Would u consider badminton expensive to play?

[Leon.t]

Hey guys, I'm a bit new to badminton and just bought my new racket today for $200AU. Just thinking, would badminton be a expensive game to play compared to other sports? eg. table tennis, soccer, squash etc?

I mean shuttlecocks gets destroyed pretty easily in a game, the string will break, then you got court hire as well and the good rackets are expensive.

What do u guys think?

[cooler]

at $2+ a shuttle, it is getting to be expensive

[Leon.t]

I know :( I can only find around my place a tube of 12 ( I think) for $8. cheap brand.

[jhirata]

Hmm yeah.. racquets, strings, grips, court fees, shoes, clothes, insoles, shuttles, club fees, transportation to the courts.... expensive..

Leon.t, I dont think an 8$ tube of shuttles is really worth it.. it would be better for you to order better shuttles online but again, it's going to cost some money. But would you quit badminton because it's expensive, after you've just bought a new 200AUD racquet ?

Badminton equipments such as racquets, strings and shuttles need to be replaced quite often because they're fragile compared to the equipment needed for other sports such as tennis and squash.

[Leon.t]

nah, I'm not gonna quit. I love badminton...just finding out the the future cost of playing badminton thats all. Why dont u think $8 a tube of shuttlecocks are worth it? Is it the quality?

[baka-kun]

oh man sometimes it is expensive hahaha. depending on if you want to get good... at glenora club summer camp is like 700 bucks. lolz. for 2 weeks.. coaching is like 60 bucks an hour.

[jhirata]

nah, I'm not gonna quit. I love badminton...just finding out the the future cost of playing badminton thats all. Why dont u think $8 a tube of shuttlecocks are worth it? Is it the quality?
Yep.. quality. Better quality shuttles = better quality/more exciting or fun games you get :D

[cappy75]

The cost is always rising... time and money wise. Probably why we don't get as many lady players as they get older, they just move on because other commitments take more of their time. If you're passionate about something, you have to pay more for it... same goes for other interests, hobbies and women;).

[chris-ccc]

Hey guys, I'm a bit new to badminton and just bought my new racket today for $200AU. Just thinking, would badminton be a expensive game to play compared to other sports? eg. table tennis, soccer, squash etc?



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As cooler mentioned, shuttlecocks are expensive. And court hire is not cheap either.

You felt the pinch when you had to spend $200 in one go. However that $200 racket purchase will go a long way.

But if you were to calculate, for your $200, how many shuttlecocks and courts hire you will get, you will be shocked. Perhaps, just 10 hours.

Yes, Badminton is not a cheap sport to play. But I would say Badminton is the best sport to play. :D:D:D
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[exalted]

Badminton definitely isn't cheap. :( Unfortunately [or maybe, fortunately], the price is just sooo worth it...

[Leon.t]

I agree. I have so much fun playing badminton and enjoying losing weight + making new friends around the court & learning new techniques is so much fun then sitting in front of a monitor playing WOW lol.

[jhirata]

I agree. I have so much fun playing badminton and enjoying losing weight + making new friends around the court & learning new techniques is so much fun then sitting in front of a monitor playing WOW lol.
Yeah.. I played WOW for like 2 weeks and got bored.. because badminton is more addictive than WOW :p.. and it costs more than WOW too ..:D
There's no "private-servers" for badminton though.. :eek:

[Dreamzz]

Yeah.. I played WOW for like 2 weeks and got bored.. because badminton is more addictive than WOW :p.. and it costs more than WOW too ..:D
There's no "private-servers" for badminton though.. :eek:

that's not true, it costs less to WOW per hour than badminton ....
though obviously badminton is more beneficial .... :p

[Leon.t]

though obviously badminton is more beneficial .... :p


hahah true....one is that u never know what type of chick u pick up on the other side of the computer.

[aerotus70]

I mean shuttlecocks gets destroyed pretty easily in a game, the string will break, then you got court hire as well and the good rackets are expensive.


yes its an expensive sport esp the shuttles and court hire part... 1 way to lessen this is to share the cost amt among other players

for rackets since you just bought a expensive 1, dont really need to buy again unless you dmg it

string wise, seldom will break unless you go high tension, 20-24 pounds pretty safe even if you smash alot

[changturkey]

It is only expensive if you want it to be :).

[martin8768]

hahah true....one is that u never know what type of chick u pick up on the other side of the computer.
but you can always SEE the chick on the other side of the net! haha i got a email from a girl of a team i beat in mixed doubles last tournament :p:cool:

[jchan04]

well you can compare badminton with other sports and their expenses.

hockey... well hockey equipment is pretty expensive with hockey stick, ice skates, helmet, all the protective accessories... around $500-$1000?

