With more and more players hitting the fairways as a casual hobby or pursuing a handicap, golf is seeing a boom in new players. The popularity of golf is growing rapidly!
In 2017 there were 2.5 million British golfers, and in 2021 5.3 million adult golfers in Great Britain and Ireland enjoyed playing golf, according to research. It is a game that is relatively new to many people.
For many people, going from a driving range swing to a day on the course is a steep learning curve. Whether you are a beginner or just want to develop your golf skills, we are here to help you find the best golf breaks for beginners.
What is a golf break?
You can take a golf travel break anywhere in the world for at least one night and enjoy several amenities at a golf course, including restaurants, bars, and leisure activities. They are often more about hitting the links, holidays and vacations mean a mental break from the stresses of live. Plus, a winter sunshine break can give some much needed vitamin D boost.
There are many benefits to taking a golf break, including learning more about the game and having fun. Often, golf resorts offer cheap golf lessons and offer excellent practice facilities, so they are the ideal place for players looking to improve their game. In addition to those who enjoy spending time on the golf course, they also enjoy relaxing while away from the fairways when they do not have access to the course.
What types of golf breaks are available?
There are generally two different types of golf breaks for beginners available, either short golf courses or nine-hole golf courses connected to the main 18-hole course that is suited to more experienced players.
Beginner golfers often take golf breaks that include tuition lessons as part of the package, where they can gain tips from qualified professionals.
Taking golf lessons will allow you to learn the basics so that you can eventually play 18 holes and maybe even beat your current score. You will enjoy all the action on the golf course even more if you take advantage of the facilities of the golf resort while you are away from the golf course, such as thermal spas, sports and leisure facilities, and even local attractions if you like to discover new things.
In order to improve your game, you need to learn some of the best golfing skills, which are readily available at some of the world’s best golf courses suitable for the novice.
There are also packages like semi all inclusive or fully inclusive to really take the stress out of your golfing trip.
How can golf breaks improve your game?
A golf break abroad can have a transformative effect on your game. A combination of more time to practice, new courses to challenge them, and the presence of experienced instructors meant that their handicap had dropped by 4 strokes.
Golfing abroad is an opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone and learn from the best in the industry. With a mix of different playing conditions and teaching styles, you can experiment with new techniques and ideas to find what works best for you. You might find yourself widening your stance or adjusting your grip, small changes that can make all the difference when it comes to improving your score.
Some golf breaks offer access to advanced training tools such as swing analysers which allow you to track and analyse your performance during each round. This data can then be used with coaches or even on your own time to identify areas where you could improve. It’s no wonder why so many golfers are now making the most of these types of holidays – they are fun and informative at the same time!
Golf breaks abroad provide an ideal platform for honing existing skills while also introducing new ones. The combination of instruction and practice makes it easier than ever before for players to improve their game quickly, both mentally and physically, while also enjoying a relaxing getaway in a beautiful location.
How do you book your golf break?
Pick your location for your golf holiday
This is, for obvious reasons, the biggest decision you’ll make throughout the whole process, but don’t let that put you off. Even though it may seem easier to simply pick one of the most popular destinations, that might not meet your needs although we have rounded up the best golf breaks abroad a few times.
When deciding on a location for your golf holiday or golfing spa resort you should consider the following:
How much will a golf holiday cost?
Your budget will largely determine your destination, so you should start there. While bargains can be found all over the world, here are a few guidelines.
Golf holidays in Europe – Playing at Ryder Cup courses like Le Golf National, experiencing five-star luxury in southern Spain or exploring the best the Algarve has to offer are all affordable and all under £300.
You can also find all-inclusive or long-stay golf holidays in destinations like Turkey and Morocco for as low as £500 if you prefer to play premium courses.
Golf holidays further afield – It is possible to find world-class golf courses in places like Florida and South Carolina in America, Pinnacle Point and Fancourt in South Africa, and all-inclusive luxury in places like the Dominican Republic and Barbados in the Caribbean.
When booking make sure everything is included, as if the low prices looks too good to be true, it might not cover the cost of green fees, hiring clubs, golf tuition, and any practise time on the putting green or driving range.
Pick when you go on your golf holiday
In addition to price, you should also consider when you wish to travel, since factors such as weather, course availability, and class sizes vary based on the time of year you travel.
Travelling during the peak season will allow you to enjoy the resorts to the fullest, but you’ll also pay a premium, while the off-season will allow you to pay less, but you might miss out on the summer’s hot temperatures.
Nearly 300 sunny days per year are common in locations like Algarve and Andalucia, making it easier to plan your holiday. In contrast, the unpredictable UK climate leaves people guessing outside of June, July, and August.
Decide how long to stay for
Flight times should also be considered when choosing a destination. You may not perceive this as one of the most important aspects of your holiday, but do you really think it’s worth a 10-hour flight each way for a four-day trip?
If you are flying, arriving early in the morning and leaving late in the evening are the best times, allowing you to play golf on the day of arrival and departure. However, with a budget and practicalities in mind, you might have to compromise on this.
Whenever possible, stay for a longer period of time if you’re on a long-distance flight and book an early flight to your destination and a late flight home if you’re on a short trip.
Choose how to travel to your location
Flight-inclusive packages are the best bet for most people since they offer many overseas destinations…but not all.
There is one exception to this rule, and that is France, where there are deals on top-quality courses like Le Touquet Golf and Golf D’Hardelot which include Eurotunnel travel. This is an extremely convenient, affordable and popular way to experience some of Europe’s best courses, taking just under 40 minutes to cross the channel.
Decide what accommodation suits you
During golf holidays, golf is the top priority, so suitable and practical accommodation is often overlooked.
It’s unlikely that you’ll decide to stay at a hotel before checking out nearby golf courses, but rather the other way around.
However, if you’re travelling in a large group, a self-catering apartment or villa may be more convenient than an all-inclusive resort. In places like Pestana Carvoeiro, self-catering villas are available at affordable prices, while El Rompido offers a five-star hotel with all the amenities so make a wise choice.
Should you bring your own golf clubs?
When you learn to drive, you switch from your instructor’s to your own car. In the first few weeks, you may stall your new car once or twice because it feels unfamiliar.
This is similar to using another person’s clubs or hiring the equipment on a golf holiday; the stall might be a shank, and even more embarrassing, it might be on the first tee. Our advice is to take your own set of golf clubs, even if hiring them is sometimes cheaper, especially if you’re looking comfortably beat your friends. If you are concerned, look into golf insurance with covers damage among many other useful cover..
How to travel to the golf courses?
It’s now time for your golf holiday and your luggage has been picked up without any hassles but you may now be thinking about what is the best way to get to your hotel.
There are a few things that will probably influence your decision such as:
- How far away is the airport?
- How many people are in the group?
- How many courses are you playing?
- Are you happy to drive in a different country?
Choose your after-golf activities
There’s more to do in most golfing regions than hitting the beach or sunbathing by the pool.
Whenever you plan activities, keep the ages of your golfers in mind and understand that not all activities will appeal to everyone. During the evening, go out to dinner and drink, so those who want to head off and wake up fresh can do so. In addition, consider whether you should go out looking for bars and other activities; golf resorts around the world have become so advanced that they resemble small villages.
