Take a Break: The Value of Giving Your Members a Day Off of Golf
When planning a golf trip across the pond, it’s tempting to pack the itinerary with as many rounds as possible. After all, that’s why your members have crossed an ocean, right? But the best golf trips are about more than just golf. They weave in the rich history, culture, and charm of the destination. What we like to call “Golf and the Good Life.”
One of the easiest ways to ensure this balance is by planning a day off from golf. But it’s not just about sightseeing. It’s about creating space for rest, personal exploration, and experiences that make the trip memorable.
Why Plan a Day Off?
- Explore Beyond the Fairways: A trip across the pond is about so much more than golf. A day off gives your group the opportunity to dive into the local culture, history, and sights. Whether it’s touring a castle, sampling the region’s best whisky, or wandering through a centuries-old village, these experiences add depth to the trip.
- Follow the Feedback: Every year, one of the most common pieces of advice from our returning members is this: “I wish we’d taken a day off.” If your itinerary is wall-to-wall golf and nothing else, your members will likely come back saying the same.
- Rest & Recovery: Let’s face it—most members will be playing more golf in a week than they do in months back home. A day off gives their bodies (and their game) a much-needed break. When they return to the course the next day, they’ll be refreshed and ready to play their best.
- Space for Personalization: Not everyone in your group will want the same thing out of a day off. Some might prefer a quiet day on their balcony with a book, soaking in the views. Others might enjoy exploring local shops for gifts to bring home or indulging in the hotel spa. And for the die-hard golfers? A free day is the perfect chance to squeeze in an unplanned round and discover a previously unknown course. A day off lets members make a piece of the trip their own.
Nick Haudek, PGA with his Evansville Country Club members at The Harbour Bar in Portrush.
How to Work a Day Off into Your Itinerary
- Make it a Transition Day: If your itinerary includes traveling between regions, use the transfer as an opportunity for sightseeing along the way. For example, stop at a historic site or enjoy a whisky tasting at a distillery along your route. It keeps the day engaging while breaking up the travel.
- Schedule it Mid-Trip: Placing the day off in the middle of the itinerary allows for a natural pause. Members can recharge after several rounds and gear up for the rest of the trip.
- Offer Optional Activities: Your H&B Concierge can help coordinate a few choices for the group, like a guided tour or a visit to a famous landmark. Those who want a structured experience can join in, while others can opt for a self-guided day.
In summary, the best golf trips are about more than just the rounds—they’re about the journey. By incorporating a day off from golf, you’re creating space for rest, exploration, and unforgettable memories. It’s a chance for your members to experience the destination to its fullest and come home with stories that go beyond the fairways.
So plan that day off. Their bodies, their games, and their overall experience will thank you for it!
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