Packing: Perhaps the most exciting time in advance of any golf Expedition. It also inspires some of the most frequently asked questions from the H&B Forces. In advance of departure, those questions are answered with an in-depth checklist for packing for a golf trip to Scotland, Ireland, England, or Spain. A less common question, however, is what not to pack.
Here’s 5 things to leave behind when packing for a golf trip across the pond.
The Closet
When packing for an overseas golf trip, it’s easy to overdo it. In fact, the most common piece of advice our travelers pass on to their fellow Members of the Forces is to pack less clothing. The common misconception is that you’ll need one outfit for golf and another for evening activities for every day of the trip. This simply isn’t the case, for a variety of reasons.
First and foremost, the cooler temperatures usually found in the British Isles makes it easy for things like trousers and sweaters to be reworn. Plus most of the hotels visited on an H&B Expedition have 24 hour laundry service available. In addition, dinner may be scheduled immediately following golf on days with afternoon tee times, leaving that evening’s attire unused. Finally, the biggest reason to dial back on the packing: souvenirs. In all likelihood you’ll come away from some of the courses with new shirts for the wardrobe. Make use of them during the trip and save some room in the suitcase.
The Staff Bag
When choosing which golf bag to take on your trip, lighter is always better. If you planned on taking anything larger than a carry bag, our advice is to leave it at home. If checking your golf travel bag with the airline, the smaller bag will save you valuable – and possibly costly – pounds with the airline. The more important reason to choose a smaller bag, however, is it might save you some strokes in addition to dollars.
If you plan on utilizing a caddie during your trip, there’s an old saying that the best caddies get the lightest bags. Caddies have even been known to empty a giant staff bag on the first tee into something lighter they found in the caddie shack. Your relationship with your caddie is an important one. Start it on the right foot by handing them a light bag.
The player with the lightest bag gets the best caddie.
While we’re on the topic of bags, here’s a helpful guide for packing your golf travel bag.
The Umbrella
This one might be counter-intuitive given the notoriously unpredictable weather across the pond, but any kind of breeze on the seaside links will render the best of umbrellas completely useless. Instead, invest in a high quality rainsuit to prepare for that almost inevitable shower. Members of the H&B Forces will find options available in the Quartermaster Store, or simply ask your PGA Professional. They’ll have a variety of options and price points to recommend. Of course, it’s best to remember the most important piece of advice when it comes to the rain suit: it’s only effective if it’s actually in the bag.
The 64 Degree
If your bag has as many wedges as Phil Mickelson’s, allow us to make a suggestion: leave the lob wedge at home. Nothing will draw the ire of your caddie faster than pulling a lofted club around the greens. The putter will be your best friend, and you’ll find yourself using the flat stick in previously unimaginable ways. So reduce your inventory of wedges in the bag and replace them with a long or driving iron. On blustery days, keeping the ball low off the tee will be far more valuable than an ill-advised flop shot.
Gene Sarazen’s original sand wedge at Prince’s Golf Club.
The Bank
Although the use of credit and debit cards is just as ubiquitous across the pond as it is stateside, you’ll still need good old cash for caddies and other gratuities. We suggest visiting your local bank before departure for a supply of Pounds or Euros, but it’s unnecessary to travel with enough cash to last the entire week. ATMs are commonly available and many do not charge a withdrawal fee (though your own bank may not be so kind). So leave some of the cash in the bank until you need to replenish across the pond.
It’s easy to overpack for a golf trip across the pond, but keep in mind that just about anything you may forget can be acquired once on the ground. Our general advice is to adopt the mantra of “less is more.” The porters and caddies you encounter along the way will thank you.
For more insight on planning your golf trip across the pond, visit the pages below, read our reviews, 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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