Do You Really Need a Golf Travel Company?

Why You Need a Golf Travel Company

We Simply Do It Better

Imagine trying to cook a dish at home that’s on the menu at The French Laundry, Eleven Madison Park, or Alinea. You might have the exact same ingredients, the same cookware, and a commercial kitchen, but what you don’t have is 3 Michelin Stars.

You can draw parallels to other fields, but the lesson of this analogy remains the same: a motivated novice will rarely, if ever, achieve the same results as a dedicated professional who has spent years honing their expertise in the task at hand.

International golf travel is no exception.

The internet has made travel planning more accessible for us all, even the notoriously slow-to-evolve golf industry. But the best golf travel experiences are increasingly scarce. And the complexity, investment, and expectations that come with planning a trip to St. Andrews or Portrush are wildly different from Streamsong or Pinehurst – especially if you’re the group captain.

While the level of experience will vary by company, at H&B, we've organized thousands of golf trips to Scotland, Ireland, and England. We’ve established multi-decade relationships with the various hotels, golf courses, and other providers who will deliver your experience across the pond. We’ve hit every wrinkle, snag, or roadblock countless times before. And we’ve spent over 30-years fine tuning it all to ensure a seamless, memorable, and unmatched journey for every H&B Expedition.

Can you fire up the laptop and plan something on your own? Absolutely. The key question to ask is:

Do you really want to?

Why You May Not Need a Golf Travel Company

Although the choice between using a golf travel company and booking on your own will usually lead to two very different experiences, there are some scenarios where you may need to go it alone.

Just Looking for Tee Times

Travelers frequently turn to golf tour operators in search of St. Andrews Old Course tee times or spots at places like Muirfield and Royal County Down. Often, these individuals have booked everything else on their own but struck out on securing that one crucial tee time.

If that sounds like your trip, engaging with a golf travel company is probably as effective as searching for a drive that’s deep in the gorse. Because unlike GolfNow, our product is the combination of golf, accommodations, transportation, and other travel arrangements.

Instead, regularly check the club's website for openings, consider alternative dates, or reach out to the course directly for any last-minute cancellations.

Adding to an Existing Trip

Perhaps you’re attending a wedding in Ireland, or have booked a sightseeing trip to Scotland, and would like to come in a day early for a round of golf. Many golf travel companies have a minimum length of stay requirement and, therefore, are unable to assist with such an itinerary.

Our suggestion is to identify a course or two that are convenient to your existing trip and reach out to them directly. Your first hotel may also have availability, allowing you to add the night but skip the room change when your pre-arranged trip begins.

Traveling Solo

As outlined in our guide for small groups, traveling solo presents golfers with unique challenges and opportunities. Many of the marquee golf courses overseas do not book single golfers in-advance and, as a result, golf travel companies will often require a minimum of two golfers per trip.

This can be frustrating for solo golf travelers, but it also presents an opportunity to leverage your flexibility. Without the need to coordinate with others, you can take advantage of last-minute openings at courses that don’t traditionally book single golfers. Use this freedom to create a more spontaneous and adventurous golf itinerary, as opposed to locking in a fixed itinerary that may miss some of the key courses you want to play.

Golf Light

Similar to adding onto an existing trip, if you desire an itinerary that’s primarily touring with just a single round of golf worked in, a general travel agency or self-planning might be a better fit.

Many golf tour operators work off pre-arranged, multi-round packages. While H&B builds every itinerary from scratch and is distinguished by our commitment to the Good Life, generally our Expeditions consist of golf on at least half the days.

Wall to Wall Golf

In contrast, some golfers prefer trips that are entirely focused on playing as much golf as possible, often squeezing in 36 holes a day, every day, with minimal concern for accommodations, dining, or sightseeing. If you favor this sort of trip, our advice is to open the laptop, build a spreadsheet, and set to work.

H&B generally doesn’t cater to these high-intensity itineraries, and the number of reputable golf tour operators willing to stake their name to such a trip is probably quite small.

Budget Constraints

Simply put, enlisting a professional comes at a premium and is unlikely to ever be the least expensive option.

While that premium brings significant value to your travel experience, if your budget is the primary concern, independent planning is going to be your best route. In that case, we suggest visiting the H&B Yardage Book, where we’ve provided a wealth of guides and resources designed to help all golfers have a better trip, regardless of who does the planning.

In closing, although golf travel companies provide immense value for many golfers, there are situations where you may need to manage on your own. Remember, though, that much like a Michelin star chef brings expertise to a dish, a professional travel company brings unparalleled experience to crafting the ultimate golf trip. Evaluate your specific needs and make an informed decision to ensure a memorable and enjoyable experience that aligns with your goals for the journey.