Go the Distance

Traveling to play golf has become an obsession (and sometimes a challenge) in recent, pandemic impacted years. Your travel goal for 2023? Seek out more fun and be savvy about it. Here's some help.

-  JOSH SENS

There are two kinds of golfers: those in the middle of a dream golf trip, and those dreaming of being in the middle of a dream golf trip. If you fall into the second camp and want to make your fantasy escape come true in 2023, keep these key pointers in mind. The demand is currently higher than the supply, but that doesn't mean you can't swing it.

La Cantera, San Antonio, TX

1. BOOK YOUR TRAVEL EARLY (BUT NOT TOO EARLY)

Like a hacker's scorecard, the price of plane tickets and hotel rooms can fluctuate wildly, which makes getting the best rates an imprecise science. Timing matters. One travel industry found that airfares tend to stay the same between 320 and 106 days ahead of travel and start dropping after that. It can pay to wait but not till the last minute, as prices often soar at the 11th hour. Plus, if you sit on your hands too long, desired flights and accommodations sell out. If peace of mind is what you value most, it's worth booking sooner rather than later, with the grudging understanding that prices might drop after you've paid.

Rancho Park, Los Angeles, CA

2. ADJUST YOUR OVERSEAS EXPECTATIONS