2024’s Best Bachelor Party Destinations for Golfers

What are the three most essential items to bring on a bachelor party golf trip?

1. A plan. Make sure that reservations are made for the group in advance and that all items needed are part of that reservation. Identify early how many are golfing, who needs to rent clubs, if a cart rental (or several carts) should be secured, and select who will be in which foursome prior to arriving at the course.

Determine in advance who is paying (is everyone covering their own expenses, is the bachelor paying for everyone, is everyone paying for themselves and then pitching in to cover the bachelor’s expense) and provide golfers in your party with any anticipated expenses they may be responsible for so that no one is surprised.

Prepare for how any other charges will be settled (like beverage expenses, tips for caddies, lunch) prior to arriving at the course. Having a clear plan will allow the group to enjoy the experience instead of someone being burdened with details and unanticipated expenses during the trip.

2. Presents! Think about ways to make the bachelor’s day on the course one that is special and unique to celebrate. Consider gifts or special experiences for those playing.

Custom balls are available but must be ordered with enough lead time. Find an award or prize to give to the person with the best (or worst) score. Arrange for a Bloody Mary bar (or the bachelor’s favorite spirit) to greet the crew before or after the round. Create themed t-shirts for all (or pick names for the different foursomes and make team shirts). Think about ways to engage the group and tie it to the wedding theme, destination, or the bachelor.

3. Patience. Be aware that your group may take longer on holes than other golfers on the course who aren’t there to celebrate. Encourage all in your group to be mindful of others on the course.

Also, you may have people in your party who are avid golfers and others who haven’t swung a club in quite a while. Think about ways to engage players of different skill levels. The outing will likely be different than your typical golf experience and you should be ready to adapt based on the size of your group and the course rules.

How far in advance should a bachelor party group book their tee times?

As early as possible. Make sure to contact the clubhouse with details about your group so they can plan accordingly. Explain to them the purpose of your visit and ask for suggestions on timing or how to get your group scheduled so it is a good experience for all.

What are the three best ways to keep a golf bachelor party trip affordable?

1. Find a course that matches your group and your budget. Do research to understand any costs and verify with your friends that the course matches your needs.

2. Think about the location of the golf course carefully. You can have as much fun at the local course as you can at a golf course in a destination city that requires everyone to pay for a flight and a hotel room. Decide where you want to spend money.

3. Decide how much golf you really want to play. Are the participants really golf lovers or is golf meant to be the activity that supports the social connection? You could decide to play 9 holes or 18 holes, or you could sign everyone up for the driving range. Find something that matches the interest level (and budget) of those invited.

Are specials for bachelor party groups common at public golf courses? If not, what is a good alternative for group tee time?

Different courses have different policies regarding specials. Contact the courses you are interested in and talk to them about options.

Some courses may be willing to provide options for their non-peak days and/or time periods. Others may have packages specifically built for bachelor parties. Some courses do not offer specials at all.

Is it better to check your own golf clubs on a plane or to rent them from a facility? Why?

Traveling with your own clubs can give you a nicer experience on the course, but be prepared to pay for the oversized luggage fee that the airline may charge and ensure you have transportation to get the clubs to and from the airport, hotel, and course.

Determine the cost of rental and compare it to the pros and cons of bringing your own to decide what might be best for you.

What are the three most essential items to bring on a bachelor party golf trip?

1. Golf equipment. Bring your own equipment vs. renting them, or having to purchase items such as golf gloves, golf balls, or even golf shoes, from the pro shop. Trying to play with rental clubs can be a frustrating experience, even for high handicappers.
2. Proper attire. Prepare for unexpected changes in weather by packing the proper type of clothing needed for shifts in weather patterns — heat, rainy weather, cold temperatures, wind, etc.
3. Open-mindedness. Many variables can affect group golf outings. Course conditions, speed of play, unexpected delays, and interaction with others all require patience and flexibility to maximize the overall enjoyment of the group experience.

How far in advance should a bachelor party group book their tee times?

As far as possible. There are many factors that must be considered, including:

• Capacity during peak seasons.
• Desired tee-times.
• Number of participants.

Some courses have strict policies regarding desired (available) tee times for members vs. non-members.

What are the three best ways to keep a golf bachelor party trip affordable?

1. Create a daily itinerary and distribute it to all participants. This should identify those incidents requiring out-of-pocket expenses vs. those on the forecasted itinerary.
2. Pre-trip planning. Book in advance to obtain determined and estimated costs.
3. Avoid deviations to the itinerary. Even slight changes in plans can impact expenses.

Are specials for bachelor party groups common at public golf courses? If not, what is a good alternative for group tee time?

Public golf courses regularly engage in special event planning. As an alternative, review semi-private golf clubs for comparable options.

Is it better to check your own golf clubs on a plane or to rent them from a facility? Why?

In order to control expenses, it is always more desirable to bring your personal equipment with you. Even beginner golfers can become easily frustrated when attempting to use ‘new’ equipment.