Lock dates and a destination 6 to 9 months out, collect a non-refundable deposit as soon as people commit, and keep the group to a multiple of four (8, 12 or 16). Split the group into two teams for a multi-round, Ryder Cup–style competition, rotate pairings so everyone plays with everyone, and track every shared cost in one place.
A buddies trip is the best weekend of the golf year and the most work for whoever is organizing it. Twelve guys, four rounds, two houses and one person holding everybody's money. Here's the checklist that keeps the organizer sane.
6 to 9 months out: dates, destination, headcount
- Poll dates before destinations. The dates decide who can come, and who comes decides the budget.
- Aim for a multiple of four. 8, 12 and 16 make clean foursomes and even teams. If you're at 10 or 14, plan for threesomes on some tee times.
- Set a budget range early. "Roughly $1,200 plus flights" lets people self-select out before you book anything.
Collect deposits immediately
A verbal "I'm in" is not a commitment. A deposit is. As soon as dates are set, collect a non-refundable deposit that covers the first lodging payment. Say clearly that it's non-refundable unless someone takes their spot. You'll find out who's really coming, and you won't be fronting $3,000 on your own card.
Keep one running ledger: who has paid, what's been spent, and what each person still owes. The organizer who tracks payments in their head is the organizer who ends up eating $400. (We've collected a few of those stories in the guy who Venmo'd the wrong Mike.)
PLYR tracks who's in, who's paid and what's owed. Players self-report their Venmo with one tap and everyone can see the status.
Try it free →3 months out: tee times and lodging details
- Book tee times back to back. Consecutive tee times keep the group together and let you run a team competition.
- Plan one round per day plus an optional replay. Thirty-six holes a day sounds great in March and terrible in July.
- Assign rooms by sleep schedule, not friendship. Early risers with early risers. Trust us.
Pick a format that lasts the whole trip
The best trips have a story arc: two teams, a running score, and something on the line. A Ryder Cup–style format is the classic:
- Day 1: Four-ball (best ball). Easy on the nerves, lots of birdie chances.
- Day 2: Foursomes (alternate shot) or a scramble. Pairs have to rely on each other.
- Day 3: Singles. Everyone plays a head-to-head match. Each match is worth a point, and this is where the cup is won.
Draft the two teams with a snake draft by handicap so they come out close to even, and use proper handicap allowances for each format. Add skins or a Nassau on the side for players who want more action.
Rotate the pairings
A trip with 12 people where you only play with your three closest friends is a missed opportunity. Plan the pairings so everyone plays with as many different people as possible across the rounds. See how to make fair pairings for the methods.
The week before
- Send one message with everything: addresses, tee times, pairings, format rules and the final amount owed.
- Settle the money before the trip, not after. Post-trip collections drag on for months.
- Bring a trophy. A $30 trophy turns a golf weekend into an annual tradition.
"The trip is only as fun as the organizer is relaxed. Get the money and the plan locked before anyone packs."
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should you plan a golf buddies trip?
Six to nine months for dates and destination, especially for popular destinations in peak season. Book tee times and lodging about three months out at the latest.
How many people should go on a golf trip?
A multiple of four (8, 12 or 16) is ideal because it makes even foursomes and two equal teams for a team competition.
How do you split costs on a golf trip?
Collect a non-refundable deposit up front, keep one shared ledger of every expense, and settle the final balance before the trip. Keep side bets separate from shared trip costs.
What is the best format for a golf buddies trip?
A Ryder Cup–style team competition: four-ball on day one, alternate shot or a scramble on day two, and singles matches on the final day, with one point per match.
How do you pick teams for a golf trip?
Use a snake draft ordered by handicap, or rank players by handicap and alternate them between teams, so the teams start close to even.