Have sports and entertainment venues outpriced themselves for the average family?

For a family of four, including admission, parking and snacks:
for a baseball, football or basketball game: a couple hundred dollars easy;
for a movie: about $75
for a concert: about $100 each person (for a cheap show)
For a family of four to actually participate; mini golf, pizza party, waterpark, amusement park, etc. anywhere from $100 to $1000. So, where do you draw the line?

Yes, I blame the movie stars that want 20million to star in a movie; of the baseball or basketball player that wants 111million for 5 year contract. Pop singers wanting $150-$200 per ticket. The sports clubs, promoters and film studios have to recoup these costs somewhere. Revenue through merchandising is one way, costs of tickets is another.

Eventually the cost of the ticket will outstrip the value of the product (especially when ESPN show live sport and movies are on DVD anytime soon)

Sadly, while we live in a world that adores and worships celebrities these prices will continue to go up. When we say enough is enough a balance will have to be struck.

We have a movie house in London that sells all tickets for about $5 per person. The movie is about 3 months old or older and the place is packed about 250-300 people per showing (they show 4 different movies per day). Pirates of the Caribbean, for example, at full cost, maybe 40-50 per showing at $25-30 per head. Its not rocket science!

i used to see a movie because I liked movies, now I have to select much more carefully. Its a sad way to be.

Freepraise is spot on, support local free and low cost events; is the way to go.

Classic Game Room HD – GOLF for Atari 2600 review

Chi Chi’s Golf Games You Gotta Play $17.95 “This book of games will help you develop your skills and will bring a whole new level of enjoyment to every hole – no matter what your handicap. Each game includes complete instructions on how to play it, an emphasis on improving skills, and the wit and wisdom of one of golf’s living legends. In addition to team games and side bets are shotmaking games, designed to improve everything from driving to putting. When it comes to Chi Chi’s games—you gotta play! ”

Family Games $19.96 Family Games

Golf For The Fun Of It $29.95 “Many golfers feel that to have a “”good game”" they have to score well. Not true! Golf For The Fun Of It shows you the many ways to enjoy golf. This book is filled with tips, personal anecdotes, interviews, lively quotations and full-color illustrations. It’s for golfers of all ages, abilities, and experience. With this book you’ll learn how to maximize golf’s recreational benefits; appreciate golf course architecture and ecology; expand your golf horizons; strengthen family, business, and personal ties; and develop a lifelong love of the game.”

The Complete Book of Golf Games $10.8 The Complete Book of Golf Games

BirdieBall Air Target $1299.99 “BirdieBall Air Target Air Target, Consumer Model, Backyard GOLF! This is the great Air Targt functionality with a consumer price. Dimensions are the same as the industrial version of this great game. Lighter in weight, this model is perfect for any golfing family! Blowing up in seconds this amazing targeting system is crazy fun. Scoring can be entirely up to you or you can go by the number of games included in the instructions which come with the target. It is amazing for chipping and the short game. With four holes running down the center of the “”green”" and sand traps located on either side of the most difficult hole, you determine the number of points scored for each of the four colored holes. Whether you run a competition, or simply let attendees ‘work on their short game,’ this event challenge game will garner lots of attention and light up the eyes of a true golf lover. 8 feet tall at the tallest point, the “Forty Inâ€? challenge game and event inflatable includes a high volume blower and weighs a total of 38 lbs. The price includes delivery to anywhere in the Continental United States. This pays for itself quickly, and once its ability to gather crowds becomes known, every weekend will have it rented and working for you. The overall dimensions of the inflatable are 8ft. Tall X 8ft. Wide X 10 Feet Deep.”

Undercover Golf $10.95 “Undercover Golf is your guide to perfecting your grip, your stance, your swing, and your putt – anytime, anywhere – without anyone catching on, and without clubs, balls, or tees. If minor obligations like family, work, and errands get in the way of your golf game, fret no more. Time spent off the course doesn’t have to be time spent off your game. You’ll learn how to: assess your body and ball lines (while washing your hands); turn your center point (while sweeping the kitchen); start with your hips (while talking at the water cooler); practice inside arm/knee pressure (while hugging your significant other); and dozens of other essentials every golf addict needs to get through a day off the links.”

