How to plan a perfect golf trip

Canada boasts over 2,000 golf courses, suitable for all levels of playing abilities and all kinds of budgets. From public courses with sunset savings tee times to one-day access at private clubs, there is no shortage of great golf trips to choose from in every province. Throw in Canada’s unmatched geography of mountains, beaches, prairies and forests and you are primed for a trip to remember.

There are lots of ways to save some green on your way to the fairway—and hopefully to the green in a few strokes or less! A plethora of online sites offer single and group packages that offer everything from just the green fees to all-inclusive golf packages including travel, meals, accommodation, course fees, carts and everything in between. If there is a particular course, or set of courses, that are bucket-list trips, it may be less likely to stay within budget.

Being flexible about location will make a huge difference: if you’re willing to choose between a few great spots, there are fantastic golf trip deals to be had. There are also the usual travel savings options like sharing a room with your golf buddy (or not if they are prone to snoring). Your best golf trips might be with your spouse, other couples or just a group of likeminded golf-lovers. There are special couples packages with romance sprinkled between rounds, ladies-specific getaways and trips geared towards a guys’ weekend. As golf is primarily formed with a foursome, many group packages require multiples of four or even numbers.

Planning for a golf trip is trickier if you’re waiting for last minute golf trip deals, but that’s often one of the best ways to get maximum savings. Golf courses and associated services don’t want empty fairways, rooms or restaurants, so if a week is looking quiet they will often drop their prices closer to the time. Try setting the date with your group well in advance and then knuckle down and do some research in the weeks prior to the travel dates to determine where the best value is. Golf tee times are also a factor in pricing - sunset tee times can be cheaper, so some golf vacation packages could include a variety of start times.

Canada obviously has great golf options. But most of the country also experiences winter weather that isn’t conducive to a golf vacation, at least for a part of the year. South of the border is a great place to find last minute deals in Canada’s winter months —think Arizona, California and Florida. These golf meccas are great all year round but it’s really during the winter months that die hard golfers want to keep the ball rolling (hopefully towards the pin) throughout the year. If travelling outside of Canada for a golf excursion is on the cards, be smart about it and put travel insurance at the top of your golf trip rules list or golf tip packing list.

Here are a few ways travel insurance can help you prepare for the unexpected:

• Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance benefits can help you recover prepaid flights, accommodations, and golf fees if your trip is cancelled, interrupted, or delayed as a result of a covered reason.
• Baggage benefits provide reimbursement for the loss of, or damage to baggage and personal effects, including your golf clubs if bringing your own with you.
• Finally, Emergency Medical insurance benefits can provides reimbursement for eligible expenses resulting from an unexpected emergency sickness or injury while on your trip.

For golfer’s looking for all of the benefits described above in one convenient package, the Medical + Cancellation Plan provided by Allianz Global Assistance is an ideal option.

Essentials for golf trips are simple: love for golf, a great group of friends and travel insurance, especially if your golfing adventure takes you beyond Canada’. Beyond that just remember that it’s all ‘fore’ fun!

 

Travel insurance is underwritten by CUMIS General Insurance Company, a member of The Co-operators Group of Companies, administered by Allianz Global Assistance, which is a registered business name of AZGA Service Canada Inc.

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