Summer Sports: What You Need To Know About Affording Good Gear
Filed under: Budgeting & Planning, Economizer, Health, Saving, Shopping, Weird & Wonderful
If you're thinking of taking up something new this summer or 
revisiting a hobby, don't think you have to upend your bank account to do it in style. Sports experts agree that for intermediate or beginner levels in many areas -- whether it be tennis, golf or water activities -- you don't need the most expensive, top-of-the-line equipment to progress. In fact, it's often the case that purchasing costly, advanced gear can actually work against you if you're not at the right skill level required to use it properly. Here are some tips on what gear might be easier on your bank account and your body.
Golf
A costly club doesn't necessarily mean greener pastures when it comes to your swing. If you're starting out, the most cost effective route to take is purchasing a package set that includes every club you'll need to play as well as the golf bag, according to Terry Woods, a manager for Nevada Bob's Golf at Sport Chek. First-time golf enthusiasts can expect a beginner's package to retail for about $250 which should be enough to allow you to determine how committed of a golfer you think you're going to be. For around $350 - $400 you can purchase a package set that will be more durable and last longer: a product you can grow with.
Once you've established you like the game and you'll play regularly, you can individually buy clubs to add to your package. Woods recommends buying a decent adjustable driver, which he considers a long-term investment (drivers can range from around $150 - $400). One "package" should include 12 pieces: a driver, a high lofted fairway wood, one to two hybrids, six irons, a putter and a sand wedge. If you're playing for corporate reasons and are more concerned about how you look than how you play, Woods recommends buying brand name products from previous seasons to save money.
Tennis
If you've lost the love for an old racket or are looking to try tennis for the first time, most
rackets are in the $150 - $200 range, according to Jody Amblard, a sales associate at Sporting Life. He says often customers desire the brands that tennis celebrities use, like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal but just because it's the choice of champions, it doesn't mean they'll be right one for you. Rather, it's more important to have a vision of where you're going with your game and with that in mind, make your decision based on weight, balance and size. If you want to play several times a week, then you'll need a racket you can work towards, says Amblard, so as you improve you have the ability to hit harder. But if you're playing recreationally, you'll mainly need a racket that fits. Grip size is critical, says Amblard. If you're a small person usually a 4-inch grip works best, while a larger framed person will need a larger (4-inch 5/8) grip.
Waterskiing
What better way to impress your friends than by spraying them with your wake as you speed gracefully by them as they lounge on the dock? That being said, waterskiing is a sport that takes a lot of trial and error and if you don't have the right skis you are more likely to embarrass yourself as you continue to flounder in the water, looking anything but smooth. Beginners should go for "combo skis", says Adam Irwin, a general manager at Boardsports. If you want to progress to one ski, be sure your combo skis include a rear toe plate which is where you will place your foot after dropping a ski.
Intermediate skiers are usually in the market for a slalom ski, since moving from two skis to one means progression in waterskiing. Irwin says you can buy a decent one for around $350 (although a ski can cost upwards of $1,600). Wider skis offer better stability and are easier to get up on. If you're an intermediate skier, it's not wise to buy a higher end water ski designed for competition, says Irwin, since they're better suited for turns instead of keeping you in a straight line behind the boat and cause users to fight the ski rather than fulfilling your potential.
Paddleboarding
Although it really only involves a paddle and a board, the sport of paddleboarding is one that has
taken off in recent years and can be surprisingly costly. If you're using a paddleboard recreationally, Irwin says you need an "all-rounder" board, (around $1, 200) which is wider than the ones used for racing, and can track well over the water in a straight line as well as can be used to catch waves. If you're racing -- which usually means you're serious about the sport -- Irwin suggests using a longer, narrower paddleboard that will cut through the water and glide easily (retails for about $3,000). A good, aluminum paddle with an adjustable shaft will cost an extra $100.
Wakeboarding
If you don't know what a bonk, a bunny hop or a buttcheck means than it's advisable you look at the beginner boards for this trick-filled summer sport. A beginner to intermediate board is in the $300 - $500 range, while the more advanced boards can cost upwards of $600. If you're looking to work out some tricks at an intermediate level, Irwin says it's best to buy a board that has a "continuous arc", meaning the board doesn't pop up abruptly from a flat board like the ones for the pros do. If you get a board beyond your level in wakeboarding, Irwin says it will slow down your advancement since you'll be thrown around more violently and it won't be as easy to practice tricks.
