By Justin Wade Shirey, travel advisor with Travelmation.
Start with the kind of trip you want
Decide whether the priority is a destination course, several rounds close together or a relaxed weekend with time for other activities. Ask each traveler for one must-have and one flexible preference. A tournament visit is a separate planning question from a trip to play golf.
Choose dates and courses together
Share two or three date windows and your preferred courses. Confirm tee-time availability and lodging before treating a destination as settled. Ask about travel time between courses, walking or cart arrangements, caddies where available and the pace that suits your group.
Build a budget everyone can compare
Separate lodging, rounds, transportation, meals and extras. Agree whether the budget is per person or for the whole group, and whether flights are included. Single rooms, club rentals, caddies and gratuities can change the total. Compare the actual inclusions rather than only the headline price.
Use a three-night itinerary as a starting point
Day 1: arrive, settle in and have dinner together. Day 2: a morning round and a flexible afternoon. Day 3: a second round, with time for a group dinner. Day 4: depart. This is an example, not a bookable package; add a round or a rest day to match the group’s priorities.
Send a planning brief
Include headcount, departure cities, date windows, courses on your wish list, desired rounds, room preferences and budget per person. Tell me about non-golfers and other activities. I can then help explore available options and clarify what needs confirming before booking.
Attending the Masters or another major?
Tell me which event and days you want to attend. Ticket or badge access, hospitality and any rounds at other courses need separate confirmation. Attending a tournament does not provide playing privileges on its host course. See the golf tournament page for attendance inquiries.