In terms of popularity, there has been a major change in direction when it comes to booking golf vacations, and golfers who book golf trips online have a much wider choice.
In the days of yore, golfers would normally book a vacation package for groups of eight or more to go to warmer climes as the stereotypical trip. Often this package was reserved for large groups from the local club, who were often accompanied by their local PGA Club Professional. Another popular travel option at the time was for the PGA professional golfer to accompany three other golfers to a Pro Am abroad in places like the Costa del Sol, Spain and the Algarve, which were the most popular golf destinations in that era. At that time, online travel bookings were not fully explored and most of these trips were arranged orally through a phone conversation with the local travel agent or through the PGA Golf Professional.
At the time, families looking to take a trip were often left with the option of taking a 7-night break or the standard 14-night vacation package, which sometimes required departure times to be booked separately as part of the travel arrangements. or when families arrived at their destination.
As things evolved, there was a move towards breaks, where golfers could book their trip for one night, a golf weekend, and even 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 night golf breaks. As part of this golf trend, there was the introduction of self-catering breaks that combined an apartment stay, where the golf package included rounds at nearby courses.
Luxury vacations have always been an option if money was not an issue and for many there was the introduction of long distance packages to golf destinations such as South Carolina and Florida. Also, exotic golf destinations such as Mauritius, South Africa, Thailand, Dubai and the Bahamas began to become more popular at a much higher cost. To make this type of travel sound very romantic, luxurious and exotic, these trips used to be known by the terms Getaway or Escape, which tended to suggest peace and quiet, perhaps away from the rigors, stress and strain of modern business life. . .
In terms of quiet, luxurious breaks, there has been the introduction of global and spa breaks and there are many more resorts. This travel option is very popular with couples, where a golfer may want to play the best courses while their partner relaxes by the pool or pamper themselves with the help of 5-star health and leisure facilities. As part of this trend, this has taken another quantum leap forward with a series of golf resorts designed on a Beach Break strategic basis.
Other golf destinations such as France and the Republic of Ireland became more popular with UK golfers who also wanted to play the best courses in Scotland (the birthplace of golf), England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Such is the popularity in Ireland, approximately 100,000 golfers each year arrive from England to play on the Emerald Isle.
Today, in the GolfBreaks.com marketplace, Your Travel has become much easier to do online if travel arrangements and we are spoiled for choice. We can all get online deals from as little as £36 for a luxury overnight break in 4-star accommodation from Your Travel.com, Europe’s #1 travel company. These cheap breaks are found at quality hotels like the McDonald Hotels brand, which is renowned for its first-class golf accommodation.
If you’re looking for winter sun holidays that aren’t long distance, new golf destinations such as Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Cyprus have started to emerge. In terms of long distance, places like Australia, the Caribbean, the Far East and New Zealand have become much more attractive to the masses. These cheap luxury breaks can be booked relatively easily over the internet.
If you’re looking to gamble in Turkey, the Antalya and Belek region has plenty of 5-star hotels on offer at prices starting at £400 for a 7-night break. The Aphrodite Hills Resort in Paphos, Cyprus is another high-quality destination that is available at very affordable prices. Another destination worth a visit is the JW Marriott Hotel, Cairo, with championship course, which will host the 2010 European Tour Egypt Open.
Earlier I mentioned the introduction of Beach Holidays, and nowadays travel companies offer much more interesting trips. These travel plans, for example, include & Racing Breaks and & Whiskey Breaks, which include visits to the nearest race day or a visit to the local whiskey distillery instead of the more traditional Play and Stay Break. Another popular option within the business community is conference breaks.
Just when you thought these travel arrangements seemed to have covered every angle of golf, now there has been the introduction of half board breaks and all inclusive breaks. More recently, Cruise Holidays through Fred Olsen is a travel organization option, with the Canary Cruise, Caribbean & Cuba Cruise, and Western Med Cruise being three of their most popular travel options.
Golf beginners may find that going to a school or resort, with nine-hole facilities or an academy with PGA teaching professionals, is a better option for learning to play. Whatever your level, the tour companies seem to have you covered and the prices are considerably lower, offering a much better quality of accommodation and better value for money. This is perhaps as a result of the introduction of new competing golf destinations.
Escaping to soak up the sun or flying to new golf spots may not appeal to the traditionalists among us, who may wish to play in a Pro Am, Golf Days or Week, which often includes coaching from qualified PGA professionals. Golf Championship packages to cover events such as the British Open Championship are often popular with fans who may wish to see the world’s top stars in competitive stroke play action or gaming events such as the Ryder Cup.
Some of us may have a ‘Wish List’ of some of the best courses we want to play on. These are often links courses rather than inland or heath courses, which may have a long history of golf associated with them. The vast majority of these golf destinations have moved with the times and you can book your trip or tee times online. Online destinations for traditionalists include St Andrews, Troon, Turnberry Resort, Ballybunion, Royal County Down, Royal Lytham & St Annes, Carnoustie, Pebble Beach, Cyprus Point, Muirfield & co., which can be booked individually or as a group , up to and including a Tour base.
Some of the most popular Tours with travelers visiting Home of are Fife, Ayrshire and Edinburgh & Lothians, which include venues of the British Open Championship. The Tour concept has not only become very popular in Ireland, England and Wales, but also globally. As this has expanded to be much more exclusive, with well-known brands and golf destinations featuring the Robert Trent Jones (RTJ) Trail in Alabama, the Nicklaus Trail, Louisiana’s Audubon Trail, the Waccamaw Trail in Myrtle Beach, Orlando Trail, Murcia Trail, New York Trail, East Lothian Trail, Maine Trail, Tennessee Trail, Idaho Trail, Red Rock Trail, Niagara Trail, Austin Trail, and Brunswick Isles Trail to name just a few.
Whatever your travel requirements, we are all spoiled for choice today and tour companies cater to all standards of gaming, budget, location and length of trip. If you are booking a trip, it is essential that you make such golf arrangements through a well-known, reliable and trustworthy resource. It may be better to do it with a credit card if you provide travel insurance.
