Living in Jacksonville, you might think it's a pretty nice city for golf lovers.

Thanks to the weather, you can play almost year-round, and there are many golf courses around. Plus, right next door in Ponte Vedra Beach, you'll find the PGA TOUR headquarters and the world-famous TPC Sawgrass. For golf enthusiasts, just this alone makes living in Jacksonville enjoyable.

TPC Sawgrass is where THE PLAYERS Championship takes place. Especially the par-3 17th hole of the Stadium Course, with its island green that appears to float in the water, is so famous that even those who aren't into golf have likely seen it on TV at least once.

However, there's a common misconception. TPC Sawgrass is not just a golf course for professionals or members. The general public can also book a tee time and play the Stadium Course. The issue is the price.

The price for the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course varies greatly depending on the season and booking conditions, but it's on a different level compared to regular public courses. The green fee for one person can be several hundred dollars, and during peak season, it can exceed $700, so when you factor in caddy fees, tips, and meals, a couple could easily spend close to $1,500 for a day of golf. Therefore, for Jacksonville residents, it's more of a bucket list course to experience on special occasions rather than a place they visit weekly.

That said, golf in Jacksonville isn't just an expensive hobby. If you look at regular public courses, the prices drop significantly.

If you find weekday afternoon tee times or off-peak discounts, you can play for around $30 to $50, and well-maintained popular public courses usually cost about $50 to $80. However, during peak times like weekend mornings, prices can rise to $70 to $100 or more. The price also varies depending on whether a cart is included.

So, for those with flexible schedules, weekday golf is really great. Choosing Tuesday or Wednesday mornings or afternoons can be much cheaper than weekends.

In the summer, there are also tee times that drop in price due to the heat and frequent rain. If you can handle the heat, you can save a lot.

Using booking services like GolfNow is also a good option. Prices for the same golf course can change throughout the day, and Hot Deals can pop up. Personally, I wouldn't stick to just one specific course; I'd save several courses within a 30-40 minute drive and go to the ones with cheaper tee times.

Let's say you play four times a month. If you go to an average $60 course once a week, that's about $240 a month just for green fees. Adding in practice range fees, balls, gloves, and meals, you could easily spend around $300 to $400 a month. On the other hand, if a couple is searching for nice courses every weekend, they could quickly spend over $600 to $1,000 a month.

If you play golf frequently, it's worth considering a membership. Semi-private or country clubs have initiation fees and monthly dues, but for those who play two to three times a week, it might be better than paying green fees each time. However, keep in mind that each club may have separate initiation fees, minimum spending on food and beverages, and cart fees, so don't decide based solely on the monthly dues.

For the Korean community in Jacksonville, golf serves more than just a sport. On weekends, Koreans gather to play rounds together, and business people often use it as a way to meet and connect with others. There aren't many sports as comfortable for mingling with English-speaking friends as golf.

Ultimately, the biggest advantage of golf in Jacksonville is the variety of options. You can enjoy affordable golf for around $40 to $60 on weekdays, or if you choose, you can have a memorable round at the world-renowned TPC Sawgrass.

If you love golf and live in Jacksonville, considering not just the cost of living but also this lifestyle, it's quite an interesting city to be in.