Going on a golf trip as a beginner: 8 practical tips for your first trip

A golf holiday has been on your bucket list for ages, and now that you've earned your GVB (Golf Proficiency Certificate) or are nearly there, the time is right to plan that first trip. But playing golf abroad is just a little different from a round on your familiar home course. There's more to it than you sometimes think, from arranging your clubs to checking the local handicap requirements.

These eight tips will help you set off well prepared.

1. Check the course's handicap requirements in advance

This is the first thing many beginners forget. In the Netherlands you can play with handicap 54 (the former GVB level) on virtually every course, but abroad some courses use stricter limits. Popular golf resorts in the Algarve or on the Costa del Sol sometimes require handicap 36 or lower, according to the NGF guidelines on foreign handicap limits.

Call or email the course beforehand to be sure. That way you avoid disappointment on holiday.

2. Decide whether to bring your own clubs or rent them on site

Bringing your own clubs gives confidence, you know the equipment. But it has a price. According to Golf.nl (July 2025), most airlines charge between €30 and €65 per single trip for a golf bag as special baggage:

• KLM: free for Flying Blue Golf members, otherwise to be booked as extra hold baggage
• Transavia: €42 online, €50 at the airport (max. 15 kg)
• Ryanair: €30-€35 per single trip (up to 20 kg)

Always book this in advance, because at the airport you pay more and there is not always room. Use a sturdy hard-shell travel bag or suitcase cover to prevent damage to your clubs. Rental clubs are available at most larger resorts, which is certainly an option if you want to travel light.

3. Protect your clubs in transit

Golf clubs are vulnerable in the hold. Wrap your irons in clothing or use clubhead covers, set your stiff in the middle position and detach the driver from the bag if it is very long. Take a photo of your clubs before checking in, that way you can submit a claim with the airline if there is damage.

4. Pack smart: clothing and accessories

Many foreign golf courses use a dress code. A polo with a collar is required on the course in most cases. Shorts are allowed at many courses, but always check. What you definitely take with you:

• Golf shoes (spikes or soft spikes, check which type the course allows)
• Water-repellent jacket, even if it's hot: the weather can always turn
• Sunscreen, cap and sunglasses
• Plenty of golf balls, they are sometimes more expensive or harder to find abroad

5. Choose a beginner-friendly destination

Not every golf destination is equally suitable when you've just started. Portugal's Algarve is known as one of the most accessible golf regions in Europe: more than 40 courses along the south coast, friendly green fees and many resorts that offer what beginners need, good facilities, lessons on offer and a relaxed atmosphere. Spain (Costa del Sol) is a good second choice.

Zalm Golf also organises overseas clinics in Portugal, specifically for golfers who want to develop their skills further in beautiful surroundings, ideal if you want to combine your first golf experience abroad with focused coaching.

6. Book tee times well in advance

Popular courses, especially in high season, are booked up weeks in advance. Reserve your tee times as soon as your accommodation is fixed. Many resorts let you do this online via their own website or via platforms such as GolfNow. An afternoon slot (after 2:00 PM) is generally cheaper and in summer sometimes more pleasant because it's a bit cooler.

7. Save your scores for your handicap

Since the introduction of the World Handicap System (WHS), you can simply use your foreign scores for your handicap calculation. Are you playing a qualifying round on a WHS-certified course? Then you can submit the card via the GOLF.NL app and the score counts. That way you can combine your holiday with real progress on your handicap.

If you haven't yet arranged your NGF registration, that's the first step. Without official registration you can't build a handicap, not even for rounds abroad.

8. Warm up and take your time

On holiday you want to get straight onto the course, but a short warm-up on the driving range prevents injuries and gives you back the feel for the clubs after travelling. Hit balls for half an hour before your tee time and practise a few putts on the practice green. Foreign courses feel different, different type of grass, different green speeds, unfamiliar elevation. Give yourself the first holes to acclimatise.

And perhaps the most important tip: don't be too hard on yourself. A beginner golfer on holiday is not there to record the lowest score. You are there to enjoy beautiful courses, good weather and a sport you can keep playing your whole life.

No official GVB or handicap registration yet? Then that is the logical first step before your trip. Zalm Golf offers affordable GVB training, supervised by experienced professionals, at your own pace. That way you board the plane well prepared.