In non-pandemic times, the former hosts multiple father-son and father-daughter tournaments each year and the latter has built a nice business out of pairing golf travel with big international events such as the Solheim Cup. Dont call the plumber. Brochure The Provisional Schedule may be adjusted as needed to meet with your approval. GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS. There are a handful of tour operators that could help with your trip and in all cases, I recommend getting multiple quotes from different tour operators. Everything I know about them is positive! I think it will greatly improve your trip and you will be happy you paid a small premium for a much better experience. Buy a dining table? Are all of these destinations truly great for golf? We call it the. Hi Gray. Our escorted programs provide an excellent opportunity for smaller parties to join a larger group of like-minded traveler for a relaxed experience supported by drivers and guides with a menu of inclusive meals and activities. We like the smaller wholesome feel and believe we will get a great trip if we go through them. For instance, almost all the top courses of the British Isles are technically private clubs, but unlike the US versions, welcome outside play. You dont always have much input in the planning process, but many consumers dont need or want it. Actual local staff will ensure that any hiccups that occur remain just that, rather than full scale disasters. As you read, getting multiple quotes is definitely best practices here, especially with a large group. Great question and kudos to your wife for playing in the British Womens Senior she must be quite the player! If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. The First Tee Booking through an operator can be advantageous but with the amount of things you can book online I think any future trips that we take will be done without a tour operator. We want to go over a week or so ahead of that and travel and play in Wales. Because of the coronavirus, theres a ton of pent-up demand. Butgoing alone. I was shocked at the difference in cost from 50% to 100% higher than the a la carte costs Id come up with. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. Our expertise is golf travel to the British Isles and Spain, yet travelers still frequently approach H&B about trips to other parts of the world. One of the logistics Im struggling with is the rental vehicle. Golf England Its amazing how much price can vary between companies, so just do your due diligence. Group of 16 who wants each Trip to be memorable. Haversham & Baker Expeditions emphasizes small group travel to Britain, Ireland and Europe, using private buses and exclusive-use accommodations. It sounds like your St Andrews and East Lothian trip was a good one I think those two regions make for a perfect pairing. In the time since, perhaps youve scoured the internet in search of answers to your numerous questions. Dornoch may be open, but that doesnt hit your 3 out of 4! If you desire a first-class experience and are willing to pay for it accordingly, the company heavily promoting local B&Bs and self-drive trips is probably not the best choice. During this early phase of planning, Captains will typically end up falling into one of two categories. And while these clubs do welcome the public, the best tour operators, meaning those with an office in the country and doing a lot of business with the clubs, have more sway over getting tee times. ~ Sep 8, Mediterranean Islands Golf Cruise - PRE-RYDER CUP CRUISE! Yardage Book / FAQ This can be especially useful for larger groups where a rental car doesnt make sense. My group went to the South West of Ireland in 2012 and all of the accommodations and transportation were handled by a tour operator. With most tour companies, there is an initial discussion about where you want to go and play, but once youve confirmed a quoted itinerary, you just sit back while they do the work. Complete Guide to Golf in Ireland, 12 Important Decisions When Planning a Golf Trip to Scotland, 5 Benefits of Custom Golf Travel Packages, Why Haversham & Baker Costs a Bit More than Other Golf Travel Companies, The Best Destinations for 2023 Golf Trips to Scotland, Ireland, and England, 2022 Haversham & Baker Golf Expeditions, A Week in Edinburgh and Scotlands Golf Coast, Golf Digest thinks are the Best Golf Tour Operators, why Haversham & Baker is a little more expensive than other golf travel companies, The Must-Play Harry Colt Golf Courses Across the Pond, The First-Timers Guide to Golf in Scotland and Ireland, Tips for Using Your Cell Phone on an Overseas Golf Trip, We were the first some might say, still the only golf travel company to adopt the belief that your time off the course during an overseas golf trip is just as important to the overall experience as your time on it. Explaining why Haversham & Baker is a little more expensive than other golf travel companies requires a post of its own. Perry Golf is rooted in trips