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revisiting a hobby, don't think you have to upend your bank account to do it in style. Sports experts agree that for intermediate or beginner levels in many areas -- whether it be tennis, golf or water activities -- you don't need the most expensive, top-of-the-line equipment to progress. In fact, it's often the case that purchasing costly, advanced gear can actually work against you if you're not at the right skill level required to use it properly. Here are some tips on what gear might be easier on your bank account and your body.
Golf
A costly club doesn't necessarily mean greener pastures when it comes to your swing. If you're starting out, the most cost effective route to take is purchasing a package set that includes every club you'll need to play as well as the golf bag, according to Terry Woods, a manager for Nevada Bob's Golf at Sport Chek. First-time golf enthusiasts can expect a beginner's package to retail for about $250 which should be enough to allow you to determine how committed of a golfer you think you're going to be. For around $350 - $400 you can purchase a package set that will be more durable and last longer: a product you can grow with.Once you've established you like the game and you'll play regularly, you can individually buy clubs to add to your package. Woods recommends buying a decent adjustable driver, which he considers a long-term investment (drivers can range from around $150 - $400). One "package" should include 12 pieces: a driver, a high lofted fairway wood, one to two hybrids, six irons, a putter and a sand wedge. If you're playing for corporate reasons and are more concerned about how you look than how you play, Woods recommends buying brand name products from previous seasons to save money.
Tennis
If you've lost the love for an old racket or are looking to try tennis for the first time, most
rackets are in the $150 - $200 range, according to Jody Amblard, a sales associate at Sporting Life. He says often customers desire the brands that tennis celebrities use, like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal but just because it's the choice of champions, it doesn't mean they'll be right one for you. Rather, it's more important to have a vision of where you're going with your game and with that in mind, make your decision based on weight, balance and size. If you want to play several times a week, then you'll need a racket you can work towards, says Amblard, so as you improve you have the ability to hit harder. But if you're playing recreationally, you'll mainly need a racket that fits. Grip size is critical, says Amblard. If you're a small person usually a 4-inch grip works best, while a larger framed person will need a larger (4-inch 5/8) grip.Waterskiing
What better way to impress your friends than by spraying them with your wake as you speed gracefully by them as they lounge on the dock? That being said, waterskiing is a sport that takes a lot of trial and error and if you don't have the right skis you are more likely to embarrass yourself as you continue to flounder in the water, looking anything but smooth. Beginners should go for "combo skis", says Adam Irwin, a general manager at Boardsports. If you want to progress to one ski, be sure your combo skis include a rear toe plate which is where you will place your foot after dropping a ski.Intermediate skiers are usually in the market for a slalom ski, since moving from two skis to one means progression in waterskiing. Irwin says you can buy a decent one for around $350 (although a ski can cost upwards of $1,600). Wider skis offer better stability and are easier to get up on. If you're an intermediate skier, it's not wise to buy a higher end water ski designed for competition, says Irwin, since they're better suited for turns instead of keeping you in a straight line behind the boat and cause users to fight the ski rather than fulfilling your potential.
Paddleboarding
Although it really only involves a paddle and a board, the sport of paddleboarding is one that has
taken off in recent years and can be surprisingly costly. If you're using a paddleboard recreationally, Irwin says you need an "all-rounder" board, (around $1, 200) which is wider than the ones used for racing, and can track well over the water in a straight line as well as can be used to catch waves. If you're racing -- which usually means you're serious about the sport -- Irwin suggests using a longer, narrower paddleboard that will cut through the water and glide easily (retails for about $3,000). A good, aluminum paddle with an adjustable shaft will cost an extra $100.Wakeboarding
If you don't know what a bonk, a bunny hop or a buttcheck means than it's advisable you look at the beginner boards for this trick-filled summer sport. A beginner to intermediate board is in the $300 - $500 range, while the more advanced boards can cost upwards of $600. If you're looking to work out some tricks at an intermediate level, Irwin says it's best to buy a board that has a "continuous arc", meaning the board doesn't pop up abruptly from a flat board like the ones for the pros do. If you get a board beyond your level in wakeboarding, Irwin says it will slow down your advancement since you'll be thrown around more violently and it won't be as easy to practice tricks.Liked this article? Don't miss another one. Follow us on Twitter or Facebook.
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