How to Plan a Golf Trip

The destination shapes everything else. Weigh the group's standard honestly — a beginners' group will find championship links exhausting, while strong players may find easy courses flat. Decide how much driving between rounds you will tolerate, and whether scenery, history or pure challenge matters most.

Budget early and honestly. Costs fall into four buckets: green fees, accommodation, transport and food. Championship fees run £150–£380 a round, yet excellent golf is available for £25–£80 at regional clubs. Accommodation ranges from £30pp a night in a shared house to £300+ at a resort hotel.

Tee times are the most time-critical part of planning. Championship courses fill 6–12 months out; for the Old Course, Royal County Down or Muirfield in peak summer, a year ahead is not excessive. Lesser-known courses often book 4–8 weeks out and frequently offer better value than the famous names.

The right choice depends on group size. For six or more, a self-catering farmhouse or cottage near the courses is almost always cheaper, more fun and more flexible than hotels. For pairs and small groups, B&Bs and golf hotels are sociable and often bundle course access.

Agree the competition format before you travel, especially for societies. Stableford is the most sociable for mixed ability — it rewards consistency and keeps everyone involved to the last hole. A Ryder Cup-style matchplay works beautifully for fours, building genuine team spirit across the trip.

Logistics depend on size and geography. For four to six players, a people-carrier or a car each is usually simplest. For eight-plus, a minibus removes the designated-driver problem and frees up post-round drinks. Some areas (Edinburgh, St Andrews) have transport good enough that a car is optional.