A well-planned golf trip becomes legendary. Poor planning turns it into an expensive mess with resentful friends. The difference comes down to logistics, communication, and setting clear expectations before anyone books a flight.

This guide covers everything from choosing destinations to running multi-day betting tournaments that keep everyone engaged.

Timeline: Start 6-12 Months Out

12 months ahead: Lock in dates, poll the group, pick destination.

9 months ahead: Book accommodations and tee times at premium courses.

6 months ahead: Finalize participant list, collect deposits, book flights.

3 months ahead: Confirm all reservations, plan tournament format, assign rooms.

1 month ahead: Send detailed itinerary, confirm final headcount, organize transportation.

1 week ahead: Final reminders, weather check, pack.

Why start early: Popular golf destinations book up fast. Scottsdale in February, Myrtle Beach in April, Bandon Dunes anytime. Waiting until 3 months out means paying premium rates or missing out.

Choosing the Right Destination

Group size matters. Small groups (4-8) can go anywhere. Large groups (12+) need resorts or destinations with multiple courses close together.

Top U.S. golf trip destinations:

Myrtle Beach, SC: 100+ courses, cheap rates, accessible. Best for large groups on a budget.

Scottsdale, AZ: High-end desert golf, great weather winter/spring. Best for smaller groups with bigger budgets.

Pinehurst, NC: Historic courses, walkable village. Best for traditionalists.

Bandon Dunes, OR: Remote, stunning, pure golf. Best for serious golfers willing to rough it.

Las Vegas, NV: Golf + nightlife. Best for groups who want non-golf entertainment.

Streamsong, FL: Hidden gem, incredible courses, all-inclusive. Best for mid-size groups wanting a resort experience.

Kiawah Island, SC: Coastal beauty, resort amenities. Best for upscale trips.

Consider:

Flight accessibility (direct flights from your city)
Group skill level (some courses punish high handicaps)
Budget (Bandon is not cheap, Myrtle Beach is)
Non-golf activities (what if someone gets injured or needs a break)
Weather season (avoid Phoenix in July, avoid Michigan in November)

Budget Management

Set the budget first, then pick the destination. Not the other way around.

Total trip cost breakdown:

Flights: 30-40%
Accommodations: 25-30%
Golf (greens fees): 25-30%
Food/drinks: 10-15%
Transportation (rental cars, Ubers): 5-10%

Example budgets:

Budget trip ($800 per person):

Myrtle Beach, 4 rounds, shared rooms, drive there if possible

Mid-range trip ($1,500 per person):

Scottsdale, 3 rounds, shared rooms, fly in

Premium trip ($3,000+ per person):

Bandon Dunes, 5 rounds, private rooms, all-inclusive

The organizer should create a shared spreadsheet showing projected costs per person. Include everything. Hidden costs kill trips (resort fees, cart fees, range balls, tips).

Collect deposits early. 50% deposit 6 months out, final payment 3 months out. This prevents last-minute dropouts leaving others covering their share.

Booking Tee Times

Book as a group. Calling as a group of 12 gets you better rates and preferred times than 12 individuals calling separately.

Prime times fill first. 8am-10am is ideal. Too early (6am) and you are groggy. Too late (2pm) and you are rushed, playing in fading light.

Walking vs carts: Some courses require carts (cart path only in winter). Some are walking only (Bandon). Some are walker-friendly but carts are available. Clarify with the group.

Back-to-back days: Do not book 36 holes every day unless your group is in great shape. Schedule breaks. A typical 4-day trip might be: travel day (9 holes), 36 holes, 18 holes, 18 holes, travel day.

Accommodations Strategy

House rental vs hotel: For 8+ people, a house beats hotels. Shared spaces, kitchens, lower per-person cost, and better for hanging out post-round.

Room assignments: Organize before arrival. Use a lottery or let people choose based on who paid first. Do not wait until you arrive to figure out who sleeps where.

Location matters: Stay near the courses. A 45-minute drive to the course every morning kills the vibe. Walking distance or 10-minute drive is ideal.

Amenities to look for: Pool, hot tub, grill, game room, large dining table, solid WiFi.

Tournament Formats for Multi-Day Trips

Running a tournament keeps everyone engaged and creates structure.

3-Day Trip Tournament Examples:

Option 1: Three-Day Stroke Play

Best 2 of 3 rounds count
Full handicaps
Low net wins

Option 2: Match Play Bracket

Day 1: Seeding round (stroke play)
Day 2: Quarterfinals and semifinals (18-hole matches)
Day 3: Finals and consolation matches

Option 3: Team Event

Random teams drawn each day
Scramble, best ball, alternate shot
Cumulative team points over 3 days

Option 4: Ryder Cup Style

Two teams, each day different format
Day 1: Four-ball
Day 2: Foursomes (alternate shot)
Day 3: Singles matches

The key: Clear rules, fair handicaps, simple scoring. Use Mulligan Money (launching Spring 2026) to track tournament leaderboards in real-time.

