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2021/05/21

After reading your comments about groups larger than four, I have come to the conclusion that a tour company is the way to go for our first trip. 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. The Old Course at St. Andrews As mentioned earlier, it begins with our truly custom approach to trip planning, our dedication to the Good Life off the course, the hundreds of hours of research on every aspect of our itineraries, and our steadfast commitment to excellence which has delivered unforgettable memories for over 30 years. By signing up you agree to receive marketing communications from Haversham & Baker and have read our privacy policy. And while that price may be awfully attractive, it often signals that either a mistake was made one that youll likely pay for later, in one form or another or a company that needs to sell a trip in the worst way. Brochure 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. All rights reserved. In the latter part of the trip, we moved down to East Lothian and stayed at the MacDonald Marine Hotel and Spa adjacent to the North Berwick West Links and played our last few rounds in that area before heading home. Looking for reliable ground operators to get us around. The fact is, this business is a highly competitive one. Their reviews are excellent. We like the smaller wholesome feel and believe we will get a great trip if we go through them. A very important but entirely different dimension these tour operators add is the option of turnkey transportation. I like both these companies anywhere they offer trips, but especially for the British Isles, which I think is their real strength and competitive advantage in terms of access and expertise. And again, we wouldnt delay. We were hoping to rent a large van/minibus but arent having luck finding anything big enough. Planning a trip to southwest Ireland in 2019. Additionally, driving and time distances between what appear to be straightforward routes on the map are legendarily dramatic, especially in Ireland, and good tour operators already know you cant play A&B the same day even though you think you can.

Ive seen other tour companies add a much smaller percentage. Its amazing how much price can vary between companies, so just do your due diligence. This year 13 nights and 19 rounds. Having covered golf travel around the world in excruciating detail for the more than 15 years, the questions I get asked the most other than what is your favorite course? Hi Mike, to put it simply, that would definitely be a challenge. A tour operator will cost you more, and in theory you can plan an identical trip yourself. PerryGolf Cruising stands alone to deliver the largest variety of voyages that combine the best golf courses in the world with the worlds most desirable destinations. For additional advice on planning your golf trip across the pond, visit the pages below, read our reviews, or have a look through our Yardage Book, where youll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions. All of which is to say, when choosing a company, dont equate the range of destinations to the depth of expertise. Compare 17 different golf tour companies and find the perfect tour for your next trip. MORE INFORMATION, RELATED: Our complete list of 2021 Editors' Choice winners. My group went to the South West of Ireland in 2012 and all of the accommodations and transportation were handled by a tour operator. 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. Or might you suggest us splitting in to two vehicles (not ideal)? Are all of these destinations truly great for golf? In addition to this interactive documents photography and text descriptions, you will be able to click hyperlinks for even more detailed information. Special Interest Groups Another no-brainer scenario for a top golf tour operator is when you are planning a truly luxurious and over the top trip: just decided to give yourself a spur of the moment whirlwind golf trip through Europe that visits Royal County Down, Ballybunion, Muirfield and Valderrama, linking these epic but hard to get on courses in different countries by helicopters and private jets?

Ive received emails in the past where a client presented a tour company with a general outline for their desired trip. Any reason why I shouldnt save some money and go with one of these tour companies over some others that may or may not have been mentioned by you previously?

PwC Cloud and Digital Transformation BrandVoice, How To Earn Cash Rewards For Everyday Spending. Importantly the agreed US Dollar price is confirmed regardless of currency movements before your dates of travel. We offer trip protection which provides traditional coverage for baggage, accident and cancellation for defined reasons. 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? I have received quotes from 9 different tour companies. Splitting into two vehicles definitely isnt the optimal choice, but it may be your best in this scenario. 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. These are the best of the bunch, and are thus not the cheapest, but surprisingly, not usually the most expensive either. P. lease leave a comment at the end of the article! PerryGolf is luxury golf tour operator with a unique portfolio of worldwide travel experiences. Compare their costs and be a smart consumer check out tee time and accommodation prices yourself. On the other hand, while I dont consider them true golf tour operators, I do recommend checking the airline packagers (Delta Vacations, Continental Vacations, United Vacations, etc.) 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. One dayeventuallythere will be overseas golf trips again. Have you ever noticed how some golf travel companies talk about custom planning, yet their website is overflowing with pre-packaged itineraries? Ive had friends use them in the past and theyve been repeat clients. The key is to get a handful of quotes! This point is especially true for larger groups. The tour company drivers are also often helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. 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. Just wanted to make sure they are legitimate. There is never a surcharge for credit card payments. Graylyn LoomisJanuary 22, 2018Scottish Golf Travel28 Comments. $8800 pp. Your Provisional Schedule will be confirmed when deposits are received by each member of the group. I hope you guys have a great trip!

