How to Choose the Best Golf Travel Company

Tips for Deciding Who to Trust for Your Journey

Daniel Jones

December 12, 2024

5 Minute Read

So you’ve been appointed to the exciting yet daunting role of Captain for your upcoming golf trip. Chances are, you’ve already spent hours scouring the internet in search of answers to your countless questions.

That’s exactly why we created the H&B Yardage Book. There, we cover every topic related to golf travel planning in detail—from securing St. Andrews tee times, to the benefits of hiring a Driver-Host, to the essential tips for golf trip captains. Meanwhile, this guide is here to help you tackle one of the most important decisions you’ll face: choosing the right golf travel company for your trip.

During this early phase of planning, Captains will typically fall into one of two categories:

The DIY Enthusiasts: Some will dive into the process with gusto. They devote untold hours to research, build spreadsheets for their itinerary, set numerous iCal reminders to book tee times, and read scores of golf trip reviews (like ours). All to try and pull together the 40-50 decisions and reservations required for a typical week-long overseas golf trip.

The Delegators: Others recognize that this job requires significant time, patience, and expertise. It can also be a thankless one. All of which leads them to “hit the easy button” and enlist the service and expertise of one of the many golf travel companies.

If you’ve landed here, there’s a good chance you’re part of the second group. Which often leads to more questions…

Key Factors for Comparing Golf Travel Companies

Now, we know what you may be thinking: Here comes the self-promotion. But before you conclude that this will be a lengthy plug, here’s our promise to you:

By the end of this post, we’ll name four golf travel companies that we know excel at certain trips. In fact, we’ll even share Golf Digest’s list of the Best Golf Tour Operators right upfront.

We’ve also taken the unconventional approach of answering another common question: Do you really need a golf travel company?

Why would we promote our competitors or explain why some travelers might not need us on our own website?

Let’s just say, we’re a little different.

Golfers at Carnoustie on trip planned by a golf travel company

Since 1991, when Sam Baker founded our company at his kitchen table, Haversham & Baker has distinguished itself for two key reasons:

The Good Life Off the Course: We were the first—some might say still the only—golf travel company to adopt the belief that your time off the course is just as important as your time on it. Our steadfast commitment to this remains the hallmark of overseas travel with H&B.

True Customization: Every H&B Expedition is custom-designed to your group’s unique preferences. We don’t begin crafting your itinerary until we’ve gotten to know you and your travel companions. On the surface, this may not sound novel, but as you’ll see below, it really is.

But that’s enough about us for now. Here are some questions to ask when choosing between golf travel companies:

"When we started putting this trip together almost 2 years ago, having H&B as a partner in the planning process was the best decision we made. Your experience and knowledge of what elevates a good trip to a GREAT trip came through every day of our journey."

Bill Graves, Kirkbrae Country Club

Are You a Fit for Each Other?

A common mistake made by golf travel companies is believing they’re right for everyone. Because of this, many prospective travelers assume the same is true in reverse: If every company is a fit for all travelers, surely all companies are a fit for me.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. If you’re seeking a first-class experience and are willing to invest accordingly, the company promoting self-drive trips and local B&Bs may not be the best choice. On the other hand, if budget is your top priority, Haversham & Baker may not be the right fit for you.

Finding the right match requires getting to know one another before diving into the specifics of trip planning. Which brings us to…

Golfers by 18th green of The Old Course, a top destination for golf travel companies.

Is Their Idea of Custom Really Custom?

Ever notice how some golf travel companies tout “custom planning” yet their websites are packed with pre-packaged itineraries? It's obvious that booking with a company typically costs more upfront than DIY planning, but if all they’re doing is plugging dates and courses into a template, what value are they really adding?

Why This Matters: Because as the Captain, you’re the one your group will turn to if something goes awry.

Imagine booking with a company that offers morning tee times for a group of night owls—or worse, one that skips courses on everyone's must-play list. If the itinerary doesn’t suit your group’s preferences, the Captain often bears the brunt of their dissatisfaction.

Our Advice: Be wary of any company that sends an itinerary without first having a dialogue with you.

"We analyzed and compared several golf trip companies before settling on H&B and I am glad we did! Every detail from start to finish was executed flawlessly resulting in a tremendous drama-free trip. Highly recommend H&B if you're looking for a great golf travel company."

Dave Kuhl, Boulder Country Club

Are They a “Jack of All Trades and a Master of None?”

Some companies promote every destination under the sun, but that doesn’t mean they’re experts in all of them. Also, just because a destination is great for travel doesn’t always mean it’s great for golf travel.

At Haversham & Baker, our expertise lies in golf travel to the British Isles, Portugal, and Spain. We’ve built a reputation for excellence by staying in our lane. Rather than attempting to cover every possible destination, we focus on delivering unmatched expertise in the areas we know best. When we do expand our offerings, it’s only after ensuring that our level of knowledge and service can exceed the high expectations of our members.

This means that other companies excel in areas we don’t, and we’re comfortable acknowledging that. For example:

As much as we love Pinehurst, Premier Golf knows domestic travel better. Several members of our team are frequent cruisers, but Kalos Golf is more equipped to navigate the high seas. We wouldn’t dream of hosting an international Father-Son or Father-Daughter tournament because we don’t organize pre-planned events, yet Carr Golf has been doing it successfully for years. And when it comes to blending the vineyards of Bordeaux and Burgundy with golf, no one does it better than Francois Bras at France Golf Tours.

When choosing a company, remember: a wide range of destinations doesn’t always equal depth of expertise. Because it's easy for golf travel companies to be a "jack of all trades and a master of none."

Golfers at Castlerock on a golf travel company planned trip to Ireland

Is it Too Good to Be True?

Once you’ve narrowed your search to a few companies, you may notice one quote that’s significantly lower than the others. While tempting, remember the old adage: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

The golf travel industry is competitive, but it also operates on thin margins. A low quote could signal a mistake or a company desperate to close a sale. Either way, you may end up paying for it later in hidden costs or subpar experiences.

"Haversham & Baker is top notch. Their attention to details makes your trip beyond your expectations. From the emails helping you to pack, to the driver, to the hotels, and most importantly, the golf courses. H&B should be your company to plan your golf trips."

Hamilton Pounds, The Club at High Hampton

The H&B Difference

At Haversham & Baker, we take pride in going beyond the ordinary. Our approach is centered on true customization and the belief that every detail matters—both on and off the course. We dedicate countless hours to planning, refining, and tailoring each itinerary to ensure it exceeds your expectations.

Naturally, all of this comes at a slightly higher cost than many other golf travel companies. But as our travelers will attest, the investment is worth it for the level of service, expertise, and unforgettable experiences we provide.

What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to delivering a seamless experience. From the moment we begin planning your trip to the final putt, we aim to make every moment unforgettable.

By focusing exclusively on the destinations we know best and continuously raising the bar for excellence, we’ve earned the trust of members from over 1,700 private clubs over the past 30 years.

When you’re ready to join them and experience the difference, simply follow the "Let’s Talk" button below to start planning your unforgettable journey.