to Scotland but it also offers a wide menu of cruises in partnership with the Azamara line, including trips through the British Isles, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The Old Course at St. Andrews Carr Golf and Celtic Golf are outstanding for Irish trips. This is a major cost and major appeal of tour operators, who deliver ultimate convenience. Tour companies meet that need very well. Ive received emails in the past where a client presented a tour company with a general outline for their desired trip. Because as much as we love Pinehurst, Premier Golf knows domestic travel better. This year 13 nights and 19 rounds. Are Guaranteed Old Course Tee Times Worth the Money? Looking for reliable ground operators to get us around. The key is to get a handful of quotes! As a friend of mine recently said, I just want to cut a check and show up at the airport.. Tour companies can deal with these larger groups with ease and can save major headaches. The logistics behind planning a trip for 16 would be pretty darn tough to plan. Ive worked with and spoken to many happy clients from PerryGolf, Haversham & Baker, Bonnie Wee Golf Tours, Carr Golf, Connoisseur Golf, and others. Be weary of any company that fires off an itinerary without so much as a dialogue with you first. Wide World of Golf is run by Bill Hogan, who has played in more than 35 different countries and really knows the best golf courses around the globe. All of which is to say, when choosing a company, dont equate the range of destinations to the depth of expertise. Because of this, many prospective travelers reach a similar conclusion: If so many companies are a fit for all travelers, surely they must be a fit for all companies. But just because somewhere happens to be a great destination for travel doesnt always mean that its a great destination for golf travel. Dont screw around, call somebody who can put everything from tee times to charters together for you. And they know their food and lodging. These five firms are an excellent place to start. This past summer 8 of us visited Scotland and I did all of the booking with the intent of staying in no more than two places during the trip. Splitting into two vehicles definitely isnt the optimal choice, but it may be your best in this scenario. The company? Do note that those who plan trips on their own can contract with independent transportation companies. And again, we wouldnt delay. Finally, as a client of PerryGolf, you can expect the warmest of welcomes and the most gracious hospitality from our many valued hotel and golf partners who share the commitment to be an exemplary host. I hope that helps! One is St Andrews Executive Travel and the other is Woods of Tillicoultry. This post will help you determine how to choose a tour company, and equally important, help you decide whether you need one. No matter what you choose, get a larger vehicle than you think youll need. Importantly the agreed US Dollar price is confirmed regardless of currency movements before your dates of travel. The time savings can be worth the cost of using a tour company for some travelers. Once youve combined the insight on how to choose the right golf travel company, with what youve learned about Haversham & Baker, if you think were the right choice for your trip, theres only one thing left to do. Can help? Hi Pam, I have worked with Bonnie Wee Golf Tours in the past and they are a great group of people. If youve already decided where youd like to go, check out our list of golf tours categorised by continent, or take a look at the top-rated operators below. I hope you guys have a great trip! And if we used a travel company would that up our chances? Ive spent hundreds more corresponding with golfers helping them map out their dream journeys. Do any tour operators specialize in Wales? Others dont have the time! Admitting that were a bit more expensive than most in a highly competitive business may seem a little unorthodox, but again. It maximizes your time in each place and doesnt mean too much time on the road. Keep in mind that tour companies have relationships with certain courses and hotels where they get preferred rates. They devote untold hours to research, they build spreadsheets for their itinerary, they set numerous iCal reminders to book tee times, and they read scores of golf trip reviews. On the other hand, if your priorities are budget first and experience second, then well be the first to say that Haversham & Baker may not be the right fit for you. Often theyll take a first trip with a tour company and realize what they like / dont like before planning a later trip on their own. IF YOU ARE A CALIFORNIA RESIDENT AND WOULD LIKE TO EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO OPT-OUT OF THIRD-PARTY DATA SHARING, YOU MAY DO SO HERE:DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION. All of which has led you to hit the easy button and enlist the service and expertise of one of the golf travel companies. Theres no second-guessing and