Florida Golf Course Heat means Golfing Cheap
Summer in Florida means rising numbers in much of every day life — gas prices, electric bills and, of course, temperature.
But for budget-minded golfers, there's no better time to play because when the mercury heads north, golf prices head south, making this the best time to hit the sticks — provided golfers can dodge the thunderheads and stand a little sunburn and a lot of sweat.
"You can't go wrong here during the summer," said Doug Atwood, a teacher at Port St. Lucie High School. "Myself and the guys I play with, we play more often and we like to choose a variety of courses. Everybody drops their rates, so it's enticing to try different courses."
During the winter months, the selection of affordable courses for middle-class golfers shrinks because non-municipal courses such as PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie and Hammock Creek in Palm City offer rates more than double what they charge in the summer.
Both facilities charge more than $80 for morning play during the winter. Now they are charging less than $35, with afternoon rates below $22.
It's the simple law of supply and demand, Hammock Creek general manager and golf pro Steve Harrop said. But in that vein, it's the drop in demand that benefits the summer players.
"Heat is always going to be a factor," Harrop said. "The population also goes down during the summer. We try to set our prices at a fair market rate. During the season, we can charge more. But in the summer if you are a local person and can put up with the heat, there are good courses you can play.
"If you take the top five Florida golf courses in the area, you can play four or five of them right now for $100. During the season, it would probably cost you around $600 to play those same courses."
With the lower demand comes the opportunity for courses to take care of the year-around residents who might put away their clubs between Halloween and Easter — or play exclusively at municipal facilities in the winter.
Paul Howley, head pro at Eagle Marsh, said the Jensen Beach course lowers its rates in the summer so much — by almost two-thirds — so people like teachers, firefighters and students can enjoy an upscale course and experience.
Stuart resident Jon Resos said he and his golfing buddies play significantly more rounds during the summer. And while during the summer they might still play at courses like Martin County Country Club that are affordable all year, they tend to use their summer outings to hit the more upscale courses.
Resos said his group plays Hammock Creek, PGA Golf Club and The Florida Club in the summer, noting they'll probably not play more than once at those courses during the winter.
"We try to get in on the better rates and play more because when it's $85 a round (during the season), that's out of my budget," Resos said. "I don't want to go out there and maybe shoot 120 and pay that much. I'm willing to pay $35 and have that bad of a day on a Florida golf course."
But for budget-minded golfers, there's no better time to play because when the mercury heads north, golf prices head south, making this the best time to hit the sticks — provided golfers can dodge the thunderheads and stand a little sunburn and a lot of sweat.
"You can't go wrong here during the summer," said Doug Atwood, a teacher at Port St. Lucie High School. "Myself and the guys I play with, we play more often and we like to choose a variety of courses. Everybody drops their rates, so it's enticing to try different courses."
During the winter months, the selection of affordable courses for middle-class golfers shrinks because non-municipal courses such as PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie and Hammock Creek in Palm City offer rates more than double what they charge in the summer.
Both facilities charge more than $80 for morning play during the winter. Now they are charging less than $35, with afternoon rates below $22.
It's the simple law of supply and demand, Hammock Creek general manager and golf pro Steve Harrop said. But in that vein, it's the drop in demand that benefits the summer players.
"Heat is always going to be a factor," Harrop said. "The population also goes down during the summer. We try to set our prices at a fair market rate. During the season, we can charge more. But in the summer if you are a local person and can put up with the heat, there are good courses you can play.
"If you take the top five Florida golf courses in the area, you can play four or five of them right now for $100. During the season, it would probably cost you around $600 to play those same courses."
With the lower demand comes the opportunity for courses to take care of the year-around residents who might put away their clubs between Halloween and Easter — or play exclusively at municipal facilities in the winter.
Paul Howley, head pro at Eagle Marsh, said the Jensen Beach course lowers its rates in the summer so much — by almost two-thirds — so people like teachers, firefighters and students can enjoy an upscale course and experience.
Stuart resident Jon Resos said he and his golfing buddies play significantly more rounds during the summer. And while during the summer they might still play at courses like Martin County Country Club that are affordable all year, they tend to use their summer outings to hit the more upscale courses.
Resos said his group plays Hammock Creek, PGA Golf Club and The Florida Club in the summer, noting they'll probably not play more than once at those courses during the winter.
"We try to get in on the better rates and play more because when it's $85 a round (during the season), that's out of my budget," Resos said. "I don't want to go out there and maybe shoot 120 and pay that much. I'm willing to pay $35 and have that bad of a day on a Florida golf course."
posted by John at
7:51 AM
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