As a member of the PGA of America, it is one of my responsibilities to increase participation in this great game of golf. One way to do this is to have green fees for 9 or 18 holes that are affordable for families to play together without having to get a loan from their bank or take out a second mortgage. Look at the cost of green fees in your area they might not be that high. If you are fortune enough to have a municipality, park district or county run golf program you are lucky because rates should be affordable. But if you have to pay $100 or more to golf 18 holes for a family of four you may not be so lucky. Unless you have money tree in the backyard, it will be difficult to play at least once a week, month or at all.

Most public, municipal, park district and county courses offer family memberships for unlimited play Monday-Friday or offer a 7 day unlimited play and the membership will cost a family around $1000 or more. Now, you have to figure out how many times you plan to play and will you play enough to cover your membership fees? If you can afford paying for a golf membership, this is a good choice for you.

Families who like to play golf but can’t afford a family membership at a golf course we need to have green fees that are comparable to going out to a movie for a family of four. Why can’t golf courses offer green fees for the amount for holes played? So, if a family has time to play 5 holes why not charge them a five hole rate? We need to make golf a fun and affordable experience for families and it needs to start today!