Golf Travel Trends

Golf travel has always been one of the quiet mainstays of the travel and tourism industries – it’s one of the reasons that so many 4-star resorts feature stunning golf courses, or are built close to the most famous golf courses in the country. Golfers are in a league of their own when it comes to vacations among sports lovers. Baseball lovers may travel to see the Baseball Hall of Fame, but most fans know they don’t have a prayer of playing a sandlot game at Fenway or Wrigley Stadium. Golf travel, on the other hand, underscores the equalizing force that is the game of golf. In most cases, if you can afford the greens fee, you can play the same courses that the golf pros play. Most baseball fans will never face the Green Monster, but any golfer knows that someday he absolutely can play the Amen Corner at Augusta National or take his chances against the elements and the architecture of the Old Course at St. Andrews.

Playing famous golf courses is just one of the best known trends in golf travel. Every golfer has his own personal bucket list of holes he wants to play or courses he wants to tee off on, and every golf magazine and website in the country is built around stoking the fantasy of playing the great courses. Each year, the most famous golf publications publish their list of the best 100 golf courses in the country and in the world. Basing golf vacations around playing those famous courses is one way to plan your summer.

Other golfers prefer to put their golf travel time toward discovering little known hidden gems, those golf courses that are best known to local players and seldom make it into the national golfing magazines. Some of them might be famous for a particularly treacherous hole, or for the amazing hospitality of the staff, or the beauty of the surroundings. For those golfers, golf trips might involve parking the family at a hotel in an area surrounded by golf courses and clubs, and heading out to find out where the locals go to play.

While many traveling golfers head out to the Grand Strand or to Arizona to enjoy two of the best and most populous golfing venues in the U.S., others look for a more historic vacation. Golf vacations to Ireland, golf trips to Scotland, and golf travel that encompasses both countries that contributed so much to the history of the glorious game.

Whether you want to play the most famed courses in this country, the most historic courses in the Old Country or the quiet, hidden gems that have yet to be discovered, golf travel is one of the hottest trends in travel today. Pick your courses, pack your clubs and head on out to enjoy a round of golf on the courses you’ve always dreamed of playing.

Tips for Great Irish Golf Trips

Ireland is second only to Scotland as the home to great and historic golf courses, and it’s become more and more popular as an international destination for golf trips and golf travel. If you’ve been thinking about taking a golf vacation with stops at the most historic Ireland golf courses, there’s never been a better time. These tips from veterans of golf travel can help you plan an Irish golf vacation you’ll thoroughly enjoy.

Double Check Rate’s at Ireland Golf Venues and Courses

The economic crisis has hit everyone hard, and that includes some of the best golf clubs and courses in Ireland. If you’ve been dreaming about playing the great Irish golf courses but thought the prices were out of range, now is the time to look again. You’ll find that the golf and the accommodations have come tumbling down from their prices just a few years ago, and you may just be able to afford a few rounds of golf at courses you’d considered far out of reach.

Take Advantage of Golf Packages and Spas Near the Airports

There are a number of luxury golf resorts and spas within easy driving distance from the airports, and it’s worth the investment to take full advantage of one of them. Book a stay for a night or two, and check in directly from your flight. You can clean up, relax and sink into the luxury, then head out for an early morning or late afternoon round of golf to get yourself in the mood for the rest of your trip. If you book in mid-week, you can usually take advantage of weekday discounts, making a luxury stay a real bargain.

Book a Driver Along with Your Car Hire

If you’re traveling from the States – especially if it’s your first golf trip to Ireland – driving will be a challenge. While you can save money by hiring a car and doing your own driving, booking a coach and driver can be worth the extra you’ll pay for it. If you’re traveling with a group, it could be even more cost effective. Booking a driver eliminates the uncertainty of driving on the “wrong” side of the road, especially in areas where the roads are already twisting, windy and dangerous. It also means that you can set aside any concerns about driving and enjoy an extra pint or two at the pub to celebrate your game.

Enjoy the Smaller Lodging Places

Luxury is lovely, but don’t overlook some of the smaller guest houses and B&B’s that dot the Irish countryside. The hospitality is second to none, and your host may have his own golf tips to share with you about the local courses.

If you’re planning a golf vacation to Ireland anytime soon, take the time to get quotes on golf travel and golf trips to Ireland from a number of travel agencies. The prices are competitive, and you’ll be sure to get booked into courses you never would have found on your own.