BY DANE J. STANTON

Every golfer dreams of the perfect golf vacation. Imagine waking up every morning and strolling out onto freshly cut grass, with the birds chirping and the sky clear and bright. Then imagine if you would, seeing yourself picking up your set and heading out for a round of 18 on one of the most glorious courses in the whole country.

This is a dream that most golfers share and fortunately this dream can become a reality. The question is how? How could you possibly afford such an expensive golf vacation? Well, you’d be surprised at how inexpensive many golf vacations are these days especially if you decide to book in the off season. This is the one secret that is often overlooked and should be considered when planning your next trip.

What’s the First Step?

The first step to finding a great golf vacation is search and compare. First you must spend a good week searching around and jotting down quotes of all the possible locations for your holiday. Next, after you have a good list of vacation deals, start comparing. If you notice that one place is cheaper than another and there is no reason for it, give them a call and ask them if they could possibly beat the deal the cheaper package is offering. Most times, they will say no but you might find one place that is willing to reduce the cost or even add in an extra night for free. Whatever the case, it’s certainly worth a try.

The Second Step is to Plan

What does this incorporate? Firstly, how many people are going to go on this golf vacation? If there is a large group of you then you may have the opportunity to get a reduction on your package.

Next, when is the best time for you to go? We’ve already discussed the fact that you are going to save a great deal of money if you decide to go in the off season, however is this going to be the best time, firstly for yourself personally with work or family commitments, and secondly for playing golf?

Once you have decided these two things, you next have to find out the details of the place you are going to for your golf vacation. What’s the golf course like? Will you get a free buggy? Take every factor into consideration before you make a booking.

Time to Go

Get yourself prepared with everything you need to take with you. Make sure you have enough clothes for the time you are away; you don’t want to miss out on a round of golf just because you don’t have any fresh underpants!

Now all there is to do is grab everyone who’s going and jump on the bus, assuming you are taking one, which is a great idea by the way if there are a lot of you going.

Dane J. Stanton writes for the Golf Shops Reviewed site where you can get more free golf information, reviews, and lots more.

BY WILLIAM HIGGINBOTHAM

Golf vacation: a magical phrase. Dreaming of a golf vacation is exciting, planning one can be just as rewarding. Good planning prevents a dream from turning into a nightmare.

The first consideration is the budget, how much do you have to spend. Realistic is the key here, figure a dollar amount you can spend and subtract 15-20% off the top for a cushion for those unforeseen expenses. Surprises can and do happen, even with the best planning. After you have your top dollar amount or the amount you can spend minus your 15-20% cushion, then move onto other considerations.

Are you driving or flying? Search out deals for complete packages, with flight, hotel green fees, or if driving, hotel and green fees packages. Some hotels offer stay and play packages, and these offer a price break on your room as well as green fees. Just be sure to know and understand if any special stipulations are attached such as minimum number of nights, days of the week available. Inquiring about other charges would be helpful.

Next is the make-up of the group that will be traveling with you. Are the players roughly of the same skill level or is it a mixed bag of skills? This needs to be taken into account when planning what courses will be available. Are you traveling with friends and family that will not be golfing? Then check on surrounding activities and attractions. If the non-golfing members have already voiced their expectations, great, if not it would be wise to inquire about their expectations and wishes for the vacation. While everyone won’t get everything they desire, mutual give and take and the airing of opinions helps everyone own the experience, and gives everyone more piece of mind and it will increase the fun for the whole group.

Faraway exotic places or big name courses are not the only or the best solution, but rather the key is planning, preparation, and open dialog among the members of the group about expectations and desired outcomes. While you cannot plan for every surprise, failure to plan leave’s everything a surprise.

List the articles needed for the trip, such as clothing, maps, tickets, medications, toiletries. Make provisions for stopping delivery of mail and newspapers while you are gone. Can someone check on your place of residence if the trip is longer than a weekend? What about pets, plants. Turn the thermostat back a few degrees; also consider turning down the hot water heater (if you are comfortable doing this). A lot of people put their lights on timers for that at home look. To some people the details may seem annoying, but a comprehensive list saves time and annoyance.

Plus every time you work on the list or the details of the trip, it affords the opportunity to take a little mental vacation to your destination.

William Higginbotham writes for sports-barn.info.