Golf - clubs and membership at the local 18 hole course... $1000 annually?

ummm... what else?

if you find that shuttles expensive, then play with nylon... they last longer but a feather game is so much more fun.

[cooler]

The cost is always rising... time and money wise. Probably why we don't get as many lady players as they get older, they just move on because other commitments take more of their time. If you're passionate about something, you have to pay more for it... same goes for other interests, hobbies and women;).are you alluding that older women gone to other hobbies, ex. men:confused::eek::D:p

[Fidget]

well you can compare badminton with other sports and their expenses.

hockey... well hockey equipment is pretty expensive with hockey stick, ice skates, helmet, all the protective accessories... around $500-$1000?

Golf - clubs and membership at the local 18 hole course... $1000 annually?

ummm... what else?

Bicycling has just gotten insane.
Wasn't that long ago when you hopped on your steel bike wearing gym shorts and tennis shoes. Now even novices are spending >$5000 for gear.

[jhirata]

Bicycling has just gotten insane.
Wasn't that long ago when you hopped on your steel bike wearing gym shorts and tennis shoes. Now even novices are spending >$5000 for gear.
Oh I love cycling.. though I dont have a proper road-bike, I still ride my bike to school with my friends who have those rich, hardout bikes..

Is fishing expensive ? Hmm I guess that one of the cheapest sports to play is chess.. and chess is quite fun too.

[Smichz]

yes,it's very expensive compared to all the sports that i've been into.Basketball,Soccer,Pool,Swimming,Gym.Except for car modifications.LOL

[Smichz]

Oh I love cycling.. though I dont have a proper road-bike, I still ride my bike to school with my friends who have those rich, hardout bikes..

Is fishing expensive ? Hmm I guess that one of the cheapest sports to play is chess.. and chess is quite fun too.

The cheapest sport should be running,or jogging..oh,n yes,taichi..:D:D

[Leon.t]

The cheapest sport should be running,or jogging..oh,n yes,taichi..:D:D


nah...u need drinks for that and then a shower. I think chess/checkers tops it.

[Optiblue]

I consider it reasonable when compared to other sports. It's perhaps not that bad when you just start out, but once you get better, you'll need shoes, bags, multiple racquets, constant restringing due to breaks, racquet breaks, grips, drinks, shuttles and court fees. The only area you can save money in is clothing... you don't need bling "performance" yonex shirts, shorts and socks!

[pedro22]

The cheapest sport should be running,or jogging..oh,n yes,taichi..:D:D

If you're a hardcore runner, running won't be cheap. My bro in law has six pairs of the same $100+ running shoe that he rotates every day. His stash of running clothes costs more than my racquets.

BTW, chess isn't a sport, it's a game. That might explain why it's cheap to play.

[pedro22]

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As cooler mentioned, shuttlecocks are expensive. And court hire is not cheap either.

You felt the pinch when you had to spend $200 in one go. However that $200 racket purchase will go a long way.

But if you were to calculate, for your $200, how many shuttlecocks and courts hire you will get, you will be shocked. Perhaps, just 10 hours.


If you're the only one in your group that pays for the court and the shuttles, then it'll be expensive. We share everything in my group and it costs each one of us around $5 for court rental (2 hours) and $1.50 for feather shuttles every evening. At that rate, $200 will last us 60 hours.

Badminton is the cheapest among all the sports I play, and I don't even golf.

[chris-ccc]

If you're the only one in your group that pays for the court and the shuttles, then it'll be expensive. We share everything in my group and it costs each one of us around $5 for court rental (2 hours) and $1.50 for feather shuttles every evening. At that rate, $200 will last us 60 hours.



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Perhaps in Canada your court hire is cheaper than ours in Australia. In Australia, our court hire is almost reaching $20 per court per hour. :(:(:(

Your costs of $5 for court hire and $1.50 for shuttles (Total = $6.50 for 2 hours when sharing) is good. Our costs, when we are sharing at our club is $10 for 3.5 hours. So, it's roughly the same. :):):)

Yes, sharing the costs with players is the best way to do it.
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[david07]

Badminton is pretty expensive. It use to be cheap for me when I just started to play. All I had was 1 cheap $10 racket and a tube of crappy plastics. Now about 3 years later, I've gotten a lot better and have bought a lot of stuff. With constant restrings, grips and shuttles having to be replaced every so oftan, it has become a big expense but well worth it.

[Marshmallow64]

The thing with badminton is that you always need a place to play, while other sports such as basketball and tennis you can find public places that are free of charge to play on. Basketballs, soccer balls and tennis balls all have a much longer life span than birdies. So I would say badminton is one of the more expensive sports to play, but not as costly as golf.

[fifteen luv]

If you're a hardcore runner, running won't be cheap. My bro in law has six pairs of the same $100+ running shoe that he rotates every day. His stash of running clothes costs more than my racquets.

