Tee up and make the most of your golfing holiday – what to wear, what to take, what to plan.
With advice from our experienced silver golfers, as well as from the experts at Driveline Golf, we have compiled our tips, essential information and recommendations, for on and off the course, to ensure that nothing is left to chance.
Take your own clubs – it is much easier than you think. Even if you are flying overseas, they are quite safe in a zip-up canvas travel bag designed for the purpose and the excess baggage charge is less than club rental at most golf clubs (but then, or course, you can’t blame unfamiliar rental clubs for that shanked tee shot!).
Take golf shoes with soft studs (they will go in the golf club travel bag) – and also a supply of golf balls, which can be much more expensive at most resort clubs.
Take a handicap certificate from your home club if possible – many clubs overseas require to see one before you can play.
Unless pre-booked as a package, avoid the Championship courses unless money is no object. In many places, the nearby alternatives can be just as good and you can probably play four times for the same green fee costs!
If you are taking clubs, book a rental car big enough for your passengers, luggage and clubs. Passengers do not take kindly to having two bags of golf clubs on their laps, especially if you get lost driving from the airport!
Do some on-line homework on the golf clubs you are visiting – they mostly have very informative websites. And check the dress code – tee shirts and blue jeans (and beachwear) are not acceptable in most clubs.
Also check the weather forecast and be sure to have the RIGHT shorts if it is hot – and waterproofs just in case.
Book tee times as far ahead as possible and then take time to study the course lay-out before you tee off, ask the pro about ‘blind shots’ and take a score card with a course map (often forgotten in the enthusiasm to get started).