no wondering if you made the right or wrong choices. USE OF AND/OR REGISTRATION ON ANY PORTION OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF OURVISITOR AGREEMENT(UPDATED 1/1/20),PRIVACY AND COOKIES NOTICE(UPDATED 1/1/20) ANDCALIFORNIA PRIVACY NOTICE. Going on 3rd trip to Ireland/Scotland using 3rd different tour operator. We have eight golfers traveling and have already booked teetimes on 6 of the 7 days. Payment may be paid by check, American Express, MasterCard or VISA. Hi Mike, to put it simply, that would definitely be a challenge. A highly detailed, day-by-day quotation in US Dollars will be emailed as a Provisional Schedule within 24 hours of receiving your input. PerryGolf is uniquely qualified to arrange every aspect of a luxurious, international golf vacation. with golf trips through Ian Jacks company SGH Golf which does both traditional trip planning and a lot of ticket and hospitably packages. Escorted Golf Tours PGA Travel Benefits THE MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, DISTRIBUTED, TRANSMITTED, CACHED OR OTHERWISE USED, EXCEPT WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. 2022 DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Couples Golf Travel One final thought: One thing that tour operators can do that is tricky on your own is sell you a guaranteed tee time on the Old Course at St. Andrews, probably the most coveted round of golf in the UK. Since youre reading this page, theres a good chance you fall into the second category of golf trip Captain. Thanks so much for getting back to me. I admittedly dont have experience with any of those four companies you named, but Ive heard positive reviews of Hidden Links. I cant speak from personal experience, but all signs point to legit on my end. There arent too many reviews to be found, but the ones we have uncovered are very positive. So when it comes to Scotland, Ireland and by extension, England and Wales, I say yes, use a tour operator if you can afford it, and especially if you do not want to drive yourself, but if you love logistics, maps and doing things solo, a tour operator is by no means necessary, though in that case, I would strongly recommend you buy a copy of Allan McAllister Fergusons Golf in Scotland, A Travel Planning Guide, which is essentially a do-it-yourself tour operator manual with planned itineraries. You will be able to book Royal Portrush in advance by using their website. As for transportation, trains and buses are definitely do-able if you want to avoid driving. Your email address will not be published. ~ Sep 18, Shop - St Andrews Links Official Merchandise. Testimonials In these places, distances are greater between things, arrangements more logistically difficult, good quality travel information harder to come by, and in some cases, personal safety more of an issue. Has anyone used Ireland Golf as their tour operator, and if so what was your experience? All to try and pull together the 40-50 decisions and reservations required in a typical week-long overseas golf trip. Throughout your process of comparing golf travel companies, youve probably come across a few who seem to promote every destination under the sun. In addition to this interactive documents photography and text descriptions, you will be able to click hyperlinks for even more detailed information. Figure out what youre happy to spend and try to communicate your needs to the tour companies., Tags:Scottish Golf, Scottish Golf Travel, Special Posts, St Andrews, St Andrews Links, Trip Planning, The Pro at my golf club in Canada takes a group of between 8-12 members to Ireland or Scotland every September. I hate the thought of planning the entire trip only to find that our group cant get on Royal Portrush because the tee sheet is full, and Im wondering if using an operator would prevent a scenario like that. Follow this author to improve your content experience. So when you see Scotland golf packages featured right alongside those to Sao Paulo, Santorini, or Shanghai, you might want to ask yourself. Id use the Stagecoach bus website along with the National Rail train website to plan the trip from that angle. Instead we choose our cruise partners from those who are already sailing the itineraries we require on the merits of their vessel, their standard of service and their value. I feel very comfortable recommending any of these three companies, and would lean towards the first two for the British Isles, Wide World for exotic locales, and any of the three for the burgeoning golf destination that is Australia & New Zealand, where they have all been on the cutting edge. Is It Better To Lease Or Buy A Car In Summer 2022? Along the same lines as the Time section above, its very easy to cut a single check and have your whole trip planned and booked. Of course, deciding if the relationship is good for both parties requires you to get to know one another first, before ever diving into the specifics of trip planning. Have you heard of a company called Adventures in Golf. If the tour company has swapped in a different place, ask them why. You recognize that this job requires a lot of time, patience, expertise, and, in the end, can be a thankless one. A member of our staff will become your personal golf travel specialist, contributing advice and recommendations as you require, helping to sort the many options. One of the most valuable services a tour company provides is saving you considerable time. