Making a Mixed-Ability Golf Trip Work for Everyone
The article advises friends to agree early on how much golf they actually want to play, taking travel time and the journey home into account. It recommends choosing a course with forward tees and manageable carries, and checking the walk and buggy availability. The group should also settle on tees and a format such as four-ball match play or Stableford before arriving.
Before booking, friends should discuss how many rounds each person wants, factoring in travel and return journey. A long course may not suit occasional players if water carries are unavoidable; forward tees and alternative routes can help. Walking difficulty and buggy access, especially in wet weather, also deserve checking.
For groups, different tees can be used. Four-ball match play lets partners combine scores, while Stableford or a social scramble may suit larger or beginner-heavy parties. Handicap stroke locations should be clear before the first tee. A two-night trip might use nine holes on arrival and one round on each following day.
This advice may affect friendship groups planning golf trips, especially mixed-ability players and beginners. By encouraging early agreement on rounds, tees, formats, and accessibility, it could reduce friction and make leisure travel more inclusive. Clubs and resorts may see demand for flexible tee options, buggy access, shorter rounds, and clear handicap guidance. It may also influence how groups balance competition with social enjoyment, though outcomes depend on local course policies and individual preferences.