StanSeven

Then relatives, friends and neighbors complain when you buy a power meter or new wheels instead of kids going to the orthodontist

caloso

Yeah. Now that mine is getting into racing, instead of a fancy new wheelset for myself, I'm spending my money on a frameset for the kid.

RideMyWheel

I've enjoyed reading this thread. The commentary got me to thinking.

My golf clubs cost about the same as my new bike, probably a little more.

POINT: Every time I want to play golf, I have to pay a greens fee, sometimes cart rental--hell, I even have to pay a $5 rental fee for a pull cart if I want to use that--they won't let me bring my own anymore. My wife still plays golf regularly, so we're still members of that exclusive country club. I refuse to discuss what that costs every month for the privilege of eating their food, drinking their booze, and walking on whenever she wants to. We could play municipal courses, but there's a fee there, too, and you have to wait a long time.

COUNTERPOINT: The streets are public and free to cyclists. I suppose I should calculate my taxes, but road maintenance taxes are levied on a per-gallon consumed basis, so riding a bike is free, right? No waiting, either. They're open 24/7/365.
Additional Cost = $0

---

POINT: Whenever I had a bad day at the golf course, it was usually because I hadn't practiced enough. You've gotta put in a lot of time to be a competent golfer. I also blamed my driver, my wedges, my putter, or I tried different balls the next time out. Each time I made an equipment change, it cost me.

COUNTERPOINT: If I have a bad day biking, it's never because I didn't practice--how hard is pedaling? I've been doing it since I was two! If I have a bad day, it's usually because I didn't eat enough beforehand, didn't bring enough water, didn't get enough sleep, or maybe strained a muscle doing a chore or some other activity the day before. It's NEVER the bike's fault, and NEVER my technique.
Additional cost = $0

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POINT: If I'm going to play golf, especially if I'm walking instead of riding, I need to wear special shoes with soft spikes that regularly pop off of the shoes. Otherwise my feet and ankles hurt, and I spin out when hitting the ball. I've bought at least eight pairs of golf shoes, a total cost of over $1000.

COUNTERPOINT: I could buy special biking shoes, but they aren't mandatory. Pretty much any soft-soled shoe will get traction on my pedals.
Additional cost = $0

---

POINT: At my country club they have a strict dress code. The last time I looked, the shirts they sell in the pro shop retail from $80 - $125. Shorts were about the same. Of course you can buy less expensive clothes, but they do need to conform. You can't wear T-shirts and cargo pants, and denim is verboten!

COUNTERPOINT: There are just as many options for expensive cycling clothes, but I've worn everything from cut-off jeans and a T-shirt with oil stains on it to one of those expensive golf shirts. Nobody really cares what you're wearing when you're on a bike, just don't do it nekkid.
Additional cost = $0


CONCLUSION: When I bought my first set of golf clubs in 1994, it was only the beginning of what I would spend every month for the next 20 years, whether I actually showed up and played or not. Once you've bought a bike, with the exception of maintenance you don't have to spend another penny to enjoy it. I'd say cycling is about the least expensive sport/exercise activity you can get into except running, but I'll bet you wear out shoes faster than bike tires. You certainly wear out your joints faster running than cycling. It's the best bang for the buck and the best cost per mile activity you can do. (Swimming did not receive consideration in my conclusion because not everyone has that alternative)

RPK79

You forgot the cost of golf balls.

rumrunn6

to the Op - SCUBA was similar I thought

RideMyWheel

In 20 years of golfing, I've never lost a ball, so I don't know what you're talking about.

Though, I did mention balls as faulty equipment that received blame for my poor performance.

RPK79

I've lost plenty. Cheap used ones I find usually stick around forever, but a brand new one out of a sleeve will go right in the drink or slice into the woods. Although, I bought a dozen balls two years ago and they're still all in my golf bag. I started cycling about that time...

Darth Steele

rule #1 ...bike before kids.. the kids will live.. there are ways to deal with "nosy neighbors"

RPK79

How would neighbors and friends know you bought a power meter anyway?

banerjek

All these people whining have obviously never had to buy a private helicopter or a gold plated toilet, let alone a private helicopter equipped with a gold plated toilet.

