Whether you’re thinking about jetting off to the Oregon Coast to experience the Bandon Dunes or you’re headed to St. Andrews, a pilgrimage to the Home of Golf, there are lots of things that you need to take into consideration. Below, we’ve put together some advice to ensure that your next golfing vacation goes off without a hitch, no matter the destination…
Decide on your courses
Before you hit “book”, spend some time reviewing your options and find a location that offers the very best golf experiences. Cypress Point has been named the best golf course in the world by many publications, shortly followed by Pine Valley and Shinnecock Hills – all three of which are in the UK. Royal Melbourne in Australia is another popular destination, whilst you might want to consider Trump Turnberry or Royal Portrush. The options are endless!
Think about your companions
If you’re going to be travelling to a new golf course for hours of fun in the sun, who do you want to spend your free time with? Carefully consider your companions before you travel and assess whether they’d get on from both a golfing perspective and social perspective, and then book hotel rooms online after reading reviews and choosing the most appropriate.
Buy the right equipment
Before your next golfing vacation, you should consider whether you have the right equipment – now could be the ideal time to make some upgrades. After all, if you’re going to be playing on a course such as St Andrews, the oldest and most renowned golf course in the world, then you need to be confident in your swing! Whether you buy equipment before you travel or you treat yourself to some new supplies when you’re there (there are some incredible golf shops in St Andrews Scotland, for example), setting aside a budget in advance to ensure that you don’t break the bank. It’s too easy to impulse-buy golfing equipment and supplies.
Set aside time for exploration
It’s all well and good travelling to experience a different golf course and play a few rounds with new friends, but there’s much more to life than golf. No, really! Make sure you set aside some time to explore the country or region you’re visiting, whether that’s taking in the sights, attending museums and art galleries, or spending an afternoon in the local pub getting tipsy. If your schedule is too jam-packed, you’ll miss out on everything the world has to offer you.
Don’t forget about insurance
Finally, make sure you’ve considered insurance so that your golf equipment is well-protected whatever happens. If you’re flying halfway around the world with your $20,000 clubs, then you need to be confident that you’re insured against the unexpected. We all know airlines are notoriously heavy-handed with checked luggage, but some holiday companies offer golf-exclusive packages that include insurance and a dedicated stowaway for equipment.