Golf breaks: Cutting costs

With the recession biting, many golfers are struggling to find the cash to try courses further afield, so with this in mind, so you might consider these top tips for cutting the costs of a golf break. Find a cheap flight There are loads of budget airlines flying to the top golfing destinations and lots of competition, so you can get a really good deal if you are flexible about when you fly. If price is important here's some rules you might follow: *Make sure you book outside school holidays and peak seasons *Book far in advance and check out seasonal sales for flights *If possible go for midweek flights rather than over a weekend. Flights departing on Friday and coming back Monday are at a premium, so if you are flexible there are big savings to be made. *Use a comparison website such as www.Skyscanner.net to discover the cheapest. It's a site that allows you to see a graph of the whole month identifying the cheapest time to fly and comparing the biggest airlines for the best price. It’s an excellent tool for finding the best deal. ake your own clubs Hiring golf equipment can be expensive and you don’t always get the best quality or clubs that will suit you. Baggage charges to take your clubs with the budget airlines vary, but it works out cheaper than hiring equipment if you are playing several courses over a few days. Look out for discount green fees Given the economic climate, many golf clubs are offering special deals which can make a massive difference to your budget. There are websites such as www.golf-service.com which lists the best discounted green fees and this is an excellent source of bargains. If you can’t find what you want, consider the smaller and less well-known clubs more willing to offer special deals. For example, you can play nine holes at Casares Golf and Country Club, on Spain's Costa del Sol, after 2pm for €26 and share a buggy. With a big group worth calling ahead for any special offers. You don’t know if you don’t ask! Opt for self-catering accommodation While hotels are the traditional choice for golf breaks, the need to always eat and drink in restaurants and bars can really add up. A group might consider booking a villa near to nearby golf courses, where you can chill out by the pool, cook meals together and sample the local wines and beers from the supermarket at a fraction of the price that you pay in a bar or restaurant. Also you don't have to name a nominated driver to get you there anmd back, though it's always nice to enjoy a meal in the the clubhouse and use a resort’s spa facilities if you fancy pushing the boat out! go to www.golfselling.com for more Callaway Big Bertha iron set Callaway FT-9 Driver Callaway I-MIX Callaway Black X-Tour Wedge Chrome Callaway X-20 Iron Set Callaway Fusion Wide Sole Iron