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What destination are you interested in visiting?
Ireland
Scotland
England
Wales
Other (Quick Form)
What time of year are you interested in traveling?
April (easy access to St. Andrews and Ballybunion, great deals, spotty weather and course conditions possible, some courses not yet open)
May (always popular, gorse in bloom, busier towards end of the month, few course closures due to competitions)
June (high season begins, long days, moderate temperatures, generally few course closures)
July (warmest temperatures, generally few course closures, very busy with tourists especially around the Open Championship)
August (warmest temperatures continue, heather bright purple, busiest month in St. Andrews, some course closures to deal with in southwest Ireland)
September (busiest month in Ireland, Old Course at St. Andrews closed much of the month)
October (crowds dissipate quickly, less daylight, weather cool and crisp)
Tip from the "Tour Caddie"
(SM)
Hidden Links recommends NOT trying to time the weather! Pick the dates that work best for your group, whether spring, summer, or fall, and then go with them!
What is the desired length of your tour, NOT including the first and last travel days?
5 days
7 days
10 days
14 days
Tip from the "Tour Caddie"
(SM)
a 7-night trip, not including the travel days on each end, is ideal.
How many people will be in your group?
2
4
8
12
Tip from the "Tour Caddie"
(SM)
Hidden Links recommends NOT trying to reach a specific group number. Go with what you've got and don't spend your time trying to "recruit!"
Which of the following will comprise your group?
Gentlemen only
Ladies Only
Couples
Is the group comprised of all golfers, or does it include nongolfers?
All golfers
Tip from the "Tour Caddie"
(SM)
bring the nongolfers if they want to come along! With so much daylight April through August, and so much to do "off the course" no matter when you travel, your tour will be just as memorable for the nongolfers and we at Hidden Links will provide all the sightseeing direction you need! If you get a driver, the driver will be available to take the nongolfers sightseeing while the golfers are out on the course.
How much golf is your group interested in playing?
18 holes per day only
36 holes one or two days
36 holes each day (other people may come home wishing they had played less golf, but not us)
Tip from the "Tour Caddie"
(SM)
Hidden Links recommends that you don't preschedule too many 36-hole days. Very few have ever come home wishing that they had played more golf! There is plenty of opportunity to schedule afternoon and evening rounds once you get there. Prescheduling only 18 holes per day leaves your options open in case of bad weather (heaven forbid!) or fatigue. Hidden Links recommends that 36-hole days be played at the same complex. For example--Carnoustie Championship and Burnside, Ballybunion Old and Cashen, 36 holes at Royal Liverpool, etc.
What caliber golf courses are you looking to play?
Championship Courses Only, the best of the best
Less-difficult courses in beautiful settings that are a lot of fun
Championship courses but with one or two less difficult ones included
An equal mix of both
Tip from the "Tour Caddie"
(SM)
Links golf can be demanding golf! 7 days on the toughest courses can leave anyone worn out. Consider including a parkland course or a shorter, "local" seaside course to give yourselves a warmup round and/or a chance to catch your breath in the middle of the tour (and an opportunity to break 70, 80, 90, or 100!).
What style of courses do you want to play?
True Links Courses only (sand-based turf)
Seaside Courses but it's OK if they are not all true "links" courses (much like Pebble Beach is not "true links golf")
Seaside Courses with one or two "parkland" (inland) courses
Equal mix of seaside and parkland courses
Tip from the "Tour Caddie"
(SM)
Don't automatically dismiss the parkland venues as they are not necessarily "North American" in style and can offer some of the most stunning scenery imaginable. Gleneagles Kings Course offers quintessential Scottish golf for example in the foothills of the Highlands, nice and "bouncy" and a veritable "links in the sky". The Killarney Golf & Fishing Club's two parkland courses play in the shadow of the Magilicuddy's Reeks mountain range along the shores of beautiful Loch Leane. Druids Glen has its own "Amen Corner" that might be the closest you ever get to Augusta National, and the most famous castle resorts offer parkland golf in medieval settings unlike any you can find at home.
How many times do you want to play each course?
each course one time only (we want to play as many courses as possible)
a few select courses more than once (we want a "second crack" at some of the best courses so we can get to know them, even if it means playing fewer venues)
Tip from the "Tour Caddie"
(SM)
we receive consistent feedback from groups saying that they wish they had not tried to play "every" course and, if they could do it over again, would pick a few of them to play at least twice. The first round serves as "familarization", and during the second round they really "know where to go."
Which of the following best describes what you are looking for on your trip?
Golf on the most famous shrines, lots of crowds and action, we don't mind being around other tourists
"Hidden Gems" in beautiful settings off the beaten path, three hour rounds, golf in peace and solitude, get to meet the locals
"Hidden Gems" near the famous courses, close to the action, but away from the most expensive green fees
Both famous courses and "Hidden Gems" in a more compact area
Both famous courses and "Hidden Gems," we are willing to cover a lot of territory and spend a lot of time on the road, whatever it takes to get to the best ones
Tip from the "Tour Caddie"
(SM)
don't forget the "Hidden Links!" You may find that the most memorable rounds of your tour (especially in Scotland!) are the ones at the "local clubs" away from the multitude of tourists.
