Kansas Kid said:

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I would never have guessed fencing is expensive. What drives the cost so high?

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Each weapon (foil, sabre, epee) is different, and you need extras in case of breakage during a bout. You also need different scoring vests for foil and sabre. The headgear is the same, so at least you only need 1. One pair of shoes is sufficient, but you'll want several pairs of socks. Although fencing is a very sweaty sport, you can get by with a single jacket and pair of trousers if you don't mind the smell. A lot of fencers seem to take some sort of weird pride in not washing their gear. Then there's strip time for practice, lessons, etc. It can add up very quickly if you do multiple weapons.

I rope calves and play golf. Luckily I train my own calf horses. I have had pro guys try to buy one for 80K and the other for 65K. Said no to both. I know, I am crazy. Roping can be crazy expensive if you have to buy a trained horse. I can count all my expenses off on taxes due to the fact that I get 1099's for money won. By the time I buy roping calves, feed for horses and calves, entry fees, fuel, RV hookups and stalls I spend about 40-50K a year. Luckily I break about even for the year after selling calves and money won. Then you throw the expense of golf in…..thank god I have a good wife and a good job.

Probably all the tech in the vests now drives up the cost?


My two favorite hobbies are golf and skiing. Thank goodness I don't hunt and fish a ton or I'd be broke.

Hockey is stupid expensive. Up here in MN pull tab sales help fund equipment for the young kids to get them in the program, then when you have to start buying your own the sticker shock hits. Plus ice time ain't cheap (especially here where there are a ton of teams fighting for finitie sheets).

You'd laugh at the "tech". Literally just wires completing an electrical circuit with a touch on the lame vest in foil and sabre, or a physical plunger switch in the tip of the epee because the whole body is a target. Sophisticated it is not.

Varies quite a bit for me. I've been playing motor recently and I can play Memorial Park for anywhere from $38-$50 to ride depending on when I tee off. Pretty insane deal being able to play a PGA tour course for that much. I'll also get some rounds here & there at Carlton Woods as a couple of buddies are members. That's a $200 round plus tip for the caddie if we use one

I would strongly argue that you should join a club if you have a family and want to play golf regularly. But that obviously makes an expensive sport even more expensive.

I probably spend around $3k/month on golf on average. I have 3 boys playing, myself, equipment, private lessons, tournaments, and a membership at a high end club

Insert - Not so humble brag here. I just retired as a 5A / 6A HS golf coach last May. I now work 2-3 days a week at a Golf Headquarters store doing Trackman fittings and a little club repair. I'm able to get any type of golf gear / clothing at cost. I'm a member at The Rawls Course in Lubbock (my membership is a walking membership, approximately $1900.) if I use a cart it's an extra 16 bucks. Also have connections to other courses, in which I'm able to play.
I kind of figure those perks are from a 41 year career of long hours and helicopter parents. The "price of golf" doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. I'm very lucky.

4-5 tournament entry fees = $700
equipment = $500
play/practice = $1200

so, prob $2500/year cost, prob more when you include food/drinks but...

Being a HS golf coach, I get to play/practice for ~6 months/year for free, and get some gear/equipment. I also get discounts on things for being a coach
Win some shop credit $$ for some local tournament finishes, which helps pay for equipment
Win money in my groups skins games helps pay for some of all this