Most people dream of taking a gap year and traveling Europe in style, but for those with a love for the great British outdoors and game of golf, there is an even more appealing idea: to go abroad on a golf course training program.
If you are considering this route, then it’s essential that you research the cost of golf clubs abroad. In this article, we will examine the cost of golf clubs on a Ryanair flight from London to Dublin, both in British pounds and as a percentage of your wallet. Keep reading for the full story.
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How Much Are Golf Clubs On A Ryanair Flight?
The short answer is ‘a lot’. You will need to shell out at least two weeks’ wages to be able to play a decent round of golf. This is assuming you are traveling during the off-season, which is typically from mid-April to mid-June and from mid-September to mid-November.
The longer answer is quite complicated. Aside from picking up golf clubs, you will also need to consider the following costs:
- Golf cart
- Pro
- Bib
- Putter
- Ball
- Hole Pro
- Hole Bro
- Scorecard
Let’s examine each of these costs individually.
Golf Cart
Unless you are prepared to shell out thousands, it doesn’t make sense to rent a golf cart. You will need to shell out at least £40 a week to be able to use one, not including fuel costs. This is significantly more than the cost of hiring a personal golf caddy, which would be around £25 a week.
Golf Pro
The golf pro will be expecting a $20-$25 an hour charge for their services. While this may not be a lot of money for some, if you are playing an 18-hole round, this could amount to a significant chunk of change. Even if you have a good walk, it’s still at least £40, so it’s not just the ride that costs money…
Bib
If you are playing with a friend, it’s traditional to wear a bib to protect your clothing. You will need to shell out at least £5 for a small sports jacket with long tails, around £5 for a long-sleeve cotton shirt, and £1 for a tie.
Putter
You will need to shell out at least £6 for a standard putter and at least £12 for a jumbo putter. For fans of the British Open, you will want to invest in the full set including a putting green and a jumbo trolley. This is because the full set helps you practice in the same way the professionals do on the big stage. The larger the trolley, the further you can push it, making it useful for carrying your golf bags and other essentials for the course. A trolley and a putting green together weigh around 15kg, which is more than enough for one person. So if you are traveling with a friend, you can share the load. You will also need to spend around £8 on a golf trolley storage bag to keep all of this organized while you are playing.
Ball
Every golf course has at least one pro ready to help you with your golf game. They will have a bucket of balls available for you to practice with, so it’s important to dress appropriately. Typically, pros advise against wearing short-sleeve shirts and sleeveless dresses, as the ball can more easily be spotted from the air. For ladies looking to impress the golfers, a nice long dress and high heels will definitely help. The good news is that the cost of the balls is quite reasonable. You will need to spend only £1.50 for a pack of 10 balls, excluding shipping.
Hole Pro
For those looking to play on a golf course that doesn’t have a full-time professional on hand to help them, they will need to hire a pro to come round and set up the golf course for them. This will cost them at least £25 a day, plus food and transport expenses. Traveling during the school holidays could mean additional expenses, so it is advisable to contact the course in advance to check if they are hiring pros during that time or if they can accommodate last-minute guests.
Hole Bro
If you are fortunate enough to have a game of golf nearby, you will need to hire a companion to walk with you. This is the person you will need to bribe with food to get them to toe the line and not distract you while you are playing. You will need to shell out at least £15 a day for this person, plus food and transport costs. Traveling during school holidays could mean additional expenses, so it is advisable to contact the course in advance to check if they are open during that time or if they can accommodate last-minute guests.
Scorecard
If you are playing with a group of friends, or you are playing by yourself, you will need a scorecard. This will be a notebook that you will use to keep track of your shots, and it will be critical to organize yourself on the course. If you are playing a 4-round match, you could get a waterproof scorecard that can also be used in heavy rain. You will also need to buy rubber gloves, as the scorecard cannot be handled directly with bare hands. You will need to spend around £10 for a set of these, plus shipping charges.
What If You Don’t Want To Take All The Clubs?
If you are short on cash or want to reduce your spending on golf, there is another option. You could play in winter, when the greens are frozen and the weather is cold, but you can still practice your swing. Many courses have a ‘winter membership’ which allows you to play anytime after 4 pm, excluding Sundays and Mondays. If you want to save money, you can play on a Saturday morning and get your golf fix before the afternoon rush.
Another option is to play ‘scratch golf’. This involves using clubs that are available for anyone to use. There usually aren’t any pros on hand to help you out, but you will still need to pay for transportation and food. Traveling during school holidays could mean additional expenses, so it is advisable to contact the course in advance to check if they are open during that time or if they can accommodate last-minute guests.
How Much Does It Cost To Play Golf On A Ryanair Charter Flight?
The short answer is ‘a lot’. You will need to shell out at least two weeks’ wages to be able to play a decent round of golf. This is assuming you are traveling during the off-season, which is typically from mid-April to mid-June and from mid-September to mid-November. The longer answer is quite complicated. Aside from picking up golf clubs, you will also need to consider the following costs:
- Golf cart
- Golf pro
- Bib
- Putter
- Ball
- Hole Pro
- Hole Bro
- Scorecard
- Water
Let’s examine each of these costs individually.
Golf Cart
Unless you are prepared to shell out thousands, it doesn’t make sense to rent a golf cart. You will need to shell out at least £40 a week to be able to use one, not including fuel costs. This is significantly more than the cost of hiring a personal golf caddy, which would be around £25 a week.
Golf Pro
The golf pro will be expecting a $20-$25 an hour charge for their services. While this may not be a lot of money for some, if you are playing an 18-hole round, this could amount to a significant chunk of change. Even if you have a good walk, it’s still at least £40, so it’s not just the ride that costs money…