Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Travel Tips

If you are reading this, then the chances are that you are considering a golf tour somewhere in the world.

We are glad you visited this page because we wanted to give you a few important areas to consider when deciding where to go and who to use to organise your golf holiday.

  1. Choose your golf and travel partners carefully
  2. Pick the best destination according toy our specific needs
  3. Determine the best time of the year to go (winter can get cold in certain regions...)
  4. Being planning your trip as early as possible
  5. Be realistic in how much you can hope to achieve in what timeframe (we can help you here)
  6. Select an experienced, highly regarded golf tour operator to make your arrangements for you (someone like GOLFSelect)

Complete our golf travel questionnaire if you would like us to tailor a holiday package to suit your specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can GOLFSelect help us to plan a golf holiday that includes weekend golf?

Weekend access is generally difficult on the Melbourne sandbelt and private Sydney golf courses. However, other good alternatives do exist for weekend golf. GOLFSelect can assist you to plan a golf holiday that will allow you to play golf on all days of the week.

What is GOLFSelect's cancellation policy with respect to golf holiday bookings?

The private nature of the majority of the top quality golf courses means that strict cancellation policies are in place. GOLFSelect will advise you of any such policies at the time of booking. Note: the cancellation charge can be as high as 100% of the total charge once the booking is made. The more notice you can give regarding a cancellation, the lower the cancellation charge is likely to be. In some cases there may be no cancellation charge.

Which credit cards does GOLFSelect accept for golf holiday bookings?

GOLFSelect accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club for Australia-based golf holiday bookings. Depending on the card used this is a credit card surcharge which the financial instituations pass onto us. In the case of international golf holidays that originate in Australia, such as the US Masters, GOLFSelect does not accept credit card payment. In such cases, we prefer direct deposit into our bank account.

Can GOLFSelect get us access to the top Australian golf courses?

GOLFSelect has unrivalled access to the vast majority of Australian golf courses. Some of the more exclusive private member golf clubs may require a letter of introduction for each player from their home golf club outlining their current handicap. We will notify you of any such requirement prior to making a booking.

Can GOLFSelect get us access to the Melbourne sandbelt courses on the weekend?

GOLFSelect has excellent relationships with all of the Melbourne sandbelt courses. In some limited cases, we are afforded exclusive weekend access, but this is not common. The weekends are traditionally reserved for member play. Availability is determined at the time of enquiry.

When is the best time of the year to visit Australia to play golf?

This will depend on which parts of Australia you intend visiting. If you are coming to Victoria (Melbourne Sandbelt and Mornington Peninsula) or NSW (Sydney) then September to May is the best time. If your trip is in the northern state of Queensland (Gold Coast/Sunshine Coast and Tropical North Queensland) then May to September is best (outside of these months it can be very warm and rainy).

What is the currency of Australia?

The Australian dollar otherwise known as AUD$. One dollar is made up of 100 cents. The cost of a Big Mac is around AUD$4.00 and a cup of coffee from AUD$3.00. For currency conversion, go to XE.com

Which side of the road do cars drive in Australia and how fast can you drive?

The left hand side of the road is the norm! Steering wheels within cars are on the right hand side. General maximum speed limits are 50 km/h (30 miles per hour) in residential streets, 60 km/h to 80 km/h (37 miles to 50 miles per hour) on main roads, and 100 km/h to 110 km/h (62 miles to 70 miles per hour) on freeways and open roads.

Is there a minimum number of players that GOLFSelect requires in order to accept a golf holiday booking?

We can tailor a package including golf, accommodation, car hire, and other sightseeing options for up to 150 golfers. Even for groups of 1 and 2 golfers we will endeavour to provide you with the best possible information for whatever length of trip you are considering.

Can GOLFSelect assist with our other travel arrangements in addition to golf bookings?

Whilst golf is our speciality and we can arrange access to the best golf courses in Australia, we can also assist with car hire, accommodation and other non-golf activities, such as sightseeing, winery tours, ballooning, tickets to sporting events, and more. If there's something in particular you want to do, let us know.

Does GOLFSelect organise golf holidays outside Australia?

Yes. We can arrange holidays to a large number of overseas golf destinations. Each year, we send golfers to the US Masters (and they have a great time) and a variety of other places, including Scotland and Ireland, South Africa and China. New Zealand is also proving to be a very popular golfing destination. For a complete review of the International golf destinations take a look at our International Destinations area

What's the public transport situation in Australia?

