1. Use an Experienced Golf Packager
To navigate the choppy seas of golf travel planning, I recommend you work with a veteran golf packager who has battled previous travel storms before. Some of my long-time favorites in the business are Art Stricklin at The Art of Golf Travel, Tim Willerton at Premier Golf, Sam Baker at Haversham and Baker Golfing Expeditions …… One call does it all as they can customize your trip to your specific wants and needs. All of them have long-standing relationships with golf courses, hotels, restaurants and transportation companies.
2. Insist on Flexible Terms
When booking with a golf travel packager, flexibility options are gold. Take the time to carefully study cancellation and refund policies, trip insurance offerings and rebooking options. Just a few minutes of reading can save you lots of aggravation later if changes occur.
3. Get Into Shape
If you’re traveling to the British Isles or most other golf destinations around the world, you’re most likely not going to be cruising around in a golf cart smoking cigars and chugging beers. Rather, you’ll be walking and carrying your bag or be assisted by a caddie. Many of the courses in Scotland and Ireland are undulating and present a difficult experience for those grossly out of shape. Make sure you’re in good physical condition, especially if you’re playing more than 18 on some days.
4. Play Links Golf American Style
For those who love the links golf experience and don’t have the time, money or inclination to travel to Scotland and Ireland, I suggest booking a trip to American resorts and courses that provide the closest thing to a British Isles experience. Some of my favorites are Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Oregon), Streamsong Resort (Florida), Ocean Course at Kiawah Island (South Carolina), Erin Hills (Wisconsin), Whistling Straits (Wisconsin) and Nags head Golf Links (North Carolina). Best of all, you won’t need a passport.
5. Buy Quality golf outerwear
If you want to be miserable, I mean truly miserable, take a golf vacation to Scotland, Ireland, Southern Oregon or the Monterey Peninsula in California with some ragtag, makeshift rainwear. Standing in a fairway with a thirty-mile an hour cross wind and a heavy downpour without adequate protection is not a memory you’ll treasure. Top companies include Glen Echo, Columbia and Zero Restriction.
6. Invest in a top quality travel cover
Absolutely, positively don’t try to save money by purchasing a cheap travel cover. You can protect your golf club investment by getting a cover from a respected company like Club Glove, Sun Mountain or Bag Boy to name a few.
More Tips:
- Don’t select an all-black cover so you can avoid looking like everybody else. You’ll save time finding your bag on the carousel if it has a recognizable color treatment.
- Use your travel cover as an additional piece of luggage by packing shoes and extra shirts on departure and dirty laundry on your return.
- Make sure your name tag or business card is placed on the outside of the bag and the inside as well, just in case the outside card is displaced.
7. Waterproof golf shoes (with shoe trees)
Waterproof golf shoes are a must, especially on trips to the British Isles. You must have a dry pair available in case you get caught in a downpour. Ideally, you need to take at least two pair of waterproof shoes. Also, pack an extra dry set of socks in your golf bag each day to change with your shoes if a downpour occurs.
8. Take A Sizeable golf ball inventory
In my experience, buying golf balls outside of the U.S. always involves serious wallet draining and a suddenly exploding travel budget. Obviously, if you’re a high handicapper you’ll need more golf balls. Honestly evaluate your game to calculate how many golf balls will be enough.
9. Review Airline Policies on Baggage Fees
Research airline baggage fees and allowances during your planning stage so you don’t end up with sticker shock at the airport check-in. Inquire about the cost of shipping your golf clubs with companies like Shipsticks and Lugless.
10. Don’t Forget Your Handicap Card
Address this issue with your golf travel packager or do your own research. Several big name courses such as Muirfield and Carnoustie in Scotland and Royal Portrush in Ireland require a certain handicap to tee it up. The Old Course at St Andrews require all golfers have a handicap of 36 or below.
