No regular golfing partner? No problem. From hosted group holidays to avoiding expensive single supplements, here’s how to find a golf trip where you’ll feel welcome, make new friends and get value for money.
You’ve found a beautiful golf destination, the courses look wonderful and the dates fit perfectly. There’s only one problem: you haven’t got anyone to go with.
Perhaps your usual golfing friends have other commitments, your partner doesn’t play or you simply fancy exploring somewhere new. Whatever the reason, finding someone who shares your enthusiasm for golf, has the same budget and can travel at the same time isn’t always straightforward.
But travelling independently doesn’t have to mean playing alone. Hosted golf holidays and organised group trips offer opportunities to discover new courses and meet like-minded golfers, often without having to organise anything beyond getting yourself there.
Finding the right kind of golf holiday
A hosted golf holiday is often the easiest starting point. Rather than arranging accommodation, tee times and transfers yourself, you join a group with an organised itinerary. Some trips are specifically designed for women, while others welcome mixed groups and individual travellers.
The important distinction is between a holiday that simply accepts solo bookings and one that genuinely caters for people travelling independently. A good host will make introductions, organise playing groups and help everyone feel included. Shared meals and social activities can be just as important as the golf itself, particularly if you’re travelling with people you’ve never met.
It’s worth asking how many guests are travelling independently and whether the group already knows one another. There’s a considerable difference between joining a welcoming group of individual travellers and arriving to discover that everyone else has come with friends.
How to avoid an expensive single supplement
One of the biggest frustrations of travelling alone is the single supplement. You find a holiday that looks perfectly affordable, only to discover that the advertised price assumes two people sharing a room. Suddenly, travelling independently becomes considerably more expensive.
While hotels have understandable reasons for pricing accommodation this way, there are alternatives worth investigating. Some golf holiday operators negotiate rooms specifically for solo travellers or offer selected departures with reduced or no single supplements. Others may offer the option of sharing accommodation with another guest.
Room sharing can be a sensible way to reduce costs, provided you’re comfortable with the arrangement. Ask how roommates are matched, whether separate beds are guaranteed and what happens if a suitable person cannot be found. It’s also important to establish whether an additional charge could apply if your proposed roommate cancels.
If you’d rather have your own room, that’s entirely reasonable. The aim is to find good value, not to compromise your comfort. Always compare the total holiday cost, including accommodation, golf, transfers and meals, rather than relying on the headline price.
Make sure the golf suits you
Not every golf holiday is suitable for every golfer. Some groups enjoy competitive rounds on championship courses, while others prefer relaxed social golf, coaching sessions or shorter rounds with time for sightseeing.
Before booking, think about how much golf you actually want to play. A round every day might sound wonderful, but you may also want time to explore the destination, enjoy the resort or simply relax. Ask whether the itinerary is flexible and whether there are any handicap or playing-standard requirements.
The arrangements away from the course matter too. Are evening meals organised? Will somebody meet you at the airport? Is there a dedicated host throughout the trip? These details can make a considerable difference when you’re arriving somewhere unfamiliar without a travelling companion.
Seven questions to ask before booking
A reputable organiser should be happy to answer these questions before you pay a deposit.
| Who else is travelling? | Are other guests joining independently, and how large is the group? |
| Will there be a dedicated host? | Who organises introductions, playing groups and social activities? |
| What standard of golf is expected? | Are there handicap requirements, and how demanding are the courses? |
| What is the total solo price? | Does it include a single supplement, and are there departures without one? |
| Can I share a room? | How are roommates matched, and what happens if arrangements change? |
| What’s included? | Check meals, transfers, golf, buggies and any additional charges. |
| What protection do I have? | Understand cancellation terms, travel insurance and any applicable package holiday or ATOL protection. |
Your next golf holiday could begin with a new friendship
Perhaps the greatest attraction of joining a group golf holiday is the opportunity to meet people you might never otherwise encounter. Golf provides an immediate connection, even when everyone arrives from different clubs, different backgrounds and different parts of the country.
For some women, a first group holiday may simply be an enjoyable week away. For others, it could be the beginning of lasting friendships and future golfing adventures.
So the next time you find yourself admiring a golf holiday and wondering who you could persuade to come along, perhaps the better question is whether you need to persuade anyone at all.
With the right group and a little preparation, travelling independently could be one of the most enjoyable ways to experience golf.
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