Golf Vacation & Travel Tips

How to Choose a Reputable Golf Vacation Provider

Putting your Golf Vacation Plans in the Hands of a Professional

If you decide to focus your time and energy associated with your golf vacation on simply hitting the golf course, a golf vacation provider can arrange your trip for you. How though do you go about finding a trustworthy and dependable provider? There are a number of factors that you should consider, as well as various references that you should investigate. What follows is a general checklist to assist you in making this critical decision.

• How long has the provider been in business? Don't assume that the longer, the better. Some golf vacation planners that have been in business for shorter durations might be better equipped to serve your needs (based on some of the following qualifications, offerings, etc).
• Does the provider specialize in golf vacation packages or are they general travel planners? There's no denying that specialization has its advantages. Better to do one thing extremely well than to do multiple things fairly well. However, not everyone who specializes is "special" at what they do.
• Is the staff knowledgeable about golf? If so, are they actually familiar with the golf courses that they deal with? Finding a golf vacation provider that not only knows golf but that also enjoys partaking in it on the courses they schedule vacations for is like hitting a hole-in-one... simply priceless in adding value to your trip.
• Is the provider a member of any specific golfing organizations or travel associations? While you don't necessarily need to avoid those that aren't, there's a certain comfort factor associated with working with those who chose to go the extra mile and are affiliated with professional groups.
• Does the Better Business Bureau have any records associated with this specific golf vacation provider? Do your homework when it comes to finding the negative needle in the haystack (or should we say the golf ball buried in the rough). Better to find out now than to add your name to the list after returning from the worst golfing experience of your life…none of which has to do with making more double bogeys than pars during your entire trip.
• What guarantees and/or refunds does the provider offer and under what circumstances? Do you need to endure a hurricane while vacationing and golfing in Florida before the provider and/or the individual businesses that they deal with (the airlines, hotel, golf course, etc) will issue you a credit for a return trip? Or are there simply no guarantees and/or refunds whatsoever, even if a loved one passes away the day prior to the beginning of your vacation?
• Is the provider willing to give you a list of past clients for you to contact and ask for a personal recommendation? If not, regardless of the reason, consider looking elsewhere. A provider worthy of receiving praise will be more than willing to provide you with such information. If they're really reputable, positive word of mouth will more than likely already have brought you to the point of considering utilizing their services.

While some people might have the luxury of taking a golf vacation on a regular basis, for many people, a golf trip is an opportunity of a lifetime. Regardless of the number of times that you might be privileged to enjoy some rest and relaxation time spent practicing your putting and driving techniques, you always have the option of relying on a golf vacation provider to put together your travel itinerary. Choose wisely and each trip will be a wonderfully unforgettable memory... just like making a hole-in-one from the 17th tee at the Stadium Course of the TPC at Sawgrass.

See you on the Golf Course, John "Duffer" Walsh

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