Golf Tours & Trips

Do I Need to Bring My Own Clubs?

You can if you like! As golf clubs are specifically chosen by an individual to fit their needs, many people feel more comfortable bringing their own clubs with them for a golfing vacation. However, shipping and flying with golf clubs isn’t always a piece of cake.

Some airlines charge for extra luggage, which would be your golf clubs, and there have been issues before where people lose their clubs or the clubs miss a connecting flight. 

The courses that are included on golf vacation packages do offer clubs for you to rent. These clubs may not be the newest or fit your needs perfectly, but they relieve you the stress of transporting your clubs around. Club rentals can be expensive depending on the course, so it’s best to weigh the pros and cons of taking your clubs versus renting. 

Another thing to consider is how many times you will be playing golf on your vacation. If you are playing a round everyday, most people elect to bring their own clubs to keep rental fees down. However, if your trip is to see a golf tournament or only playing one or two rounds, renting clubs may be a better option. 

Golf Carts or Walking?

In many courses in the U.S. and Canada, golfers typically use golf carts to get around the course. However, not every golf course allows the use of golf carts. St. Andrews Links in Scotland has very few carts for you to use and Augusta National in Georgia refuses the use of golf carts to preserve their course. 

If you have a medical condition or need assistance for getting around a course, double checking the itinerary and the rules of the courses you are visiting is highly recommended as you don’t want to be surprised when upon arrival. 

Proper Golf Attire

Proper golf attire varies from country to country and course to course. You’ll find that private courses often have higher dress restrictions than public courses, but most clubs allow similar attires.

Generally, at most golf courses you can wear pants or shorts and golf t-shirts or long-sleeve shirts. Graphic t-shirts and shorts are not precluded, but very uncommon and may be frowned upon in some places. 

Depending on where your tour is, you will want to pack both in case of weather changes. If your golf vacation is in the United Kingdom, it’s highly recommended to bring windbreakers and pants as the weather in the U.K. is generally cooler and rainier. 

Most travelers will bring their own golf shoes, but make sure you bring the right ones. There are some golf courses that do not allow shoes with metal spikes as these tear up the course more than shoes with rubber spikes. 

Are Most Golf Vacation Packages Private or Group Trips?

Golf vacations are a little different than regular multi-day guided tours. Most golf vacations are designed as an independent tour/self-guided tour which means you meet a representative from the tour operator and they get you set up with a rental vehicle and you drive between golf courses and destinations. However, the itinerary is created by the company or with you and they make all of the arrangements for when you get to each destination. 

There are also golf packages where you are at just one location for a few days and play golf, have different activities, and lessons with others who are on the trip. These tours are typically a group tour as there are set lessons and activities for all visitors. 

What to Bring

If you decide to travel with your clubs, then that will be your first item. Golf shoes, hats, or visors are also important. Make sure to check whether the courses you are visiting dictate what types of golf shoes you may use before you leave. Also, depending on where you golf vacation is, you may need to bring a wide variety of clothing options. 

If you are on a tour of Ireland or Scotland, make sure to bring plenty of layers as you will likely encounter rain, sunshine, and clouds all in one day. Also, these countries, even during the summer, are much cooler than many parts of the U.S. and Canada, so packing pants are recommended. 

You may also bring your own golf balls, tees, and markers if you wish to pack those. You will be able to buy these in the shops at the courses. However, if you do purchase balls and tees at the clubhouses, you will likely be paying more than if you were to bring them with you. 

What’s Included in a Typical Golf Vacation Package?

Each golf vacation package varies on where you are visiting and what type of tour you are going on. Most golf packages are self-guided, which means all of your tee times, hotels, and some of your meals will be planned by your tour operator. These tours you are responsible for getting from destination to destination by a rental car. 

Some packages are not just about playing golf every day. There are golf vacation packages that combine playing a round of golf with visiting cultural sites near where you are staying. There are also tour operators who create a theme for your trip. You may combine going golfing with visiting local distilleries or local castles near selected courses. 

Golf packages that take place only at one course means you will likely be staying in a nearby hotel or at a resort. These tours tend to be only 4-6 days as you don’t need to travel between courses. On these types of packages you’ll likely have a combination of playing golf and receiving lessons from experts. 

There are also unique golf vacation packages that are for well-known golf tournaments. On these tours you are able to attend and watch the professional golfers while they play in the tournament and you receive VIP access to food and drink, access to playing at premium courses, and transportation services.