Proper Preparation for Your Expedition
Whenever your travel is arranged by Haversham & Baker Golfing Expeditions, you will experience fine international planned by Haversham & Baker Golfing Expeditions. Whether the expedition is your first or your fifth, the mere thought of your pending adventure should fill you with an overwhelming sense of anticipation. You will have the opportunity to enjoy not only renowned golf courses and golfing traditions, but also the history, culture, cuisine and people of the region you visit. Here are some basic preparatory steps and tips that will maximize your experience.
Passport
Travel to nearly all European countries requires only a valid United States passport. A visa is not required. If you do not have a passport, you may apply for one at your local post office. If you already have a passport, please make certain that it does not expire before the last day of your scheduled return to the States from your tour.
Preparing Your Mind
Your exclusive, custom-assembled H&B Field Manual contains a plethora of my observations about your destinations and golf courses. For those travellers desiring more detailed information, I recommend the following texts as additional reading. Most are available from any major bookstore.
Our favourite comprehensive guidebooks of general travel information are Fodor's (published by the Automobile Association of Great Britain) and Birnbaum. For detailed information on most touring sites and attractions, use the Blue Guide series published by W W Norton & Company of New York. Purchase the one or ones for the region(s) you will be visiting.
For a wee bit of regional history, there is a series known as A Traveller's History of (country) published by Interlink Books of Brooklyn. For the more ambitious reader, I recommend Winston Churchill's History of the English Speaking Peoples.
I find two books best capture the unique attributes of British Isles golf: Following Through, Herbert Warren Wind on Golf by Wind and To the Links Land by Michael Bamberger.
The list of books that describe great golf courses is extensive. Our favourites: The World's Best Golf by William H. Davis; The Confidential Guide by Thomas Doak; Sandy Lyle Takes You Round the Great Courses of Scotland; and, Great Golf Courses of Ireland by John Redmond. There are two excellent, but difficult to find videos, produced by Jack Nicklaus Productions as part of their "Great Golf Courses of the World" series: Scotland's Greatest Golf Courses narrated by Sean Connery and Ireland's Greatest Golf Courses narrated by Pierce Brosnan.
Preparing Your Body
You will be walking the seaside links for which the British Isles are renowned. Even though the flat terrain and the nature of the soil make walking there less strenuous than in the States, do eschew the cart on your home rounds and do some recreational daily walking to condition your legs for your tour.
Preparing Your Game
Yanks tend to hone their golf game to the soft, target nature of most American golf courses. They are taught to loft the ball quite high so that it lands with little or no roll. Links courses in the British Isles, to the contrary, are designed to be played with the ball on the ground. They feature firm turf that demands low running shots struck under the wind. Practise these shots by taking your normal stance, then setting your hands forward and moving the ball about a half step back from its normal position in your stance. Practise greenside chipping with almost every iron except your wedge (and with your putter as well). We Brits believe the straighter the blade, the better the shot. Plan to use your sand iron only when you are in the sand or in defence of your life.
Preparing Your Wardrobe
Whether golfing or touring, both men and women will be most comfortable in slacks of heavy cotton twill or light wool. Leave the shorts and skirts at home. Sweaters, whether full sleeved or sleeveless, should be wool rather than cotton as cotton will not stop the wind and will stretch when wet. For occasions that require coat and tie for men, a blazer will do nicely. Women should consider a pants suit or winter weight cocktail dress. Our seven-day packing list includes four pairs of twill slacks, two pairs of wool slacks (to wear with the blazer or on tour), seven golf shirts, two cotton turtlenecks, two folded dress shirts, two long sleeved sweaters and one sleeveless. Mrs. Haversham substitutes a pants suit and a cocktail dress for the dress shirts and blazer (although I must say she is rather smashing in a blazer). Otherwise, our wardrobe is unisex (albeit of vastly different sizes).
Golfing Equipment
While you likely possess an extensive collection of golfing paraphernalia, you may not have acquired the essentials for a British Isles golfing expedition: two pairs of waterproof shoes; a light carry bag; a quality rain suit; and, a sturdy umbrella. We hope that the latter two items are unused during your expedition, but warn that only fools fail to carry them at all times. The light carry bag is suggested even though H&B tips caddie masters generously to assure the best service for our clients. Unfortunately, caddies do not always appear when reserved as they are notoriously independent souls whose presence in the morning is often directly related to the availability of whisky the night before. Even when they do appear, the best and most senior caddies select their golfers solely on the basis of the weight of the golf bag. Hence, the lighter the bag, the better the caddie.
Golfing Credentials
Some of the courses you will play require evidence of handicap and club affiliation. If you do not presently have a USGA handicap, see your golf professional about establishing one. The now dated "letter of introduction" is required at only a handful of clubs in the British Isles (mostly in England) so you need not worry about troubling your Golf Professional or Club Manager for their signature. But, please remember to bring your handicap card along on your expedition to avoid any confusion at the course.
Communication
Most U.S cell phones, unless specifically set up to operate worldwide, are useless overseas. Should you require a mobile phone during your travels, your Adjutant can arrange to have one delivered to your home prior to your journey. The cost is really quite reasonable and the peace of mind can be priceless.
Ring Us
All of the staff of Haversham & Baker are dedicated to making your golfing expedition your best vacation experience ever. Please ring us at 800 U TEE OFF whenever you have a question or need assistance. That's why we're here!
Major Basil Haversham, OBE
So the most important tip is: contact Haversham & Baker Golfing Expeditions. We are purveyors of the finest golf travel experiences to Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Wales and England. Why the finest? Your arrangements will be custom-planned to your precise requirements from the widest array of choices by the most knowledgeable golf tour and travel planners in the industry. You'll receive unlimited consultation and service from your first conversation until long after your expedition is over. The result? You and your friends will enjoy an experience with memories that last a lifetime.
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