There’s a reason why one in three Americans play or watch golf. The national pastime has long been a go-to sport for people who want to both relaxation and exercise. Many individuals will plan a whole vacation around golfing.
If this sounds like paradise to you, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about planning your next golf vacation. That way you can spend as much time having fun on the courses as possible. Let’s get started!
Five Tips For Planning the Perfect Golf Vacation
If you aren’t careful during the planning stage of your trip, then your golf adventure can be both expensive and underwhelming. So, to help you get the most out of your vacation we provided you with these five tips. As long as you follow them, then you’re sure to have a great time.
1) Decide Who Is Going
The first thing you need to do when planning a golf vacation is to decide who is coming along. This might seem like a simple decision, but it can vastly change the course of your trip. In this section, we created three potential trip options: family, friends, or solo.
Family
If you’re going with family, specifically with kids, then you’ll want to make sure there are some other activities for them other than golf. Some kids might want to play or watch you play golf.
However, the vast majority won’t. As such, family-friendly activities, like the beach, an amusement park, or a pool can provide these members of your party with some distractions while you play. To find some of these activities or locations, simply Google search “fun family activities [in the area]”.
Friends
Planning a golf trip with friends is great because it ensures that you have players to tee off with. However, it can also present unique challenges. The phrase ‘too many cooks in the kitchen’ applies here. If too many people are trying to plan the trip, then it’s easy to get bogged down in opinions and in-fighting.
As such, we recommend choosing one or two people to be group leaders. These people will plan all the details. Ideally, one person will handle the traveling and reservation arrangements, while the other will be responsible for food and entertainment.
We do recommend asking your party of friends what their preference is. But, at the end of the day, the leaders should be in charge of all the executive decisions of the golf vacation.
Solo
Going on a golf vacation by yourself makes planning a lot easier, but it can also present challenges. For one thing, booking solo time without a group can make getting a reservation more difficult. Some players also feel awkward playing by themselves without anyone around to witness those awesome shots.
However, you can also look at it as a way to make new friends. Hang around the golf club or resort and see if you can find any other players in need of soloists. Or you can use meet-up apps, or competition events to play with others. Get creative and you might just make some lifelong friends by playing solo.
2) Select a Budget
After you decide who’s going, it’s time to select a budget. This will determine how you travel, where you stay, and what you eat. If the price is no object, then we recommend a series of golf resorts for their ease and convenience. If you’re on a budget, then you might want to consider more affordable options.
One idea is to find a camp or RV site near the golf course you want to play at. However, keep in mind that you might not be in the best appearance after camping to play at more high-end clubs.
If you’re going in a group, you also need to decide how to split payments. Will everyone take on an equal portion? Or will certain group members pay for certain things? Make these decisions beforehand so no one’s taken by surprise.
3) Where Will You Play?
Next, it’s time to decide where to play. Do you have a specific golf course in mind that you want to fly to? Or would you rather find some local ones near the hotel or resort that you’re staying at? A lot of the time it will come down to your specific transport options. If you have a car, then you might want to consider golf trails.
These are a series of courses found near each other so you can squeeze in as many as possible at the weekend or week. They’re a great option if you’re looking to maximize the number of courses you get to play.
4) Book Lodging and Traveling Before Tee Times
You might think that you should reserve golf times before anything else. However, it’s a lot more affordable to book your lodging and traveling before this. That way you can take advantage of flight and room deals near whatever course you decide to play. If you want to simplify things, then look for a golf resort.
These are courses that have onsite hotels so you don’t need to worry about getting a ride from your lodging to the golf course. Once you have all these details confirmed, then you can book your tee time.
5) Try Not to Overschedule
Try not to be too ambitious with your golf vacation. If you overschedule, then you won’t have time to enjoy your games and relax. Consider planning other activities so that you can take a break in between rounds and break the monotony a little. After all, this is a vacation!
Want More Content? Keep Exploring!
We hope this article helped give you valuable tips on planning your next golf vacation. Every golfer deserves to explore the diverse amount of courses found around our country. That’s why you should begin planning your trail trip today. Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep reading to find more topics you’re sure to love!
