
Having just completed a 62-mile cycling event yesterday, I’m ready to write. And otherwise not move a muscle due to an excessive amount of stiffness. Let’s explore the merits of a couple of popular outdoor activities, now that it’s finally summertime.
I’d argue that cycling wins, hands-down. I’ll explain why in more depth, but just so you know, I’ve spent many hours on both activities over the years. My basis for comparison is pretty solid.
In a Battle of Golf vs Cycling, Biking Wins, Hands-Down
Since this blog masquerades as a personal finance site, let’s cover the money side first. With golf, there’s a healthy list of things you need before you arrive at the tee-box:
- Golf clubs, golf bag: $220
- Balls: $35 (for 24 middle-of-the-road golf balls)
- Glove, tees, towel: $25
- Pull-cart (serviceable model, nothing fancy): $50
- Golf clothes (slacks or shorts, polo shirt, cap): $100
- Golf shoes: $75
Total: $505 (we’ll assume sales tax is included, frugal shoppers)
Note: The used marketplace is highly recommended for a lot of this crap. Towards the end of my playing days, I wised up and only purchased used Titleist Pro V1s in bulk from eBay.
To be fair, you could probably find some clothes in your closet that’d be just fine for getting started. But if you play golf consistently, you wind up shopping for golf-specific shirts and slacks. It happens. And besides, you want to look like Tiger Woods on the 18th green, not at the office.
For comparison, let’s go get outfitted for a day of cycling
- Decent hybrid bicycle: $500
- Helmet: $50
- Lock: $20
- Tire pump (with PSI gauge – a MUST): $30
- Rack and pannier (we’re stopping for a picnic!): $90
- Lights for safety (nothing fancy): $20
- Bike shorts (good idea for any ride over 10-15 miles): $40
- Wind at your back: Priceless
Total: $750 (sales tax included)

Let’s Review the Neverending Cost of a Golfing Habit
Golf is a wallet-drainer. This is why, more often than not, the sport is associated with wealthy retired white men. By this stage of life, your average retired middle manager is ready to consume his office-free days by chasing small white balls around manicured lawns. It’s something to aspire to.
The average greens fee for 18 holes of golf on a municipal course is ~$40 per person. Want a cart? Add another $25. For now, let’s assume you’re ready to walk the course and use that pull-cart. Hey, the pros walk 18 for several days in a row. We can do this!
Assuming you golf once a week from May through October, after six months you’ve plunked down $960 for the privilege of yelling “FORE!”, among other choice curse words. I’m not even including the cost of gas and automobile wear-and-tear. Throw that in, and you’re well over $1,000 for the season.
Cycling, in contrast, is pretty cheap. In most metro areas, there are trails and paved path networks aplenty to explore. You might have to occasionally (once a year?) replace a flat inner-tube, but the cost is $7 for a decent Continental tube.
In the final analysis, the 20-year opportunity cost comparison between golf and cycling looks like this:
(let’s assume we replace our gear after 10 years of wear and tear, and strong marketing influences.)
Cost of a 20-year golf habit: $44,998
Cost of a 20-year cycling habit: $4,684
Dang! Golf is about 10x pricier than cycling, and that assumes you’re sticking exclusively with mediocre municipal courses. For a couple, your investment for two is nearly $90,000 vs. about $9,000 for cycling. D’oh.
Cycling 1. Golf 0.
The Mental Game
But how does cycling compare to golf in the mental game? Does the monotony of pedaling along in the beautiful outdoors with friends hold up to the glory of making a string of birdies on national television (or in front of the strangers you’ve been paired up with?)
My personal experience has been that golf is frustrating as hell. Rare is the round that I golf well enough to feel satisfied with my game, and so does Mrs. Cubert too. Generally, one of us has a better round than the other, and it’s usually her over me. She’s pretty good at not gloating, and that almost hurts the author’s pride that much more.
Regardless, I can admit that golf lessons ($$$) helped settle me in, at least to the point I was no longer throwing a club in rage once per round. Golf teases you. You make several good shots and even drop a few long putts. But never in the same round. You could argue that golf is a form of mental torture, and I’d agree with your argument.
Just go ahead and Google “Is Golf Bad for Stress?” and you’ll find a laundry list of how to manage golf-induced stress. If you then Google “Is Cycling Bad for Stress?” you’ll get a laundry list of how cycling is one of the best ways to reduce your stress. Thank you, Google, for settling this aspect of the contest.
Cycling 2. Golf 0.
Does Golf Provide Physical Health Benefits?
Golf can be a physically rewarding activity. Assuming you’re not buzzing around in an annoying golf cart, there’s a fair amount of walking involved. If you’re like me, chasing the ball into the rough, you can easily trek 6 miles in a day’s worth of golf. It gets to be even more of a hike if you carry your clubs over the shoulder.
Cycling has the advantage of tailoring the intensity level to your fitness goals. Want to sprint up and down hills? Groovy. Take a nice and easy stroll for 50 miles. Also an option. In some respects, golf and cycling make for an interesting cross-training pair-up. Though if you like to go for a hike, the untamed wilderness is much more affordable and less frustrating.
When I played regularly, my golf game was more consistent when I got around the course in a golf cart. If I went the full 18 on my feet, I’d be dog-tired those last four holes, and practically mailing it in, just to get to the clubhouse and beer-30 PM. If I had the power to change the sport, I’d make it a 14-hole affair. Save some land, some time, and four more holes of frustration.
Even in the boardroom, executives are increasingly ditching the links for cycling. The crazy part about this Business Insider article is the idea that your bike and gear are a new status symbol. Even with the best of intent to find a more egalitarian venue for deal-making, executives just can’t seem to avoid vanity spending.
Is a carbon-fiber bicycle, $20,000, a new form of “jewelry?” Blimey.
We’ll grudgingly give the win to cycling since you can adapt your bike workout in more ways than you can with golf. And some courses don’t even allow walkers!
Cycling 3. Golf 0.
Cycling vs Golf: The Environment
Golf has traditionally been a thorn in environmentalists’ sides. And for good reason. New courses require clear-cutting of trees and displacement of wildlife habitats. Water consumption is off the charts, just to keep fairways and greens in good shape. Pumping of excess water to keep courses dry (ironically) affects water tables and municipal drinking sources.
Pesticides and herbicides? Gallons and gallons of it. And then, there are those little golf carts whizzing by all day. Most new carts are thankfully electronic, but it takes the burning of fossil fuels to charge those batteries.
Golf will have little choice but to evolve as the ecosystem around us changes. Fortunately, some are getting the message. Yes, it is possible to create a more sustainable course, but the footprint is still quite invasive.
Contrast all of THAT with cycling. When I ride my bike to work, there’s very little impact on the environment. Sure, I may occasionally take out a daredevil squirrel or squash a few bugs, but I’m otherwise pretty harmless.
Producing the materials to create bicycles and bicycle-related equipment is no less environmentally impactful than it is for the production of golf equipment. Nevertheless, the beauty of cycling is you can ride almost anywhere a trail or roadway exists.
Cycling 4. Golf 0.

Cycling Is the New Golf, But it’s Okay to Hang onto Your Clubs
There is one aspect of the grand old game that cycling cannot match. The feeling of squarely hitting a ball off the tee and watching it sail true to the green is incredibly rewarding. Golf is a sport that can be played at any stage of life (a tie with cycling) and it’s a fun outlet for competitive types.
Unlike pro cycling, professional golf isn’t a sport riddled with doping issues. Not that golf isn’t without its scandals, but at least the athletes are pretty much relying on pure skill rather than skill plus chemistry.
Golf is a more social affair. You can hold conversations a little easier on the course, as opposed to riding.
Ultimately though, I’m content with my transition from golf to cycling over the last five years. I simply can’t pretend to ignore how costly the game of golf is when I’m trying to avoid working until I’m 79.
Our kids started pedaling on big kid bikes just this spring, giving cycling another leg up for family bonding. Golf would simply be too hectic for five-year-old kiddos (and their parents!)
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Ha, I don’t even consider these two activities in the same category. Golf is a game. Cycling is a sport. Games are things like tiddlywinks, poker, and cornhole. Sports are things that take athletic ability. Sorry golfers, but when obese people can win your “sport”, it’s probably not a sport. My world, my rules 🙂
Funny post though, good stuff. Expense-wise cycling can get ridiculous, but only if you fall victim to the bike-industry nonsense.
Professional cycling at the highest level is (arguably) the most grueling and athletically intensive sport in the world. Those top cyclists have some of the lowest resting heart rates on the planet (many in the 30 bpm range).
And love the Surly, nice…
Hey there, good sir! I’m *mostly* with you on this point. I would consider golf a sport, if you walk the course. The act of taking swing after swing while hiking up and down slopes is worthy. I have broken many a sweat while cursing the gods during a round.
I would certainly go with the bike, however cheaper and just as good for you would be hiking/walking and/or swimming – I would recommend these as specialist equipment is minimal: good shoes and shorts for hiking, trunks and goggles for the swim – you’ve probably got them all already, what’s not to like ?
Hey Ben! You and Angela are on the same page with this one. I have an affinity for cycling that goes back to my childhood. Plus, it’s how I get to work during the nicer weather months, so there’s that little benefit! But ultimately, you don’t need much of any fancy equipment to get out and enjoy the outdoors. REI be danged!
Obviously, you’re missing the point. Running beats these two out, hands down. And the only “gear” you need is clothes and shoes ?
