Clubs, courses and connections
International golf trips: where to fly and what to know
A golf trip is a flight problem first: the clubs, the group, the dates around tee times. The five destinations our callers book most, and how the flights work for each.
By All Travel Fun. Published November 1, 2026.
Scotland and Ireland
The links courses of Fife, East Lothian, the Ayrshire coast and Ireland's west are the pilgrimage. Fly into Edinburgh or Glasgow for Scotland, Dublin or Shannon for Ireland; nonstops run from the US east coast and Toronto in season, and one-stop fares through London or Dublin work from everywhere else. April to October is the season; May, June and September have the best light and the fewest crowds. St Andrews Old Course tee times are a ballot; the trip is built around them.
Portugal and Spain
The Algarve and the Costa del Sol are the winter choice: courses open all year, mild weather from October to April, and resorts built around golf. Fly into Faro, Lisbon or Malaga; from North America that is a connection through Lisbon, Madrid or a European hub. Lisbon's nonstops from New York, Boston, Toronto and Montreal make Portugal the easier of the two.
Dominican Republic
Punta Cana and Casa de Campo have ocean courses a short nonstop from the US east coast and Canada, with all-inclusive resorts that bundle the golf. The easiest international golf trip for a group with mixed interests: the non-golfers have the beach. December to April is dry and busy; May and November are the value months.
Mexico: Los Cabos and the Riviera Maya
Los Cabos has desert courses above the Sea of Cortez and nonstops from the western US and Canada. The Riviera Maya has jungle courses behind the resorts and Cancun's huge flight schedule. Both are winter destinations; summer is hot and, in Cancun, humid.
South Africa
The Garden Route and the Cape have coastal courses in some of the best scenery in the game, priced well below Europe once you are there. The flight is the long part: 15 to 17 hours nonstop from Atlanta, New York or Washington to Johannesburg, then on to Cape Town or George. November to March is the season.
Flying with clubs
Most airlines count a golf bag as a checked bag within the normal weight limit, but the rules and the fee differ by carrier and fare. On a one-stop itinerary the first airline's rule usually applies throughout, but not always. Tell the agent the clubs are coming and they will state the charge on each airline before you pay, so the group can compare the real totals.
Questions before you call
Do airlines charge extra for golf clubs?
Some count them as a standard checked bag, some charge a sports-equipment fee, and the limit is usually 50 pounds. The agent reads the rule for the specific airline and fare before you book.
How far ahead should a golf group book?
Three to six months for Scotland and Ireland in summer, when seats together on the nonstops go early. The Caribbean and Mexico are easier at two to three months.