Golf guide
A golf guide is a directory of golf courses — printed as a book or online as a database — with descriptions, contact details and key data of the facilities.
The classic golf guide was a thick book, published anew each year, listing all the facilities of a region or a country. Typical details per course: location and directions, number of holes, par, course length, green fee level, practice facilities and contact. Many golfers kept such a guide in the car to find courses on the road. Today online directories have largely taken over this role — they are more current, searchable and often include reviews and photos. But the principle has stayed the same.
In practice you use a golf guide mainly for travel and holiday planning. An example: you are planning a long weekend on the Baltic Sea. You filter the directory by region, pay attention to the attribute public golf course, check whether course certificate or a minimum handicap is required, and write yourself a shortlist of three facilities. Afterwards you request a tee time.
The most common misconception: the details in a guide are a snapshot. Green fees, opening hours and acceptance conditions change from season to season. The club's own information is always binding. As a first orientation and for comparison, however, directories are unbeatable — for that there is also our own golf course directory.
FAQ
How do you find the right course for your holiday with a golf guide?
Filter the directory by your destination region and pay attention to the key data per facility: number of holes, course length, green fee and acceptance conditions. Check whether the course is a public golf course or whether you need a minimum handicap. From the hits you build a shortlist of two to three facilities and request tee times directly with the club.
Do you need to verify details from the golf guide with the club?
Yes, for the points that are decisive for your day. Green fees, opening hours and visitor conditions change from season to season, and no directory is current down to the day. A short call or a look at the club website is enough to confirm tee time and day price.
Is a printed golf guide still worthwhile today?
As a quick overview in the car or at the destination, a book guide can be practical because it works without signal and battery. For the actual planning, however, online directories are superior because they are more current and can be filtered by region, category and facilities. Many golfers use both: online for the selection, printed for the inspiration.