Golf travel has absolutely boomed over the past few years – up nearly 50% since before COVID. With more groups hitting the road (or the skies), one thing hasn’t changed: every crew has that one person who ends up planning the whole trip. Maybe they volunteered… maybe they didn’t. Either way, the job isn’t easy. If you’ve ever wondered how to plan a golf trip without losing your mind, you’re not alone.
A great golf trip lives or dies by the decisions you make early on. Destinations, budgets, course selection, logistics, lodging, group personalities – it can all feel like spinning plates. The trick is to approach it like a funnel: start with big-picture questions, then narrow your way down to the details. And the good news? Today’s tech is finally catching up to the complexity of golf travel and making the process far easier.
Take Open Links Golf’s Birdie, for example. It’s an AI golf-trip assistant that can build a trip itinerary in minutes, letting you skip the grunt work completely. But, more on that shortly.
How to Plan a Golf Trip
Step 1: Identify Your Group’s “DNA”
Before you even think about destinations, ask: What kind of group is this? What’s the group’s DNA?
A buddies trip with eight golf-obsessed players is very different from a couples trip where half the group barely golfs. Understanding these dynamics up front will guide every decision that follows.
Key non-golf factors to consider:
- Lodging expectations – luxury resort vs. simple place to sleep
- Logistics – easy to get around or willing to drive between activities
- Amenities & activities – spa day? nightlife? breweries? outdoor adventures?
- Restaurants & access to town – casual eats or something more elevated?
Even trips that sound the same can play out differently.
A hardcore golf group chasing 36 a day needs a destination with multiple courses onsite or nearby. A more social group may want an urban option where golf is only one part of the experience.
Understanding this “identity” early keeps you from picking the wrong type of trip.
Step 2: Budget & Timing (Get This Early!)
Next up: budget and when your group can travel. You’d be surprised how many trip planners skip this step and end up with awkward conversations later.
Budget drives:
- Where you can go
- When you can go
- What type of lodging you book
- How premium your golf choices can be
If your dates are fixed and money is tight, you may need to consider shoulder seasons, more affordable destinations, or simpler accommodations. Another great hack is to look at “under-the-radar” golf spots – places with great value but less hype. Just be sure to float these ideas to the group ahead of time.
Step 3: Choose Your Destination, Courses & Lodging
Once you’ve locked in the group identity, budget, and timing, you can narrow in on where to go and what to play. These decisions are at the heart of how to plan a golf trip that’s smooth, fun, and unforgettable.
Return to the DNA question:
- How much golf does the group want to play?
- Is the focus on elite courses or convenience?
- Are non-golf activities a priority?
If your group wants 36 a day, you must check sunset times – many trips have been derailed by assuming more daylight than actually exists. Also consider whether prestige (top-ranked courses) or amenities (great clubhouse, food, practice area, etc.) matter most.
Lodging is just as important:
- If everyone wants privacy → hotel
- If the group wants a shared hangout vibe → Airbnb/VRBO
- If walkability is key → pick a central area close to both golf and activities
Getting all these pieces aligned is what separates an “okay” trip from a memorable one.
Step 4: Use Technology to Make Planning Way Easier
Here’s the part every trip planner wishes they knew earlier: historically, planning a golf trip has taken 30+ hours of research, comparing options, checking schedules, collecting payments, and presenting everything to the group.
But that’s finally changing.
Open Links Golf has launched Birdie, an AI-powered golf trip assistant built specifically to simplify how to plan a golf trip. Instead of spending hours bouncing between websites, spreadsheets, and group texts, you tell Birdie:
- Your budget
- Your dates
- Your destination (or ask for suggestions)
- Your group’s preferences
And within minutes, Birdie generates a full itinerary – courses, lodging ideas, activities, trip structure, and more – that you can share instantly with your group.
Even better, Birdie can also help you book flights and hotels through integrated travel partners, and you can ship your clubs directly to your destination via ShipSticks with just a few clicks. It’s everything you need to plan a seamless golf trip – handled in minutes, not hours. If you want to see the future of how to plan a golf trip, check out birdie.openlinksgolf.com.
