Practical advice on golfing holidays to America

This questions and answers advice was contributed by Destination Golf. Click on a blue link to go to the answer.

Which areas of America are currently the most popular holiday destinations with British golfers?

Are there any new holiday golfing destinations, which you feel might appeal to British Golfers?

What has Palm Springs to offer?

Where is your favourite American golfing destination?

Where would you recommend for couples who may have a little more to spend, but who might also prefer a slightly slower paced golfing environment?

Is there an ideal length of time for a golf holiday in America?

What are the most common mistakes people make when going on a golf holiday to America for the first time?

What happens when a golf holiday has to be abandoned because of extreme weather conditions?

When it comes to luggage, is there a maximum weight permitted and would you have to pay excess baggage charge.

Everyone like to get the best possible deal when it comes to booking holidays. Are there any money saving tips you can pass on regarding such things as airline fares etc.?

If someone asked your advice on the ideal destination for their first golf holiday in America, where would you recommend they go?

What would be the single most important piece of advice you would give to someone contemplating a golf holiday in America?

Which areas of America are currently the most popular holiday destinations with British golfers?

The two most popular golfing areas in America are still South Carolina and Florida. I believe that the Eastern seaboard of America will always be the most popular destination, mainly because of the travelling time involved. (Top)

Having said that, are there any new holiday golfing destinations, which you feel might appeal to British Golfers?

When it comes to large numbers, then the two areas I've just mentioned will continue to be the main attractions. However, for smaller groups Virginia and Palm Springs could offer very attractive and different alternatives. Virginia not only has a surprising number of good quality golf courses, like North Carolina, Virginia has three distinct regions; the mountains, the heartland and the ocean. Virginia is also a very historical part of America, and I believe it has real potential as a safari-type golf holiday destination where people can tour around the state mixing golf with sightseeing. (Top)

What has Palm Springs to offer?

They would claim to have more courses per square mile than any other American state. And while that claim may be debatable, there are nevertheless 100 courses in the Palm Springs Valley. While the climate for golf, outside the very hot Summer months is wonderful and the scenery is also pretty spectacular. Getting there is also fairly straight forward, with direct flights to Los Angles, followed by a drive of around two hours inland to Palm Springs. (Top)

You must travel thousands of miles each year searching out the best holiday golf locations for your clients.But where is your favourite American golfing destination?

As a purely golf destination, I would say Pinehurst in North Carolina. I like it because it's a lot more traditional than many of the more modern Amerinca golf locations, which is something I find quite refreshing. Golf at Pinehurst goes back to the last century. The courses are outstanding, while the game seems to permeate throughout the whole place and it also has a warm and friendly small village feel that is pretty unique in America. Getting there is also reasonably straightforward. There are regular non-stop flights from Gatwick to Raleigh in North Carolina, and from there it's only a 70 mile drive down the interstate highway to Pinehurst. (Top)

Where would you recommend for couples who may have a little more to spend, but who might also prefer a slightly slower paced golfing environment?

Somewhere such as Hilton Head Island in South Carolina might be ideal. Once you're there you really don't have to travel anywhere else. There are some excellent hotels and apartments for rent and being an Island, it also has a superb beach. Also, with upwards of 15 golf courses on a comparatively small island and another 50 just off the island, you don't have to drive miles to enjoy a wonderful variety of layouts. Alternatively, if people wanted a day away from the golf course, they could make the short boat trip to Savannah. There are also several excellent hotel resorts in Florida where all the golf you would ever need is on site, should you decide you don't want to travel further than the front door of the hotel to find the first tee. (Top)

Is there an ideal length of time for a golf holiday in America? Is a week long enough , or do you need ten to fourteen days to really get the most from the experience?

With non-stop flights to states such as Florida and with the time difference, there are a great many golfers who only go to America on a seven day trip. If fact we've clients who have gone for a shorter time than that. However, I would usually say go for as long as possible and if you can go for up to two weeks then it might be a good idea to consider a two centre golf holiday. (Top)

What are the most common mistakes people make when going on a golf holiday to America for the first time?

