Golf has always been considered a premium sport, requiring a financial commitment for equipment, lessons, and course access. However, in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of playing golf, particularly in cities like Charlotte, North Carolina, has skyrocketed. What was once a sport with weekend golf tournaments, periodic deals, and membership offers is becoming much more exclusive and expensive pastime. As demand for tee times continues to rise, many golfers are left wondering: has the price of golf peaked, or could it get even more expensive?
The COVID Golf Boom
At the start of the pandemic in 2020, when many sports and recreational activities were shut down, golf found itself in a unique position. With its natural outdoor and socially distanced format, it quickly became one of the safest options for people looking to remain active. The golf industry saw an explosion in demand, with new players taking up the sport and seasoned golfers playing more than ever before. Golf courses and clubs, once desperate to attract members and fill tee times, suddenly had more business than they could handle.
Fast forward to 2024, and four years later, that boost in popularity has yet to die down. The golf industry has continued to ride this wave, but it has also created a new issue—prices for playing golf have soared, particularly in high-demand cities like Charlotte. What was once an accessible weekend hobby for some has now become a financial strain for many players.
Green Fees and Public Course Access
Before the pandemic, public golf courses in Charlotte were more than happy to host golf tournaments on weekends. Many offered competitive rates and services, hoping to fill up their courses with groups and events. Special pricing was common, and food and beverage deals were a great way for courses to entice players and tournament organizers. Fast forward to today, and the dynamic has completely changed.
Public courses in Charlotte have significantly increased their green fees, making a casual round of golf much more expensive. Even worse for tournament organizers, these same courses are now turning down weekend events. The reasoning? Weekend tee sheets are already full. As one general manager shared with us, golf tournaments on weekends can be more of a hassle than a benefit.
"Whether we host a tournament or not, we're going to fill our tee sheets on the weekends," the general manager said. "There’s no need to offer discounts for tournaments when we can sell out tee times to individual golfers at full price."
This trend has led to weekend golf becoming a luxury for those who can afford the rising costs. Additionally, many courses have begun charging premium fees for outside food and beverages, further inflating the cost of organizing tournaments or even just enjoying a casual day out on the course.
The Shift at Private and Semi-Private Clubs
Public courses aren’t the only ones feeling the effects of heightened demand. Semi-private and fully private country clubs in the Charlotte area have also seen a major shift in their operations and pricing models. Prior to the pandemic, many private clubs were eager to attract new members. They offered introductory deals, lowered initiation fees, and special offers to increase membership and ensure course usage.
Since COVID-19, however, many of these clubs now boast waitlists for membership. This increased demand has allowed clubs to significantly raise both initiation fees and monthly dues. The scarcity of available memberships has also shifted the power dynamic—clubs are no longer bending over backward to entice new members. Instead, they can charge a premium, and golfers will gladly pay for the privilege of joining.
One general manager of a prestigious country club in the area even shared a more cynical approach some clubs are taking.
"We try to raise monthly dues to encourage long-time members to leave," the manager explained. "If a member cancels their membership, we can bring in a new one who will pay the higher initiation fee. It’s all cash flow, and demand is so high that we can be selective about who joins."
This economic strategy has created an environment where membership is increasingly out of reach for many golfers. As a result, semi-private and private courses are becoming more exclusive, reserved for those willing to pay ever-rising fees for the opportunity to play.
Is This the Peak, or Will It Get Worse?
The question on everyone’s mind is whether the rising cost of golf has peaked or if we’re just seeing the beginning of even higher prices. While 2024 has seen some of the highest costs for golf in recent memory, there are signs that prices could continue to rise.
In January 2025, Tiger Woods is set to launch his highly anticipated golf league. The TGL promises to inject even more excitement and visibility into the sport, particularly in markets like Charlotte, where golf is already thriving. With such a high-profile initiative on the horizon, many expect another surge in demand for golf course access and memberships. If history is any indication, this increased demand will likely lead to further price hikes.
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So, what does this mean for the average golfer? Will playing a round of golf become too expensive for many in the coming years? While it’s impossible to predict with certainty, the trajectory of the golf market suggests that prices aren’t going to come down anytime soon. As golf becomes more exclusive, many weekend players may find themselves priced out of the game, particularly at the city’s top courses.
The Future of Golf in Charlotte
We believe that Charlotte’s golf scene is at a crossroads. While the demand for golf is higher than ever, that demand is driving up prices to a point where the sport falls back to the odd adage, it could become inaccessible for many players.
It’s hard to say when or if this trend will slow down, especially with the TGL expected to bring even more attention to the sport. What we do know is that the days of affordable weekend golf in Charlotte may be behind us. Golfers who want to continue playing on the city’s best courses may have to adjust to this new financial reality or look for alternative courses and membership options.
What Do You Think?
Has the cost of golf in Charlotte reached its peak, or do you think it will continue to rise? How has the increase in green fees, tournament costs, and private club memberships impacted your ability to play? Let us know your thoughts, and stay tuned as we continue to monitor the ever-evolving landscape of Charlotte’s golf scene.
In the meantime, golfers in Charlotte will need to keep an eye on their wallets as they navigate the increasingly expensive world of golf. Whether you're a casual weekend player or a seasoned club member, one thing is for certain—the cost of playing the game we love is going up, and it may not stop anytime soon.
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