The Masters will forever be the official start of the golf season. It is when so many golfers start to think about the pending golf season. For many years golf was a male bonding experience, but we are witnessing a quiet migration to more of a couples travel experience. While the "guys trip" to the British Isles still exists in many quarters, spouses are enjoying 10 day and longer trips to such exotic destinations as China, New Zealand and South Africa. What should one of these trips look like, to keep all participants satisfied and deliver a great travel experience?
Ideally, the trip starts with two or more like minded couples, composed of either 2 or 4 golfers. If only two of the group are golfers, it is important to establish a finite number of rounds of golf you wish to play during your trip so that the non golfers have a clear expectation of what the trip will look like on days when golf is not an activity. If I may use South Africa as an example, the trip may be 11 nights in total on the ground. Of the 11 nights, 3 should be spent on safari (during one of these days golf may be scheduled. During the remaining 8 days, considering you have some travel time...lets add 4 more rounds of golf. With proper planning you will get to enjoy the very best golf that the destination has to offer, enjoy a safari with your spouse plus leave many afternoons and several full days for sightseeing. Quite possibly your spouse will be delighted to spend some time relaxing and you golf...or she may visit the spa or go shopping. Taking your golf clubs on overseas trips does not mandate they are used very day!
One question often asked of me is the value of travel insurance. As with most things financial it becomes a personal question, in the simplest terms, what is your threshold for financial loss. Some travelers realize they may lose money if they cancel a trip but are willing to live with these consequences. Other travelers prefer to pay a small premium, usually around 6 - 7% of their trip cost to provide some protection in the event of an unexpected change of plans. Probably the worst path to follow is that a medical reason or some other unexpected emergency is sufficient grounds to waive the agreed terms and conditions on your travel arrangements. On rare occasions this may be the result, but it is folly to leave yourself reliant on a favorable outcome when you only basis for discussion is future goodwill. Travelers must remember that all suppliers are running businesses with significant financial considerations. We would consider all elements in making a final determination on how to handle a situation but invariably it is not the open checkbook policy some travelers expect... because this is the travel industry!
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