Tee Time: Planning a Golf Trip

Has watching the Masters Golf Tournament left you inspired? Whether you’re an avid linksman or a miniature golf enthusiast, a group trip to a golf resort could be the perfect departure from long hours and late nights at the office. But if you’re going to log in long hours on the golf course, make sure you’re spending your time – and your hard-earned money – someplace worthwhile. These six tips will help you embark on a golf trip for the books, even if your golf score isn’t worth recording.

Choose a course that’s challenging, but not overly so.

While every golfer is at a different playing level, make sure that the course you choose is suitable for the general experience level of your group. Find out how many holes make up the course, and ask the concierge about its difficulty level.

Find a golf resort with great scenery.

If you’re going to spend the majority of your time outside, make sure the view offers more than just mosquitoes above a murky lake. Enjoy the water, palm trees and striking sunsets at LaPlaya Beach & Gold Resort in Naples, Fla., which also happens to have a Bob Cupp-designed golf course.

Ask the resort about the accessibility of the golf course.

Call the resort in advance and ask the concierge how crowded the courses are during the time of year you plan to go. Judging by their answer, if it sounds like the experience will feel more like being at a crowded theme park than a luxury resort, consider going during off-season.

Search online for pictures and descriptions of the resort.

If you’re looking for luxury, you’ll find it in abundance at the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, Calif. Its villas feature Italian-limestone fireplaces and wood-beam ceilings. Or check out the Steenberg Hotel, Cape Town in Constantia Valley, South Africa, for a place with inherent charm and a rich history. It’s located on Cape Town’s oldest wine farm, with buildings dating as far back as 1682.

Read online reviews of the courses.

Use an online course finder, such as the one from Sports Illustrated’s Golf.com, to search from thousands of courses to narrow down your options. You can find out where it’s located, how it’s currently ranked in comparison to other courses, how much the green fees cost, and more. Golf Digest also offers its own course finder.

Invest in insurance for your golf trip.

You’ve probably been looking outside of your office window for months daydreaming about this vacation. But that dream probably didn’t include the airline losing your brand new driver. With RoamRight’s Active Sports Travel Insurance, you can get coverage for your golf bag, clubs or golf shoes, which many airlines won’t reimburse you for if it gets lost. In addition, if your trip is cancelled or interrupted due to a covered reason, you can be reimbursed for unused non-refundable deposits and payments, such as green fees.

Where is your favorite place to practice your swing? Share it with us on Facebook.

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.