[Joel_Stewart]

With the dollar hitting a 12 year high against the Euro, it's expected Americans will flock to Europe this summer.  The dollar against the pound hasn't been quite the same but its still going to help.

There should be no reason that golf in Europe doesn't have a banner year.

Thoughts? 

[Bill_McBride]

I suspect the outrageous air fares will eat up much of the savings!

[Andrew Bernstein]

I suspect the outrageous air fares will eat up much of the savings!

I have seen some outrageous fares, while some have been pretty reasonable. If you're flying out of major airports, like JFK or ATL, there are some very good deals if you're willing to connect in countries like Ireland and Denmark. I'm not sure if those types of deals appeal to the traveler who is spending thousands on a European golf trip, but they're still out there.

[David_Tepper]

I don't think many Americans golfers view continental Europe as a golfing destination. I doubt the typical American who has traveled to GB&I once or twice for a golf vacation could even name 3 or 4 golf courses on the continent.

Have the golf courses in Holland even been featured in an American golf magazine in the past 5-6 years?

Ireland may benefit a bit as it uses the Euro.

[Michael Whitaker]

Ireland will definitely benefit!

As much as I am looking forward to Notts, it's a shame the Buda isn't in Ireland this year. It would have been a cheap trip.

[Steve Okula]

Ireland will definitely benefit!

As much as I am looking forward to Notts, it's a shame the Buda isn't in Ireland this year. It would have been a cheap trip.

That's right. The Republic of Irleand is on the Euro, so golf and Guiness are there at bargain rates.

[Bill_McBride]

I suspect the outrageous air fares will eat up much of the savings!

I have seen some outrageous fares, while some have been pretty reasonable. If you're flying out of major airports, like JFK or ATL, there are some very good deals if you're willing to connect in countries like Ireland and Denmark. I'm not sure if those types of deals appeal to the traveler who is spending thousands on a European golf trip, but they're still out there.

Unfortunately I always start in Pensacola!  My son's fare to Edinburgh in May was $500 less than mine.  He flies from Houston.   

[Jim Nugent]

One big reason for the parity is that the European economy is getting sliced and diced.  That seems to me real bad for golf there.   

[Steve Okula]

European countries have been voting in policies guaranteed to stifle economic growth for decades. What surprises me is that it isn't already worse.

Living in Europe on the euro I haven't noticed things being any more difficult since the euro has devalued. Indeed, a lot of people are looking forward to being able to move European goods and services abroad more readily.

Imported turf equipment is more expensive, but that's the case every year regardless of currency fluctuations.

[Niall C]

Joel

Your whole premis seems to be that Americans make up the bulk or even a significant percentage of golfing visitors. Don't have any facts or figures to hand but I very much doubt that. I'd suggest the bulk of "visitors" will be home grown in which case golf in certain countries in Europe could continue to struggle as some countries in the Eurozone struggle to get out of the economic trough.

That said, me and my friends are very much looking forward to our trip to Spain in September with the exchange rate the best its been for 7 or 8 years.

Niall

[Jaeger Kovich]

That's funny, I was just looking up the latest exchange rate 5 min ago as This American has been enjoying wearing shorts and playing the best courses within an hour an a half of Lisbon, Portugal. Having a wonderful time with one more course to see! Cha-Ching$$$!!! 

[Ally Mcintosh]

Joel

Your whole premis seems to be that Americans make up the bulk or even a significant percentage of golfing visitors. Don't have any facts or figures to hand but I very much doubt that. I'd suggest the bulk of "visitors" will be home grown in which case golf in certain countries in Europe could continue to struggle as some countries in the Eurozone struggle to get out of the economic trough.

That said, me and my friends are very much looking forward to our trip to Spain in September with the exchange rate the best its been for 7 or 8 years.

Niall

For Ireland, I seem to remember a figure last year that stated 16% of overseas visitors were from the US.... 44% were from the UK.... Along those lines.

[Adrian_Stiff]

Joel

Your whole premis seems to be that Americans make up the bulk or even a significant percentage of golfing visitors. Don't have any facts or figures to hand but I very much doubt that. I'd suggest the bulk of "visitors" will be home grown in which case golf in certain countries in Europe could continue to struggle as some countries in the Eurozone struggle to get out of the economic trough.

That said, me and my friends are very much looking forward to our trip to Spain in September with the exchange rate the best its been for 7 or 8 years.

