10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing A Golf Tour Company
Because the Best Golf Trips Start with the Right Questions
When you're planning a golf trip across the pond, the experience should feel as easy as your regular Saturday tee time.
But the quality of your journey is shaped well before your group steps onto the first tee. It begins with the questions you ask.
At Haversham & Baker, we’ve spent decades designing custom golf travel experiences for private club members and PGA Professionals. And while every itinerary is different, one thing remains the same: the more intentional the planning, the more meaningful the outcome.
If you’re evaluating golf tour companies, these questions can help reveal whether they’re the right partner for your journey.
1. Will We Have a Dedicated Driver and Coach?
This might seem like a small detail, but ask anyone who’s been before—it’s not. In fact, many of our travelers return home talking more about their H&B Driver-Host than the golf.
A great Driver-Host quickly becomes part of the group. They know when to speak up and when to hang back. They learn your routine, anticipate what you need before you ask, and add a local touch you didn’t know you were missing.
What to Ask:
Will your group have the same driver and coach throughout the trip, or are you being passed from one point-to-point transfer to the next? Familiarity matters to your experience, and the right Driver-Host will make every day feel smoother, easier, and more enjoyable.
The Expedition led by Steven Zodtner from Aronimink Golf Club with their Driver-Host, John Daly, at Lough Eske Castle.
2. Is My Tee Time at the Old Course Guaranteed?
For many groups, a round at the Old Course at St Andrews is the centerpiece of the trip. What’s less understood is how access to that tee time is actually secured.
What to Ask:
Is the golf travel company an Authorized Provider of Old Course tee times? And if so, will your tee time come from their Guaranteed allocation or through the Ballot and Singles Draw? These are two very different scenarios and your odds of playing The Old Course depend entirely on the answer.
3. Do You Offer Concierge Support for Dining and Touring?
The golf may take center stage, but it’s often the time between rounds that travelers remember most. We call it the Good Life, and our commitment to this portion of your journey has distinguished H&B for decades.
Plenty of companies hand over a list of restaurant suggestions or leave it to the driver to sort things out on the fly. But by the time you arrive, the best spots are often already booked.
What to Ask:
Will someone help plan and reserve your off-course experiences before departure? The most meaningful moments rarely happen by accident. They’re the result of thoughtful, behind-the-scenes coordination before you ever touch down.
Nick Papadakes, PGA and the members of Onwentsia Club at Turnberry.
4. What Category of Room Will I Be Staying In?
In hotels across the pond, there’s a world of difference between room categories. Some golf travel companies choose budget over comfort, and the traveler still ends up paying a price in the end.
What to Ask:
What options do I have for my room type? Most importantly, ensure there’s plenty of space if sharing a room with your spouse or another travel companion. For private club members accustomed to an elevated style of travel, that “classic twin” usually won’t cut it.
5. How Do You Plan for Travelers Who Aren’t Playing Golf?
Not every traveler brings their clubs. But everyone deserves an experience that feels intentional and fulfilling. If a golf tour company refers to these companions simply as “non-golfers,” that likely tells you everything you need to know about the level of attention they’ll receive.
At H&B, we refer to these companions as Tourists, and we shape their days with the same level of care. Whether it’s a personal tour of The Highlands, a spa day at Adare Manor, or a gin-making class paired with afternoon tea at The Balmoral, their trip should feel like it was made for them.
What to Ask:
How do you approach the experience for Tourists? The answer should include specific options, personal touches, and intentional planning, not just afterthought suggestions.
The Expedition led by Susan Bain from Capital City Club enjoys dinner at Forgan's in St. Andrews.
6. Will My Pricing Change After I Book?
Because most overseas golf trips are planned more than a year in advance, pricing is often quoted before all golf, hotel, and transportation rates are finalized. Some golf tour companies estimate based on the prior year, then adjust later. Others offer a fixed cost upfront.
What to Ask:
Is your pricing final, or is it subject to change? And if so, when and why? A clear answer should address currency fluctuation, updated supplier rates, and how any changes will be handled.
Since we lean into transparency over fine print, here's a full explanation of How Pricing Works with Haversham & Baker.
7. What Happens if Something Goes Wrong During the Trip?
Even the most carefully crafted plans can hit a snag. Bags are delayed, flights are canceled, someone isn’t feeling their best. The measure of any great travel company is not the complete absence of these challenges, but in how we respond when "stuff happens."
What to Ask:
Who do I call if I need help? And just as important, do they have the knowledge and influence to get it done? For instance, our senior team remains on call 24/7 throughout the travel season. But more often, it’s our long-standing relationships with golf clubs, hoteliers, and driver-hosts that quietly resolve issues before they ever reach you.
Group Captain John Shingledecker and Friends from St. Petersburg Country Club and Worthington Hills Country Club soak in the views in Portrush.
8. Is There a Course We Might Be Overlooking?
Marquee names like Royal County Down and Muirfield earn their reputations. But oftentimes, it’s the lesser-known courses that leave the strongest impression.
What to Ask:
Are there courses the planner recommends based on personal experience? The most memorable rounds are often the ones you didn’t see coming. And a good advisor knows which ones deserve a place on your itinerary.
9. What Are Your Favorite Off-Course Experiences in the Area?
A golf travel company that truly understands the region should know more than just the scorecard. They should know which distillery is worth your time, where to find the best pint in Killarney, and which coastal road is worth a long detour.
What to Ask:
What are your personal favorites nearby? If the answers feel generic or pulled from the internet, keep asking. The best recommendations come from people who’ve walked in your future shoes.
10. How Do You Make the Trip Feel Personalized?
It’s easy to recognize when an itinerary was built from a template. It’s harder to spot the ones that reflect a group’s pace, priorities, and personality. But when you’re on that kind of trip, you feel it.
What to Ask:
What does your planning process look like? At H&B, we begin by asking questions about your group, your preferences, and what kind of experience you want to create. The more we know, the more the trip feels like it couldn’t have been made for anyone else.
Bonus Question: Can I Skip the Golf Tour Company and Plan This Myself?
You could. But the outcome won’t be the same.
Booking a trip online might get you tee times and a place to sleep. But it won’t give you the benefit of decades of relationships with clubs, hotels, restaurants, and driver-hosts who know what private club members expect. It won’t come with someone anticipating your next move. And it certainly won’t include someone who can quietly step in when the unexpected happens.
At H&B, we’re not just saving you time. We’re giving you access to a deeper, more rewarding journey, built on foundation of personal connection and designed around how your group wants to travel.
In short, a golf trip to Scotland, Ireland, or England should feel like a personal experience. One that reflects the same standards and sense of camaraderie you enjoy at your home club.
Ask the right questions, and you’ll know when you’ve found the right partner.
Looking for broader guidance on what sets one company apart from the next?
Our companion guide, How to Choose the Best Golf Tour Company, steps back from the planning checklist to explore what truly distinguishes one provider from another and why those differences matter for your experience.
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