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This post will help you determine how to choose a tour company, and equally important, help you decide whether you need one. Now, we know what you may be thinking Here comes the self-promotion. A good tour operator will make every aspect of your trip, especially the planning and transportation, easier and they also tend to come up with great advice for pubs, hole in the wall restaurants and lodging, all of which is much more diverse then it is here. This goes back to those preferred rates that tour operators receive. Although much can be done online, planning a great trip on your own requires major effort and research. Set off on a golf holiday and play your favourite game on spectacular courses in some of the worlds greatest golfing destinations. Gordon Morse. We offer trip protection which provides traditional coverage for baggage, accident and cancellation for defined reasons. Reservation Information All Rights Reserved. Compare their costs and be a smart consumer check out tee time and accommodation prices yourself. Wish I could be more of a help! How to Choose a Golf Tour Company & Are They Worth the Money?. Ive traveled and driven in Ireland and feel pretty confident booking everything myself but I have one very important question: will an outfitter be able to book tee times that I would not have access to? I would suggest you speak to Links Golf St Andrews, Bonnie Wee Golf Tours, and St Andrews Golf Travel (all three have websites youll find in Google). Have you ever noticed how some golf travel companies talk about custom planning, yet their website is overflowing with pre-packaged itineraries? There proposals are very competitive and can supply me with what I need. My wife is going to play in the British Womens Senior Amateur at Royal St. Davids in Wales. Muirfield also publishes available tee times on its website and appears to be fully booked through the end of October. Seeing that youve landed on our corner of the web, maybe you gained some insight from the H&B Yardage Book. They both combine high volume clout with places like Turnberry, The Old Course Hotel and Gleneagles, while knowing the secret highlights of the region, course like Ardglass, Ballyliffin and The Island, that might otherwise fall off your radar. Search 16 Golf tour operators and travel companies, with 0 reviews. Go figure. I would suggest going for 2020. Im so glad that I found your website! What I will say is, consider getting at least two quotes for your trip if you havent already. After reviewing traveller feedback on all golf tour specialists, our Travel Experts have hand-selected five of the top companies with the best ratings and reviews. 22 passenger bus with drivers. Is England the Most Underrated Country for Golf? For most of the rest of the world, I heartily suggest using a good tour operator, especially when you are combing golf with other activities, as you are likely to do when visiting such golf travel hotspots as Melbourne, Australian; New Zealand; South Africa; Spain and Portugal; China; Vietnam; Thailand; or South America. In all cases, Id love to hear about your experiences and recommendations for a tour company. I would only use a tour operator I viewed as a consultant, one with true expertise. But if all it takes to plan an overseas golf trip is entering your name, dates, and selecting a few courses on a contact form, what value is the company really bringing to the equation? $8800 pp. The truth is, any of these firms would be great help in planning a golf trip anywhere. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. A tour operator will cost you more, and in theory you can plan an identical trip yourself. For the golf traveler who doesnt know much about Scotland and doesnt necessarily want to do the research, there is also a level of security/comfort in knowing that a knowledgeable tour company is planning your trip. Custom Golf Tours I have nothing but good things to say. You may opt-out by. I priced everything myself using 2019 rates found on the web, and then received four quotes from tour operators using the same itinerary. They are based out of New Hampshire. Whether youre dreaming of teeing off in Scotland, Vietnam, or Austria, youll find your perfect tour here. The company was founded in 1984 by two Scottish brothers, Colin and Gordon Dalgleish, both accomplished and global golfers whose extensive knowledge of the worlds leading destinations and appreciation of the game has served to create a specialized travel service. Hi Graylyn, There are 6 to 8 couples who