Booking Rounds

[KarenScott]

Being a golf virgin[msnwink]I thought I would ask the experienced amongst us
My next guest is wanting to play a few rounds at Celebration and another course the name of which escapes me and he is wondering should he book in advance or wait until he is in Florida?
He mentioned that he would book it through a "golf directory" which seemed to imply not direct with the course, is that the norm? Or would anyone suggest otherwise?
I thought I saw someone mention that you can get good deals on line, maybe lunch included and would like to pass this on if possible.
He also said that he is flying with Virgin and foresaking a piece of luggage so that he can take his clubs, is that the best way?
Any hints, tips and suggestions to help would be great.
Thanks all[msnembarrased]

[E. Cosgrove]

Hi Karen
My other half has played at Celebration several times and always books direct with the club when we are in Florida. he usually gives the caddymaster a call when we are over and checks which are likely to be the quieter days as sometimes there are specialist events on for the members.
Quite often when he knows which are the better days to play he will check out the weather and ring in the morning for a twighlight tee time ( less expensive)
Tel 407 566 GOLF.

He does this with most of the courses he plays at as it enables him to check out the weather on any given day[msneek]
If booking in advance he generally books online through one of the central booking agencies which costs about $5 and which he loses if he needs to cancel.

It is best to check out the individual club websites if you are looking for packages including lunch or driving range balls etc.

Clubs count as one piece of luggage with Virgin and they don't usually weigh them. David no longer takes clubs as he keeps a set over there, but when we did used to transport them we used to pack all sorts of other bits in the golf case along with the clubs giving us extra space in the weighed baggage!![msnwink]

Hope this helps.

[edlea]

Phone the golf courses direct. Why let a golf agency cream off his hard-earned when a quick phone call to the course will do the job ?
Most courses will allow phone reservations up to 48 hrs in advance. Some ask for a credit card number to deter timewasters who book a slot and then don't show up.If there are lunch deals on, the pro shop will advise when they take your booking. Sometimes (depends on course / whether they have a promo deal with a ball company) they throw in a sleeve (three) of brand new balls FOC.
It's best to golf early in the morning - really early, like 7.30am as it's cooler then and you'll be finished for lunch and have the rest of the day free. Leaving it till after lunch may be slightly cheaper but you run the risk of the course being closed due to lightning.
If your guest is coming in July / August most courses are quiet as it's their off-peak season so the chances of huge amounts of members / club competitions clashing is small, assuming you avoid the weekends. He will need to understand that green fees are cheaper at this time of year because a lot of course maintenance is undertaken now such as fertilising / scarification / slitting of greens etc.. Sometimes courses are closed for a couple of consecutive days for various treatments etc..

Most airlines will take clubs free of charge BUT it WILL be classed as one piece of the usually two pieces of baggage allowed. If your guest has a large golf travel bag, he needs to be careful it doesn't exceed the maximum length allowed in linear inches.
Some airlines DO weigh the bag although it is often taken at the separate "large" baggage check-in where they are not often too fussy about the weight.
Seeing as all courses insist on an electric cart (thrown in with the green fees), he doesn't need a whopping great golf bag - we always use lightweight pencil bags. We always travel "golf-light" leaving balls/shoes/umbrellas at home as they're cheaper in the US and that way we can get three sets of clubs in one large golf travel bag. [msnwink]
Hope he has a great time.
PS Oh, and if he happens to like a quick round, he can forget it. The time considered acceptable is four and a half hours per round !! If he's playing on his own, be prepared to wait every shot and not get waved through. So make sure there's a few cans of Budweiser in the coolbox. [8D]

[ccarcher]

Virgin allow 2 pieces of luggage one of which can be a set of golf clubs if you wish

alternatively you can book your golf clubs as an additonal piece of luggage with Virgin for half the price they normally charge for additional luggage

can someone confirm what size a travel cover for clubs can be ??

And also I would imagine that you are not allowed to play without golf shoes and soft spikes

[Milly]

Hi

My husband and son alway play golf, while me and my daughter shop till be drop!!!

He gets a golf magazine out of Wal-mart and phones direct some times they do 2 for 1 and other offers if you ask.

Dianne