Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1927-02-03
MUCH MONEY is
SPENT ON GOLF
Yearly Tax One and Quar-
ter Billion Dollars.


Golf Is game for the millions, but
its upkeep runs into the billions, max
ing 1t one of Americas leading i'm
dustries. Figures compiled. after a
roundup of statistics covering nearly
four weeks by Ray Mccarthy, one of
the country's foremost golf writer's
and promoters, reveal the astounding
fact that golfers In the United States
spend at least one and quarter BILL
lion dollars every Il months merely
for the maintenance of their game.
This expenditure of S1.250.000,0 900
each year is confined to the actual
cost of playing the game. The enor-
nous total is spent only on dues,
balls. clubs. clothes. caddy hire.
luncheons and incidentals such as
tips, ready tees, etc. 1t does not take
In the property value of club execu-
tives. clerks and other help.
Conservative figures are presented
by Mccarthy, based on experience In
playing the game and years of obser-
walton. and he finds that golf costs
each player In the United States an
average OF $1,000 a year. Mccarthy
has projected more major matches on
the links than any other man In the
sport. and has directed the transcon-
tInental tours of many prominent
players, including Gene Sarazen, Jim
Barnes and Jock Hutchinson. He Is at
present sports director for the Florl-
da East Coast system.
According to the tabulation COM
piled by Mccarthy, there are about
1,250000 golfers In this land today.
There are $500 courses, and with the
club membership averaging only 300.
the total OF players reaches 1050, 600
There are at least 100000 playing the
municipal links throughout the coun-
try.
The average yearly cost to the
player, OF $1,000, is apportioned as
follows: Club dues, 500; balls. 500;
clubs (replenishing), $50; clothes,
$500; luncheons, $500; caddies, 500;
incidentals, $40.
These are all conservative figures,
based on symposium among hun
dreds of golfers. In this total are not
figured the expense of cleaning Of
clubs, functions, lessons, or purchas-
ing of stock to join a club. The mu-
nicipal golfer hasn't the club dues,
of course, but his green fees will av-
erage 500 year. Some Of the play
ers stated their golf cost them $1,000
a year. Others said 1t was around
$500.
Further figuring brings the annual
cost of golf in America up to $780,
100000 The extra $250,000,O00 takes
in hotel and travel expenses; cost Of
cigars and cigarettes consumed dur
ing golf rounds, and the drink bill
even ginger ale Is costly.
The cost of golf is 'Sstupendous, and
is serious problem for the United
States Golf association, which is MAX
ing every effort to keep down the ex-
penditures necessary In connection
with the sport. The $1,000 estimate
is really low, yet it does not curtail
the number of new players that take
up the game every year. 1t has taken
about 30 years to develop playing
clientele OF 1,250.0O0, but II the cost
is reduced even slightly, 1t should not
take more than five years to bring
another million players into the fold.
About half a million dollars was in
volved in this golf pilgrimage, as fol-
lows: Railroad fares. $4,000 meals
and. other expenses on train rides,
$4,000: hotel bills, $4,000; clothes
for the trip. 100000; equipment, 1884,
900; purchases during stay In st. Au-
gustine, $4,000; salaries Of members
during absence from business, $780,
900.