want to visit the St Andrews area to play golf in mid April, 2020. (My answer is the Ailsa at Scotlands Turnberry). Perry Golf and Haversham & Baker are like the Mercedes and BMW of the business, and it is hard to go wrong with either, and both have UK operations and do things themselves, not through a lot of sub-contractors. Between those three youll have a good feel of smaller companies that are focused on Scotland. Every H&B Expedition is custom designed to the precise desires and expectations of your group. This point is especially true for larger groups. It could be for a good reason, but find out their thought process and make the choice yourself. The main advantage was being driven for the entirety of the trip since there were several multi-hour drives as we migrated from one destination to another. One dayeventuallythere will be overseas golf trips again. Quite the opposite. Haversham & Baker Expeditions Each traveler needs to complete a reservations form which provides the necessary information for PerryGolf to manage your travel plans in addition to clearly outlining the deposit, final payment and cancellation terms amongst other important items. The problem is that doing that can be a lot of hassle and requires a lot of specific knowledge and in the end you probably wont get the same trip, because you wont know about the same places, from lesser known but excellent golf courses to smaller but well located hotels and country homes. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Several members of our team are frequent cruisers, but Kalos Golf is more equipped to navigate the high seas. While I have not used them, I know folks who have had a lot of success combining events like the Masters, British Open, Presidents Cup, etc. But before you conclude that this will be a lengthy shameless plug, heres our promise to you: By the end of this post, well name four golf travel companies that we know to excel at certain trips. I actually wrote to each of the clubs we hope to play and asked them how far in advance theyd allow me to book even offered to pre-pay for our foursome but havent heard back yet. Tour operators typically charge through the nose for these times, but if you are putting together a trip with just a few months notice, do not want to take your chances with the daily lottery once you arrive, and simply have to play the Old Course, use a tour operator and look at it like scalping tickets to a big sporting event or concert. If you want to play several courses in a geographic region, which is the usual strategy, say the Ayrshire coast of Scotland, but you do not know which day is Ladies Day at Prestwick, suddenly your entire weekly itinerary can get thrown out of whack. There we cover every topic related to golf travel planning in great detail, from St. Andrews tee times, to the benefits of hiring a Driver-Host, and the debate between Scotland vs Ireland golf trips. Or you? PwC Cloud and Digital Transformation BrandVoice, How To Earn Cash Rewards For Everyday Spending. Since we are only playing in the St Andrews area only there might be some local companies I should talk to rather than those companies that arrange trips all over the world. 2022 Forbes Media LLC. Cruise FAQs We dont begin crafting your itinerary until weve gotten to know you, your travel companions, and each of those desires and expectations. I once had to go to Chicago to play a round of golf with a CEO I was interviewing for a magazine story on very short notice, and through United Vacations I was able to book an air and hotel package with a nice hotel in downtown Chicago for less than the same exact flights without the hotel through Uniteds regular website. Find something that suits your pocket or adventure type, and check in weekly for fresh new deals. At the higher end, if visiting places like Pebble Beach, Destination Kohler, Kiawah or the top courses of Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean, they add little except cost, cannot get you access to truly private courses, and with a bit of research and access to the internet, you can easily put these trips together on your own. Our Escorted Tours are pre-arranged with fixed itineraries for groups typically of 24-30 Guests. Ive seen other tour companies add a much smaller percentage. There is never a surcharge for credit card payments. If you elect a self-driven tour, our local representative will meet you at the airport to ensure a relaxed transition to your ground transportation and to prepare you with a collection of local interest information. Many thanks for your help! The fact is, this relationship is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. I am planning a trip for four to Ireland/Northern Ireland in spring of 2020. Really dont like driving. I have contacted the Perry Group, which was recommended by Southern California Golf Association, but would like to speak to some other companies before I meet with the golfing group. On the surface, this may not sound all that novel, but as youll