The honest answer to “how much does it cost to start?” is: less than the industry wants you to think, but more than the bare minimum suggests. Both golf and tennis have a sensible middle path between buying the cheapest possible gear (which you’ll replace fast) and over-spending on equipment your skill can’t yet use. Here’s what a realistic first year actually costs.
Starting tennis: the breakdown
| Item | Budget | Sensible |
|---|---|---|
| Racquet | $50 | $120 |
| Court shoes | $50 | $100 |
| Balls (cans) | $20 | $40 |
| Apparel | $30 | $80 |
| First lessons (4–6) | $0 (free courts/friends) | $250 |
| Court fees (year) | $0–$100 | $200 |
| First-year total | ≈$250 | ≈$590 |
Tennis’s low entry cost is its biggest advantage. Public courts are often free, a single decent racquet lasts years, and you can learn the basics with a friend before paying for lessons.
Starting golf: the breakdown
| Item | Budget | Sensible |
|---|---|---|
| Club set | $300 (complete set) | $500 |
| Golf shoes | $60 | $130 |
| Balls + tees + glove | $40 | $80 |
| First lessons (4–6) | $0 (range practice) | $300 |
| Range buckets (year) | $100 | $200 |
| Green fees (year) | $200 (municipal) | $600 |
| First-year total | ≈$700 | ≈$1,810 |
Golf’s cost is front-loaded: you need a full set of clubs and shoes before you can really play, and green fees add up faster than tennis court time. The good news is that a quality complete beginner set lasts several years — see our best beginner golf club sets guide for picks that won’t need replacing in year two.
How to spend less on either
Golf: Buy a complete set rather than individual clubs (far better value), play municipal courses and twilight rates, buy golf balls by the dozen rather than the sleeve, and consider quality used clubs once you know you’ll stick with it. Time your equipment purchase for the October–December sale window.
Tennis: Use public courts, buy one good racquet rather than cheap-and-replace, and learn fundamentals from a friend or free clinics before paying for private lessons.
The bottom line
Tennis is roughly two to three times cheaper to start and maintain. If budget is the deciding factor, tennis wins clearly. If you can absorb the higher cost, golf offers a lower-impact, more leisurely experience that many find easier to sustain across a lifetime. The full lifestyle comparison is in our golf vs tennis guide.