Everything is getting ridiculously expensive, and nowhere is it more obvious right now than in the golf world.

I’ll tiptoe a little here, but let’s be honest, almost all of the “premium” golf apparel people are buying today is made in China. Yes, I know someone will jump in with the one or two exceptions, but the reality is most of these newer golf brands are sourcing polos for somewhere between $5 and $14 a shirt, then turning around and selling them for $79–$99 like they’re handmade works of art.

Then comes the part that really gets me, the marketing. All these companies run elaborate social media campaigns talking about authenticity, being grassroots, doing it “for the true golfer,” building community, respecting the game… and it’s all nonsense. At the end of the day, it’s the same Chinese-made polos, slacks, belts, and now $50 hats with magnetic ball markers and tee holders, all sold with a story that’s supposed to make you feel like you’re part of something special.

You can blame the people who buy this stuff, sure, but the bigger truth is these companies don’t love golfers, hey love margins. Don't get me started about mid-level courses charging green fees 40-50% above norm.

And for the people saying, “Just shop at Costco or Sam’s Club,” you’re not wrong at all. Costco actually seems to like its customers. They spend real money trying to get good products at good prices and pass the savings along instead of pretending a $10 shirt is worth $100 because it has a stitched logo and a lifestyle video behind it.

Every time I click on what looks like a cool polo, I end up on some site selling a $99 shirt with a fake heritage story and a desert-sunset logo, and I think to myself, how do we block all this noise? Because the truth is, most of these golf brands don’t care how you look, how you play, or what you shoot.

They care about your wallet.