BY C. DOWNEY

Since your vacation includes a few rounds at the golf course, you may want to use your own set of golf clubs. You can rent them at most resorts but they may not be as comfortable as your own set and may even hinder your game. Once you’ve decided to bring your own equipment, there are several things to consider. If you are concerned about protecting your golf clubs from damage during flight, here are a few tips and tricks which should help ensure that they arrive safely.

Clean out your golf bag and get rid of any old items you won’t be using. Refresh with new towels, balls, tees, gloves and so on.

If you don’t already have a golf travel bag or case, then you’ll need to invest in one. There are basically two types of golf travel bags, soft and hard.

The soft golf cases are less expensive and will not adequately protect your paraphernalia against rough handling unless you pack right, and even then there’s a chance of damage to your golf clubs. If you opt for a soft travel case, it’s best to wrap the club heads with a cover and keep them in your regular golf bag. Put that inside the travel case along with some clothing and/or shoes. You can also pack sunscreen lotion, extra balls, tees, gloves, markers and any other accessories you may need on the course, thereby keeping everything in one place.

The hard golf cases are practically indestructible. These bags will set you back a few hundred dollars but they are what the professionals use when they travel and will definitely protect against damage. Although it is said that they will survive a 30,000 foot fall out of an airplane, I haven’t personally tried to put one through a tree shredder, but be that as it may, they are the best choice if you own an expensive set of clubs.

If you own a deluxe set of golf clubs, you may want to check with your homeowner’s insurance beforehand to get extra coverage. Airlines may not cover the entire amount in case of loss or damage.

Don’t miss your flight! Get to the airport early enough so that your bags can be properly checked. Be sure to allow extra time just in case your golf bag has to be searched.

Sometimes, even with the best preparation, things do happen. It’s wise to plan for potential mishaps by bringing enough money to pay for golf club rentals just in case the airline does lose your bag.

Have a wonderful vacation and see you at the course!

C. Downey writes for GolfingFanatic.com where you can find plenty of selections of golf travel bag, cases and other golf items.

BY C. DOWNEY

How much are your golf clubs worth to you? Some of us have expensive custom made clubs, while others own a more affordable set. Whatever the retail value, our own clubs are what help us play our best game, so they are valuable to us. That’s why the pros always bring their own clubs on tour.

Enjoy playing golf on that holiday trip by doing what you can to protect your clubs from damage while traveling. Here are a few tips when trying to choose the best golf travel bag for your situation.

Hard Travel Cases

The case is a hard plastic shell that provides the most protection from drops and falls. These are the ideal choice when traveling by air. You won’t be able to carry your clubs on the plane with you, so you’ll want the best protection you can get with the baggage handling process involved. It can get rough down there!

Soft Travel Cases

Made from more pliant fabric, these are more car friendly since the outer shell is more flexible. Look for bags that use double stitching as this provides a sturdier hold.

Wheels

Carry your golf travel bag around for a bit and you’ll be wishing it had wheels. Imagine walking what seems like miles through a busy airport while carrying your golf clubs — inline wheels are a must!

Handles & Straps

Look for sturdy, double-stitched handles and straps that will easily hold the weight against pulling and lifting.

Padding

Watch that the bag has some amount of foam padding. This will absorb much of the shock from a drop or from heavy banging.

Traveling and playing with our own golf clubs beats renting clubs hands down! By using a golf travel case, you’ll be protecting your clubs from damage and ensuring you have them when you need them most — on the golf course!

C. Downey writes for GolfingFanatic.com where you can find plenty of selections of golf travel bags & cases and other golf items.

BY MONICE DULCINEA

It is no secret that golf is one of the most popular games in the world today. It is favored by the business world for the overall skill that is involved in the game and the many things that it brings to the table. People are in love with the game and that means that you will find golf vacations on top of people’s lists the world over. The golf vacation package is rapidly becoming the number one type of vacation that people are seeking the world over.

For the US, there is little better than Florida when it comes to a golf vacation. Featuring some of the oldest and most difficult courses that can be found anywhere, Florida has long been a state where the top golfers of the world travel. If you make the trip at the right time of the year you may be able to catch some of the Pro tournaments that go on throughout the year. Take along a fair amount of money, as the courses tend to run high in the greens fees.

For the ultimate golf vacation you could travel to Europe. As a game, golf has grown in popularity in the past years for the Europeans and that means that there are some exciting courses available for even the most advanced player. You can expect to find a few masters on the links in Europe as it has become one the most popular destinations overall.

