When to Go: Choosing the Right Dates for Your Trip
Choosing the right time to travel is one of the most crucial steps in planning a successful club hosted trip. Timing influences everything—from your members’ availability to the overall experience at your destination. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, my colleagues and I have helped countless PGA Professionals pinpoint the timing that works best for their members and club calendars.
In this article, I’ll explore some of the most popular travel windows, the advantages of each, and how to choose the one that fits your needs. Plus, you'll learn how flexibility and a multi-year plan can ensure your trip is perfectly timed for your members and desired destinations.
Popular Travel Times for Club Hosted Trips
- Spring: Escape the Winter Blues - Many Pros love traveling in the spring, particularly in April and early May. It’s the start of the travel season, and things are typically quieter around the club. For members at northern clubs, it’s great to escape the long winter—warmer weather, greener fairways, and a chance to get their games in shape before the busy summer season.
Spring also falls in the shoulder months, meaning that while availability is still limited, it can be slightly easier to secure tee times—especially for larger groups of 12-16 members compared to the more common group size of 8.
- Fall: End the Season on a High Note -Â Fall trips are another popular choice. By September and October, most clubs are winding down for the year, making it an ideal time for Pros to plan a trip. The seaside landscapes and iconic courses create the perfect setting to cap your season.
- Downtime at the Club: Make the Most of It - Some Pros take advantage of natural lulls in the club calendar to plan their trips. For example, the weeks around aeration are a great opportunity to fill the gap with a travel experience. It’s a win-win: members get to play great courses elsewhere while their home course recovers.
- Major Renovations: A Hidden Opportunity - Larger-scale renovations, such as course restorations, can provide an extended window for travel. We’ve worked with Pros who planned multiple trips in a single year while their home course was closed. This is a unique chance to build momentum for your travel program and keep the club top of mind with your members.
Tom Walters, PGA with his Summit Hills Country Club members at Ballyliffin.
Be Flexible: Listen to Feedback
As noted in another guide, surveying your members can provide a strong starting point, but flexibility and openness to feedback can make all the difference. Sometimes, shifting the timing of a trip by just a week in one direction or another can dramatically improve participation. By actively seeking input from your members about a proposed trip, you may learn something that leads to a better overall experience for the group.
Flexibility doesn’t just help fill the roster, it also shows your members that their opinions matter. This builds trust, strengthens their enthusiasm, and ensures the trip aligns with their expectations.
Plan Around Your Destination
Certain destinations have unique timing considerations that are critical to factor into your plans. For example, St. Andrews sees limited availability on the Old Course in September due to R&A meetings and other events. Understanding these nuances ensures a smoother and more successful trip.
This is where creating a multi-year plan becomes incredibly helpful. By working with H&B, you can align your travel calendar with the specific timing needs of marquee destinations. Whether it’s planning ahead to secure coveted tee times or avoiding conflicts with major events, a we'll steer the timing of your trips to maximize your group’s experience.
Deciding when to travel is about more than picking a date—it’s about finding the right time for your members, your club, and your destination. By considering popular travel windows, staying flexible, and planning ahead with H&B, you’ll set the stage for a trip your members will never forget.
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To learn more about the PGA Professionals Travel Program from Haversham & Baker, simply complete the form below or ask one of your colleagues on this list.