THE PLANNING GUIDE
What should a premium golf trip really cost?
A clear framework for comparing proposals, from the first green fee to the last transfer.
Start with the total, not the headline price
Set a per-person budget and a whole-group ceiling before building a course list. Separate the amount you want to spend on the land itinerary from flights and personal spending. A proposal only becomes comparable when the inclusions and exclusions are clear.
Build the budget in seven parts
List lodging, golf, ground transport, food, caddie charges and gratuities, flights, and a contingency. If a planning fee applies, show it separately or confirm where it is included. Ask for the currency used for each part and whether exchange-rate changes can affect the final amount.
An illustrative eight-person trip
For planning practice only: eight golfers with a $5,000 land budget each create a $40,000 group budget. That is not an Albatross offer or a destination price. Use your group’s actual number to test room-sharing choices, round count, and whether private transport fits.
Make every proposal answer the same questions
What room category and occupancy are included? Which courses and tee times are confirmed? Are caddies and tips covered? Are transfers private or shared? Which meals are included? What is due now, when is the balance due, and what happens if one golfer cancels?
Reserve before you commit to flights
Treat a draft itinerary as a plan, not an inventory hold. Ask for written confirmation of the booked services and their terms before making other nonrefundable arrangements. Availability can change while a group is making decisions.