California is also a great spot for your next golf vacation. Because of the wonderful weather, the golf courses stay open year round. There is a whole host of great masters tournaments that come through the state and the greens fees are well below the normal range. There is a wide variety of difficulty levels for all to enjoy and some of the most breathtaking scenery that one could ever find.

Las Vegas is not one that you would think of normally for the golf vacation, but it’s now time to rethink that. One must remember that some of the world’s most powerful people reside in Las Vegas, and that means that they demand some of the best golf courses to foster their business deals locally.

Monice Dulcinea writes for fit4golf.net where you can find more information on golf vacations.

BY JOHN BOLT

Avoid all the grief! Golf clubs are awkward and heavy to lug around — especially when you’ve already got other luggage to carry. Golf travel cases can make your life easier if you get the proper kind. They’re a must have for golfers who want to take their clubs with them. Let’s face it, rental clubs are truly out of the question because they’re just not the same as your own. Here are few simple but critical things to look for in a car or airline golf travel case.

The Construction

This aspect can vary considerably depending if you are looking for a hard or soft travel case. The harder exterior ones are better for airline travel because they can take a lot of abuse while you are on the plane. They tend to cost a little more money but are well worth it to protect your investment since you can’t see what they go through during on and off boarding.

The softer ones are perfect for car travel because they are a little more flexible. They are usually a lot better for storage once you are at your destination because they fold down into a nice compact form. You have to make sure that both these types of golf travel cases have a fully padded interior from top to bottom to avoid potential damage to your clubs. Also make sure that it is easily accessible with double zippers or latches that open from top to bottom. Check for rugged double stitching on the softer ones. Try also to get ones that have an I.D. window at the top along with a small padlock.

Pockets and Storage

If you can find one with lots of additional storage you don’t have to put everything in your other luggage pieces. They should have recessed shoe pockets that can also be locked to help keep the clubs snug during travel. Outside clothing pockets are also available on most models. Just try to make sure that they are expandable for maximum storage. All zippers should have padlock tabs for secure closing. The case should have some sort of an inside security strap that helps prevent the bag from moving too much during transport.

Wheels and Carry Systems

Make sure that that your golf travel cases have some sort of wheels on the bottom. These should be made of a durable polymer or even inline skate wheels that are basically indestructible. This is very important because the last thing you want is to have a wheel break forcing you to carry your bag. Also make sure that the bottom of the bag is either a hard vinyl or plastic that won’t leak and can take some abuse. This should allow the bag to stand upright.

The carry system should have handles on the top and bottom along with the side of the bag to aid in getting it in and out of the car. These handles need to be a minimum of double stitched or bolted to the case itself to insure they don’t break. You should also have a durable shoulder strap or pulling handle that is adjustable for easy transportation.

One other thing to remember, make sure that when you are shopping, no matter what you buy it has to be water resistant. That along with all these other important tips should help make your experience more enjoyable. Whether you need a hard airline golf travel case or a number of soft golf travel cases for the family in the car all these tips will help you avoid any unnecessary mishaps on your next vacation.

John Bolt is the full time owner of Golf Equipment Source. With years of competitive golf experience under his belt, he understands the importance of having properly fitted golf equipment.

BY SEAN COCHRAN

The golf travel industry is huge. Destination resorts such as Myrtle Beach, Hawaii, Palm Springs, and Phoenix are springing up all over. Developers are not just hoping for the Field of Dreams — build it and they will come — they know folks will come.

Look at business. So many business relationships and transactions are being done on the links. And it’s happening all over the globe.

Certain trips you are able to bring your clubs; others times not.

We are going to talk about how travel affects your body and your swing while playing golf or not playing. We will also discuss what can help you with that horrid jet lag that can easily hinder your performance on the course or in the board room.

I write this article from experience. I am currently in my third year on the PGA Tour as a trainer. I travel all over the globe with the Tour. So I understand what it is like to “live” out of a suitcase and not have everything available to you. Granted, we always have golf clubs with us, but I have some innovative ways to keep your game in shape.

This article is not about swing drills. Rather, this article will discuss how to keep your swing in shape from a more global perspective. Much of the information in this article is from personal observation, individual trial and error, and some tips from some experienced professionals.

Jet Lag. It can be a “Killer” on your golf game

As I write, I am sitting here at the world famous Doral Golf and Spa Resort in Miami. Tough duty I have this week. This course is host of the Ford Championship Golf Tournament. I flew in from San Diego last night. So there is a 3-hour time difference, a 4-hour flight, and let’s just say I got up this morning at 2:30 am Pacific Standard time (5:30 Eastern Standard time). So to sum it up, I know a thing or two about jet lag.

Because I am a personal trainer for Phil Mickelson, I’ve spent a lot of time researching and developing ways to help Phil perform better. That also includes his travel and getting his body ready for competition. Let us first start at the beginning with the flight. Research has indicated that whenever you fly the body becomes dehydrated. Why is this so? I guess it has something to do with the cabin of the airplane being pressurized.

Drinking lots of water is the first line of defense in battling jet lag. Drink water before you take off, during the flight, and once you land. Even if you have to go to the lavatory a couple times in flight, your body and your golf game will thank you.

We’re talking about water. Not soda, not coffee, and sorry, not alcohol. Alcohol dehydrates the body, so when you are in the air you get a double whammy. Good old H2O. Now what to do after you land?

I have found the greatest success in the war against Jet Lag is immediately changing to the present time zone. I know it can be tough having to go to bed 3 hours later than what you are accustomed to, but believe me, in a day or so it will pay big dividends. I found this to really help.

Some other of Sensei Sean’s helpful hints are regulating your workouts and eating healthy foods. Workouts for me get that blood pumping and the body moving. I don’t feel lethargic on the road if I workout regularly. Now a workout can be something like a 20 minute brisk walk or run around the hotel. Just get something into your schedule that gets the blood pumping. Finally, another key to not getting “stung” by jet lag is what you eat. If I eat healthy meals, my body is more alert and running efficiently. If I chow down on fast food or candy, my body starts to get run down.

Keeping the Golf Game in Shape on the Road

I am certainly not a swing coach, and the suggestions in this article are merely from my personal experiences from traveling on the Tour. Some good friends of mine (Rick Smith and Dave Pelz) are some of the best swing coaches in the world. I would suggest taking a look at some of their videos/articles for specific drills.

Now I realize that when you are traveling on business, time is limited to say the least. And probably more times than not you won’t have your clubs on the road. So what is the amateur to do? Well, what if I told you that it is possible to work on your swing in about 15 minutes a day without any equipment? Would that get you motivated to do a little work on the road? I imagine you would because I think we all have 15 minutes a day to spend on our swing.

We can work on three things without clubs. Number one, we can work on the mechanics of your swing; number two, we can work on the machinery (your body) that makes the swing go; and we can work on the mind. Putting all three of these entities together is what I feel is a complete training program for your swing. Forget about one and it’s like not including sugar in that cake recipe. Yuck! You are leaving yourself out of the game.

I have been given a great series of “mirror” drills by my instructor to work on my swing, and I am guessing your instructor has given you something similar. If not, I know both Rick Smith and Jim McLean have a number of drills that are done without clubs. Just take a look at The Golf Channel and you can probably pick up on a few of these drills. The great thing is I can do these drills anywhere and I do not need any equipment. So first off, spend 5 minutes a day in your hotel doing swing drills.

Once done with the swing drills, let’s work on the body. The body is what drives your swing and needs just as much attention as your swing itself. The pros work on their body every day, so why can’t the amateurs. Take the next 5 minutes and do “golf strengthening” drills that train the body for your swing. These exercises take no equipment and can be done in the comfort of your hotel room.

Finally, spend the final 5 minutes of your training session on the mind. Numerous books exist on the mental side of golf. I bet if you pick one of these books up at the bookstore, any number of them will have daily drills to perform. Perform these drills for five minutes.

So there you have it! Stay hydrated, set your body to the local time as quickly as you can, eat good foods for your body and get some exercise. For the mechanics of the swing, develop a set of in-room mirror drills to keep in the groove. Now if you have your clubs on the road, the swing drills can be done for 5 minutes with your clubs.

Sean Cochran, one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world, travels the PGA Tour regularly as Phil Mickelson’s personal trainer. You can learn more about golf endurance training and what it entails at his website, BioForceGolf.

BY KEITH JENNISON

Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a 10-day golf adventure to the Caribbean, there is one thing common with all golf trips and vacations: rip-offs.

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BY JASON POWERS

Golfing is a joy to be savored for sure and what better way to do this than on a golf vacation? There are no phone calls to worry about, no business meetings, just you and the golf green and your fantastic new golf clubs. Life just doesn’t get much better than that. A golf vacation is the way to go if you love to spend your time golfing. A golf vacation is wonderful because it can be taken alone, with a significant other or even with friends. If you are in need of a vacation sometime soon then you need to look into a golf vacation.

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