Book Early to Save Your Place at Major Events in 2020

Let’s face it, with our hectic lives and commitments, procrastination is inevitable. Unfortunately, it’s not a good idea to procrastinate when you’re planning to attend a major golf event or play golf in a popular destination like Scotland. It’s extremely beneficial to plan ahead to make sure you get the type of hotel accommodations and tee times you want. If you wait too long, you’re playing a “what if” game in regards to availability.

Next year will be a phenomenal year for golf travel with exciting major events at world-class venues. While they may seem in the distant future, your planning should start sooner rather than later.

Here are some important tips:

— International flights go on sale about 11 months in advance.

— Major golf events are increasingly popular as golf travel experiences and packages sell fast.

— Tee times are limited, especially at big name courses favored by Americans. Reserve early and you don’t have to fret  about getting on your favorite course.

— The earlier you book, the better chance you’ll have of securing your most desirable accommodations choice.

— Your golf travel specialist has more time to fulfill your specific requests if you contact them months in advance.

–Booking early helps you research and plan other activities you might want to add to the experience.

Masters (April 9-12, 2020)

With Tiger Woods back in Masters form, next year’s Masters will be exciting to see if he can win again and tie Jack Nicklaus with six Green Jackets. All of the young guns like Rory, Dustin, Brooks, Jordan and Justin will be in the mix, too, so 2020 is shaping up to be a fantastic Masters.

International Pro-Am – Cornwall and Devon – Southwest England (May 31-June 6, 2020)

Stunning coastal hotels, big name courses like St. Enodoc, Trevose, Saunton and Perranporth and a plethora of castles, museums and quaint villages dominate next year’s International Pro-Am in Cornwall and Devon. Three amateurs join up with a PGA Professional for each team in this friendly competition with lots of fun on and off the course.

Open 2020 – Royal St George’s in Sandwich, Kent, England (July 21-19, 2020)

This legendary links layout first hosted The Open in 1894.  Next year will be the 15th time Royal St George’s will host the Open.  It’s located in Sandwich, Kent in southeast England approximately 90 miles from London.

Ryder Cup 2020 – Whistling Straits in Wisconsin (September 25-27, 2020)

Set along the shores of Lake Michigan, Whistling Straits is a high risk/high reward course that encourages players to go-for-broke on many shots. It promises to be a spectacular Ryder Cup oozing with dramatic golf shots and patriotic fervor.

Scotland Tee Times Tips

“I know traveling golfers have heard many times that they must book early for golf in Scotland, but that’s not an exaggeration,” says Euan Findlay, Premier Golf’s manager of European operations and a long-time resident in St Andrews.  “The big name courses are in huge demand and some of them have stipulations on the exact days and times you can play, so you’re not really dealing with an open tee sheet every day of the week.”

– American’s absolutely love to play golf in Scotland. Consequently, the competition for tee times is fierce especially for the Old Course at St Andrews, Open Championship venues and courses like Muirfield and Renaissance Club have strict policies on public play.

– If you want to play the Old Course in the main season between April and October it’s recommended that you submit a request to play at least 12 months in advance and 18 months ahead is even better.

– At Muirfield, tee times can only be booked on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8:40 and 9:50.

– At Royal Troon visitors can only play from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

– At Kingsbarns, tee times are available from August 1st for the following year.

So, don’t delay on golf travel plans and you’ll increase your chances of having the perfect trip.