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Good news everyone: the summer golf course is just around the corner, and our summer tour package has you covered. Over the next week, our experts will name their favorite courses and resorts, take a look at the latest fashion trends, help you plan your next buddies trip, introduce you to people who can help you plan your golf vacations and more. The goal here? To educate and motivate you on your next golf excursion. So read on, then get your clubs and bags.
More: 8 Stunning Family-friendly Golf Resorts Worth Visiting This Summer | 20 of our staff’s favorite summer golf courses | 8 smart essentials to stash in your golf bag this summer
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Planning a golf trip is like preparing for a golf shot: there’s a lot to think about. But unlike a swing, a golf trip isn’t something you can give too much thought to—because the details you ask for now are pretty much guaranteed to pay off later. Here are six questions to consider as you map out your vacation.
Who is your crew?
Traveling with your buddies is not at all the same as traveling with your mates, which is not the same as traveling with your spouse. The relationships you have with the people on the trip, and the severity of the golf game they play, are like your attitude and control: They affect every move you make afterward.
What is your budget?
Golf excursions range in their extravagance from helicopter rides to the next tee time to stay-and-play packages in Myrtle Beach. Prices vary with them. Analyze costs and make sure everyone is comfortable with them. This accounting should not end with tee times and accommodations. It should include extras such as transportation and meals after arrival, along with an understanding of how it will be divided. Things can get awkward when, say, one person in your group wants to drink Two Buck Chuck and the other keeps ordering a Cult Cabernet.
How golf-r is the trip?
Is this a weeklong death march from dawn to dusk that doesn’t really end until someone slips a tablet or goes into cardiac arrest? Or a leisurely escape with a one-a-day tour and pre-dinner spa treatments? Do you plan to take gigs? Rent caddies? Different golf resorts have different target markets, with the right amenities. Prioritizing your group will help you choose the destination that works best for you.
How competitive will it be?
Journey golf is often associated with gambling. Will you play money games? Compete for pride? Keeping them swiping and laughing with no bets? Not everyone in your group has to be on the same page (there’s always someone a little more daring than the rest) but you should all be working through a similar playbook.
What type of travel do you want?
They say it’s the journey, not the destination. But let’s be real: the destination matters, in part because it shapes the kind of trip you have to take. Short drive? night flight? Time and cost are important considerations. So do logistics, such as the ease of bringing your clubs with you (you may want to ship them or rent them on the course). Getting there is only half the battle. When the final blow lands, you still have to come back.
What do you pack?
balls. gloves. sunblock cream. extra socks. These are just some of the basics. But it is better to bypass it. lip balm. Advil. bandage. Rain gear too, unless you know you can count on dry conditions. Maybe a flask. Books can be written (and in fact, they have) on how to pack it. Several comprehensive articles on packing for a golf trip have also been published.