Mark Twain famously declared golf to be “a good walk spoiled,” and while the great American author may have enjoyed running afoul of the fairway, the fact of the matter is that millions across the globe are drawn to the evergreen beauty and elegance of the great game. There is a perfect peacefulness to the game, which moves in ebbs and flows like the ripples of a water hazard or the wind over the finely manicured green. It has spawned countless heroes, from Arnold Palmer and Greg Norman to Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson to Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth today, and yet for all that, it remains one of the favourite games of amateurs everywhere looking to play on the same courses as those greats of the greens. Finding and planning a great golf getaway can be the perfect gift to give the golf lover in the family, or be a little gift to give yourself.
Here, then, are a few tips and tricks when looking to find deals on great golf getaways.
Landing on the Green
One of the biggest barriers to planning a golf getaway is, of course, the price. One of the great allures of golf is its sense of ease and luxury, and given its regal and monastic beginnings in Scotland and England, that should come as a surprise to no one. That said, golf doesn’t have to be an inaccessible game for the rich alone. There are many things you can do to make playing the best courses affordable for you, not the least of which is finding a service which specialises in getting players great deals on exclusive courses. Think of them as travel agencies for golf players, helping aficionados of the sport not only find the best deals, but also helping them find packages that can include everything from hotels to dining and spa accommodations. One thing you’ll want to look for with these services is theirrange. It may well be that you’re not interested in playing a specific course, for example, as you are exploring a certain part of the world and maybe squeezing in 18 holes here and there to boot. If this is you, you’ll want to look for packages which emphasise the travel angle and often promote a specific region (Vietnam, South Africa, Australia, etc.)
Setting Course
So, you’ve looked through all the nitty-gritty details about how to best plan some great golf holidays for yourself or others. It’s now time for the fun part, namely, choosing which of the many world-famous courses should be your destination. Would you like to play where the pros tee off at Pebble Beach? How about a round at St. Andrews, the birthplace of the great game? Finding a course in particular you really want to play can be a fun and effective way of focusing your search, thus increasing your ability to plan a tight, cost-effective trip.
And when it comes to golf, staying away from those higher numbers is always a winning strategy.