Each capital city in Australia is well serviced by public transport (e.g. trams, trains, or buses). In relation to getting to golf courses, a hire car or escorted transfer is generally the best way to go. Public transport is best suited to general sightseeing.

Does GOLFSelect offer self-drive and escorted golf tours?

Yes. We understand that all visitors are different. Accordingly, we have put together a range of self-drive options to allow you to explore more than just the golf courses. Comprehensive driving instructions are provided for each golf course on your itinerary. If you feel uncomfortable about driving then we also offer a range of escorted tours with our fleet of luxury vehicles.

Is it possible to customise GOLFselect's holiday packages to better suit my needs?

Of course. We pride ourselves on our ability to mix and match client requests. One of our areas of expertise lies in being able to negotiate the limited private golf club availability to streamline your itinerary. The end result is a memorable golfing holiday that you will be talking about for years to come.

Do I need to bring my own golf clubs?

Not if you don't want to. We can provide you with a choice of the latest technology golf clubs to use for your entire golfing holiday. Whilst we can't promise good scores we will make sure you are fully equipped.

Does GOLFSelect have some general information on golf in Australia?

Yes we can. Our website contains a wealth of information relating to the key golfing regions in our country. You are welcome to download this information for your personal use. If GOLFSelect can assist in helping you to tailor a golfing holiday then we would be delighted to assist.

How many days do I need for a decent Australian golf holiday?

Australia is a large country. The minimum travel distance between capital cities is one hour flight time. In a number of cases, the flight times might be two or more hours. As a guide, if you are looking at spending one (1) week in Australia, then your best bet is to focus on a single golf region (such as the Melbourne Sandbelt and Mornington Peninsula, or the Gold Coast/Sunshine Coast/Tropical North Queensland, or Sydney/Hunter Valley). If you have more time then you can add extra golf regions to the mix.

How many Australian golf courses are ranked in the World Top 100?

This varies according to which golf magazine is publishing the list. Consistent inclusions are Royal Melbourne Golf Club (ranked from 5 to 9), Kingston Heath Golf Club (ranked 21), NSW Golf Club (ranked 34), Barnbougle Dunes (ranked 49) and Royal Adelaide Golf Club (ranked 60). Other courses that have been rated in the past include Victoria Golf Club, Commonwealth Golf Club, The Australian Golf Club, and Huntingdale Golf Club. GOLFSelect can arrange access to all these courses and more. Visit our golf holiday section to find out more.

What price should I expect to pay for green fees in Australia?

18 holes of golf is available for as little as AUD$10 in some places. This is certainly not the norm: you should expect to pay between AUD$50 and AUD$100 for a good quality public course, and as much as between AUD$250 to AUD$350 for the top Australian courses.

How do we carry our golf clubs on Australian golf courses?

There are a variety of options. Caddies are not normally used in Australia but can be arranged for the Melbourne Sandbelt courses. Pull trollies are the most common form of bag carrying on the private Melbourne and Sydney golf courses. Motorised carts are not generally allowed on the Melbourne Sandbelt unless the golfer can provide a medical certificate. Motorised carts are in abundant supply on the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas, the Hunter Valley, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast resort courses as well as in Perth. Barnbougle Dunes in Tasmania is a walking course (due to its unsuitable terrain) however caddies can be organised.

Does Australia have daylight saving?

All states of Australia (with the exception of Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory) observe one (1) hour of daylight saving during summer months. This is generally from 31 October to 31 March. During these times golfers can play from as early as 6:00 a.m. until as late as 9:00 p.m.

What are the dress regulations on Australian golf courses?

This varies according to the golf course in question. Most golf courses have adopted a non-metal spike policy for golf shoes. Additionally, generally accepted golfing attire is required. The one common variation to this is in the wearing of socks. Many golfers from the United States are used to wearing short, anklet socks. Anklet socks are generally NOT acceptable in the more conservative private golf clubs. Shorter white socks or knee length socks are generally acceptable. GOLFSelect will advise you of full details of dress regulations at the time of booking.

My golf club has reciprocal rights with a number of golf clubs in Australia. How does GOLFSelect handle this?