How many days off will you be taking for sightseeing?
None (we are here to play golf)
One, arrival day only (we want to recover from the trip before hitting the links)
Two, including arrival day
Every other day (we want to see the sights)
Tip from the "Tour Caddie"
(SM)
yourselves time to see the sights and truly experience the country you are visiting! Taking the first day "off" means a stress-free trip over. With no starting time deadline, there are no worries if (gasp!) travel delays are encountered. You can always find a course to go play that first afternoon, without having to preschedule.
Which of the following accommodation schedule appeals most to your group?
Fewer hotel switches with some 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hour (or greater) drives each way to the golf courses (we don't like packing and unpacking)
More frequent hotel changes in order to stay closer to the courses and experience their towns (we like to enjoy the 19th hole rather than have a long drive back)
One hotel the entire time with little driving, nothing more than an hour or so each way (we're willing to miss a few courses, we just want a relaxing and fun itinerary with no hotel changes)
Tip from the "Tour Caddie"
(SM)
avoid too many long round-trips to and from the courses even if it means changing accommodations more frequently than you might initially have in mind.
What type of settings are you looking to experience? Check all that apply!
Smaller seaside villages with lots of charm, great views, and warm welcomes
Busier and popular tourist towns with lots of action and great pubs (St. Andrews in Scotland, Killarney in Ireland, or Southport in England for example)
Large seaside or country resorts with all of the activities we need right on the property (Turnberry/Gleneagles in Scotland, The Lodge at Doonbeg/Adare Manor/Dromoland Castle in Ireland, etc.)
Bustling cultural and capital cities (Edinburgh, London, Dublin)
How important are the Pubs?
Very important, pubs must be within walking distance or a short taxi/hotel shuttle
Not important, we'll spend more time on other activities
Somewhere in between, we enjoy having a pint but that's not why we're going
What type of accommodations are you seeking?
Locally-owned B&Bs with clean and comfortable rooms (we call these the Hidden Links "4-PintSM" Guest Houses)
3 to 4-star tourist hotels (generally with a good bar and restaurant, some have a spa but nothing too extensive, service good but more impersonal, and with fewer "local" staff)
Locally-owned traditional, atmospheric country houses and small hotels (many of these will have been designated as Hidden Links "5-CaskSM" Experiences)
5-star Luxury hotels and deluxe castles (the finest accommodations with world-class spas, gourmet restaurants, and every possible amenity)
A combination of B&Bs, country houses/small hotels, and luxury hotels
Tip from the "Tour Caddie"
(SM)
3 and 4-star hotels are generally just fine but they are also where "everyone" stays. Consider trying our "4-Pint" and "5-Cask" options and perhaps splurging for the 5-star treatment for at least a couple of nights!
What rooming arrangements do you prefer?
Single rooms throughout (we want our own rooms if they are available)
An occasional single room if it fits our budget (we could use a break from the snoring)
Twin/double rooms throughout (we don't mind sharing to keep the cost down)
What room category are you looking for?
Standard Rooms (just get us into the hotel, we don't need a view)
Superior/Deluxe Rooms (more expensive than standard rooms, generally the only difference is a view of the course or the sea)
Junior suites (substantial upgrades, not quite the best rooms but getting close, these will offer additional space and/or a sitting area)
Presidential suites and similar (give us the finest and most expensive rooms possible no matter what the price!)
Tip from the "Tour Caddie"
(SM)
a "view" room can be overrated especially if you don't spend a lot of time in the room. Additional space though can make your stay a lot more comfortable!
What is your ground transportation preference?
Self-drive car or minivan(s), manual transmission (less expensive than automatic transmission)
Self-drive car or minivan(s), automatic transmission
Minivan (maximum 4 passengers) with a driver, or point-to-point prescheduled transfers if they work logistically since this saves money (we're not driving on the left!)
Deluxe Hidden Links "Members Lounge/19th Hole (SM)" motorcoach with concierge-driver
Tip from the "Tour Caddie"
(SM)
unless you really enjoy the roads in the British Isles, it is worth spending a bit more (perhaps not as much as you think though, considering fuel costs are included in "driver" quotes) to have someone else take care of the driving! We have yet to encounter anyone who comes home and says that they loved navigating the roads!
What particular tours, regions, and courses interest you?
What is a realistic, approximate per person budget for golf, accommodation, and ground transportation (NOT including airfare), or an average between golfer/nongolfer?
$2000 or less
$2500
$3000
$4000
$5000
$6000 or whatever it takes
Which of the following is more important?
Meeting the budget (cut out whatever is necessary)
Meeting our desired experience and playing most of the courses we want to play (try to meet our budget but we are flexible if need be)
Please provide approximate or exact dates, let us know of any special requests, advise if any pros are in the group, or any other additional comments:
How did you hear about Hidden Links?
Search engine
Golf Channel
Referral
Repeat client
How would you like us to contact you?
Phone (just good information and advice, NO SALES PRESSURE)
Email (we will NEVER sell your information to any third party)
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