So You Wanna Take a Golf Trip?

2. Timing/scheduling. There are only two crucial aspects involved in planning a golf trip: When and where. This sounds easy; it's not, especially when you're talking about a first-time trip. I know a group that goes on two trips a year, and they haven't had an excursion yet that didn't require at least four conference calls and 45 e-mails. And they all work in the same building. Here's the simple solution from John Yaker, vice president of sales and marketing at Pam's Golf Getaways: "Plan the trip before you call the planner, then call the planner to put together the package, then go. It doesn't have to be any harder than that." A good trip packager will provide you with everything you need from transportation to accommodations to driving directions and restaurant advice. The key is understanding what experience you're after. Mike Ryan of Golf Destinations says there are some basic questions that need to be settled before you make any calls: "Do you want a stay and play resort with golf on premises or a hotel and golf package that includes play at daily fee courses around the area? If it is a golf-around package, how close do you want the golf courses? What caliber of golf are you looking for?" Finally, remember what your budget is and factor that into the timing of your trip. Discount prices during the shoulder seasons at the popular destinations may give you an opportunity to play at some places outside your budget. Figure out when and where. The how -- that's where it gets interesting.

3. Simpatico. Mark Twain once opined, "I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them." A golf trip involves a lot of time spent not playing golf. Perhaps you have learned to tolerate your pals on the golf course because you don't have to spend a lot of time talking to them. That's not an option on a golf trip, when you are surrounded by these same guys every waking -- and sleeping -- hour of every day. Snoring, which can make for some great grill room laughs during the day, can put some people in homicidal rage, especially when they're working on their third night in a row without some decent shuteye. To avoid old friends becoming new enemies make sure the size of your group is healthy (always equally divisible by four). Generally speaking, those who know suggest eight, but if that seems a bit ambitious, be comfortable with four. The joy of a larger number is that it allows for breakout groups that provide a natural release valve to potential tensions. The other thing to remember with your group dynamic is to make sure that it is dynamic. Hand out assignments, whether they be meal procurement, driving duties or social direction. The real benefit of having a specific duty for each member of the team is that while it splits up the workload, more importantly, it forces the group to depend on each member for some aspect of the experience. It's what the young kids call team spirit. And whatever you do, find someone who has people skills straight out of the Norman Vincent Peale playbook.