BTW, chess isn't a sport, it's a game. That might explain why it's cheap to play.

Agree, in badminton, we sweat ourselves out. Good for the body. In chess no sweating and have to do other exercise to keep the body in shape.

[Fan888]

Of course, it is expensive.
1. Racket - $200+. When lucky, it lasts a long time. When unlucky, it is gone in a second.
2. Shuttlecocks - $1.50 to $2.00 each. One can last 1/2 to 1 game
3. String - $25. Last a year if lucky. Probably like 6 months.
4. Grip - $5 for 3. Actually, not too bad!
5. Shoes - $100 for a good pair
6. Clothes - OK, wear the cheap one from the tradeshows :)
7. Court rental or club membership - for us in US. It goes from $6 to $10 per visit or $60 a month in membership.

Anything else, oh yeah. A $2 drink a must with all the sweat. Man, that is a lot of money. But it is still lots of fun :)

[jhirata]

If you're a hardcore runner, running won't be cheap. My bro in law has six pairs of the same $100+ running shoe that he rotates every day. His stash of running clothes costs more than my racquets.

BTW, chess isn't a sport, it's a game. That might explain why it's cheap to play.
Chess might not involve any sweating or excercise but it's still somehow considered as a 'sport'.
It says "Chess today is a recognized sport of the International Olympic Committee (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Olympic_Committee)." on Wikipedia but yes, it's only wikipedia..

hehe chess is in the 'recognised sports list' by the IOC:
http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/recognized/index_uk.asp

It would be funny if chess was broadcasted on the tv for the Olympics..
Or maybe even pen-spinning (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q7s4E94-No) one day..

But I think.. the more we get to spend on the equipment and stuff for the sport we play (badminton), the more we can enjoy it and not get bored of it.. unless we're stupid and quit after spending alot of money on the equipment without a reasonable reason such as injuries or whatever..

[cappy75]

Well, almost everywhere I drop in... or used to drop in, there's alot more guys than gals. And the age group for ladies span from Under 15 to university age (18~23) and then 40 and older. There's a missing gap where ladies usually graduate from post secondary to start their career. Most of them seem to give up the sport at this stage in their lives.


are you alluding that older women gone to other hobbies, ex. men:confused::eek::D:p

[flyingfox]

Well, almost everywhere I drop in... or used to drop in, there's alot more guys than gals. And the age group for ladies span from Under 15 to university age (18~23) and then 40 and older. There's a missing gap where ladies usually graduate from post secondary to start their career. Most of them seem to give up the sport at this stage in their lives.

i stopped playing from age 25 to 40 .. :( due to marriage, pregnant, taking care of young, their education, family, career..... blah..blah..blah blah..till now, everything seems to settle down.. so i can pick up the racquet and start from beginning .. :p

[kubuk]

Of course, it is expensive.
1. Racket - $200+. When lucky, it lasts a long time. When unlucky, it is gone in a second.
2. Shuttlecocks - $1.50 to $2.00 each. One can last 1/2 to 1 game
3. String - $25. Last a year if lucky. Probably like 6 months.
4. Grip - $5 for 3. Actually, not too bad!
5. Shoes - $100 for a good pair
6. Clothes - OK, wear the cheap one from the tradeshows :)
7. Court rental or club membership - for us in US. It goes from $6 to $10 per visit or $60 a month in membership.

Anything else, oh yeah. A $2 drink a must with all the sweat. Man, that is a lot of money. But it is still lots of fun :)


For those people who go for competitions, it will not be that cheap. Rackets alone, they need at least 2 of the same type. Stringing.. probably last only a match before it snaps. I have a friend who string his rackets (6 of them) at least 2 times a month due to tension lost or breakage.

Expensive dude. 6 USD. I can get a court around Rm6 per hour here is almost equal to 1.5USD.

25USD for a string. WOW.

[jchan04]

Yes it looks like it's expensive. But you need compare the badminton expenses with other sport's expenses. You must have a relativity of how expensive badminton is compared to many other sports.

keyword = relativity.

[Fan888]

Expensive dude. 6 USD. I can get a court around Rm6 per hour here is almost equal to 1.5USD.

25USD for a string. WOW.

At where I play, it is US$7 per person. So for a foursome, US$28 :crying: You guys are lucky :)

Yep! stringing starts like US$20, mostly because of labor cost like $15. So basically $15 plus whatever string you choose. It did the $20 once and it came back with scratches at the 4 corners. I was pissed :mad: Now, I go to a better place but farther for $25. Oh, I need to add the gas price too :D

[pedro22]

Yes it looks like it's expensive. But you need compare the badminton expenses with other sport's expenses. You must have a relativity of how expensive badminton is compared to many other sports.

keyword = relativity.