One of the main problems often relates to car hire. On their first trip to America, many people tend to be very price conscious and in some instance this can be a false economy. For example, some packages offer free car hire as part of the holiday. However, in my view there is no such thing as free car hire, because you need insurance, while there are also a range of other expenses you have to pay, such as state tax, fuel, etc. This is something many first time visitors are not always made aware of until they return the car and are presented with a hefty bill for all these additional charges, which they may not have budgeted for. Fortunately many of the car rental firms have introduced an 'all inclusive' plan that covers all these additional charges. This plan now guarantees that once you have paid for the hire of the car you will not be asked to pay any further costs. (Top)

The extreme weather that effected states such as Florida and Carolina recently certainly spoiled may people's holidays, including golfers. What happens when a golf holiday has to be abandoned because of extreme weather conditions?

Basically it's unfortunate. However, if you are already at your destination and are told to evacuate the hotel or resort, that's exactly what you must do. Naturally you would be recompensed for any hotel nights that you had paid for , and the same would also apply for any green fees that had already been paid for. Similarly, anyone who had their flight to America cancelled because of abnormal weather, would also receive a full refund. (Top)

When it comes to luggage, is there a maximum weight permitted and would you have to pay excess baggage charge, if for example, you took a very large suitcase and a full set of clubs in a large bag?

At present, basic rule with all airlines is that you are allowed two pieces of luggage. There are some size restrictions on such items as large trunks, for example, but provided you only have two pieces, you shouldn't have any problems regarding weight. (Top)

Everyone like to get the best possible deal when it comes to booking holidays. Are there any money saving tips you can pass on regarding such things as airline fares etc.?

I think most price deals tend to be airline driven, depending on what their high and low seasons are. Fortunately for golfers, the low season for most airlines is usually from around November to March, excluding Christmas, which is the time most British golfers want to play golf America. For example if you can go to America in November, which is also considered to be low season in states such as Florida and Carolina , you can also enjoy favourable rates for both golf and accommodation. There is one final tip I would pass on to anyone planning their first golf holiday in America. The service in most American resorts and restaurants is usually very good, but you're expected to give a tip for such things as having your bag carried from the care to the locker room, or having you golf shoes cleaned after your round. All of which can add up to quite a bit of money if you don't carry anything less than five dollar bills! (Top)

If someone asked your advice on the ideal destination for their first golf holiday in America, where would you recommend they go?

To a great extent, my advice would depend on age and also who was in their party. For example, if it was a group of eight men, then I would suggest they visit Myrtle Beach. Normally with groups of men they are all golfers and many of them are usually fairly good players. And there is no doubt that Myrtle Beach with over 100 course, many of which are outstanding - both in terms of quality and as a good test of golf - is an ideal destination. Also, because there are so many courses, even in peak season green fees are reasonably priced. Unlike some places in America that are now asking upwards of $200 per round. Myrtle Beach also has some great restaurants and night-life and I personally don't know of anywhere better in America for a group of guys to enjoy themselves. (Top)

What would be the single most important piece of advice you would give to someone contemplating a golf holiday in America?

Going on a golf holiday to America is a little more complex than taking a 'Fly Drive' holiday. Therefore I would advise people to speak to friends who have been on a golf holiday to the States before. It would also be a good idea to seek advice from a reputable travel company who have experience in this aspect of the holiday golf business. You need to be sure about the type of golf courses you want to play. For example, to some people the offer of free golf is more important than the quality of the course. Now there are a number of places in Florida, for example, where if you rent a home on the course you can have free green fees. However, some of these courses are of a standard that you wouldn't go our of your way to play at home in Britain, so why go all the way to America. I think choosing the right destination is the first decision you have to make and the second is the weather. Florida might be sunny and warm in July and August but the high humidity at that time of year makes playing golf very uncomfortable. Likewise, I wouldn't recommend playing golf in the mountains of North Carolina in January. (Top)