A GENERAL recovery in long-haul bookings is leading to greater demand for golfing holidays in the US, according to specialist operators.
Longshot Golf Holidays forecasts a swing towards long-haul golf as more experienced players looking for guaranteed winter sun and reliable tee times are opting for destinations in the southern states.
Marketing director Susan Williams said: “Golfing in the US is good value and at vast resorts like Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, golfers can be sure there will be plenty of tee times.
“This is bound to encourage the more experienced golfers who have already travelled with us to European destinations and are looking for something new.”
Myrtle Beach has entered Longshot’s top 10 resorts – which are mostly in the Mediterranean – for the first time at number eight and is also new to its tournament programme.
There is a choice of four hotels, with prices in late April from £589 for one week, including accommodation, flights, car and bed and breakfast. Green fees are extra.
Mike Wilson, British Airways Holidays product manager for its Club Golf programme, said he is seeing a big switch in sales from Europe to the US, with the top-selling destination of Orlando in Florida increasing year on year.
“Daytona Beach is also attracting increased business because there you can play 18 holes at a championship-standard course for as little as £5 in summer,” he said. “Even in winter, you can play on a range of good-quality courses from £8.”
He added that there is also an increasing trend to try desert golf in Arizona.
“The British Airways service into Phoenix and greater exposure of the destination in golfing magazines has helped to raise its popularity.”
The Club Golf brochure, which runs to October, also features South Carolina and recently introduced California with the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego and the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort in Indian Wells.
Commission on bookings is a flat £35 per couple – a switch from last year’s minimum 10%.
Wilson said: “As a lot of golf bookings are direct, our product was becoming uncompetitive so we did this in order to maintain our position in the market.
“However, we don’t want to discontinue our relationship with the trade and they have still supported us with this new arrangement.”
BAH features seven nights at the Hyatt resort in California from £899 during June, including flights and car plus bonus offers.
Tucson in Arizona and two more locations in Virginia have been added to the 2000 programme of Destination Golf USA.
Managing director Mike Robinson said: “We have added a resort in Williamsburg in heartland Virginia and another in Virginia Beach.
“The topography is very different from Florida and, to an extent, South Carolina, and the courses are much less crowded.
“We are also featuring golf in Tucson for the first time, at the Golf Villas at Oro Valley. It is a desert location for the second and third-time visitor looking for new challenges.”
Robinson claimed Destination Golf USA is in the minority of golf operators which actually make the product available to agents.
He said: “About 30% of our business comes through agents. Our average selling price is £1,100 per head inclusive of flights, car, accommodation and golf, and we pay 10% commission to agents with the exception of golf fees.”
A seven-night package at the Comfort Inn, Virginia Beach, with a choice of six courses, costs from £549 available from November 1 to December 14.
Delta Vacations Golf America is relaunching its prices this month for destinations including the Carolinas, Florida, Arizona, California, Alabama, Georgia, Las Vegas and Hawaii. Golf operations manager Fred Bickmore said: “Bookings are going through the roof and the golf market to the US is growing by more than 20% a year.
“It is an economical product, with high levels of quality, service, facilities and golf and it is exactly what Britons are looking for.
“Myrtle Beach in South Carolina is by far the top-selling destination. There is a huge choice of courses and it is dominated by groups of from eight to 16 players travelling together.”
He added: “It is perfect for winter golf, with prices you can’t beat. It’s also got good shopping and excellent nightlife.”
Delta is increasing coverage of its Southern sunbelt states in October by introducing Mississippi and Louisiana to its next golf programme, as well as the Virginias and Pennsylvania.
Delta Vacations product manager Karl Thompson said: “There is no standard commission level for our golf programme but the average rate of commission is 16%, depending on individual agency agreements.”