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GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: John Kavanaugh on May 21, 2023, 11:10:08 AM

Title: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: John Kavanaugh on May 21, 2023, 11:10:08 AM

My top ten:

1. 4
2. 3
3. 8
4. 1
5. 6
7. 16
8. 12
9. 2
10. 20
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: jeffwarne on May 21, 2023, 11:27:50 AM

My top ten:

1. 4
2. 3
3. 8
4. 1
5. 6
7. 16
8. 12
9. 2
10. 20


A really good list


I'd go
4
3
8
7
1
2
6
12
16
20
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: John Kavanaugh on May 21, 2023, 12:18:27 PM
7 can be awkward if you find yourself in the threesome of shame.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Mike Nuzzo on May 21, 2023, 12:48:46 PM
the size of the GCA SoCal trip when drinking Pete's beer
we even car pooled for a bit Barney
or every other GCA trip
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: John Kavanaugh on May 21, 2023, 12:52:50 PM
What was that #. I even thought of Jeff Stetner last week when in St Louis. Then and every time I wear a hat indoors.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: MCirba on May 21, 2023, 02:52:32 PM
I was just on a trip with 52 to Myrtle Beach.  Lots of nostalgia as I grew up a block and a half from the brothers who were celebrating their 40th consecutive trip there and my younger brother and I thought it might be fun. 


Wouldn't recommend it.  :P
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Tim Martin on May 21, 2023, 03:11:41 PM
I was just on a trip with 52 to Myrtle Beach.  Lots of nostalgia as I grew up a block and a half from the brothers who were celebrating their 40th consecutive trip there and my younger brother and I thought it might be fun. 


Wouldn't recommend it.  :P


Mike-That’s brave! :o
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Ally Mcintosh on May 21, 2023, 04:05:19 PM
3 wins hands down.


16 comes second.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: John Kavanaugh on May 21, 2023, 04:07:08 PM
3 wins hands down.


16 comes second.


Why 3?
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Marty Bonnar on May 21, 2023, 04:24:44 PM
Everybody knows this is 8.
1 Architecture geek and 7 of your closest friends who think you’re a weirdo.
F.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: John Kavanaugh on May 21, 2023, 04:48:37 PM
Giant American cars popularized our foursome mentality.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: MClutterbuck on May 21, 2023, 04:57:12 PM
3. Allows you to play with a member. Nothing better.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Ally Mcintosh on May 21, 2023, 05:11:30 PM
3. Allows you to play with a member. Nothing better.


Correct.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: John Kavanaugh on May 21, 2023, 05:31:29 PM
Who gets the back seat when you have three? Do you gamble for shotgun?
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Michael Whitaker on May 21, 2023, 05:40:35 PM
Depends on whether it’s a UK trip or US.


UK = 3 or 7


US = 4 or 8


In the UK you want your group to able to play as a “member’s guest”. So, you need to have that 4th or 8th spot available for the member.


In the US it doesn’t matter.


Groups larger than 8 are too unwieldy. Too hard to clear the courses you really want to play… at the times you want to play them.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Pete Lavallee on May 21, 2023, 07:38:27 PM
We had 33 golfers play in KP I; my buddy Dick subbed for Don Mahhafy who went to visit his parents. 28 came to the party at my house.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: MKrohn on May 21, 2023, 08:01:30 PM
Giant American cars popularized our foursome mentality.


Yep, 3 is the answer for me outside the US.


By the time you pack clubs, bags and an esky (cooler), our vee-hickles aren't large/comfortable enough for 4.


If more than 3, you are looking at a van in Aust/NZ and the UK.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Pete_Pittock on May 21, 2023, 08:19:37 PM
The only time three did not work out was when we had four, but one had a medical emergency. The next day was 36 at Muirfield, with the morning round alternate shot. I got to play as a single.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Tommy Williamsen on May 21, 2023, 09:55:16 PM
Anything more than 8 would make me crazy. Even with that many, you are assured of a high-maintenance person, and I have little tolerance for them anymore.
My preference is two other guys I know well. I also make trips with my wife. And after 55 years, we know how to travel together.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: John Foley on May 22, 2023, 07:49:51 AM
As the guy who does the scheduling , it's 8 and the worst is 5 by a mile.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: John Kavanaugh on May 22, 2023, 08:59:08 AM
I did a five man golf trip to Vegas once. Seems natural that each day one of us would either want to fight, sleep or … instead of golf. Pure disaster. I lost my max and flew home the second day.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Erik J. Barzeski on May 22, 2023, 09:04:36 AM
That's it. Any more than 8 is asking for too many issues.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Tim Martin on May 22, 2023, 09:25:32 AM
  • 4
  • 2
  • 3
  • 1
  • 7
  • 8
That's it. Any more than 8 is asking for too many issues.


It’s got to be burdensome as the group statistician to keep real time information for more than 4 players. I guess you employ a drone for the other group to keep track of lunch orders and duck and covers.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: John Kavanaugh on May 22, 2023, 09:56:18 AM
I’ve just returned from a 20 man trip where it was proposed that we keep track of an inner tournament on Golf Genius. Thank god we did not. Sadly for me I have taken the stance where I refuse to play in any event that forces me to look at my phone after each hole. Nose meet face.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: mike_malone on May 22, 2023, 10:13:30 AM
I have done 8,12, 3 plus a 4th later, 2, 4 and alone. I see benefits to all of them. You never know in advance how the trip will go.


  Since Buda I have met others there and played with members.


This fall I will do 8 to Donegal and 2 of us proceed to Buda.


