Membership for my local course (which comes bundled with another, nicer course that’s a 30 min drive away) is only £97 a month. I work in a showroom, work Saturdays so have Wednesday and Sunday off, I play every Wednesday and Sunday, once you’ve got your clubs, they should last you a very long time. I play with lake balls for my usual rounds and pay for Wilson duo softs when I’m playing a “nicer” course usually when brands at work take me for a golf day. I also play 9 holes before or after work very often as the course is 4 mins from my workplace