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Golfbreaks.com is one of the world’s largest and longest-established golf travel companies. We asked Nick Roberts, head of product (UK), sales director Sam Barker, and Joel Martin, product manager for Spain and Portugal, some insightful questions on your behalf, so you didn’t need to bother.
Which destinations would you consider to be the up-and-coming choice for travelling golfers and why?
Joel: We are seeing more golfers head to Lisbon each year because of its championship courses and great après-golf activities. Just an hour north of Lisbon lies Óbidos and the resort of Praia D’El Rey which is home to two courses inside Europe’s Top 100: Praia D’El Rey and the current number-one in Portugal, West Cliffs. In addition to these coastal links, within five minutes you have Royal Óbidos and Bom Sucesso. You will struggle to find a destination anywhere else in Europe with four top courses this close to each other.
Nick: We have just launched Bermuda as a destination at Golfbreaks.com and it is already on my bucket list. I believe it has the highest density of golf courses in the world. It’s only a seven-hour flight from Heathrow and the beaches offer picture-perfect pink sand.
What hints do you have for travelling golfers to make their lives easier?
Sam: Try to gather momentum early when getting group numbers together. It can take a bit of work at the start to get commitment, so keep up the communication and start collecting deposits as soon as possible. To get a group trip off the ground always takes a passionate group organiser to rally the troops. The beauty is that golf trips are such good fun that once you get the first one out of the way the group will then start coming to you each year to get the next trip booked in.
Joel: Always take transfers. It takes the hassle out of the trip for your group and ensures private transportation for both your airport and golf transfers. It also often works out cheaper than individual car hire, depending on the size of the group, and allows everybody to enjoy a couple of post-round beers.
Nick: It really does make sense to book through tour operators. We’ve got over 20 years’ experience in organising these trips for groups of all sizes and have built incredible relationships with the venues, meaning that not only will the process be much less stressful, but we can often include additional perks such as drinks vouchers, buggies, transfers or free club carriage, depending on the requirements of each trip.
Which things do travelling golfers overlook when heading abroad?
Sam: We get a lot of requests for early morning tee-times, but even with the best of intentions most groups end up having an extra drink or two while away. You are on holiday, so why not go for a lunchtime or early afternoon game and enjoy a relaxing morning. If you are up early and really keen, then spend some time doing some warm-weather practice. You will play better and enjoy your game more than rushing to the tee with a hangover.
Joel: Many UK golfers head to the well-known destinations such as Vilamoura or Marbella. These venues are fantastic; however, the courses can often get busy at peak times. I would encourage golfers to take our sales team’s advice, particularly around alternative destinations which can tick off the same client requirements. These will also include some great golf courses and first-rate hotels, but will offer increased flexibility throughout the year. Lagos, in the Algarve, or Salou, in Costa Daurada, Spain, are two fantastic examples of this.
Nick: Exchange rates are often overlooked before travelling. Particularly when going away with a bigger group, it makes sense to ensure everybody is getting the best rate possible before travel and taking advantage of possible discounts or enhanced rates for converting larger amounts where required.
What are the biggest influences on golfers’ choice of holiday destination when booking with Golfbreaks.com?
Sam: Budget, accessibility and the reason for going on a golf break. At a headline level if we can identify these three factors easily, we can narrow down options for customers quickly to find them the perfect break.
Nick: Price, value for money and service are key. Additionally, as social platforms develop, with golfers able to air their views and opinions, excellent service will continue to be of paramount importance to golfers looking to get away.