Has golf become too expensive? 🤔 The headline prices suggest it has, but the evidence points to a more complicated divide. Titleist’s flagship driver cost around $470 in 2005, compared with roughly $850 today. Once inflation is included, however, the older model would cost about $860 in today's money meaning the modern driver is therefore slightly cheaper in real terms. Similar comparisons show that Pro V1 golf balls and mainstream iron sets have also risen by less than inflation. Where golf costs have truly accelerated is at the prestige end. The Old Course green fee increased from $175 in 2010 to $460 in 2025 - far ahead of inflation. Meanwhile, a recent US private-club survey found that over 90% charged an initiation fee, averaging approximately $58,000. Some clubs charging six figures still have waiting lists. That explains golf’s growing two-tier market. Ordinary golfers can still find $50 rounds, affordable equipment and public golf. At the other end, affluent players are payin...