Last Updated on 31/01/2025
If you are a traveling golfer, it’s a good idea to have golf travel insurance, no matter how skilled you are or how often you play. Everyone can have a bad day on the golf course. A golf ball is hard and can cause serious injuries or damage when it travels at high speeds. Without golf travel insurance, you could be liable for the damage, including all associated costs. One accident can quickly deplete your entire world trip budget if you don’t have insurance.
Your regular holiday insurance policy may not provide the coverage you need for your sport. Be sure to have golf holiday insurance before leaving for your golf trip, especially if you plan to take your own clubs with you. It’s also important if you’re planning to rent equipment. You’ll need insurance that covers both the game and your gear.
What Eexactly is a Golf Travel Insurance?
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Golf holiday insurance is a policy designed to protect golfers and their equipment beyond the typical benefits of regular holiday insurance. As with most hobbies, basic insurance policies may not cover golfing as part of their standard terms. Golf holiday insurance can be purchased as part of a comprehensive travel insurance plan or as a stand-alone policy.
Some additional features offered with golf holiday insurance may include:
- Insurance against loss, theft, or damage to your equipment: The more you travel, the higher the likelihood that your gear could be damaged, especially if you take frequent flights. Unfortunately, you cannot carry your golf bag as cabin luggage, so you’ll need to check it in—and anything can happen to checked bags. Most regular travel insurances do not cover damage to personal effects while playing golf.
- Coverage for hiring equipment: If your own gear is lost, damaged, or stolen, your insurance will cover the cost of renting equipment.
- Personal accident insurance: Although golf is considered a safe, non-contact sport, thousands of golfers each year require hospital treatment due to golfing accidents.
- Sports personal liability insurance: You can be held financially responsible if you injure someone else or damage property while playing.
- Coverage for the cost of a hole-in-one: Traditionally, golfers who make a hole-in-one treat everyone at the club to a round of drinks. This insurance is especially useful in Europe, where the cost of drinks can be quite high (sometimes $7–13 per drink).
- Insurance for non-refundable green fees: If you’re injured, fall ill, or if weather conditions prevent you from playing, this coverage will cover the costs of non-refundable green fees.
- Coverage if you have to cut short or cancel your trip: If you need to cancel your trip or return home early, golf holiday insurance can cover the costs of non-refundable fees.
Read the Small Print
When comparing golf holiday insurances or considering a travel insurance plan with golf coverage, be sure to read the fine print to understand what each policy covers. The actual benefits can vary significantly from one insurance company to another. Some companies offer several different levels of coverage, from basic options to more comprehensive plans at a higher cost.
No time to compare different golf travel insurances? Don’t worry—we’ve already done it! Travel Guard offers a great, flexible policy for your golfing trips. Click the link below for a free insurance quote.