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‘Golf Is the Ultimate Game That Mirrors Life’: Synovus Celebrates National Golf Day

By Ken Klavon, Synovus

Each year National Golf Day is celebrated on May 10, with National Golf Month following in August. Both encourage more people to take up the sport, famously described (though not necessarily by Mark Twain) as “a good walk spoiled.”

In both circumstances, each holiday encourages playing the game, whether that happens on a course, via miniature golf or even by strapping on a virtual headset and hitting those otherworldly links. According to the National Golf Foundation (NGF), more than one-third of the U.S. population older than the age of 5 played golf (on-course or off-course), followed golf on television or online, read about the game, or listened to a golf-related podcast in 2024 — up 45% since record-keeping began in 2016.

The roots of National Golf Day can be traced to the American Golf Industry Coalition (AGIC), which created the event in 2008 to promote the sport and its positive impact. What's more, the day also places an emphasis on more players — of all walks of life — to take up the sport that imbues life lessons. 

“Golf is the ultimate game that mirrors life,” says Edgar Evans, Jr., Synovus brand ambassador, golf media host and Morehouse College head golf coach. “In golf and in life you deal with highs and lows, overcoming adversity, and working towards something that doesn’t exist — perfection. Golf teaches you patience, perseverance and honesty. You get out what you put in. Golf is my therapy, my fresh air and my light. Golf has been an amazing teacher for my life’s walk.”

In the same vein, National Golf Month — founded in 1993 by the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) — was established to promote the game as family-friendly and inclusive to all ages, genders and skill levels. It’s not just what happens on the course, either. The game enriches players through lessons, history, readings and interesting nuances that make golf more enjoyable. Furthermore, golf teaches many valuable life lessons. Etiquette (courtesy), the Rules of Golf (discipline) and perseverance are a few variables that translate to everyday life.

“Golf teaches a myriad of life lessons including: accountability (as you are your own referee), responsibility (there is not a team coach telling you when to practice), and respect (more often than not golf groups you with people of different ages, creeds and stages in life),” says Synovus brand ambassador Mark Immelman, author, coach and golf media personality. "Golf is truly the greatest game ever played.” 

The NGF reported that the number of those picking up the game over the past 25 years has mushroomed from 1.3 million in 1986 to 3.4 million in 2024, or a 162% increase. The foundation defined a new golfer as age 6 and older who has played on a course for the first time.

As many avid golfers will attest, the scenery and exercise, combined with the chase of hitting the perfect shot, contributes to its allure.

“Start off with low major expectations because the golf game involves a lot of skill set,” says Fran Szal, who has been a golf professional and course operator dating to 1977. He currently runs Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Golf Club outside of Austin, Texas. “It’s the kind of game that can drive you bonkers, but once you get going and once you pass a certain imaginary line, you're addicted.”

Yet where to start, what equipment is needed and how much will it set back your bank account are frequent questions.

Looking at cost, the game involves a modest investment. Some experienced players and professionals, like Synovus brand ambassador Russell Henley, tend to use top-of-line equipment, but that’s not necessary when starting out.

The basic checklist below identifies items a new golfer may need to get started. Estimated costs follow.

Checklist

• Rule book
• Clubs and bag
• Balls
• Tees, ball markers and divot tool
• Shoes and apparel
• Sunscreen, water, energy snacks
• Lessons
• A place to play

Rule Book

Unlike most sports, golf has no umpires or referees. So, one of the most important things a beginning golfer should do is have a basic understanding of the Rules of Golf. There are many (24 with subsets) jointly written by the U.S. Golf Association and the R&A (short for the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews), golf’s governing bodies. Knowing etiquette and the difference between a birdie and bogey will go a long way in continued enjoyment. The Rules of Golf also underscore life pillars.

Cost: $10 retail or $8 for USGA members

Clubs and bag

Beginners can find a decent set of clubs starting around $250. Tack on another $50-100 for a serviceable bag.

Factory-made sets for beginners can be found in popular sporting goods and department stores. If you’re on a budget, used clubs and bags are another option. And even though the rules state a player can carry up to 14 clubs in a bag, it might be simpler to start with a driver, fairway wood, mid-iron, sand wedge and putter until you can tell the difference between them

Youth sets range from $125 for generic factory-made sets to higher end clubs for about $275. Note to parents: You can trade in clubs for larger ones as your children grow.

Cost: Roughly $350 for a set and bag, or less than $200 for several clubs

Balls

For now, no need to invite eye glaze while sifting through the latest and greatest ball technology. It’ll be like reading “War and Peace” — in reverse. You’ll hear veteran golfers talk about ball quality. That’s fine, but you can expect to lose a fair number of balls when you’re starting out, so no need to splurge. Even as your game improves, it’s common to lose balls to deep, gnarly rough and out-of-bounds areas, so stock up with a couple sleeves (three balls per sleeve) before playing 18 holes. Sleeves can be found for as low as $3, but the average cost (for a decent brand) is about $12-15.

Cost: $50 for two dozen low-cost brand, or about $12 per sleeve

Tees, Ball Marker and Divot Tool

These three inexpensive items all tie into golf etiquette. Think of them like tools in a tool belt.

It’s courteous to pick up a tee after hitting a drive, to replace a divot when a ball’s downward trajectory disrupts grass, and to mark a ball once on the green, especially if it’s in the line of another player.

Tees come in different lengths (and will sometimes be available from the course). Ball markers and divot tools can also be packaged with balls. You might want to spend a little more to get them personalized with your name or company logo, but the basics are good enough.

Cost: Tees ($7 for a bag of 100), ball marker ($2) and divot tool ($5)

Shoes and Apparel

It’s not advisable to wear street shoes or sneakers when playing. This is often where first-timers go wrong, eschewing adequate tread.

Golf shoes provide traction and weight balance, particularly important during a swing. The soles have spikes or rubber-based technology that can grip slippery terrain. More than safety, good shoes can make the difference between whiffing on a shot – repeatedly – and hitting the sweet spot on the first try.

Some shoes come with spikes for better traction. However, spikes last about 15-20 rounds before needing replacement, which can lead to an added maintenance cost.

In terms of threads, most courses require trousers and collared shirts (aka the golf shirt) for men, or skirts, slacks or leggings for ladies. Public course rules can be more relaxed, allowing shorts. Caps or hats and sunglasses are recommended for sun protection, but not mandatory.

Cost: $35 and up for shoes and $60 and higher for clothing

Sunscreen, Water, Energy Snacks

An 18-hole round normally takes about five hours. That’s a long time before you’re back in the clubhouse, and with a relentless sun pounding down for that long, protection and hydration are vital.

The American Cancer Society estimates more than one in five Americans will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in their lifetimes. It doesn’t discriminate, and even several professional golfers have gone through treatment to remediate issues. Don’t skimp on the quality of sunscreen and be sure to slather it on.

Cost: $20-$30 for all three

Lessons

Golf can be a humbling experience to say the least, and it’s not uncommon for the first few swings to feel unnatural. So, it wouldn’t hurt to get a lesson or two before hitting the course. Lessons can go a long way in building proper technique, which will increase your enjoyment of the game (and your friends’ enjoyment of playing with you). Remember, bad habits fester and then snowball, making them harder to break.

Lessons should be given by a professional or certified instructor. The average cost for a 30–45-minute golf lesson runs about $50. Group lessons, often sold as a number of sessions, have a fixed rate. As part of its “Get Golf Ready” program, the PGA of America offers five group lessons for $120.

Cost: $50 - $120 or higher

Place to Play

The passion has germinated long enough. Now, let’s grow it. But where to go? At the end of last year, there were nearly 16,000 public courses and 14,000 facilities in the U.S., according to the NGF.

The cost of playing an 18-hole course averaged $43 in 2024, or $25 for a nine-hole round, not including a fee to rent a motorized cart. (For walkers, the investment in a push cart can be as low as $30). Check out the average cost per state.

Cost: $40

Adding everything up, for a golfer starting from scratch, the expense could fall anywhere between an estimated $550-700. If it’s too pricey, just remember some things can be cut or wait. Maybe an advanced lesson isn’t needed right away, or your hand-me-down clubs will do just fine. You can proceed at your own pace.

More than anything, don’t be intimidated. Remember, it’s about having fun.

“Golf at any level will teach patience, focus and resilience,” says Immelman. “All [are] qualities that are paramount to playing the game of golf, and life, with any sort of consistency and success.”

As Hall of Fame golfer Nancy Lopez once advised a young fan at the 2002 U.S. Women’s Open, “Just remember it’s a game,” she said, introduced to golf herself at age 8. “Do your best, take it one shot at a time and then keep moving forward.”