Group Golf Trip Tips (say that 5 times fast)

Planning an upscale group golf trip, for bacheloric/bachelorette-ish reasons, or just for your posse’s annual getaway, can be a daunting task. You’re in charge of making great memories, and some of your guests may see this as their one big escape of the year. Since your local reputation may hang in the balance, here are some tips to help you plan an unforgettable upscale golf sojourn.

The first step in planning a quality golf trip is to choose your destination, do so wisely. Consider the benefits of the targeted locations, the cost to travel to and stay at each, and whether or not your guests are traveling from varied home towns. A cool, centrally located golf area with plenty of accommodations nearby is a great start.

Choosing the right time of year for your golf trip is crucial. Golf courses in some destinations may be closed at times due to weather conditions, maintenance, or scheduled tournaments. Double check with the course on availability before booking travel and accommodations, you’re talking thousands of dollars here out of multiple pockets, don’t leave your quality control up to google or the might-be-updated course website. A quick phone call to a clubhouse or two before locking down your location could help avoid quite a bit of scrambling or rescheduling-hassle.

Research the target golf courses themselves as well. If your crew is opening their check books for this, they don’t want to sally up to the first tee to find browned-out fairways and a view of an auto parts warehouse. Look for clubs that have been rated highly by golf publications like Golf Digest or Golf Magazine, or various other online sources. You should also consider the level of difficulty of the courses, not just the overall beauty and design. (I once took my father in law to a course in LA Quinta CA that had nothing but hazards for the first 200 yards on each hole. Since his drives rock about 180 yards, not a happy camper).

Nailing the accommodations is key to acquiring kudos from your co-travelers. A cool vacation rental home can be the hub of a great golf trip. Choose upscale private homes that come equipped with a private putting green, pool/hot tub, tennis or other exotic bonus amenities.  Smaller groups can share a condo or two in an amenity-rich development. A cool vacation rental will be key to group cohesion and memory-making.

Also please note that booking tee times in advance is also crucial for ensuring that you can play the courses you want during your upscale golf outing. Some courses may have limited availability, especially during peak season, so it is important to book tee times as soon as possible, even prior to locking down your stay. 

Last but not least, please don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Add in a surprise private chef to make sushi or BBQ, or at-home private golf lessons to blow your posse’s collective mind. Dryvebox is a cool new company FYI that will bring a slick techy swing-coach trailer right to your vacation rental driveway. Plenty of options here to create a first class memory.

Whipping up a top notch upscale golf trip requires careful research and attention to detail. By choosing the right destination, researching well-rated golf courses, locking down cool Golfhōm accommodations, arranging transportation, and booking tee times in advance, you can ensure that you end up the hero of an unforgettable golf trip.