  My friend Jack is a welcome companion on any trip even though he’s a hard headed lawyer!


Mixing it up is probably the best. Several trips to Buda I traveled alone which has the ultimate flexibility and chances to connect. On others Jack has accompanied me.


The larger groups often have one time only visitors that I want to make sure remember their trip fondly.
On my 12 trip we played the big courses twice. This fall we play St.Patrick’s twice.


I see the end of my travels to UK/Ireland so savor every trip.


However you can go to Britain I say “Go”!
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Tommy Williamsen on May 22, 2023, 10:19:18 AM
At resorts, getting a tee time as a single is much easier. A last-minute decision brought me to Bandon. I played all five courses in three days. I have made a few trips to GB&I alone and met some great people.

Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: John Kavanaugh on May 22, 2023, 10:26:12 AM
I was expecting for more single love on this thread. Lawsonia is the only course I have played as a single in my adult life. I think that is what led for my distaste for the course. If I want to hit shots that no one sees I go to the end of the range and hope no lefties show up.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Kalen Braley on May 22, 2023, 08:39:38 PM
I was initially thinking 4, and it seems to be popular.  For me that number lately has been 2, but we're like peas and carrots..

And it goes without saying that who you go with is far far far more important than the number.  In many cases I'd rather go as a single because then at most you only have to put up with someone you ain't gelling with for 4-5 hours.  ;)
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Cal Carlisle on May 22, 2023, 08:42:59 PM
At resorts, getting a tee time as a single is much easier. A last-minute decision brought me to Bandon. I played all five courses in three days. I have made a few trips to GB&I alone and met some great people.


I do this quite a bit on road trips. I might get done early with a client or have a cancellation. I do a lot of last minute rounds as a single.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Sean_A on May 22, 2023, 11:03:53 PM
Depends if local members are involved to host or if its a yearly society type gig playing for a trophy. If not, no more than 8. I am not that fussed about any number between 2 and 8. If a lot of championship courses are involved it's nice to play in 2 or maybe 3 balls. 4 balls usually results in a load of ball searching.

Ciao
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Matt Schoolfield on May 22, 2023, 11:19:51 PM
Two people and two dogs.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Tim Martin on May 23, 2023, 08:04:20 AM
Two people and two dogs.


A “golf trip” denotes travel. You really want to bring two dogs on planes, trains and long car trips? I’m thinking this could be a tongue in cheek response but I’m not sure. Your dog will probably still be there when you get home. ;)
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Jason Topp on May 23, 2023, 12:11:12 PM






If you are going to be hosted at private clubs 2 or 3 is ideal.  I almost think 2 is better because it gives the host flexibility to fill the group or keep the group at 3 if the host is concerned about pace of play. 


For public golf, four is best.  If you have three, you are spinning the roulette wheel on the 4th that might be added.  If you do not get a 4th, you are likely going to be waiting most of the day.


If it is more than four, it depends on the people and the leader.  The work increases geometrically for every person you add but if the group is right, it can be great.


I have done a couple solo trips and they worked out surprisingly well.  Not my first choice but for the right experience I would do it again.



Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Tom_Doak on May 23, 2023, 03:40:38 PM
I've hosted several groups at Crystal Downs who come with four, and one of them has to opt out.


The worst part is that the one who opts out is often the one person you'd really want to host.  Am I right, Ben Sims?
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Matt Schoolfield on May 23, 2023, 04:46:56 PM
A “golf trip” denotes travel. You really want to bring two dogs on planes, trains and long car trips? I’m thinking this could be a tongue in cheek response but I’m not sure. Your dog will probably still be there when you get home. ;)
I hear ya. I'm in the Bay Area, so I'm pretty spoiled with single-day car ride golf trips. I can get anywhere from Palm Springs to Bandon in reasonable drive time. Most of my "golf trips" involve me driving Monterey mid-week to get the reasonable weeknight rates at the Asilomar.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Mark Smolens on May 23, 2023, 05:52:39 PM
My last trip to Ireland we had 7. Worked out great because or tour guide/bus driver/entertainment committee, Jimmy O'Leary, was an awesome guy and he played with us. Because one guy's flight in was late, Jimmy had to quit early at the Island so that he could go in and talk the chef into staying late and cooking us dinner (we were the only ones on the course).
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Jim_Coleman on May 23, 2023, 06:10:29 PM
   I host lots of groups at Casa de Campo. 4 and 8 and are both fun. 4 is easier to organize and administer. 8 is fun because we use a duplicate bridge pairing card to arrange matches every day. No complaints.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Carl Johnson on May 25, 2023, 02:56:38 PM
4 is best, with 8 o.k.  More important than the number, however, is compatibility.  If everyone isn't on the same page, that can cause issues and less than an A-1 trip.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Duncan Cheslett on May 25, 2023, 04:33:40 PM
Pretty well all my golf trips involve being hosted by members, so the ideal travelling group size is three - or six if a second host can be secured at all venues.


Three is also the maximum number that can fit in a standard car together with clubs and luggage.
Title: Re: The optimal number of people for a golf trip 1-20
Post by: Kalen Braley on May 25, 2023, 05:33:24 PM
Pretty well all my golf trips involve being hosted by members, so the ideal travelling group size is three - or six if a second host can be secured at all venues.

Three is also the maximum number that can fit in a standard car together with clubs and luggage.

Are SUVs basically non-existent overseas? Cause 4 people and bags is no problemo even in a mid-size one, much less full.  Asking for a friend. ;D