When planning an overseas golf trip, it’s easy to get lost in the excitement and buried in the details, which leads to some common mistakes that can greatly affect your experience.
The average golf trip to Scotland, Ireland, or beyond requires numerous tee times, reservations, and other arrangements. Each of them is an opportunity for something to go sideways.
To ensure your journey stays in the fairway, this guide shares the most common golf travel mistakes and important tips to help you avoid them.
If you’d rather listen to the guide, we covered the topic in the video below for an episode of the Golf and the Good Life podcast.
Planning at the Last Minute
One of the most significant golf trip mistakes you can make is to plan your journey at the last minute.
Of course, what qualifies as “last minute” for overseas golf travel often comes as a surprise.
For most of the marquee golf courses in Scotland and Ireland – notably, The Old Course at St. Andrews, Muirfield, Royal County Down, and Royal Portrush – planning a year in advance is simply not enough.
Anything less, and you’re likely to miss out on some of the main courses on your list. At best, the ones you do score may require undesirable tee times or splitting up your group.
Flexibility in terms of your travel dates is helpful, but the best way to avoid disappointment is to simply start planning early.
January of the year prior to your trip is not too soon.
Appointing Everyone Captain
While it’s great to involve everyone in the decision-making process, having “too many cooks in the kitchen” is a recipe for chaos.
Or worse, it’s a great way to ensure that your golf trip never gets off the ground.
Designate a trip leader – at H&B, we call them “Captains” – to coordinate logistics, make reservations, and ensure everyone is on the same page.
The ideal candidate is a detailed, motivated leader who isn’t afraid to take the ball or set their friends straight when needed.
Playing Too Much Golf
The desire to fit as many rounds of golf into your trip as possible is hard to ignore.
After all, you planned the trip for over a year, traveled across an ocean, and have some of the best links golf courses in the world at your disposal.
But before you fill the itinerary with wall-to-wall golf, ask yourself an important question…
When was the last time you played golf, on foot, every day – perhaps even twice a day – for an entire week?
If the answer is somewhere between “never” and “college,” you should schedule a day off of golf or at least some downtime into your itinerary.
Your body will appreciate the rest and it’ll give you a chance to enjoy some of the Good Life near your destination.
“Winging It” for Dinners
While it’s a good idea to have room in the itinerary for some spontaneity, leaving your dinner plans to chance every night is a common golf travel mistake.
Restaurants in the U.K. and Ireland are generally smaller than the ones stateside.
As a result, booking in advance is crucial, especially for popular restaurants and groups larger than four.
After a long day on the course, the last thing anyone wants to do is stand around and debate dinner options.
Save yourself some stress and put a few dinner reservations on the books, or speak to your H&B Concierge to do the same.
But be sure to leave open a night or two to do your own thing or to just enjoy some fish & chips at the pub on the corner.
To enjoy restaurants like The Swilcan Loft, reservations are essential.
Inviting “That Guy”
We all have that one golf buddy.
We can barely tolerate him on the course, yet he somehow manages to crash our foursome on a regular basis.
Now, imagine traveling with him…
For the sake of everyone involved, be selective with your invites.
It’s better to scale back the number of people traveling, than to make the mistake of including someone that’s not a good fit with your group.
Because if given the opportunity, “That Guy” will wreck your entire trip.
In contrast, a group of travelers who share similar priorities, from budget and length of the trip, to courses to play and how much of the Good Life to enjoy, will yield an enjoyable planning and travel experience.
Skipping the Caddies
Simply put, few things will add more value to your experience across the pond than your time with the caddies.
The great links golf courses in Scotland and Ireland are full of surprises, from blind shots to hidden pot bunkers.
A caddie will not only help you navigate those challenges, but their ability to find golf balls in the long rough is uncanny.
Most importantly, you’re all but certain to return with at least one memorable story that was courtesy of a caddie.
To skip this valuable part of your golf trip would be a regrettable mistake for both your scorecards and your memories.
Choosing the Wrong Flight
After all of the planning and preparation, one massive hurdle stands in the way of your long-awaited golf trip… Getting there.
When it comes to selecting your flight, the only thing that matters is that you and your luggage reach your destination on arrival day.
The promise of extra air miles or fare savings will mean very little if it comes with the added risk of missing your first round of golf or arriving without your clubs.
To help avoid this common golf travel mistake, fly direct whenever possible, steer clear of London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle, and allow far more than the minimum time for connections.
Changing Hotels Too Often
The courses that most golf travelers want to play are spread across every corner of the U.K. and Ireland.
Conveniently, they’re also clustered into several notable regions.
Like playing too many rounds of golf, some travelers unwisely attempt to visit more of these regions than is feasible in a typical weeklong trip.
This often leads to a rushed, chaotic itinerary, where you’re constantly repacking the suitcase.
Instead, limit your hotel changes by playing golf in the two regions, and certainly no more than three, that are most important to you.
The result will be a more enjoyable, relaxed experience, and the other regions will be waiting for your next golf trip.
Packing Poorly
Along with strategically selecting your flight, the same approach should apply to your packing.
An over reliance on checked luggage is a frequent mistake by golf travelers.
The best solution is to pack defensively.
Into your carryon, pack a couple days worth of clothes, a sleeve of balls, a glove, and a pair of shoes you could wear on the golf course.
If your checked bag or golf clubs go astray, you’ll at least have the essentials for your first round of golf.
Ignoring Expert Advice
As the saying goes… “Forewarned is Forearmed.”
Ultimately, your trip should be yours.
But if you’ve turned to a golf travel company, or even a well-traveled friend, for planning assistance, make sure to heed the valuable advice.
We’ve been there, done that, and made all the mistakes.
There’s no reason why you should repeat them.
A golf travel company will not only keep your group clear of these common mistakes, but also numerous others that are often overlooked in the planning process.
Whether you turn to an expert or go it alone, however, the tips above will increase your chances of enjoying a smooth and memorable journey.
Our free guide includes over 40 pages of valuable insight, plus links to nearly 50 additional resources, on Golf and the Good Life in Scotland.
To continue planning your golf trip to Scotland, visit the pages below or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
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