Thereafter, our assistance will be available for any reason by way of 24-hour telephone. In the case of larger tour companies like PerryGolf, they often have their own fleet of vans and buses to transport golfers. Is It Better To Lease Or Buy A Car In Summer 2022? Follow me on Instagram travelfoodguy or Twitter @travelfoodguy. So when you see Scotland golf packages featured right alongside those to Sao Paulo, Santorini, or Shanghai, you might want to ask yourself. 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. Our Destinations section provides golf and hotel options within a geographical context. A common mistake made by golf travel companies is believing that they are right for everyone. And they know their food and lodging. Its here that wed suggest applying an old adage. The pandemic has been rough on them, as it has on most travel businesses, but theyre still standing and ready to help you build the trip of a lifetime. They book your accommodation, golf, transportation, and even some extras (or any combination of those). I was shocked at the difference in cost from 50% to 100% higher than the a la carte costs Id come up with. They are based out of New Hampshire. 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. Everything about it went swimmingly well. Great question and kudos to your wife for playing in the British Womens Senior she must be quite the player! As a friend of mine recently said, I just want to cut a check and show up at the airport.. Haversham & Baker Reviews, Complete Guide to Golf in Scotland One of the logistics Im struggling with is the rental vehicle. Thank you for the comment, Paul! While it was nice to not have to worry about getting from Point A to Point B, we didnt have a lot of time to soak in the Irish hospitality (at least post-round) as we generally had to get back into the bus as soon as our rounds were over to head to the next stop. 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. Has anyone used Ireland Golf as their tour operator, and if so what was your experience? Payment may be paid by check, American Express, MasterCard or VISA. This is probably a crazy question but if me and a friend were to head to Scotland in late Sept/early Oct what would our chances be of getting on the Old Course, Muirfield, Carnoustie, Royal Dornoch (3 out of 4 would be great as long as one is the Old Course). 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. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you.

This can be especially useful for larger groups where a rental car doesnt make sense. Reservation Information

Hello PGA Travel Benefits Our furthest drive was to Carnoustie. I will let you know how it goes. Hopefully add Old Course via daily ballot.

Can help? 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. Site Map|Global Site Map|Terms of Use|Privacy Policy, Sign in or Create an account or full savings and benefits, Get guided help to find the right trip for you, Travel tips, stories, top 10 lists and more, Get yours before you leave, easier, cheaper, See all activities, themes, and interests >, COVID travel restrictions interactive map. Couples Golf Travel Which leads to the next question. We wouldnt dream of hosting an international Father-Son or Father-Daughter tournament because we dont organize and promote pre-planned events, yet Carr Golf has been doing it successfully for years. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. 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. Be weary of any company that fires off an itinerary without so much as a dialogue with you first. Im so glad that I found your website! Copyright TourRadar. They are designed around special events like The Open Championship or to experience unique destinations like Southeast Asia, the South Pacific or South Africa that may not be part of our permanent portfolio. Golf Ireland 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. 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. I admittedly dont have experience with any of those four companies you named, but Ive heard positive reviews of Hidden Links. Id use the Stagecoach bus website along with the National Rail train website to plan the trip from that angle.

Imagine if your group consists of a bunch of night owls and you end up with nothing but early morning tee times. Ive heard a few horror stories, but Ive heard far more great reviews of helpful drivers who provide recommendations and useful tips. Tour companies meet that need very well. Cruise FAQs On top of that, the Open Championship will be held at St. Andrews in 22, attracting all the more golfers while limiting the supply of tee times. 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. Our Escorted Tours are pre-arranged with fixed itineraries for groups typically of 24-30 Guests. hands on planning with tour operator and then let them run with getting details in place. I am planning a trip for four to Ireland/Northern Ireland in spring of 2020. These five firms are an excellent place to start. 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.

The other exception is if you combine golf with watching golf, like trying to score Masters tickets and lodging, in which case you should definitely call a golf tour operator (see below).

Ive always been the same way with my golf trips and this website is an extension of that. Kalos Golf is almost entirely cruise-based, with smaller ships than manyabout 100 passengersand an eye for luxury. Your email address will not be published.

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). Thanks Graylyn. Dont call the plumber. Golf Cruises 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. Thinking of heading over for a week or so of golfSt Andrews and maybe Dornoch. All of which has led you to hit the easy button and enlist the service and expertise of one of the golf travel companies. Since 1991, when Sam Baker founded our company on his kitchen table, Haversham & Baker has distinguished itself from every other golf travel company for two important reasons: Heres a few questions to ask yourself when choosing between golf travel companies. 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 do not need a tour operator for golf trips to Scotland or Ireland, the two most popular foreign destinations for golf fans. Others dont have the time! However they often have complicate rules, with certain days of the week or times of day when they do not welcome guests. GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS.