Compared to those things, the worst deal in cycling is an absolute bargain.

StanSeven

You must not play where there are water hazards or trees with leaves and long grass in the rough

RPK79

Leaves in the fall are the worst! I always found a lot of other people's lost balls in the late fall early spring though.

kelsodeez

we pay extra so the pros can ride for free. wah wahhhh!

RideMyWheel

When I gave up the cart and started walking exclusively I found more balls than I lost. I became a hoarder, more interested in climbing down into the ditches to look for lost balls than actually playing my own.

I found a lot of pink balls, which made me very popular with the over-60 women's group. I have two 5-gallon paint buckets full of balls in my garage. It seems like I found more Top Flites than any other brand. I don't recommend them, they apparently never go where the owner aims them.

I also noticed that right out of the box, the Titleist Pro V1 seems to be very attracted to open water. After one has been hit a few times it does a lot better. Intentionally scuffing them on the cart path innoculates them against this bad habit.

RPK79

Top Flite made a "D2" ball in three varieties for a few years that I really really liked. They flew great and were inexpensive at about $1 each when you bought a case of them. I still have the case I bought on clearance in my golf bag...

rjones28 

All I know about golf is that I ride by a few courses on my bike. I have had a few errant balls bounce along the road near me, but haven't been beaned by one yet.

WalksOn2Wheels

I was going to make a jab about golf clothing, but then realized I belong to the spandex club.

About country clubs, though, that's just too much. You need a dress code for a casual game? I could show up to a group ride in a t-shirt and cutoffs and still rock it with the whole group. I would certainly get some stares, but no one would run me off for it. I don't mind the idea of a golf course and the game itself, because people obviously do enjoy it, but something about exclusive country clubs just get under my skin.

caloso

I play a couple of times a year with my mom. It's a nice game for older folks. I figure I will take it up more seriously when I get too old to do anything strenuous.

big chainring 

A lot of people loosing their balls. Ouch.

StanSeven

Golf also is one of those games you can smoke and have a beer playing. Top it off with a burger and fries in the clubhouse afterwards, and you don';t end up with a healthy crowd sometimes.

I'm joking and thinking about taking it up again. But between cycling, boating, and work, there's not too much time left.

EnellCH

Cycling IS the NEW Golf

Business networking: Cycling is the new golf | The Economist

Cycling is the new golf for entrepreneurs - Apr. 29, 2014

Much cheaper and more accessible. Same great networking.
No tee times, no dress code, doesn't have to take 5hrs, get a proper workout etc.etc.

StanSeven

It's when the wife complains to people when they see her re-using the kids diapers. She tells them there's no money for new because of my power meter purchase. Nosy neighbors!

Campag4life

I grew up playing competitive golf. I would call it in many ways a misspent youth. I don't play any more. Still have a very nice set of clubs but am considering selling them in fact because I just can't see myself on a golf course anymore. I played so much...took so many lessons, hit so many balls, learned to hit high draws and low punch fades, flop shots and every other shot, I became good at the game. But to me, golf is a huge waste of time and money and FWIW golf is on the decline largely because people have less leisure time and it costs too much.
I much prefer cycling for many reasons and yes, cost is in there even though a nice carbon bike costs $5k and then there is all the clothes, shoes, helmet, cycling computer etc. But you don't have to spend all this to get into it. The biggest difference I believe about cycling is the fitness you can get. Instead of having a beer gut like a typical golfer, you can get super fit. The social aspect is there. In fact, I believe it is much more congenial because golf is such a hard game and everybody is constantly trying to beat each other on every hole.
I also like tennis but mostly swimming. I will always love golf, but I have played enough and I just don't feel like being on the golf course for 6 hours caught behind fat guys that can't play which accounts for about 90% of those playing. I also believe golf is bad for an aging body if you want to hit the ball far.

surgeonstone

Wow ten pages and still going. Anythings possible in the 41.

Garfield Cat

That orthodontist has the power meter.