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The U.S. dollar's slide is making some
overseas golf vacations highly overpriced.
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Last week, the dollar hit an all-time low against the Euro. It now costs Americans approximately $1.50 for one Euro — no wonder Jay-Z is flashing a stack of Euro's in his latest music video. It really calls into question whether traveling overseas is worth the premium these days.
To put this in perspective, consider that, five years ago, a round at Pebble Beach Golf Links cost $350, about €324. Today, it costs $525 or €350 — 50 percent more in U.S. dollars, but only 8 percent more in Euros. Comparing the same time period, the green fee for the Old Course at Ballybunion Golf Club in Ireland is up more than 60 percent in Euros, but has skyrocketed 227 percent in U.S dollars, from $119 to $270!
So, what are the implications and what can you do to mitigate the pain? First of all, it may be a good time to consider a trip closer to home. As regular Golf Odyssey readers know, ultra-high quality golf does not always come with an ultra-high price, a prime example being North Dakota's Triple Challenge, where three world-class rounds cost a mere $135.
However, if you've got your heart set on an Ireland or British Isles golf vacation this summer, consider England or, for even more value, Wales. While neither gets as much attention as the famous links courses of Scotland and Ireland, the golf is every bit as good and depending on where you go, prices tend to be more reasonable.
In fact, the Lancashire Coast of England is the only place in the world where three "Royal" courses, each of which is a fixture on the Open Championship rota can be found so closely grouped. All are in close proximity among the sandhills along the Irish Sea coast.
This year's Open Championship host, Royal Birkdale, fresh from an extensive renovation by noted architect Martin Hawtree, is profiled in this month's
Golf Odyssey. Read in conjunction with our previous issue detailing Royal Liverpool, site of Tiger Wood's emotional victory last year, you can get a complete perspective on the golf, lodging and dining scene in this world-class destination.
Click here before March 15 to take a free, two-issue trial to Golf Odyssey, and I'll send it all to you: the current, March issue that profiles Royal Birkdale (it also contains insider secrets about Myrtle Beach and Grand Cayman in the Caribbean), the April issue (highlighting Florida and Hawaii), and the Royal Liverpool back issue (a $17 value and normally only available to subscribers). If you don't like Golf Odyssey, you can easily cancel via email. There is absolutely no risk or obligation to subscribe.
Did you know?Golf Vacation Insider and Golf Odyssey are the world's only golf publications that travel anonymously and do not accept advertising, discounts, or "freebies" from golf courses, resorts or restaurants in order to provide you with expert, unbiased, and trusted advice.
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