Planning a trip anywhere can be an exhausting exercise. Fortunately, when you follow a theme, the sequence of the vacation is a lot easier to gel. Golfing vacations are no exception.

When planning a golf vacation consider the following:

Insurance on your golf clubs - check with your insurance company BEFORE you leave home. Some policies limit the claim that can be made on such items as sporting equipment.

Airline baggage allowance - at the time of writing, most airlines will carry sports items such as golf clubs OUTSIDE the normal baggage limit. Check with your airline for any special restrictions.

Booking criteria - some golf courses limit visiting green fee players to certain times or certain handicaps. A common cut off level is 16. Check for other nearby courses, so that others in your group above this handicap have a nearby alternate. I love courses that have online booking.

Boot space in rental cars - getting luggage on flights in one thing, getting it to the golf course is another. If you are sharing cars between 4 adults, you will be lucky to get 4 travel golf bags in the boot. Take your expected golf luggage to the rental car company you are using in your home town and ask to simulate this exercise to save complications at the other end.

Rental equipment - check you can rent trundlers only. I prefer to always have my own golf bag, but dont bother too much about what trunder I use, as long as it has good quality wheels. Most courses have suitable trundlers for the terrain of the course.

Travel time between accomodation and golf course - distance is meaningless when viewed on a map. It is often hard to tell if major routes have heavy traffic or not, and at what times of day. Check local golf course sites to get an approximate travel time from the city center. Email the golf courses with your accomodation location, requesting travel route details.

Sunlight Hours & Course Temperatures - In New Zealand, during summer I prefer to play golf after 4.30pm. I can still get in 18 holes before nightfall starting around 9pm. A 26 degree C day in New Zealand is far hotter than in even Australia, and can be unbearable in midday hours if you are heat sensitive. Humidity factors also impact your energy levels and endurance.

These few simple tips on planning golf vacations can make the difference between an enjoyable stress free vacation and a disappointing time. And as all golfers know, your golf improves when you are relaxed.

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