Optimal Group Size
There probably isn’t such a thing as an ‘optimal’ group size, but it’s equally fair to say that a three or a five person party can be a little bit awkward, as we’ll get ourselves penalised on the odd number for needing an extra room, and not having the even number to burden share it’s cost.
Group size is probably more a function of planning horizons than something we aim for.
It’s no secret really. The bigger the group, the longer the planning timeframe we should observe
In any event, most groups kind of self-select anyway, so its rarely something that a lead organiser sits down and says to themselves “I need XYZ number of people”
Price
There are static costs (green fees) and dynamic costs (accommodations & transport). The per person dynamic costs can adjust in line with the number of people who are able to burden share a cost
The top golf courses of Scotland, Ireland and England aren’t in any danger of failing to sell their tee-sheets out. They won’t award a discount purely because of a large group. Indeed, a large group actually represents an enhanced level of risk to them.
Hotels will make a concession to group size, but will usually trade that against less generous refund terms. Again, this is a ‘risk thing’. The golf hotels of places like St Andrews will usually sell their rooms out in the peak season. They don’t need to discount them to the extent that people often imagine. A large group cancelling however, becomes a risk
Golf Tour Operator’s (GTO’s) do enjoy trade rates with various suppliers, which are then passed on in our prices. The discounts that are offered on group size, tend to come from the GTO
Any key milestones?
If you wish to include Muirfield, RCD or Portrush, it would make sense to begin that process in the autumn of the year before the year etc. Perhaps the best way to illustrate this is an example
If you wanted to play in 2030, we’d be looking for an expression of interest and commitment by the autumn of 2028, with the view to taking that up a small deposit payment by January 2029
The likes of Royal Troon, Carnoustie, North Berwick, Old Head and Portmarnock, tend to work to an Easter timeline, whereas the courses of West Ireland you might be able to defer until May
The general advice however is that once you’ve decided to come, then we might as well ‘get on with it’ and look to get the tee-times we want before we find ourselves having to use the less popular slots in a tee-sheet
- Planning timeline – at least 18 -24 mths before arrival (January of the year before if seeking to play Muirfield, RCD or Portrush)
- Golf – Won’t be able to include Muirfield for everyone. Expect to struggle at RCD too
- Accommodation – will need to use a high-capacity hotel. Very likely to fall under ‘contract terms’ (favourable pricing, less favourable refund structure)
- Transport – Will need to use 1 or 2 large coaches, probably supported by 1 or 2 MPV’s to ‘sweep’
- St Andrews Old Course ballot – Very complex, with multiple permutations possible, but manageable
To view an itinerary for a very large party
- Planning timeline – at least 18 -20 mths before arrival (January of the year before if seeking to play Muirfield, RCD or Portrush)
- Golf – Won’t be able to include Muirfield for everyone. Expect to struggle at RCD too
- Accommodation – will need to use a high-capacity hotel. Larger side could fall under ‘contract terms’ (favourable pricing, less favourable refund structure), lower side won’t do
- Transport – The higher end is starting to take us into the sort territory where a coach might be needed (about 16 golfers). Would usually advise a fleet of MPV’s for Scotland if St Andrews is involved. More inclined to use a coach in Ireland
- St Andrews Old Course ballot – Complex, with multiple permutations possible, but manageable. Aggressive use of the Singles ballot advised
To learn more about the specific issues concerning large parties
- Planning timeline – at least 12-15 mths before arrival (January of the year before if seeking to play Muirfield, RCD or Portrush)
- Golf – Will only be able to play Muirfield as four or an eight. Expect to struggle at RCD too
- Accommodation – Less likely to be able to use a B&B. Five can become a particularly awkward number
- Transport – Two MPV’s. A 6 or 7 person party might be able to combine a single MPV with an estate car
- St Andrews Old Course ballot – Manageable. Aggressive use of the Singles ballot advised
- Planning timeline – at least 9-15 mths before arrival (January of the year before if seeking to play Muirfield, RCD or Portrush)
- Golf – Will only be able to play Muirfield as a four. Expect to struggle at RCD too
- Accommodation – All options are open to us
- Transport – One MPV.
- St Andrews Old Course ballot – Comfortably manageable. Use of the Singles ballot advised albeit we might choose to only accept even number wins
To learn more about the specific issues concerning four ball parties
- Planning timeline – at least 9-15 mths before arrival (January of the year before if seeking to play RCD or Portrush)
- Golf – We won’t be able to play Muirfield. Expect to struggle at RCD too
- Accommodation – All options are open to us, but the odd number is likely to cause a higher per person price as we probably need two rooms
- Transport – One MPV
- St Andrews Old Course ballot – Comfortably manageable. Selective use of the Singles ballot advised. You will need to decide how to handle 2 wins and 1 loss or 1 win and 2 losses
To learn more about the specific issues concerning three ball parties
- Planning timeline – at least 8-12 mths before arrival(January of the year before if seeking to play RCD or Portrush)
- Golf – We won’t be able to play Muirfield. Expect to struggle at RCD too
- Accommodation – All options are open to us
- Transport – One estate car
- St Andrews Old Course ballot – Comfortably manageable. Selective use of the Singles ballot advised. You will need to decide how to handle wins and losses. You might adopt ‘both play or no play’, or ‘everyone for themselves, and best of luck’
To learn more about the specific issues concerning two ball parties
- Planning timeline – at least 3- 12 mths before arrival (January of the year before if seeking to play RCD or Portrush)
- Golf – We won’t be able to play Muirfield. Expect to struggle at RCD too
- Accommodation – All options are open to us, but the odd number is likely to cause a higher per person price in the absence of being able to burden share
- Transport – One medium size saloon
- St Andrews Old Course ballot – Advise that we seek a ballot buddy for the open ballot, and also make aggressive use of the singles ballot
To learn more about the specific issues concerning singles golfers
Luckily, Scotland, Ireland, and North-West England are seriously rich for quality non-golf visitor attractions in close proximity to their top courses. You can bring non-golfers along safe in the knowledge that they won’t be missing out.
