So, you have decided to finally book that dream golfing get away! Good for you! But now you have realized that you’re not really sure exactly what you should be looking for to ensure your trip turns out to be everything you hope for and not a disaster!
Don’t panic – help is at hand. This article will guide you through the things you should be looking for to get the most from your first golfing holiday!
Research and Reviews
You will probably begin where most people do when they start researching their dream destination: Google. The difficulty is that search engines return hundreds of hotels that look near perfect on paper (or screen!) but in reality, are only showing on the first page of two or results, because they have a great marketing team who knows how to get their websites ranked.
That being said, it’s still a great place to start. Write down your requirements in a list and start to make notes of the resorts that meet your criteria. Perhaps you want complimentary use of the golf buggies or a spa to relax after a long game.
Once you have a list of hotels that meet your ideals, head on over to Trip Advisor and search them one by one. The reason for this is that Trip Advisor has a large following of travelers who leave reviews. This will allow you to get an impartial perspective of what the hotels — and just as importantly, the golf courses — are actually like.
Booking
If budget isn’t an issue, then booking via a travel agent could potentially save you time and stress. You can simply tell them when you want to go and which hotel you’d like to stay in, and they can arrange everything from flights to transfers. However, if you’re hoping to save some money, then booking individually can be a very cost-effective way of booking your holiday.
Check out flight comparison sites such as Sky Scanner which will browse for the cheapest flights, making less legwork for you. Booking the hotel is often cheaper when you book direct or via comparison sites such as booking.com and there are sites dedicated to transfers, but it’s often just as easy to grab a cab or a train from the airport.
Preparation
Obviously, travel insurance is a must, especially if you’re traveling with your own golf clubs as you want to protect them against damage during transit.
Prepare your documents such as insurance, tickets, passports and also your local currency and keep them all together in a travel wallet or plastic folder, this will allow you to find them easily should you need to.
But aside from this, make sure you’re prepared by taking spares of things that could spoil your golfing experience should they go wrong. Cart batteries and spare wheels, for example, are a must.
For security purposes, there are a few things you may want to consider when traveling (especially if out of the country). One of these things is only carrying a small amount of currency on your person and using your credit or debit card for any further funds you may need while on holiday.
Secondly, for any valuables you have with you, consider leaving them in the hotel’s security boxes or a safe in the room. Try not to carry them unless you have to or leave them lying around the room itself.
Booking your first golf holiday is exciting, but it can be daunting if you’re unsure what you’re looking for. Make a list of your criteria and find hotels that match this, then read reviews to help narrow it down. If you’re still unsure, speak to your local travel agent who will be able to offer further advice.