If you’ve ever had the sneaking suspicion that golf might be taking over your life, you’re not alone! A new survey from Golfbidder, Europe’s leading platform for buying, selling, and trading used golf clubs, has revealed that golfers are so hooked on the sport that many are willing to skip family commitments or even tell the odd white lie to get their fix.
In fact, the survey found that a whopping seven in 10 golfers would love to be on the course for up to five days a week. Yes, you read that right – golf for nearly every day of the working week! We 100% agree!
It doesn’t stop there. A third of the respondents even admitted to lying about where they were, all in the name of sneaking in an extra round.
The survey, which polled Golfbidder’s customers, revealed some telling stats about just how much the sport means to golfers. While most (78%) currently manage one to two rounds per week, when asked how much they really want to play, 70% said they’d prefer to tee off three to five days a week, and a keen 12% want to be on the course every single day.
It seems that once the golf bug bites, it bites hard. A staggering 67% of golfers said they fell in love with the game within a month of picking up their clubs – and for half of them, it only took a week.
But this dedication to the fairways comes at a cost – especially to family life. Over half (52%) admitted that golf has caused them to miss, or be ‘fashionably late’ to, family engagements. Even holidays aren’t safe, with 54% of golfers declaring a golf holiday as their favourite type of getaway, and 50% confessing they’d choose a golf trip with friends over a family holiday. Ouch!
However, there’s a dark cloud looming over these sunny days on the course: the rising cost of the sport. A striking 88% of golfers feel that playing the game is getting too expensive. Over half (53%) fear they’re being priced out, and 67% would consider cutting back on memberships or reducing the number of golf trips to save a few quid.
Thomas Tanner, Business Development Manager at Golfbidder, noted, “It’s clear that golfers are particularly passionate about the sport they play, with the overwhelming majority keen to get out on their local course at least 3-5 days a week – and in some cases, every day. Catching the bug is real, with two-thirds hooked to the sport within a month and some even prepared to miss family occasions to keep up their hobby.”
However, Tanner also expressed concern about the rising costs: “It’s a shame that so many respondents wouldn’t rule out cancelling their golf membership or cutting down on golf trips when they have such passion for the sport.”
It seems for many, golf isn’t just a hobby – it’s a lifestyle. But as costs rise, the challenge will be keeping that lifestyle affordable without giving up the game they love.
So, next time you find yourself sneaking out for ‘one more round,’ just remember – you’re not alone. It’s official: golf really is the most important thing in life!
For more on the survey or to check out their range of pre-loved clubs, visit Golfbidder.
