The Complete Golf Holiday Planner

Step 1: Choose Your Destination

The first decision is also the most exciting. Do you want the lush tropical fairways of South East Asia, the dramatic alpine scenery of New Zealand’s Queenstown, the luxury island resorts of Mauritius or the immense variety of Championship courses that Australia’s has to offer? Each region offers something distinct.

South East Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia) offers outstanding value, championship golf courses, warm hospitality and year-round playing opportunities. Courses are generally well maintained, caddies are included as standard, and the combination of golf, culture and cuisine is hard to beat.

New Zealand delivers a premium, uncrowded experience with courses that take full advantage of the scenery. Greens fees tend to be higher, but the quality is consistently outstanding and the pace of play is relaxed.

Mauritius combines championship golf with tropical island luxury. From spectacular oceanfront holes to immaculate resort facilities, it’s the perfect destination for golfers looking to pair unforgettable golf with five-star relaxation, fine dining and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Australia delivers exceptional golfing variety across several distinct regions. Western Australia is home to championship parkland and coastal layouts, Queensland combines resort golf with a relaxed subtropical lifestyle, while Tasmania offers some of the most acclaimed and visually spectacular courses in the Southern Hemisphere. With high course standards, uncrowded fairways and excellent value compared to many overseas destinations, Australia provides a world-class golf holiday experience for both domestic and international travellers.

Pro tip: Think about what matters most to you: value for money, bucket-list prestige, good weather, easy travel? Rank those priorities before you start researching destinations.

Step 2: Decide on Duration and Number of Rounds

Most serious golf travellers aim for between five and eight rounds over a seven to ten day trip. Any fewer and many golfers feel they’ve only just settled into holiday mode before it’s time to head home.

A sensible structure for a seven-night trip is two to three rest or sightseeing days built in alongside four or five rounds. This gives your body time to recover, lets you explore the local culture and prevents the trip from feeling like a relentless grind.

If you’re travelling with a mixed group where not everyone golfs every day, plan non-golf activities around the same days. This is especially easy in destinations like Vietnam’s Da Nang or Bali, where there is plenty to do off the course.

We have a variety of golfing trips you can select from or if you have your own ideas, please reach out and we can customise your own tour schedule.

Step 3: Set a Realistic Budget

Golf holidays can vary significantly in cost depending on your destination, accommodation preferences and the courses you choose to play. As a guide, a week in South East Asia with quality accommodation and five rounds of golf can often be enjoyed from around $2,000 to $3,000 per person, while a similar itinerary in New Zealand, Tasmania or other premium Australian destinations may range from $3,500 to $5,500 per person (excluding international flights).

The main cost drivers to consider include flights, accommodation, green fees, caddie fees and tips, meals and drinks, transfers and local transport, sightseeing and tours, equipment transport or club hire, and travel insurance. It’s also worth allowing some spending money for on-course refreshments, merchandise and other incidental purchases, which can quickly add up over the course of a trip.

Every golfer’s budget and travel style is different. Whether you’re looking for exceptional value, a luxury golf escape, or something in between, Golfing Getaways can tailor an itinerary to suit your preferred destination, travel dates and budget.

Step 4: Book Your Accommodation Strategically

Choosing the right accommodation can have a significant impact on your overall golf holiday experience. Whether it’s a luxury golf resort, a beachfront hotel or a centrally located city property, the best option will depend on your itinerary, budget and preferred style of travel. Golf resorts often provide added convenience, with golf courses, practice facilities and dining options all located on-site.

When staying away from the golf course, it’s generally a good idea to keep travel times to under an hour from your primary golfing destinations. Long daily transfers can reduce flexibility and become tiring, particularly on consecutive playing days. Balancing accommodation quality, location and access to golf courses is one of the key factors in creating an enjoyable and stress-free golf holiday.

Golfing Getaways works with a range of trusted accommodation partners throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Mauritius and can help identify the options best suited to your travel plans and budget.

Step 5: Sort Your Equipment and Packing

For most golfers, travelling with your own clubs is the preferred option. You’re familiar with your equipment, comfortable with your distances, and more likely to enjoy your golf when playing with the clubs you use every week. Fortunately, most airlines are well equipped to handle golf bags, making travelling with your clubs easier than many golfers expect.

While we generally recommend bringing your own equipment, quality hire clubs are available at many golf destinations and can be a practical alternative if you’re travelling light or prefer not to transport your clubs. See our separate guide on travelling with golf clubs for a more detailed look at the options.

Whatever you decide, create a packing checklist well in advance. Golf shoes, gloves, sunscreen, hats, wet-weather gear and appropriate course attire are among the items most commonly forgotten or underestimated.

If travelling with your own clubs, invest in a quality travel cover and consider placing an Apple AirTag or similar tracking device inside your golf bag for additional peace of mind. A simple luggage strap and a clear identification tag can also make your bag easier to recognise and help avoid any mix-ups during transit.

Average Golfer Tip!: Pack plenty of golf balls. When you’re playing a new course every day, often with unfamiliar hazards, windy conditions and plenty of “hero shots”, it’s not uncommon to go through more balls than you normally would at your home club. Most golfers are surprised by how quickly their supply disappears over the course of a golf holiday.

Step 6: Understand the Local Golf Culture

Golf culture varies meaningfully from country to country. In Asia caddies are not optional and are part of the experience. In New Zealand and Australia, self-drive buggies are the norm. In Mauritius, golf is often integrated into the resort experience, with many courses offering complimentary or discounted rounds for resort guests.

Beyond golf etiquette, every destination has its own cultural norms and traditions. Taking the time to learn a little about local customs, religion and social expectations can make your trip more enjoyable and help you avoid any awkward situations. For example, in Indonesia, visitors are travelling through a country with strong Islamic traditions, while in Thailand, respect for Buddhist customs is highly valued. A basic understanding of local culture often enhances the travel experience just as much as the golf itself.

Step 7: Decide Between a Hosted Tour or Independent Travel

The final decision is whether you’d prefer the convenience and social atmosphere of a hosted tour or the flexibility of an independent golf holiday.

Hosted tours are a great option for golfers who enjoy travelling with like-minded people and want the planning, logistics and on-ground support taken care of. Independent travel allows you to customise every aspect of your itinerary, from the courses you play to the pace of your trip.

Golfing Getaways offers both PGA-hosted tours and customised golf holidays across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Mauritius, giving you the flexibility to choose the experience that best suits your travel style and budget.