by mike falleur
Isn't the question "is it better to host 32 rounds a day at $125 per, or 120 rounds a day at $50 per?" It is amazing to me how many courses pick the former.
What is missed with high end golf pricing is the foot traffic in the restaurant and pro shop. Those 32 rounds played at high prices won't buy as much food & pro shop items as the 120 at $50 per round. The greens fee discount is partly made up elsewhere on the facility.
My brother operates a discount golf publication, and is often surprised at courses whose management won't let them discount to increase foot traffic. An empty tee sheet on a quality course is a waste of a beautiful asset, let alone financially destructive.

by Bill
I think Tim has hit upon one of the major problems in trying to increase participation in golf. The majority of golfers just want to play on a good course and dont need all the extras. Iam quite capable to carry my clubs and clean them. A good sandwich and beer after a round is all thats needed. I dont go to a course to have a five course meal.

by Shanks
Silver-spoon-sucking blue-bloods make me sick. It must be nice not to have to be concerned how much you spend for golf. Does that idiot think that golf courses don't charge what the market will bear? And that designers don't do exactly the same thing? Oh sure, Pebble Beach REQUIRES $425/person to keep the course up. Ditto for Pinehurst no. 2 for $350. Puh-lease. Tim, thanks for the update on great golf at reasonable prices ... the rabble really appreciates it. I hope that Gerald McMahon reads this blog one more time because I want him to know that I can even break 80 ... moron.

by Gerald McMahon
Wow, I have read several of your articles that have led me to believe that you have more than one screw loose, but this one takes the cake. If you want to pay 30-50 to play golf, fine, play those courses...but don't insult the finer, classier facilities with your rediculous comments. You obviously know little about the kind of money it takes to keep a course of Top 100 caliber going and you obviously don't make enough working at your current job to be able to get inside the gates of America's best courses, thankfully so. I suggest that you keep your own vendettas to yourself, write articles about golf courses, experiences, etc. but don't bore us with your gripes about not being able to afford to play the elite clubs, either public of private, we don't care what you think is fair. Do you question you barber when he gives you the price for a haircut? No, he has a business to run and needs a certain $$$ figure to make it successful, his family needs to eat too. You have gone over the edge, maybe if you didn't spend $100 on the crack you mentioned in your article, you would have a clearer mind while writing, plus you could then afford to pay more for golf...I will no longer be checking your OPINION at this site, you are a complete village idiot. By the way, can you break 90?
G. McMahon
Palm Beach Florida

by tim
Gerald, I was going to rip you a new one, but Shanks did it for me quite nicely.

by Hoyt Decker
Gerald,
I think Tim's point is that it's the high-dollar courses that are struggling to survive in many areas. Take a walk around Myrtle Beach, for instance. That's a fact.

by mediaguru @ www.hookedongolfblog.com
Shh. Don't tell anyone... But I can play an Aurthur Hills course here locally for $31 including cart.
Some deals are out there.
I think many of the places that want to charge $100+ will eventually go belly up due to lack of customers.

by Erik
Gerald used the word "classier" in his high-pitched screed.
Those who resort to such a term in ordinary conversation clearly lack it the most when in the company of others.
Gerald would appear to have a lot more dollars than sense.
ewsnead