Planning your Perfect Golf Break

Planning the ideal golf break doesn’t need to be daunting. With a bit of forethought and the right priorities, you can ensure your efforts result in a trip that’s every bit as rewarding as the golf itself. Here, we explore the key elements to consider when planning your next golfing getaway.

Course Choice

It’s important to decide if you want to tick off some truly exceptional bucket-list courses, or if this holds less weight than just enjoying golf on good courses.

Most destinations will have at least one exceptional course that will really get the anticipation building for any golf trip, and this can be a great focal point to build the trip around. If you are looking to play a great course as part of the itinerary, it’s best to book this up early to ensure you can play on the desired day / time & avoid disappointment.

It's also worth considering how many different courses you want to play as part of the itinerary. Are you happy playing same course 4-times say, or do you want to mix things up and only play each course once. This is an important factor when deciding on a destination and considering the logistics of transportation to each course.

Accommodation

This is probably a less important factor than course choice, but one that should be factored into any decision. There is an abundance of options out there; hotels / apartments / villas / resorts. Some are attached to courses which could drive the decision making, but beyond that consider whether a shared space for the group would be desired? What is your preferred board option? If you want All-Inclusive or meals included, then a hotel would be best. Are there non-golfers to consider in the equation?

Budget

This for many will be the most important consideration and will certainly play a major factor in choosing the itinerary that suits. It would be reasonable to say that there is a great golf break out there for any sensible budget, but you need to decide what element of the trip to prioritise. Courses, accommodations & travel will absorb the majority of your budget, so choose carefully which of these will hold most value, and be open to compromise if required. An All-Inclusive hotel can be a great way to budget in advance, but this is not always the best value, and you are restricted to the hotel / resort for meals. Self-Catering apartments or a Villa might be a better option if you are prepared to cook the odd meal here an there, and also offers the added flexibility of eating out and experiencing the local delicacies.

Weather

I think it’s safe to say that this is an important factor for the majority of UK golfers. We play in unfavourable weather conditions enough during the long winters to mean that when we’re looking for the ideal golf break, a little warmth would be most welcome. It is however worth considering the non-peak options as well though, this could pay dividends & you could find the positives outweigh the negatives. Dubai & Abu Dhabi for instance, whilst it would be rather unpleasant to play in the midday sun during July & August, the courses do also reduce their rates substantially during June & September, it would still be a little warm for most during midday, but grab an early tee-time & some great golf at reduced fees before it gets too warm. Portugal is another destination where courses reduce their rates during July & August, an early tee time and a buggy means this could be the ideal time to tick off some of those much-desired courses.

Après Golf

An element well worth factoring in when you consider that a round of golf is only going to take a few hours, and what comes afterwards could be just as memorable. If unwinding by the pool is your thing post-golf then most resorts will have this covered, but if you’re looking to get out and about, then ensure location allows for this and you’re not too isolated. Whether it’s culture, relaxation, golden beaches, local cuisine, nightlife or a combination of all these that play an important factor in your post-round enjoyment, ensure that your destination ticks your boxes, or at least as many as you can.

Final Thoughts

A truly great golf break balances play, comfort, and camaraderie. By considering the key factors — courses, accommodation, budget, weather, and what you’ll do off the fairways — you can craft a trip that everyone remembers for all the right reasons. We hope this helps with your planning the perfect golf break. If you require some further inspiration why not take a look at our featured destinations or contact us to assist you in your journey, we’d love to help.