A beginner's guide to going on a Golfing Holiday abroad

Whether you’re a seasoned pro but have never taken your game abroad, or a complete novice who wants to get started in style, golfing holidays are hugely popular here at the Royal Westmoreland, with our 72 par, 7,045-yard championship course.

 

Golfing holidays are a great way to get away with your friends or family for a few nights and do something that you love too, so if it’s something you’re considering, here are some top tips.

Work Out a Budget

Like with any kind of holiday, the first thing you’ll need to do is work out a budget. Take into account the cost of your flights, hotels, green fees and anything else that you’re going to need.

Once you’ve got your course and hotel booked, consider if you want to add on any extras.

For example, a buggy can be a lifesaver when you’re walking around the course in the heat and you may need to factor in the cost of hiring clubs if you don’t have your own or don’t want to bring them with you.

When to Go

Choosing exactly when you want to book your golfing holiday for is very important in terms of the weather, price and availability.

For example, here in Barbados, the majority of visitors come to the island between December and April, where the weather is slightly cooler and more bearable when you’re out on the course.

On the other hand, if you want to visit when there are fewer people about, so you’ll have more available tee times and be able to take your time around the course a little more, we recommend visiting between May and November when you might also be able to pick up cheaper flights.

Packing

Of course, you’re going to be taking a bit more gear than you would for a normal holiday, so what’s the best way to make the most of your packing space.

Generally, the more you take, the more you’re going to have to pay, so we would recommend trying not to take any more hold luggage on top of your golf bag (try to fit all of your clothes in hand luggage and the golf bag).

Make sure to use all available space in your bags, including shoe pockets and any space which isn’t taken up by your golfing gear.

A good tip is to pack plenty of clothes which can be worn both on and off the course but make sure that you take enough, especially if it’s forecast to rain.

Lessons

If you’re new to golf, then it’s definitely a good idea to book some lessons while you’re away to get you into the swing of things.

Even if you’ve played before, you might want to brush up on things before you step out onto the course.

Whether it’s the driving range or putting green, having a bit of extra practice can make all the difference once you get out there.

Here at Royal Westmoreland, we offer lessons from our experienced Director of Golf, Bill Longmuir, at a price of $140/£45 for a 30 minute one on one session, or $360/£116 for a one-hour group session.

Non-Golfing Activities

Finally, while you’ll probably want to spend every moment of the day out on the course at first, it’s a good idea to have some other things planned for your holiday, as you can burn yourself out with golf!

Take a tour around the area you’re staying in, see some of the local sights and be sure to treat yourself to a nice meal and some shopping.

Golf resorts are usually in some of the most beautiful parts of the world, so be sure to make the most of them!