I’ve written about golf for the past 30 years, though I’ve been playing since I was about 10.
I’ve also been privileged to visit over 200 courses around the world, including legendary spots like Pebble Beach, Cypress Point, and Southern Hills — home to many PGA tournaments over the years.
Still, I know very well that the game can frustrate and frazzle even the best players.
Think strategically before booking your next golf outing or extended vacation, and avoid these mistakes I often see first-timers make when visiting high-end courses.
Choosing the wrong course and tee
Golf courses are like fingerprints: Each has its unique identity and characteristics. Try to choose the right one.
For those new to the game, the average public municipal course is a good place to start, followed by user-friendly resort courses. Championship layouts are typically meant for competitive play.
It’s also crucial to play from the proper tee. Most courses have up to five different starting points on each hole for different skill levels.
The back tees are for experienced players who can hit far. Choosing them can add hundreds of yards to a round, so pick your starting point carefully and with realistic expectations.
Overpacking
When you’re jetting off for a weekend of golf, pack light.
Not only do most airlines charge hefty fees for bulky golf travel bags, but also hauling them around can be hernia-inducing.
Fortunately, it’s often not necessary to pack so much. Most courses are well-stocked with high-end rental clubs and sell everything from golf balls to Gatorade.
Or you can have your own gear shipped ahead to your golf course through services like Ship Sticks.
Not checking to see if the course has a dress code
Higher-end country clubs and resorts typically have a dress code, so look into it ahead of time.
The codes often suggest collared shirts tucked into belted trousers or athletic skirts and golf shoes — no denim or tank tops.
Traveling to serious golf resorts with people who don’t want to play
If you’re traveling with people who prefer biking and beaching to flailing away at a tiny dimpled ball, skip the super-serious golf resorts.
Instead, find a spot that has excellent courses and something for the rest of your group, too.
There are tons of options. Bandon Dunes Resort in coastal Oregon has seven glorious courses plus miles of hiking trails. An hour outside Atlanta, Reynolds Lake Oconee has seven championship golf courses, plus hiking trails and courts for pickleball and tennis.
Omni Barton Creek has multiple championship golf courses and is only a short drive from the live music, barbecue, and whiskey in downtown Austin.
Not booking a tee time in advance
Getting a tee time at popular courses can feel like a Herculean task these days.
Places like the aforementioned Bandon Dunes are booked out over a year in advance. The same is true for legendary locations like Pebble Beach (its greens fees are north of $600 and well worth it).
Finding open slots is an art form that can be done with the help of apps like Noteefy, which alert you to last-minute cancellations at top-shelf courses.
You may also want to try less-traveled byways like Wisconsin, where Sand Valley and Destination Kohler are the talk of the golf world, yet still have tee times available this year.
Choosing bad golf partners
A few hours can feel like an eternity if you’re playing with a crabby companion who has fits of cursing and club-throwing when things go south.
Golf is meant to be a collegial affair, not a cage match. Choose your companions wisely to avoid fisticuffs or frustration. The game is hard enough.
Trying to do way too much
Everyone is different, but playing too much golf can foreshorten an otherwise painless vacation and lead to embarrassing scores to boot.
I find it sustainable to play a few rounds a week, but more than 18 holes a day over a long weekend can cause wear and tear on feet, hips, and shoulders.
Plan for breaks. Fortunately, many resorts have massages and spas, too.
Assuming you have to stay at specific resorts just to access their golf courses
Golf’s recent renaissance — combined with inflated prices for almost everything — means an outing can get expensive when you add up accommodations, green fees, and travel costs.
Fortunately, you don’t actually have to stay at most resorts just to golf at them. When you can, book your tee time at a resort but stay somewhere more modest nearby to save money.
This can save you a few hundred dollars a day, if not more, and so can dining off the property.
This story was originally published on August 12, 2024, and most recently updated on April 6, 2026.
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