Hey there, Angela! I love running!!! There is no substitute for the “runner’s high”. Not even an assertive bike ride gets me the rush that a simple 2.5 or 3 mile yields.
Hey Cubert,
My dad tried many times, in vain, to get me to take up golf. I never truly liked it, and am simply not willing to wake up early on weekends and jostle for tee times. Dad’s a morning person, I’m not.
Lily did get me to take up biking recently. She found a couple of fat tire bikes for sale at a little shop in the Florida Keys for $450 each, and we now bike around the neighborhood. The thing is that Florida is flat, so it’s not too intense.
But I do like it much more than golf.
Cheers,
Miguel
Hey Miguel!
You’ve side-stepped a life long journey of frustration and sunk costs. Congratulations! I’m sure your dad would have loved to golf with you, but you can still caddy for him?
Florida is great for biking – year round decent weather and not too hilly. Enjoy those fat tires!!!
I’d never waste time with golf. While it sounds cool to be just like the ‘rich’ guys, biking is way more entertaining. It’s a great activity for the entire family and it doesn’t cost as much.
I’m feeling you, Ramona! If being “rich” means paying for the privilege to scream at a little white ball to defy physics, count me out!
I like cycling, but only if I am alone. And if the weather is perfect – somewhere between 55 and 70.
I like walking more – And can do it from 25 to 85 degree weather. I can walk with others or alone. I prefer that!
Oh but cycling is great when it’s super hot – the breeze you generate cools you off! 🙂
To echo Angela’s comment: Obviously, you’re missing the point. SOCCER beats these two out, hands down. And the only “gear” you need are CLEATS.
Seriously, you can buy great cleats for $100, and they will easily last a year. Additional accessories, you’ll need shin guard and soccer socks. Maybe another $40. Depending on the league you play in, they charge between $50 to $100 for a 8-week session (weekly games). You can schedule pick-up games/practice with friends in any of the high school fields for free, on Sundays. Adult recreational soccer in the Twin Cities is alive and buzzing, you should try it!
The high after scoring a goal is unparalleled. I easily run for 4 to 5 miles during game time. While building camaraderie. Beer afterwards is optional, but almost always happens, obviously depending on the group.
I (half) joke that I’ll take up golfing when I’m too old to play soccer 😀
Sorry, didn’t finish my train of thought. The point, I think, I was trying to make is that even though it is very clear the economical reasons behind taking up a sport, or not, is rock solid, an individual takes up a sport because they get close to it for some other facet of that sport.
If the economical reasons were the only one to consider, everyone should just take up running!
As usual, great elucidation of a simple concept.
Agree. There is something to said about the joy of competition. Scoring a goal, a touchdown, or a run — all are “moments” that make a sport a sport. Just like golf – making birdies (and par for us hacks) is wonderful. But if the frustration and hassle outweigh the special moments, then you need to pick up cycling, or running. 🙂
But with soccer, you need to find other people to fire up a match. With cycling, you don’t have to worry about anyone else’s schedule. But I guess I could join a league and see how it goes? Hmmm…
Used to love soccer as a little kid. It’s much better than football or hockey for child health and family wealth, that’s for sure.
All depends on what you want to accomplish, but golfing is such a challenging game/sport and would not trade it for cycling. The game, the camaraderie and the desire to spend money on new golf clubs every year is unbelievably addicting. Plus the fact that you get better at hiding these new clubs from the wife makes it even more exciting.LOL.
BJP! That’s the other thing I didn’t mention: Upgrading golf equipment is now an annual thing anymore. It’s given incredible rise to the secondary market, where just last year’s set of clubs are now considered old technology. My wife knows about my clubs – I was able to mostly justify new ones by getting them lightly used off e-Bay, and selling my old ones to off-set the cost. Typical Cubert stuff…
doh! i’m still going to write my golf rant on my page but you beat me to it. the best thing i ever did was put the clubs away about 4 years ago. i hated paying fees just to go out and suck, as i’m not a natural. i would only reconsider it if i relocated near a course with a range and i could practice. i’m with you on the vanity cycling stuff. i watch groups pedal by my house with almost every person sporting thousands of dollars in gear and going at a snails pace. it makes me want to run alongside them for a half a mile and tell ’em to get their ass going or i’m taking their lunch money.
Ha! You know there’s plenty of room for other posts on this (and any!) topic?? I’d love to read some of your anecdotes on this one especially. “Paying fees to go out and suck..” – nice line right there.
As for the shiny bike parade going by your house? Just reach in the back pocket on their riding jersey – that’s where the goods are kept. 😉
I have two comments about these two activities:
There are no endorphins in golf!
and
If I had made as many mistakes in cycling as I’ve made in a single round of golf, I’d be in a ditch – or worse.
A-men to both points, my friend! Give me a shady tree and a good book, most days. But a nice ride, run, walk or hike often gets me in a better mood than golf.