The Complete Guide to Polo
The real costs, the real gear, the real first sessions — and how to know if polo is worth it for you before you spend a cent.
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
What polo really costs, how to start, and whether it's worth it — honest answers for curious beginners.
About this book
Polo is fast, loud, muddy, and one of the most thrilling sports you can try — but it's also surrounded by mystery and misinformation. Club websites quote prices like they're selling you a yacht, YouTube videos make it look either effortless or terrifying, and nobody ever explains what you're supposed to actually do on day one. This guide cuts through all of it with straight talk from a player who's been where you are now.
Inside, you'll get real numbers for lessons, gear, and club fees at beginner, intermediate, and serious levels. You'll find out what to wear that won't get you laughed at, what to borrow, and what to never buy used. You'll get a week-by-week first-month checklist, a blow-by-blow look at an actual practice session (including the part where you lose a stirrup and hang on for dear life), and honest answers to the questions you're too embarrassed to ask — like whether you're too old, too unfit, or too broke for this.
No passion-pumping filler. No "anyone can do it" lies. Just the real picture of what polo is like, what it takes, and how to figure out if it's your next big hobby — or your one great afternoon watching from the stands.
Reader Reviews
Jacob Walker
★★★★★Exactly what I needed before I spent a dime. I've wanted to try polo for years but had no idea what it would cost or what to wear. This book gave me real numbers and even told me what to expect in my first lesson. I knocked one star off because I wish the gear chapter had a few more photos of what to look for in used mallets and helmets.
Jonathan Jones
★★★★★I've read every forum post and watched every YouTube video about starting polo, and this is the first thing that actually told me the truth. The chapter on typical sessions was like looking in a mirror on my worst day. I took my first lesson last weekend and everything in this book held up. Worth every penny.
Amy Scott
★★★★★The self-assessment checklist in chapter two is worth the price alone. I realized I have the money and the time, but not the emotional patience for the horse part. I'm doing a season of discounted practices at a club anyway, but knowing that going in has already saved me a lot of frustration. Honest and practical.
Stephanie Hall
★★★★★It's a fine book, but I felt it leaned a little too heavily on the 'you'll fall off and love it' angle. I'm a 50-year-old woman who has never been on a horse, and I would've liked more reassurance that the sport is viable for complete beginners. The cost breakdown is solid, though, and I appreciated that the author didn't try to sell me gear.
Kathleen Campbell
★★★★★I found the chapter on getting better a bit too focused on tournaments and side income, which felt out of reach for a beginner like me. That said, the first few chapters were genuinely useful — I finally understand what people mean when they say 'slower play' and 'stick and ball.' I feel better prepared for my first clinic next month.
Linda Ramirez
★★★★★Well written and way more detailed than I expected, but I was hoping for more info about the social aspect of the sport. The author mentions the community, but I wanted to know more about how to actually meet people in the sport without already knowing a member. Still, the budget breakdown helped me decide to take an intro lesson.
Thomas Miller
★★★★★The honest breakdown of what a session actually looks like was a huge relief. I always thought polo was chaotic and intimidating, but this book showed me how structured it is — and how much practice happens on mallets and at the wall before you ever ride. Practical, grounded, and encouraging without being cheesy.