You got it! Cost is relative. Try comparing playing badminton to hockey or snowboarding and you'll think badminton is pretty cheap.

[jhirata]

For those people who go for competitions, it will not be that cheap. Rackets alone, they need at least 2 of the same type. Stringing.. probably last only a match before it snaps. I have a friend who string his rackets (6 of them) at least 2 times a month due to tension lost or breakage.

Expensive dude. 6 USD. I can get a court around Rm6 per hour here is almost equal to 1.5USD.

25USD for a string. WOW.
Haha you should appreciate the benifits of being in Malaysia.. :)

[jchan04]

well... in Malaysia, your wage and cost of living is probably lower than North American's... so...
you have to compare CPI's... =P
hehehe economics.
Like i know that if you purchase SOTX shuttles from China... it cost about $7 CAD per tube (top grade)... but if i buy the same kind... it costs me $20 CAD..

and compare the wages too!.hehehhe.. its best to compare prices in the domestic mkt.

that's my economics lesson for the day. tmr i will teach consumer behaviour hahah.

[BlankShot]

Not really... Sure it isn't the cheapest, but it isn't the most expensive... *stares at Hockey*

[RacquetRyan]

I am just getting into the sport but it does not seem to be that expensive. Here is a cost analysis of what I have spent so far: (all prices are US Dollars)

$20 - "Backyard" badminton set w/ net, poles, 4 racquets, and 2 nylon shuttlecocks.
**After using the cheap set a few times I decided I enjoyed the game and wanted to play more**
$25 - 2 tubes of new shuttlecocks (including shipping) one tube of nylon and one tube of feather shuttles
**continued gameplay in back yard while looking for local badminton group to join**
$77 - 1yr. Gym membership at the university my wife attends.
$10 - Badminton Club dues (meets twice a week @ university gym)
-$38.50 - My company will reimburse me 1/2 of an annual gym membership so I get this money back.
$140 - 2 fancier-than-i-need-as-a-new-player Carbon/Ti racquets, 2 basic "gym class" racquets (so I can still play with friends in the yard), 2 more tubes of shuttlecocks, and a new net.

Total invested: $233.50

This does not take into account consumables such as shuttles, strings, and grips but at the level I'm playing at I do not consume those things at the rate that more advanced players do. Another factor that is not taken into account is that I chose to purchase nicer equipment than I need to. The rec facilty where we play rents racquets, but even if I wanted to purchase my own I could have purchased a single less expensive racquet instead of two fancy racquets and 2 additional racquets for friends to use. Having 2 nets of my own even though the club provides nets is another unnessicary expense I incurred.

Overall, I have found Badminton to be pretty reasonable compared to other sports I've been involved with. Of course YMMV.

[ctjcad]

...and you can play it everyday, IF you play against.........................a wall!..

[Fan888]

Hey RacquetRyan,

Just want to say welcome to the sport. You will enjoy it and became crazy with it like some of us here :). Your cost analysis is fair and reasonable for you. You got a great deal on the club membership fee. Enjoy. Have Fun :)

[chris-ccc]

Just want to say welcome to the sport. You will enjoy it and became crazy with it like some of us here :). Your cost analysis is fair and reasonable for you. You got a great deal on the club membership fee. Enjoy. Have Fun :)
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Just to give comparison between different countries; Here in Australia, it is averaging as follows;

Playing @Badminton sessions in Australia:
2-hour session = AUD$8
3-hour session = AUD$10
4-hour session = AUD$12

The session fee depends on the costs of court hire and the shuttles used (feather-grade or synthetic). It also depends on how many games are expected to be played during a session for each player.

For private groups, it should be cheaper. This is because they can cancel their sessions if not enough players are attending.

For public clubs, it would be more expensive. This is to cover for all sessions, whether 1, or 10, or more players are attending. Public clubs have obligations not to close if attendances are low.
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[llpjlau]

YES! definitely. that also explains why badminton is rather slow in gaining popularity. despite being an olympic sport, many still don't understand real badminton.

building courts, hiring courts, buying rackets, buying shuttlecocks especially adds up to huge amounts of money.

[dukke88]

hockey... well hockey equipment is pretty expensive with hockey stick, ice skates, helmet, all the protective accessories... around $500-$1000? yea i used to play hockey stopped like a year ago...but yea badminton is not expensive.. i mean in hockey if you grow out of a certain equipment you got to buy another one which cost alot of money..i prob spent more than 2k on hockey...thats why i switched to badminton:D

[jchan04]

yeah you cannot consider badminton as expensive. soccer is expensive, hockey is expensive, football is expensive... and we're comparing this on a professional level.

i think tennis is the least expensive sport that require equipments to play.

[dukke88]

yea in tennis the most expensive thing is like the racket,everything else is a fair price...