While they sound easy to plan, there is a lot of variety with golf holidays. The better you know the options, the better you can plan and save yourself from a horrible holiday.
Golf-touring trips
With a touring trip, you play different courses every day and stay at a different location every few rounds. If you like variety and don’t mind the logistics of spending time on the road, these trips are great.
There is a lot of tradeoff with a touring trip. The trip is never the same place for long and most of the planning is done for you to secure spots on multiple courses. The traveling is a huge part of the appeal for these trips.
Single-resort trips
Single-resort trips are also about less traveling, however, these trips are much better on your budget and much better on playing. These trips are great for travelers who want to play the course multiple times instead of the traveling course game.
Traveling with a partner or family who don’t play golf is much easier when you are at one place for the whole trip and don’t need to build the trip around multiple shifting locations.
Golf-plus-family trips
This strikes the right balance between golfers and non-golfers. Choose a destination that allows non-golfers to do something meaningful and fun, not something that feels made up to keep non-golfers busy. A location with a good beach or town offers a value destination while golfers are doing their thing.
Golfing with a group
Booking tee times is one of the many considerations that require attention even years in advance when planning your dream golf trip with friends. Group trips work best when one individual takes on the responsibility of booking. Other key activities that require coordination include deciding on a course schedule that works for everyone (i.e., no one plays a course more than once, or people play the same course multiple times) and deciding on the level of accommodations.
Logistics worth sorting early
Transporting your clubs can be a hassle. It’s important to know that golfer’s bags are treated like normal luggage by some airlines, but others do not allow you to bring your luggage for free if you are also bringing a golf bag. Siempre check the airline’s specific policy before you assume there will be no problems at check in.
Many golfers find that hiring clubs at their destination is easier, especially on a tour since carrying clubs between locations can be a hassle. It is usually not nearly as good as playing your own set, many golfers can tell the difference after just a few holes, but it makes travel a lot easier since most destinations have good options for clubs.
The Bottom Line
For those that like to experience different locations, a tour trip is best while a resort trip is best for those that like to stay in one location. Golf plus family trips work for mixed group trips but only if the area has good non-golf activities. Decide on the style of trip you prefer before you compare courses.