Not every golf trip needs a week and a long-haul flight. A golf weekend, two or three days within a few hours of home, can be the perfect way to play new courses, spend time with friends and recharge. The key is keeping travel short, the schedule realistic and the logistics simple. Here's how to plan one.
Choosing a destination
- Travel time: two or three hours by car or a short flight is ideal.
- Clusters of courses: pick an area with several good courses close together.
- Variety: a mix of course styles, such as links and parkland, keeps it interesting. Read links vs parkland courses.
- Things to do: good restaurants, pubs or a town to explore in the evenings.
How many rounds?
| Schedule | Rounds | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Relaxed | 2 | Mixed groups, couples, golfers who want time off the course |
| Standard | 3 | Most golf groups |
| Intense | 4 (36 holes on one day) | Keen golfers. Read playing 36 holes in a day |
A sample weekend
- Friday: travel, an afternoon round or a practice session, dinner.
- Saturday: morning round, lunch, optional afternoon nine or rest, dinner.
- Sunday: morning round, lunch, travel home.
Booking
- Tee times: book as soon as they become available; weekend mornings fill quickly. Read how to book tee times.
- Stay-and-play packages can offer good value. Read how to choose a golf resort.
- Group bookings: confirm numbers, deposits and cancellation terms.
- Restaurants: book dinner for groups in advance.
Budgeting
- Green fees, accommodation, travel, food and drinks.
- Agree a budget with the group before booking.
- Use a shared expenses app or a kitty for group costs.
Read how to play golf on a budget.
Packing
- Clubs, balls, tees, gloves and markers. Read golf tees, ball markers and divot tools.
- Weather-appropriate clothing and waterproofs. Read our golf rain gear guide.
- Handicap details if courses require them.
- Smart clothes for clubhouses. Read clubhouse etiquette.
Making it fun
- Play a team competition across the weekend, with a small trophy. Read golf trophies and prizes.
- Mix formats: scrambles, fourballs and Stableford. Read golf formats and games explained.
- Side games for fun. Read golf side games: skins, Nassau and wolf.
Staying fresh
- Warm up and stretch before each round. Read the pre-round warm-up routine.
- Recover between rounds. Read recovery after golf.
- Go easy on late nights before early tee times.
Frequently asked questions
How many rounds should I play on a golf weekend?
Two or three is ideal for most groups.
How far should I travel for a golf weekend?
Ideally no more than two or three hours each way.
Are stay-and-play packages good value?
Often, especially at resorts with several courses.
How do I organise a golf weekend for a group?
Agree dates and budget, book tee times and accommodation early, and plan the competition and meals.
The bottom line
A golf weekend is an easy, rewarding break. Choose somewhere close, play two or three rounds, stay near the courses, book early and plan a little fun competition. For longer trips, read how to plan a golf trip.