While I do this for a living, I also do this for fun—and that’s what makes using us a little different than other Myrtle Beach golf packagers. Since I got out of college, I’ve been planning an annual trip nicknamed the “Chaz Invitational,” and here are my tips for planning a successful golf trip.
Keep the Decision-Making Group Small
If you get too many people with input, it’s tough to actually book the trip. A lot of times the most vocal members of the group want to do the least amount of planning. Keep your planning committee small and be good with the decisions y’all make.
Know Your Budget
This one is really important. I try to gauge what the middle portion of the group would want. There are always guys who want super high-end, some who really don’t care, and some who are really budget-conscious. In my experience, try to keep the bulk of the group happy—there are ways you can help the guys hurting a little bit still enjoy the trip.
Knowing your budget also helps you plan with realistic options. On the other end, as a planner, nothing is funnier than hearing “we want to spend $70–$90 per round” and then they list courses like Caledonia, The Ocean Course, or the Dunes Club.
House vs. Condo
In our early trips we generally rented houses. While these are usually great for camaraderie, they can be difficult if you don’t have a solid committed group. Houses generally have stricter cancellation policies, and the problem is you can’t reduce a portion of a house. I think houses work well when group sizes are around 8 guys. The big risk is if you don’t get enough people, you’re still on the hook for the whole house. One of our early trips we planned for 12 guys and ended up with 9—that really adds to the per-person cost.
Condos are great for larger groups. Proximity can be tricky at some locations, but they give you flexibility to size up or down. Condos usually have more lenient policies and give you a little more time to finalize your group size.
The First Night and Dinner
I don’t know about y’all, but that first night of a golf trip is what all the planning is for. Now with our friends spread out all over the country, that first night is when all the banter is back. You get to catch up with guys you may only see once a year, and it’s generally the biggest night.
I generally budget in for one group dinner and quite a bit of provisions for the condos. I almost make it feel all-inclusive so that when guys arrive, they aren’t worried about driving out to get things. And when we go to dinner, everyone knows it’s split and I can take the tab.
Some of the biggest arguments can come from going out to dinner as a large group when some people don’t feel like they spent as much as the tab implies. When we have a large group (20+), I find a restaurant big enough to hold us and give them some idea for a prix fixe menu. This way you don’t have one side ordering a club sandwich and the other getting Lobster Thermidor.
Umberto’s in North Myrtle Beach is excellent at this. They’ve been the go-to dinner spot for our group 8 out of the last 10 years. They have an Italian feast option and we just do that for the whole table while I get some bottles of wine—it’s an awesome meal. It also fills the guys up so they don’t stay out too late and miss the first tee time.
Get a Logo
About year 7, one of my best friends Joseph Fisher came to me with an idea: let’s get a logo and put it on shirts. At first I thought it was a waste of money, but it really enhanced the trip. We set up two teams and the shirts were a hit. I went a little nicer on the quality, and in the long run I still see these guys wearing those shirts out in public years later.
Get a Trophy and Keep it Safe
I am a big fan of having some sort of competition still be at the heart of the trip. I usually plan the first round of the trip so that guys can be with who they know. But for the 2nd and 3rd we do some team aspect which is split up randomly via handicaps. Usually a 2 man best ball net and then a 4 man captains choice. Gives the avid golfer a few days of their own ball, but also the guy just there to see everybody a little break from serious golf.
Be Proactive
If you’re a group leader reading this, this one will hit home. Most of the guys on the trip don’t really realize all the work that goes on behind the scenes. You group leaders are what make the show run. But you should take some credit for making these guys’ trips so fun each year.
When those doubts come up—and they do—about managing another trip, look back and think of all the good times you’ve had. Golf trip stories are some of the best in the world. My dad is 73 and he and his buddies can still recall trips from the ’70s like it was yesterday.
I’m 33 now, and my group is getting a little older. You’ve got to get these things on the calendar or else they’ll fade. Kids, jobs, and life have definitely been hitting harder lately. But with that said, the golf trip is a pilgrimage that must continue.
