How to pick the best golf vacation travel company
This golf vacation may be a life-long dream, and you've worked hard. Make sure - especially in this economy - your dollars are used for the best golf vacation experience possible.
Any trip requires detail, and an international trip compounds it - the availability of play at courses, the right hotels, drive yourself or be driven, the right size car for luggage, golfers, and clubs - especially European-size cars.
And make sure you know how long it will take to use local roads. You don't want to miss a tee time.
For overseas trips, we recommend a specialist, but do your research. For domestic trips, golf vacation packagers can open opportunities you may not be able to access and provide extra value.
Here are our tips:
1) Use a company that specializes exclusively in golf vacation travel
2) Make sure it has at least 5 years of experience in golf vacation travel where you will be going
- it takes at least this long to develop the right contacts and relationships to get the job done
3) Do a "background check" on its reputation and track record.
- E-mail some of the courses they work with and ask for a simple verification of their performance
- ask for references; a reputable company will provide them
4) Find out what professional associations it belongs to
- then check and make sure it belongs to them and abides by its standards
5) Check with the tourist board of the destination country
- it cannot show any favoritism or make recommendations, but can identify companies with any track record of client dissatisfaction
6) Be wary of golf vacation companies with only a PO Box
7) Be wary of golf vacation companies with no US office
- this may not be necessary, but if you have a problem and it comes to a matter of recourse on financial or legal matters, this helps.
- if they do not have a US office, give additional attention to our other recommendations here
8) Ask if the golf vacation provider has local overseas offices where you will be going
- most do not, entrusting a representative agent or middleman that works with several companies
- this is usually okay, but establishing who will be providing your service is a best practice at minimum
9) Even in this difficult economic time, don't let price be the only factor
- weigh all factors jointly; remember, this is likely the culmination of a lot of your hard work and time, and the experience, memories and stories will rest on the execution of many factors
10) That said, it's a great time to be buying!