Niall

Could be £1 = E1.50 by then Niall. It has been an amazing rise this year time, to buy property again if your a Britt! Golf at 50 Euro with a buggy is now a bargain for sunshine golf. Long haul flights are so expensive because of the 13 hour compliance laws, means a trolley dolley are effectively $500 dollars per flight and the pilots is probably $6000 per flight if they need 3.

[Craig Sweet]

The cost of my flight to Ireland back in December broke down something like this:  $550 for the "ticket" and $650 for the various fees (landing fees etc) for a total plane ticket cost close to $1200.  Of course I'm flying from East Bumfuk, Montana and that adds several hundred to the cost as well.

But, planning to return in September, and real happy to see the Euro and Dollar reaching parity.  It will make everything cheaper!

[Ally Mcintosh]

Well, hopefully if the powers that be agree to the Mulranny / Carne / Enniscrone BUDA in September 2016, things will still be in your favour and we'll see a good contingent travelling...

[Malcolm Mckinnon]

Airfares have dropped significantly lately, though still not cheap. Direct flight Newark to Edinburgh now just north of $800. Was around $1250. And yes, taxes fees and surcharges amounted to $474 of the $824 total tariff.

Don't forget to check IcelandAir. They do a terrific job.

Amazing to see the Euro down almost 30% in six months.

[Bill Seitz]

My honeymoon will be end of August, beginning of September.  Flights to and from Spain and five nights in the Canaries are on points, but we're probably going to save a few hundred dollars on our hotel in Madrid, and I'd imagine similarly adjusted savings for La Rioja and Sevilla.  We're checking the rate every day and high fiving. 

[David_Tepper]

The U.S. $ is now below $1.50 to the British Pound for the first time since May/June, 2010. The $ was above $1.70 to the Pound in early July, 2014.

[Adam Lawrence]

My honeymoon will be end of August, beginning of September.  Flights to and from Spain and five nights in the Canaries are on points, but we're probably going to save a few hundred dollars on our hotel in Madrid, and I'd imagine similarly adjusted savings for La Rioja and Sevilla.  We're checking the rate every day and high fiving. 

Seville is a fantastic city Bill. I hope you like late nights, seafood and pork products

[Bill Seitz]

My honeymoon will be end of August, beginning of September.  Flights to and from Spain and five nights in the Canaries are on points, but we're probably going to save a few hundred dollars on our hotel in Madrid, and I'd imagine similarly adjusted savings for La Rioja and Sevilla.  We're checking the rate every day and high fiving. 

Seville is a fantastic city Bill. I hope you like late nights, seafood and pork products

Three for three!!  We're really looking forward to the honeymoon a heck of a lot more than the wedding, though we do have a certain GCA judge performing the ceremony, which should be fun.

[Benjamin Litman]

FWIW, golf.com posted a slideshow today of some of the best courses in Ireland (and Northern Ireland):

http://www.golf.com/photos/play-them-theyre-irish

[Steve Okula]

My honeymoon will be end of August, beginning of September.  Flights to and from Spain and five nights in the Canaries are on points, but we're probably going to save a few hundred dollars on our hotel in Madrid, and I'd imagine similarly adjusted savings for La Rioja and Sevilla.  We're checking the rate every day and high fiving. 

Seville is a fantastic city Bill. I hope you like late nights, seafood and pork products

Also, flamenco, olives, history, architecture, culture, language, sunshine, fiestas, sherry, tapas bars, friendly, down to earth people and bullfights. I lived there for three years and would move back in a heartbeat if I could.

[Sean_A]

Steve

I attended the Feria de Abril in Seville, maybe 10 years ago now..it was a fantastic spectacle.  But to be honest, just wandering the old town is good fun...I love stopping in at bars for a fino and tapas.  Seville too is very good value considering the generally high quality of food and accomodation...maybe I should go back 

Ciao

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Make sure also to see Cordoba and Granada. Book for the Alhambra in advance - tickets are timed. You could spend a week in Seville without seeing it all but, if you have time, hire a car and drive through one of the fantastic national parks. You might drive for a whole day without seeing another car.

[Colin Macqueen]

Ah Mark R.,

Alhambra!  Tricia and I spoilt ourselves rotten and stayed there for two nights last year! Just unforgettable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqfkMgVaOeY

Cheers Colin

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