GOLFSelect can facilitate discussions with reciprocal golf clubs on your behalf. In a limited number of cases the reciprocal club requires that the member discusses golf arrangements directly. In all cases a letter of introduction is required from your golf club to verify your membership.

Will I be able to purchase food and drinks at the golf club?

Most golf clubs will allow you to purchase food and drink prior to your round, during your round, and at the conclusion of your round. Most golf clubs accept both cash and credit card payments.

Does GOLFSelect have any testimonials from satisfied clients?

Yes. We have a large number of testimonials from satisfied clients that you can view on this page.

Car Rental

Car rental deals through Europcar and GOLFSelect

GOLFSelect offers you unbeatable rates with Europcar for a hire of a vehicle whilst you are visiting. Click here to make an online booking.



Custom Golf

 

Sometimes a standard itinerary just does not work! GOLFSelect prides itself on being able to tailor an itinerary to suit your specific needs. Use our Custom Golf Questionnaire to let us know what you want and we will prepare a custom itinerary just the way you want it.



Great Golf Down Under
Great Golf Down Under by Gary Lisbon

Great Golf Down Under 2 is the new book by Gary Lisbon. Over 400 new images, 122 courses from the best golf courses including: Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, Metropolitan, New South Wales, The National, Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, and Barnbougle Dunes/Barnbougle Lost Farm.

Buy the Book (AUD$69.95)!



Golf Course Guide

2011 Golf Course Guide 

The 2011 Golf Course Guide (17th edition) offers over $8,000 worth of green fee savings Australia-wide and $3,500 in accommodation savings. All discounts are valid until 31 December 2011. The guide provides state by state coverage of over 800 top resorts, public courses, and private clubs and is a very comprehensive golf club resource.

The guide can be yours for only AUD$34.95 delivered in Australia, or AUD$49.95 delivered Overseas. In many cases, it will only take one game to recoup the purchase price. Purchase now for immediate delivery

2011 Golf Course Guide 

The 2011 Golf Course Guide (17th edition) offers over $8,000 worth of green fee savings Australia-wide and $3,500 in accommodation savings. All discounts are valid until 31 December 2011. The guide provides state by state coverage of over 800 top resorts, public courses, and private clubs and is a very comprehensive golf club resource.

The guide can be yours for only AUD$34.95 delivered in Australia, or AUD$49.95 delivered Overseas. In many cases, it will only take one game to recoup the purchase price. Purchase now for immediate delivery



Client Testimonials
Dear Matthew, The golf trip was fantastic. The drivers were helpful the courses were wonderful the accom was fine and the transfers were fine. We have already mapped out next years tour but no doubt Gary will be on to you about this. I think Gold Select's service is wonderful. We just had a wonderful week. Thank you for all your help. Kind regards, John.
John M, Auckland, NZ
Both the Taupo courses were great, quite different – had my best score at Kinloch! The resort courses were wonderfully presented, excellent service and facilities. Difficult to say which 2 were the best. All 3 resorts were excellent but the service/staff at Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnapper was exceptional. Would use you guys again and recommend you to anybody thinking of doing something similar. Very happy customers! No improvements, just great and thank you for all your efforts on our behalf.
Carl D, Melbourne.
We really enjoyed our trip down under and appreciate the quality of the arrangements you made. Really just a positive experience all around and full of great memories. We have several friends who we have spoken to about doing a golf trip down under and we will certainly refer them your way for arrangements. Chris and I look forward to you visiting for a round with us on our home course so we can earn our money back. Once again thanks for the wonderful memories and friendship.
Scott H, York, PA, USA
We had an absolute ball. I cant thankyou enough for help through out the whole booking process. The transfers were very professional. As for the golf...Spectacular. Royal Melb was a little under-conditioned with the new fairways but the course layout was great. Kingston Heath-The course was impeccable. It is a day that we will all rememeber till we die. The Heritage-The greens were the best we played all weekend. Woodlands-Bunkers are sensational as are the greens.
Scott M., Sydney, Aus
What can I say about GOLFSelect? We keep coming back. This is the fifth trip I've been involved in (two Masters, Melbourne, Barbougle and New Zealand). From a personal point of view, I was delighted and very grateful for your help and advice. In the unlikely event that you need further references, tell potential clients to talk to me!
Joe H, Brisbane


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