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. Vacation In Hawaii Like A Homeowner With Destination Residences Hawaii, This Ranch In Wyoming Comes With Its Own Air Strip And Guest Lodge, Award-Winning Architect Reimagines The Hotels Of The Future, Five-Star Hotel Chef Shares Tips For Creating A Kitchen Garden At Home, Experience A Five Star Hotel At Home With These Recipes From Red Carnation Hotel Collection, The Travel Trend Of The Future: Luxury Resorts That Grow Their Own Food, Spring Break Vacations For The Whole Family, Airbnb Invites You To Sleep In A Spaceship. We will either be a group of 8 or 4. Hi David, Youve found one of the main difficulties of taking a larger group over to Scotland! Were planning a trip to St Andrews in July of 2020 and was just wondering if youre familiar with the tour operator, St Andrews Golf Travel. In all cases, Id love to hear about your experiences and recommendations for a tour company. A highly detailed, day-by-day quotation in US Dollars will be emailed as a Provisional Schedule within 24 hours of receiving your input. Testimonials Hidden Links. You may opt-out by. You dont always have much input in the planning process, but many consumers dont need or want it. PerryGolf is uniquely qualified to arrange every aspect of a luxurious, international golf vacation. We do not charter. Our advice: Contact them all to see what theyve got and what they charge. Hi Gordon, Thats a great question. Some (not all) companies will steer your trip toward places they receive preferential rates and therefore have higher margins.

And if we used a travel company would that up our chances? This is a major cost and major appeal of tour operators, who deliver ultimate convenience. Every H&B Expedition is custom designed to the precise desires and expectations of your group. How to Choose a Golf Tour Company & Are They Worth the Money?. Quite the opposite. Really good feedback thanks again for sharing! In fact, well go ahead and tell you who Golf Digest thinks are the Best Golf Tour Operators right upfront. Gordon Morse. The logistics behind planning a trip for 16 would be pretty darn tough to plan. Please leave a comment at the end of the article! Yes we did get three quotes and they were by far the best price. The only reason to use a tour operator is if you have money to burn and value your time enough where you simply want someone else to take care of all the details, in which case it makes sense. Do note that those who plan trips on their own can contract with independent transportation companies. Whether youre dreaming of teeing off in Scotland, Vietnam, or Austria, youll find your perfect tour here. 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. Should I just get a room near the old course, or look another place? Destinations Thanks so much for getting back to me. We rented an apartment near the Old course and stayed there for 6 nights. About PerryGolf Its also one that operates on relatively thin margins. 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. Dornoch may be open, but that doesnt hit your 3 out of 4! The Provisional Schedule may be adjusted as needed to meet with your approval. For others, they may have the time, but dont find enjoyment in the trip planning process. The three firms I am going to recommend are very competitive, and all very good. Everything I know about them is positive! This goes back to those preferred rates that tour operators receive. Why would we be willing to promote our competition on our own website? 2022 Forbes Media LLC. Search 16 Golf tour operators and travel companies, with 0 reviews. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2022 Travelstride. To my own (and my wifes) detriment, Im always the guy who tries a task myself. Explaining why Haversham & Baker is a little more expensive than other golf travel companies requires a post of its own. We dont begin crafting your itinerary until weve gotten to know you, your travel companions, and each of those desires and expectations. There proposals are very competitive and can supply me with what I need.

Just wondering what your experience has been with Bonnie Wee and whether you would recommend using them. If youd like help organizing one, you might want to reach out to a tour operator now, because it looks like 2022 is going to be extremely busy. Naturally if your tour incorporates the services of a concierge driver or host, you will have immediate and personal attention always. Sure, we could take on these trips with ease, but to do so would be a disservice to both those travelers and our company. 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. Keep digging and try to find that large van. Keep in mind that tour companies have relationships with certain courses and hotels where they get preferred rates.

It maximizes your time in each place and doesnt mean too much time on the road. The fact is, this relationship is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. I every case, I recommend getting a few quotes for trips and I wouldnt hesitate to go with Bonnie Wee Golf Tours if their quote was best. The reputation weve earned over 35 years as one of the most respected providers of international golf tours is proudly presented now as one of the most respected providers of international golf cruises. That means our portfolio offers wide ranging choices onboard the ocean liners of Azamara for less than 700 guests.