Golf Bag Buddy $12.99 “The book that every golfer needs in their bag! The Golf Bag Buddy provides a quick and easy reference to all the questions that are likely to crop up on or around the golf course, and is packed with fun ideas to spice up your Sunday foursome. Not just a pocket guide, but also a reference to games that suit four, three, two, or even single players. Also included are gambling variations, side bets, tournament formats, and a handy reference for handicapping and etiquette, with fascinating and amusing anecdotes from throughout the world of golf. Written by Bill Elliott, a writer for The Observer and Golf Monthly. Great Gift Idea.”

Carnival Games Mini Golf for Nintendo Wii $36.49 Featuring Carnival Bob and characters made popular in the original, Carnival Games: Mini-Golf is home to larger-than-life, theme park style miniature golf courses. Whether back in time to the land of dinosaurs, keeping order in the Wild West or searching for treasure on an island full of pirates, the game combines traditional miniature golf fare with action-oriented game play utilizing the unique capabilities of the Wii Remote. It is designed for four players and can best be described as ”a hole in fun”

Almost Golf Practice Stick $34.95 “Almost Golf Practice Stick with 2 Dozen Balls The almostGOLF™ Ball is like no other golf ball in the world. The one-piece, polymer design utilizes a revolutionary new patented formulation to create the first limited-distance, internal pressure golf ball with true-flight characteristics and off-course safety. Practicing your golf game is as convenient as pick-up basketball in the backyard, park or schoolyard…it’s that easy. Construction The ball is perfectly balanced for true spin, trajectory and accuracy. You can even putt with it! Due to its unique cross-linked foaming and internal pressure, the almostGOLF™ Ball has an actual .32 COR rating approximately half of a traditional golf ball. As a result, it compresses slightly upon impact just like a real golf ball. This gives the ball real ‘pop’ off the club face and long-lasting durability. It also makes the ball safe for practice in many locations and situations, thus making it the ideal golf training aid. Flight Hit it straight, play a fade or hit a draw. The almostGOLF™ Ball’s true-flight characteristics allow you to accurately assess your golf swing, ball striking and follow through. No more second-guessing whether you’re hitting the ball well because the almostGOLF™ Ball responds just like “”the rock,”" but flies a limited distance. And since the almostGOLF™ Ball weighs less and sits up higher in the grass than conventional golf balls, it’s the ultimate training aid for all levels. It can help the beginner learn basic ball-striking techniques, while allowing the competitive golfer to hone advanced skills like fades and draws Ways To Train With The Almost Golf Balls Unlike other practice golf balls, our solid core and internal pressure simulate real ball flight. This means the ball goes where you hit it. Practice Golf Around The Yard The first step in learning the play golf is daily repetition and learning something new every time you swing the clubs. Just put a bucket or flag out 10yards or so and hit half shots with your wedge. Make it simple, easy and no pressure. Practice coming through the ball. See how many balls you can hit to the same place in a row. Once you’ve mastered 10 yards in your yard, put the flag or bucket a little further away and practice a longer more complete golf swing. Practice Golf At The Schoolyard Once you’ve progressed to being able to hit a quarter chip shot, find a location like a playing field or parking lot and practice your full golf swing. Remember to use a golf practice mat for so that you do not create divots and never practice around runners or people playing on the field. Practice Golf At A Field Or Park There are most likely 5 places within walking distance of your home or office where you can set up your own private daily ‘practice range’. This allows you to practice just like any other athlete and just like a pro golfer. You can work on any club and any shot. Then, when you feel like testing out your swin

Golf Digest: Golf’s Greatest Players, Courses And Voices $60 “Golf Digest Magazine celebrates its 50th Anniversary with this fabulous coffee table presentation of the best courses, instruction, legends of the game, Golf Digest covers, great finishes at the majors, letters, and more. Each of the seven sections include: Section One: A Sense of Place – Section Two: Playing the Game Right – Section Three: Characters and Character – Section Four: Major Voices, Major Events – Section Five: From the Gallery – Section Six: Crusades – Section Seven: The Rest of the Best. This beautifully illustrated book contains over 100 pictures, along the writing of the games best such as Herbert Warren Wind, Dan Jenkins, Nick Seitz, and Henry Longhurst. Instruction is provided by Harvey Penick, Byron Nelson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Tiger Woods, Dr. Bob Rotella, Tom Kite, and more. This book will sit handsomely in anyone’s library.”

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