Serious golfers often plan their vacations around visiting top golf courses. A golf vacation can be a great way to visit courses you have seen on TV and heard about in magazines. With some careful planning, you can combine your love of golf with your free time to create a memorable golf vacation.
Geography
When planning your golf trip, think about where and how far you want to travel. For many golfers, taking a trip to Scotland—where the game was invented--is the ultimate golf vacation. If you would like to stay in the United States, such destinations as Hilton Head, South Carolina or Phoenix, Arizona may be easier to reach. When selecting your location, think about how many golf courses are within easy driving distance so that you can maximize your vacation time. For example, many of the top golf courses in Scotland are spread throughout the country. To avoid spending most of your vacation driving between courses, you may want to concentrate your golfing in one section of the country.
Considerations
Because greens fees add up quickly, be sure to plan your budget carefully. Ask about discounts and afternoon or twilight rates when possible. Decide which courses on your vacation are most important for you to play. For example, if you want to play at Pebble Beach, you may need to prioritize other courses because of the expensive green fees for that course. Be sure to book your tee times before your trip to make sure that you are scheduled to play at all of the courses on your list. You may also want to travel with golfers of similar playing style and golfing ability.
Time Frame
When planning your trip, be sure to consider the weather of the location you are visiting. Scotland often has wet, cold winters, but the crowds and rates are lower during this time of the year. You can enjoy destinations such as Pinehurst, North Carolina and Phoenix, Arizona in the winter because of the moderate climates. However, both of these destinations can be very hot during the summer months.
Benefits
One of the benefits of a golf vacation is that you can play several courses in the same area. By traveling with other golfers, you can also enjoy the fun and camaraderie of a group with similar interests. You can also book a golf package that includes several different courses and accommodations. This type of package often saves you the time of planning and money.
Misconceptions
Many people think that a golf vacation is just about golf. For some serious golfers, playing as many courses as possible may be the goal. However, many golfers enjoy other sightseeing and recreational activities. For example, if you take a golf trip to Scotland, you should take some time to enjoy the castles and historic towns.
Resources
- — Golf.com's travel section
