Golf trips don't have to cost a fortune. With a little flexibility, you can play great courses in beautiful places for much less than the headline prices. The biggest savings come from choosing the right destination and season, then trimming costs on flights, accommodation and green fees. Here's how.
Choose value destinations
- Central and Eastern Europe, Portugal's quieter regions, Morocco and Thailand. Read best-value golf in Europe, golf in Morocco and golf in Thailand and Southeast Asia.
- Within the USA: Alabama, Tennessee, New Mexico and the Midwest. Read golf in Alabama and Mississippi.
- Close to home: a golf weekend avoids flights. Read golf weekend breaks.
Travel off-peak
Shoulder seasons offer good weather and lower prices. Read best golf destinations by month.
Flights and clubs
- Compare total costs, including sports-equipment fees.
- Hire clubs if fees are high or the trip is short. Read how to rent golf clubs.
- Fly midweek for cheaper fares.
Accommodation
- Self-catering apartments or villas for groups.
- Town-centre hotels instead of resorts.
- Stay-and-play deals where they offer real value. Read stay-and-play packages explained.
Green fees
- Twilight and midweek rates. Read twilight golf.
- Regional golf passes and multi-round tickets.
- Mix famous and local courses.
- Walk instead of hiring carts.
Read how to play golf on a budget.
Food and extras
- Self-cater breakfast and lunch.
- Eat where locals eat.
- Budget for tips and transfers. Read tipping in golf.
Group savings
- Share accommodation and car hire.
- Group green-fee rates. Read golf trips for large groups.
A sample budget comparison
| Item | Peak-season resort trip | Budget version |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (4 nights) | $800 | $320 (shared apartment) |
| Golf (4 rounds) | $800 | $280 (twilight and weekday rates) |
| Flights or travel | $500 | $250 (off-peak, flexible dates) |
| Club transport | $120 | $0 (hire clubs or drive) |
| Food and drink | $400 | $200 (self-catering breakfasts and lunches) |
| Total per person | $2,620 | $1,050 |
Figures are illustrative, but the pattern holds: flexibility on dates, accommodation and tee times can halve the cost of a trip.
Destinations that offer good value
- Within the US: the Midwest, the South and the plains often have excellent public golf at low prices. Read golf in Alabama and Mississippi and golf in the Great Plains.
- Europe: Central and Eastern Europe, inland Spain and northern Portugal. Read best-value golf in Europe.
- Further afield: parts of Southeast Asia and Africa offer low green fees, though flights cost more. Read golf in Thailand and Southeast Asia.
Ways to save on golf itself
- Twilight rates: often much cheaper, and long summer evenings make them excellent value. Read twilight golf.
- Multi-round passes from regional golf trails or groups of courses.
- Weekday rounds rather than weekends.
- Walk instead of taking a cart where allowed.
- Play nine holes on some days.
- Mix premium and value courses: play one bucket-list course and fill the rest of the trip with good local courses.
Ways to save on everything else
- Share accommodation: villas and apartments split between four or more golfers are much cheaper per person.
- Drive rather than fly for shorter trips.
- Pack your own snacks and water for the course.
- Avoid peak festival and holiday weeks.
- Use one base rather than moving every night.
Common false economies
- Skipping travel insurance: a single cancellation can cost far more. Read golf travel insurance.
- Booking the cheapest flights with expensive sports-equipment fees.
- Choosing remote accommodation that adds hours of driving each day.
Frequently asked questions
How can I make a golf trip cheaper?
Choose value destinations, travel off-peak, hire clubs if needed, self-cater and use twilight and midweek rates.
Is it cheaper to hire clubs or fly with them?
For short trips, hiring is often cheaper; compare fees.
What are the cheapest golf destinations?
Central and Eastern Europe, parts of Portugal and Spain, Morocco, Thailand and many US southern states offer good value.
Do group bookings save money?
Often, through group rates and shared accommodation.
What is the cheapest way to play golf abroad?
Travel off-peak, share accommodation, book twilight and weekday rounds, and choose good-value destinations.
Is it cheaper to rent clubs than to fly with them?
For short trips with high baggage fees, often yes. Compare the two before booking.
The bottom line
With smart choices of destination, timing and accommodation, golf trips can be affordable. Travel off-peak, share costs and mix famous courses with local gems. For trip planning, read how to plan a golf trip.