My Quest for Cheap Golf Trips
I got tired of paying full price for golf vacations last year. Kept seeing buddies post about amazing deals while I paid double. Decided enough was enough and became my own travel agent.
The Failed Early Bird Attempt
First I tried booking super early – like 6 months out. Figured early bird gets the worm. Big mistake! Turns out resorts hold back their best inventory until later. Got stuck with mediocre courses at premium prices. Total waste.
The Last-Minute Disaster
Then I flipped the script. Waited until 2 weeks before my trip dates. Huge regret! Everything decent was sold out or prices skyrocketed. Almost got stuck paying $200 just for a mid-range course tee time. Barely escaped that mess.
What Actually Worked
- Started tracking prices daily using simple spreadsheet
- Learned to ignore weekend searches – Tuesday/Wednesday mornings became my magic hours
- Focused on seasonal shifts – that transition between high and low seasons
After 3 months of obsessively checking, patterns emerged. Saw prices dip right after big tournaments ended when courses had empty slots. Noticed resorts panic when rain forecasts scared tourists away.
The Sweet Spot Discovery
Turns out 45-60 days before travel date is the money zone. Hotels start sweating about empty rooms while golf courses see group cancellations. Both get desperate to fill spots – that’s when they slash prices.
Last November, scored Myrtle Beach package: 4 nights + 3 premium rounds for less than what I used to pay for just the hotel. Felt like robbing them! Played at noon peak times too.
Key Rules I Live By Now
Never book holidays or popular event weeks. Always bundle tee times with hotels – separates get ripped off. Check rates after bad weather forecasts. Canceled flights often mean golf deals.
Biggest lesson? Golf travel isn’t about luck. It’s about stalking those prices like a hawk and knowing when suppliers get desperate. Now I eat steak dinners at resorts instead of paying for them!