Side Games for the Trip

Beyond the main tournament, side games add action every round.

Daily Skins: $10 per day, all players. Skins carry over. Creates daily mini-competitions.

Closest-to-Pin: $5 per par 3, per day. 16-20 par 3s over the trip. Winner takes the pot.

Long Drive: Designated holes each day. $5 per day. Must be in the fairway.

Worst Score of the Day: Player with the highest single hole score each day pays $20 into a pot. Pot goes to overall tournament winner. Adds humor and prevents sulking.

Managing Group Dynamics

The Organizer Role: Someone needs to be the organizer. This person handles bookings, collects money, sends updates. Thank them. Buy them dinner.

Skill Gap Management: Use full handicaps. Nothing kills a trip faster than a scratch player destroying everyone.

The Complainer: Every group has one. Set expectations early. Weather happens. Slow play happens. Bad rounds happen. Complaining drags everyone down.

Drinking Policy: Golf and drinking go together, but know your group. Some love the 9am beers. Some do not. Do not pressure anyone.

The Injured or Sick Player: Have a plan if someone cannot play. Can they ride along? Do they get a partial refund? Discuss before the trip.

Logistics Checklist

Transportation:

Rent cars or Ubers? (cars are cheaper for 4+ people)
Who is driving?
Designated drivers if drinking

Food:

Group dinners or everyone on their own?
Reservations needed? (yes for groups of 8+)
Split checks or rotate who pays?

Communication:

Group chat (iMessage, WhatsApp, Slack)
Share itinerary with times, addresses, confirmation numbers

Packing:

Remind people to check weather forecast
Confirm if courses allow shorts, require collars
Bring sunscreen, blister pads, pain relievers

Money:

How are bets settled? (daily or end of trip)
Venmo, cash, or group ledger?
Who is tracking?

Day-of-Trip Schedule Template

Day 1 (Arrival):

Noon: Arrive at house, unpack
2pm: Tee time at local course (warm-up 18)
7pm: Group dinner
9pm: Poker/cards, drinks, recap

Day 2 (Full Golf Day):

7am: Breakfast at house
8:30am: First tee time (Course A)
1pm: Lunch
3pm: Second tee time (Course B)
8pm: Dinner out
10pm: Settle daily bets, hang out

Day 3 (Full Golf Day):

7am: Breakfast
9am: Tee time (Course C)
2pm: Back at house, pool/hot tub
7pm: Group dinner at house (grill steaks)
9pm: Tournament standings, side games, etc.

Day 4 (Final Round):

8am: Breakfast
10am: Final tee time (Course D)
3pm: Final tournament standings, settle all bets
5pm: Depart

Flexibility is key. Do not over-schedule. Leave room for spontaneity.

Common Trip-Killing Mistakes

Mistake 1: Not collecting deposits early. People drop out last minute, leaving others to cover their costs.

Mistake 2: Booking courses too far apart. Two hours of driving between courses kills a day.

Mistake 3: Underestimating pace of play. Public courses on weekends can take 5+ hours. Book early times or private courses.

Mistake 4: Overestimating how much golf people can play. 36 holes every day sounds great in theory. By day 3, knees and backs are shot.

Mistake 5: Not agreeing on rules before arriving. Mulligans? Gimmes? Handicaps? Decide before the trip.

Mistake 6: Poor money management. Stakes too high for some, disputes over who owes what. Keep it simple and transparent.

Post-Trip Follow-Up

Settle all bets before leaving. Do not let it drag out.

Share photos and videos in the group chat. Relive the highlights.

Plan next year's trip before everyone leaves. Lock in dates while enthusiasm is high.

Thank the organizer. Seriously. They did all the work.

Scaling for Larger Groups

12-16 people: You need a resort or multiple rental houses close together. Book a private clubhouse for dinners. Use a shotgun start if the course allows.

Tournament structure: Divide into multiple flights (A, B, C) by skill level. Each flight competes separately. Keeps it fair and fun.

Logistics: Rent a bus or van instead of multiple cars. Designate a "commissioner" to handle disputes and rules questions.

Making It Annual

The best golf trips become tradition. To make yours annual:

Lock in the same weekend every year. First weekend of May. Last weekend of September. Whatever. Consistency helps people plan.

Rotate organizers. Burn out happens. Spread the load.

Keep a trip history. Track winners, memorable moments, inside jokes. Build lore.

Stay flexible on destination. Repeat favorite spots but also explore new ones every few years.

The Bottom Line

A great golf trip requires early planning, clear communication, fair tournament structures, and realistic expectations. Start 6-12 months out, set budgets early, collect deposits, and keep logistics simple.

The goal is golf, camaraderie, and memories. Everything else is details.

Join the Mulligan Money waitlist for early access to trip tournament management, group leaderboards, and simplified bet tracking for your next golf getaway.

Plan it right, and your golf trip becomes the highlight of the year. Plan it poorly, and it is the last one you will organize.

Planning the Perfect Golf Trip with Your Crew