The only sub-regions where we come under pressure on extended stays are Ayrshire, and to a lesser extent Aberdeenshire. It’s possibly fair to say that south-west Ireland will eventually stretch a non-golfer too, as it requires more roadwork than the others
Otherwise we have some truly great non-golf compliments. Golf got lucky really! Many apex visitor attractions just happen to fallen well with her golf courses.
People’s circumstances can change and numbers can fluctuate.
Anyone under a contract rate is typically given 10% attrition by a hotel (specific agreements will vary, but 10% is a broad ballpark).
In our experience, groups between 4 and 10 are more likely to see people seeking to join a party at a later date than leave one. Dependent on how much gap there is between the initial assembly and the request to join newcomers, we can usually get to about 85% of replication
Testimonial
From BB Canada
“I told Alun the courses I was interested in playing and he prepared a stay and play package with 14 days of outstanding golf, but also tremendous site seeing opportunities for my wife.”
From JC Illinois
“His attention to detail is amazing--I think our travel plan booklet ran to forty-eight pages, with gorgeous descriptions of cities and sights, plus maps showing where to go to catch trains, or walk from trains to hotels, sights and golf courses, etc.”
From DF Alabama
“I will cherish the memories for a long time- especially the wonderful times spent on and off the golf course with two of my brothers and brother-in-law. None of the memories and golf would have been possible or enjoyed without your tremendous planning and logistical support.”
AS from Colorado
“Alun and Faraway Fairways created possibly the most memorable golf trip we have ever experienced. EPIC is the only word that comes to mind.”
AC, From Florida/ New York, 2025
“We were hopeful to secure a 4 ball at St. Andrews while avoiding the massive expense other operators had quoted. He was very clear about the plan for achieving a tee time at the Old Course through the ballot, including detailed instruction on how it could be done, and what our odds were. He suggested mid- to late April as the best chance of success and advised that this is also the least rainy part of the year. We took his advice and trusted the process. Well, he was right on all counts!”
From SB, Minnesota
“We wholeheartedly recommend Alun and Faraway Fairways if you’re looking for a golf trip that is effortless, enjoyable, and truly unforgettable—even for a non-golfer in the mix! My husband and I will be daydreaming about this trip for years to come. 5.5 stars!”
From JB, California
“The best part was that the service was surprisingly affordable. They were thousands of dollars below other quotes that I received, in fact the prices were very similar to what I would have paid if I would have booked everything on my own.”
From JCA, Maryland
“I would and will highly recommend your company to anyone looking to plan an unforgettable golf trip. Thank You for putting together a fantastic trip for J.C. and me”
From WF Connecticut
“I think all eight of us would agree that Alun at Faraway Fairways did an absolutely wonderful job of putting this “golf vacation of a lifetime” together for us. His focus on the details was extraordinary from the choice of courses and the timing of the tee times, the amazingly beautiful accommodations along with some excellent meal selections, and the transportation options he provided to get us from place to place.”
From DR South Carolina
“You are about to tee it up in your Major. Seek wisdom, integrity and professionalism. Alun Davies and Faraway Fairways will not disappoint you. They cannot assure a calm sunny day with temperatures in the 70’s on the Old Course.”
From MM, California
“One fantastic trip you organized, and more importantly took ownership of in terms of daily communication and stewardship during our 2+ weeks in Scotland and Ireland. The logistics were spotless…100% of the transports were on time and excellent, the lodging choices spectacular and the golf was off the charts in terms of quality and arrangements made”
DH from California
“You cannot go wrong with the support Faraway Fairways offered. I did this trip solo and all last minute but I have already begun to plan the next trip which will include my best golfing buddies.”
Enquiry
We don't need to make this an ordeal by 101 filtering questions! In reality there are probably little more than half a dozen things we need to know to build out a proposal. The guidance below might help you frame answers
Duration - usually best expressed as a range up to a maximum
Time of year - can be anything from a specific date range to a named season
Travel class - Faraway Fairways uses 'Luxury', 'Premier' or 'Affordable' for generic purposes. You might choose to reference the international 'star' rating system. We're only looking for something to help steer us into the right sector
Self drive or hired driver - In broad terms, self driving is normally less expensive, and much more flexible, but some folk just don't want to do it
Must play courses/ must do places - a few name checks is all that's needed