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What's More Expensive, Flyfishing or Golf?
We tackled the fishing vs. golf on a number of levels here at Fly Talk, but I want this question settled once and for all. This is an ongoing argument I have with a couple of friends and it never seems to get solved. I figure if I can poll the readers here on Fly Talk I will have a number of people on my side. Or possibly against it... Help a brother out and let me know what you think.
TR
As someone who enjoys both...I'm going to say that that golf is more expensive.
A) You're going to have to pay greens fees to golf, no matter what. You don't have to pay to get onto a trout stream, even though you can...
B) I tend to lose just as many flies as golf balls when spending the day doing either. But, I can tie my own flies. I can't make my own golf balls or tees.
C) A fly rod is about the same price as a set of clubs. But, a fly rod can break down and you can store it in very little space. Golf clubs...bulky and you need more storage.
Posted by: David Boones | October 08, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Agree with previous commenter 100%. I do both and hate that I have to pay just to Golf with the equipment I already own.
Posted by: Bryan | October 08, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Golf definetely. Each club can cost about 100$ a piece. To fish all you need is a 100$ combo from a store. Then theres the fee you need to pay to golf on the course. With fishing, you can fish public water.
Posted by: Evan V | October 08, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Interesting isn't it that bamboo fly rods are still considered the epitome of craftsmanship, with the associated expense. If you see someone using one, you usually assume the owner is someone who has reached a high level of skill in the sport.
With golf however...can you imagine seeing Tiger using a wood shafted mashie and feather filled golf balls? Hardly. In golf, old equipment is not considered the mark of a skilled practitioner, rather the opposite tends to be true. Even top of the line clubs from 10 years ago are now considered passe.
Posted by: Labrat | October 08, 2008 at 06:28 PM
Depends ....
For the average Joe who can do both around town - golf. Probably buy about the same amount of gear and expendables (balls, leaders, and flies). But, sorry, I can no longer fish with a $100 rod/reel combo, any less than I can golf with my old Spaulding starter set.
For someone who has to travel to fish? No frills trip 250 miles "Up North" with Mickey-Ds is $100. Split the gas? Let's say $50. Local public golf? Maybe $50 with gas and balls.
To go up north for a fishing weekend, with 2-nights austere lodging and some good grub, $350. Two days of guided trips with tips adds $700. Add $50 for flies and new leaders. That's $400 without and $1,050 with guides. Splitting costs with someone else brings it down to $275 and $650. Want to go first class? Pay up.
Two days on a golf weekend up north at courses with room and board worth the trip, let's say a 2-night 72-hole Garland package, split for two. With gas, food, taxes, etc. that's $400.
Start traveling further? Can always find nice golf packages. Fly fishing packages? Ouch! For the high end gear junky and traveler with guides - fly fishing can go ballistic. Hmmm, are there any golf courses in Patagonia, the Kamchatka Peninsula, or remote Alaska?
Also, considering the well known fact that cell phones don't work on fly fishing stretches, and that no one, except a guide, conducts business while fly fishing, you have to add in lost productivity .... Did you actually make it all the way through this?
Posted by: Mike | October 08, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Good question Tim. Next question needs to be what is more expensive fly fishing or conventional fishing.
Posted by: Chad Millerq | October 08, 2008 at 07:58 PM
Depends upon which Country Club you join to golf...
Posted by: Dr. Ralph | October 08, 2008 at 09:09 PM
i don't know. what's more expensive, skateboarding or baseball?
Posted by: joey | October 09, 2008 at 02:53 AM
What the hell is Golf?
Posted by: Joe G | October 09, 2008 at 07:24 AM
Oh and as a fisherman, and the son of a golfer, I know plenty of the costs. 120$ for a new glof club bag this year. And most expensive fly fishing item I have are my waders are 100$!
Posted by: Evan V | October 09, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I don't think it matters because golf is dumb.
Posted by: Fat Guy Alex | October 10, 2008 at 03:50 AM
It all depends on the individual. I don't golf, but know many people that do. Most get by with a $250 set of clubs, and spend $20-$50 bucks a month on green fees. Others have $2500 clubs, and spends $200-$500 a month at the country club. Same goes with flyfishing. I have a $150 rod and about $200 worth of flies that I've had for some time. Others go on $5000 Alaskan trips with a $2000 rod and $500 worth of flies. Don't forget about waders, gear and accessories. Do you rent a cart when you golf?
All of this should be up to the individual. The most important part of it all is that you are enjoying what you are doing.
Posted by: Kevin | October 12, 2008 at 09:18 AM