read further on, it really is. Custom itineraries requiring arrangements for golf, accommodation and local transportation have been PerryGolfs expertise since 1984. Seems like a Mercedes Sprinter van would do with its 12 seats (8 golfers,8 sets of clubs, 8 suitcases etc), but I cant find one to rent. TourRadar - booking tours made easy. You do not need a tour operator for golf trips to Scotland or Ireland, the two most popular foreign destinations for golf fans. The three firms I am going to recommend are very competitive, and all very good. Drumgolf Im organizing a weeklong trip in early June of 2020. In the case of larger tour companies like PerryGolf, they often have their own fleet of vans and buses to transport golfers. Explore golf tour operators in Vietnam, the Czech Republic, and many other destinations around the world. I sort of enjoy driving on the wrong side of the road and getting lost exploring back roads of Ireland and Scotland, but if you dont, and a lot of people do not, then there is something to be said for a very comfortable Mercedes mini-bus taking you and your foursome or eightsome from course to course without a care in the world while you sip good whisky/whiskey (depending which side of the Irish Sea you are on!). Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2022 Travelstride. Our Destinations section provides golf and hotel options within a geographical context. Which company best listened to your desired trip and delivered in their quote?. We have done some tour research and are quite interested in Bonnie Wee golf and David Harris. Do you really want to try to make your own tee times at courses around Phuket and then figure out how to get to them? You do have to pay for all of the work youre saving yourself. For others, they may have the time, but dont find enjoyment in the trip planning process. PerryGolf is luxury golf tour operator with a unique portfolio of worldwide travel experiences. Using the tour companies in-house transportation can also result in cost savings over contracting with a separate transportation company. Island, RCD 2x, Ardglass, PortStewart, Portrush Dunluce, Turnberry Alisa and Bruce, Royal Dornoch 36, Castle Stuart, Cruden, Trump Intl, Carnoustie, Muirfield 36, Archerfield Fidra and Direlton, Kingsbarns, and Castle. For instance, instead of staying in B&Bs like they requested, they were quoted 4-star hotels. If the courses and accommodation are similar across those quotes, I dont see any reason to not go with the less expensive options I dont know of any reasons not to if the quotes are similar. So youve been appointed to the rank of Captain for your upcoming golf trip. Our advice: Contact them all to see what theyve got and what they charge. I got a proposal from them for a trip to Southwest Ireland and it looks well thought out and the price is in line with other quotes. These are the best of the bunch, and are thus not the cheapest, but surprisingly, not usually the most expensive either. Pricing will be guaranteed for 15 days. Hi Rob, thanks for adding to the conversation! All rights reserved. Compare 17 different golf tour companies and find the perfect tour for your next trip. In this business, its really easy to be a Jack of all trades and a master of none., So youve narrowed your search down to a few companies, have received itineraries from each, and one quote in particular is jumping off the page. Pasatiempo Golf Club Review MacKenzies Masterpiece, Royal St. Georges Review One of the Greatest British Classics. Or might you suggest us splitting in to two vehicles (not ideal)? Kalos Golf is almost entirely cruise-based, with smaller ships than manyabout 100 passengersand an eye for luxury. You can get these by yourself, but it is tricky and has to be planned far in advance. Escorted Tours FAQs, The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool July 16, The 2023 Walker Cup at St Andrews ~ Aug 31, Mediterranean Islands Golf Cruise Sep 17, Mediterranean Islands Golf Cruise Oct 21, New Zealand & Australia Golf Cruise ~ Jan 21, Japan, Hong Kong & Vietnam Golf Cruise ~ Apr 18, Mediterranean Islands Golf Cruise ~ May 14, Spain, Portugal & France Golf Cruise ~ May 30, British Isles Golf Cruise & The 151st Open ~ Jul 20, Scottish Links & Islands Golf Cruise ~ Aug 17, France, Spain, & Portugal Golf Cruise - PRE-SOLHEIM CUP CRUISE! Its here that wed suggest applying an old adage. Sure, we could take on these trips with ease, but to do so would be a disservice to both those travelers and our company. Ive heard a few horror stories, but Ive heard far more great reviews of helpful drivers who provide recommendations and useful tips. Lets just say, were a little different. P. lease leave a comment at the end of the article! Were definitely willing to pay more for the increased odds at these courses. However, some people dont necessarily enjoy or want to plan and book a trip themselves. Golf Spain I rarely recommend a golf tour operator for domestic golf travel, or trips within North America.