A suggestion in the throne speech that the P.E.I. government might get out of the golf business is too late, says Opposition leader Robert Ghiz, and he worries it will get out for too little.

'Do I trust this crew that's in power now to sell the golf courses?'- Liberal Leader Robert Ghiz

The government owns four golf courses: Mill River, Crowbush Cove, Brudenell and Dundarave. Premier Pat Binns said the government has not yet decided what to do with them.

"We've certainly seen an increase in rounds played this year," said Binns.

"Whether it's the best time to be selling or not, I guess we're still considering. But we're putting out a signal that we're ready to look at that seriously."

Binns said he'll only sell the courses if he gets a good price. Ghiz worries the government won't make a fair deal.

"I think selling the golf courses is long past due," said Ghiz. "But at the same time, do I trust this crew that's in power now to sell the golf courses without doing it politically, without Islanders taking a bath on it? No, I don't."

NDP Leader Dean Constable agrees it's time to get out.

"We've lost quite a bit of money in the game of golf, and owning golf. And I'm still not sure why we ever bought golf courses in the first place," said Constable.

"We need to be looking at providing public services. The government has a lot of things to keep them busy, and investing in the private sector in the way they have in purchasing golf courses was a bad idea in the first place."

Thursday's throne speech said buying into golf was important for supporting the development of the industry on the Island.