FAQs

What makes a Pioneer Golf trip different from booking a golf trip myself or through a general travel agency?

Pioneer Golf specializes exclusively in creating personalized golf itineraries. They aren’t just trips, but rather curated golf experiences. Our deep-rooted expertise with iconic golf destinations like Scotland, Ireland, and England, combined with our U.S. base, means we understand the expectations of North American golfers. We handle all the complexities, from securing coveted tee times to arranging unique local experiences and seamless logistics. You benefit from our insider knowledge, established relationships, and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring a stress-free and unforgettable journey that a general agency or independent booking simply can't replicate. The complexity of curating, booking, and logistically managing (amidst potential changes) an international trip for multiple people makes it extremely challenging for people to do it themselves. It's certainly not impossible, but it is usually stressful, issues/problems will occur, and it will become a part-time job! Not to mention that it's not possible to get on certain courses when doing it yourself. You also likely don’t want to be the recipient of abuse from your friends or family if things don’t go well. General travel agencies don’t tackle these trips themselves and instead come to specialized golf tour operators like us to handle them for that same reason. We work with plenty of travel agencies in handling their clients’ golf trips.

‍

You will pay more for a trip when using a golf trip operator to arrange it. The extra that you pay over doing it yourself would not be a sustainable margin for us given the time and effort invested on our part. However, we do also benefit from discounted rates for courses, hotels, and transportation services that are available to us given our volume and relationships.

‍

More information Here.

Why should I choose Pioneer Golf for my international golf trip?

Because we don’t just book golf trips, we deliver once-in-a-lifetime experiences that leave our clients amazed and eager to return. At Pioneer Golf, we take that responsibility seriously. Our proven process and exceptional team are the driving force behind trips that are flawlessly executed, highly personalized, and consistently exceed expectations. We know that choosing the right tour operator is a big decision, one that affects not just your experience, but that of your entire group. That’s why we’ve built a reputation for being the most professional, responsive, and friendly team in the industry. But don’t just take our word for it... In an industry dominated by five major companies, Pioneer Golf has more than four times the number of 5-star Google reviews than the other four companies COMBINED! That kind of feedback doesn’t happen by accident, it comes from delivering outstanding results again and again. We invite you to explore the “Why Use Us” page to help you choose a golf tour operator. Your trip and friends deserve the due-diligence.

How far in advance should I start planning my international golf trip with Pioneer Golf?

For the best availability, especially at popular courses and during peak seasons (typically April through September for the British Isles), we recommend starting the planning process 12-18 months in advance. For iconic courses like the Old Course at St Andrews, even earlier planning can be beneficial. However, don't hesitate to reach out with shorter lead times as our team is adept at crafting incredible experiences even with less notice depending on your flexibility and destination.

Can Pioneer Golf help secure tee times at highly sought-after or hard-to-book golf courses?

Yes, one of the significant advantages of booking with Pioneer Golf is our longstanding relationships with many courses, including many of the most exclusive and sought-after. While some courses have very specific booking windows or visitor restrictions, our expertise and connections often allow us to secure tee times that might be difficult for individuals or other golf tour operators to obtain directly. In addition, we benefit from tee time allocations at some courses and can use these to put together itineraries that flow smoothly. We are an “Authorised Provider” of St Andrews Old Course guaranteed tee times.

Will using Pioneer Golf's services ensure I will play the Old Course?

Pioneer Golf is one of a small number of “Authorised Providers” of “guaranteed tee times” for the St Andrews Old Course. Purchasing a “guaranteed tee time” from Pioneer Golf will ensure you play the Old Course albeit at an expensive premium. Alternatively, most golfers who play the Old Course do so by obtaining a tee time via one of three lotteries. Relying on getting a tee time through one of these lotteries does not guarantee play but the chances are good. For an in-depth dive into each way of obtaining an Old Course tee time and the odds of success, click HERE.

How does the St Andrews Old Course Ballot process work and what are the odds of success?

Roughly 50% of all tee times are allocated to the “48 Hour Lottery” which is officially called the “Old Course Ballot”. We often refer to this lottery as the “48 Hour Lottery” since it occurs two days before play or sometimes simply as the “Ballot”. This is how the vast majority of all visiting golfers play the Old Course. This is a random drawing held 48 hours before the day of play. Pioneer Golf will enter your group into the drawing for as many days as possible and manage the entire process for you including rearranging other tee times and transportation to accommodate a successful entry. More information can be found HERE.

I’ve been to Scotland, where should I go next?

Pioneer Golf arranges custom golf trips to more than a dozen countries worldwide. While Scotland and Ireland remain our most popular destinations, the best “next trip” really depends on your personal preferences and past experiences. Some of our clients have played in Scotland four different times and never set foot in Ireland. Others have explored Ireland and Northern Ireland repeatedly without yet visiting Scotland. Most groups begin with Scotland once or twice, then venture to Ireland to experience its dramatic coastal links and friendly people.

‍

In recent years, Northern Ireland has become a top choice for a first trip, thanks in large part to Royal County Down (ranked the #1 Course in the World by Golf Digest) and Royal Portrush, the recent Open venue. Beyond the British Isles, golfers often look to Spain, Portugal, Australia, and New Zealand for their next adventure, combining world-class golf with beautiful weather, culture, and cuisine. Spain, and especially Portugal, have become increasingly popular for their outstanding value, sunny climate, and relaxed pace, making them ideal follow-ups to a Scotland or Ireland experience especially for groups with non-golfers.

What is the average cost of a golf trip to Scotland or Ireland (and elsewhere)?

Our average trip last year cost about $6,600 per golfer and lasted roughly a week. The vast majority of trips, about 90%, ranged between $4,500 and $10,000 per person. Around 8% exceeded $10,000, while 2% came in below $4,500.Trips to England are typically priced similarly to Scotland and Ireland. Spain and Portugal tend to be more affordable, while destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa generally cost more partly because these itineraries are longer, often 10 days or more.

‍

These figures represent average golfer pricing. Non-golfing companions typically pay significantly less.

What is the ideal group size for a trip?

Most of our groups consist of 4 or 8 golfers. That said, we also regularly arrange trips for 12, 16, or more golfers. Once a group exceeds about 24 players, things can become more complex particularly when planning within 12 months of travel as tee time availability gets tighter. We highly recommend that larger groups book at least 12 months, preferable 18 months, out.

‍

About 30% of our Scotland groups include non-golfing spouses or companions, and that number climbs even higher for trips to Ireland and then much higher for trips to Portugal and Spain, where sightseeing, culinary adventures, shopping, and spa days pair well with world-class golf.

We’re taking a break from international travel, can you arrange a domestic trip for our group?

Within the U.S. and Canada, we only arrange golf trips to Wisconsin. Many other destinations across North America, such as Bandon Dunes, Pinehurst, Streamsong, and Pebble Beach, can be booked directly with the resort with just one phone call. Because these venues operate as self-contained golf destinations, there’s little logistical complexity and using a tour operator typically won’t improve access or pricing.

‍

We do, however, arrange trips to Wisconsin (think Whistling Straits, Erin Hills, and Sand Valley) as they involve multiple independent courses, accommodations, and travel logistics, making it a perfect fit for our planning expertise. For more information click Here.

Ready to Plan Your Next Dream Golf Trip?

Experience the world's most prestigious courses and tailor every detail of your journey. Let us craft a custom itinerary just for you.

Main

Resources

Quote Request St Andrews Old Course Travel Insurance Shipping Clubs FAQs Blog Payment

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy