought it might be an accurate description of a given course.  When I saw it for the 10th time, I thought it was the work of lazy writers using an already-hackneyed phrase. When I saw it for the 100th time, then I said "wait a minute. No one is using this phrase as if it's a BAD thing that few will ever get to play the course; no, they're actually CELEBRATING that fact, and marketing it as a big part of the course's (supposed) appeal." Golf as a status symbol? Yes, indeed. [But why the lowly journalists are in on it I can't figure out]

Why do I want great but simple/minimalist architecture, basic maintenance practices (and unkempt bunkers), and fast and firm conditions? Yes, the purist in me prefers those things for their own sake; but the bigger part of me hopes - foolishly and naively perhaps - that a great and affordable public game can remain so.

Peter

[By the way, I wonder if it CAN remain so when we seem determined to keep building resort courses in the middle of a desert, and pumping in 300,000 gallons of water a day just to make any kind of play feasible - but that's my pet peeve, and I don't want to put anyone out of work]

There is no way Pebble will lose tee times at $500, and I would be suprised if it slowed down at $800. I just know that when my brother and I played there about 12 years ago for $225 it was tough to swallow, but now it seems like a virtual bargain. I just hope it doesn't go over $1000 before my sons get a chance at it, although I certainly expect it will.
    As to UK and Australian prices for visitors I for one don't mind paying them at all if it allows members dues to stay lower and the club provides access to their course.
   
Mark F,
   How prevalent is the trophy-hunting mentality you mention among Australians when they travel abroad? I am not talking about GCA types, but the average casual (if there is such a thing) golfer?
 

Jordan:

Agree w Matt Cohn's take -- there's no perfect answer to fit all people.

Let me put it this way -- if you were to go to a casino and drop $400 in a night of gambling you might not think that's too much $$ for a night's entertainment.

Frankly, I think playing the course of your dreams on an ideal weather day with the ultimate personal foursome is something that can last a lifetime.

What people don't realize is the "branding" game these courses play with golfer's heads. There's plenty of unique and fun courses that do in fact exist in the USA and they are in many cases, equal or greater, than so many of the courses with overhyped advertisements. When I played in Ireland not to long ago I was amazed at the number of fine courses that fly below the radar screen and how many of them were well worth playing.

The Pebbles of this world can charge what they want because they cater to the very deep pocket crowd and various celebrities.

The sad part is not what Pebble does -- but the idea that all the OTHER high-end courses believe they are of equal or greater standing. For example, the America's Club in Wisconsin with Whistling Straits is not worth the $$ they charge. It is a fine Pete Dye layout -- it's not in the same category with Pebble IMHO. Ditto Shadow Creek. For a fraction one should play the likes of Greywalls in Michigan or Wolf Creek in Mesquite, NV for even greater thrills.

All these great private clubs should have one Monday per year....open it up to the public where all the money goes to a local charity

Chris,
  I am curious about your 51st state comment. Could you elaborate please? I am assuming this is a bad thing in your estimation. As to my expectations when I come to Australia I am interested in meeting you guys in person and seeing some cool architecture. I am not a belt notcher in the "trophy" sense. I was looking at a list of "top 100 golf courses" the other day and there were at least 30 courses I don't care if I ever see. I trust you guys are pointing me in the right directions to see great architecture when I come down and I am confident as I do my research that you have.

Ed, next time our Prime Minister visits America, watch his desperation to do anything and everything to appeal to Bush.  Why do you think we went to Iraq?  I won't say anymore on politics, as there will be a small army on here ready to jump down my throat!

Back to golf architecture - Australia is different from the UK in that there aren't many "hidden gems" - the best and most expensive courses tend to have the best architecture.  If you were to play the top 30 courses on Golf Australia's most recent list, I don't think you'd miss anything outstanding.  The depth just isn't there.

After reading all this I see how maybe some of the public courses may be cheaper then I realize.

But what if you could not afford to be in a club, and spending $300-$400 could be used for something lots better, say for bills or something.  Then whats happens??  I find it terrible that some people may not be able to play some of the best courses in the world simply due to price...

Mark F,
   How prevalent is the trophy-hunting mentality you mention among Australians when they travel abroad? I am not talking about GCA types, but the average casual (if there is such a thing) golfer?

Ed,

I imagine that most Australians are interested in good golf and good company first and foremost.  

That will clearly entail the more famous courses, but I think we may tend to search out the smaller courses more often than Americans.  Of course, this could just be due to the fact we get 4 weeks annual leave a year as opposed to 2.

Secondly, I think our courses are more akin to the average UK course than the average US club insofar as maintenance, amenities etc.   I've read numerous articles wondering why it is that Americans flock to play ruffian golf in the UK and Ireland, then head back to their immaculately coiffured country clubs where it is so totally different. I guess it is this aspect I am coming from.
 

I've made a couple of trips to the UK, and have stumbled across a few lone American travellers; most, however, are on some sort of tour; Monday Dornoch, Tuesday Cruden Bay etc, all crammed into 7-8 days.  

I very much doubt any Aussie would do that.

Jordan,

I have written this before and I see no reason to change my message.

Life is inherently unfair. Get used to it.

There is a golden rule in life and that is, " He who has the gold rules."

No matter what we may feel about access to private properties, it avails us nothing if we do not have the wherewithal to purchase change.

In a socialistic state change may happen through ukase, fortunately the United States is somewhat different.