How Group Size Shapes the Experience
Planning a golf trip is exciting, but the size of your group plays a massive role in shaping the experience. From the logistics of tee times to the social dynamics at dinner, each group size presents unique challenges and benefits. Whether you’re heading out with a small, tight-knit crew or organizing a massive golf pilgrimage, here’s what to expect based on the size of your group.
Small Groups (8 or Fewer Players)
Intimate, Flexible, and Easy to Manage
What to Expect:
• Easy logistics—booking tee times, accommodations, and transportation is a breeze.
• More flexibility in course selection, dining, and scheduling.
• Everyone can interact with each other throughout the trip, fostering a tight-knit atmosphere.
• More opportunities for impromptu side bets, and last-minute plan changes are simpler to manifest
Potential Challenges:
• Limited variety in competition formats (mostly 2-4 person games).
• If someone drops out last-minute, it can mess up pairings or team formats.
Best For:
• Close friends, family, or coworkers
• Competitive groups that want to play multiple rounds together
Midsized Groups (12 - 16 Players)
The Sweet Spot of Fun
What to Expect:
• More variety in playing partners—different pairings each round keep things fresh.
• Team-based competitions (like Ryder Cup, Trifecta, Squads) start to become viable.
• A good balance between social time and individual competition.
• Easy to book multiple tee times while keeping everyone at the same course.
Potential Challenges:
• Consecutive tee times may be unavailable at some courses.
• Finding restaurants or lodging that can accommodate everyone together might take some extra effort.
• Side bets and games need a bit more structure to keep track of.
Best For:
• Groups looking for both competition and camaraderie.
• Trips where some players want to be serious, and others just want to have fun.
• Multi-day trips where pairing variety is key.
Large Groups (20 - 24 Players)
Organized Chaos
What to Expect:
• More structured events—pairings, tee times, and formats must be planned in advance.
• Strong team dynamics, making Ryder Cup or other team competitions more engaging.
• A mix of personalities, skill levels, and competitiveness, which can add to the fun.
• More social energy, with post-round gatherings turning into bigger events.
Potential Challenges:
• Booking tee times at the same course can be tough—courses with 36 holes become ideal.
• Splitting into multiple lodging options may be necessary.
• Keeping everyone engaged (and on time) requires a trip leader who stays organized.
• More potential for slow play, especially if handicaps vary widely.
Best For:
• Golfers who love a structured yet social atmosphere.
• Annual or destination trips where camaraderie is just as important as the golf.
• Groups who enjoy a mix of competition and post-round celebrations.
Gigantic Groups (28 or More Players)
Full-Blown Golf Festivals
What to Expect:
• A tournament-like atmosphere—large groups require pre-planned formats, schedules, and clear organization.
• Potentially playing across multiple courses or split tee times due to size.
• High energy, big group dinners, and a social dynamic that feels like a golf convention.
• A mix of serious players, casual golfers, and everything in between.
Potential Challenges:
• Logistical headaches—tee times, lodging, transportation, and dinner reservations all require planning months in advance.
• Keeping track of scoring and side games takes serious effort (a digital leaderboard or golf trip app can help).
• Not everyone will get to play with everyone, which may cause some disconnect in the group dynamic.
Best For:
• Large company outings, golf societies, or club trips.
• Competitive groups looking to create a full-on event.
• Those who thrive in organized chaos and love big social gatherings.
Final Thoughts
The size of your golf trip dictates everything from competition formats to social dynamics. A small group offers intimacy and flexibility, while a gigantic group turns into a full-scale event that requires serious organization. Finding the right balance for your group’s personality and expectations is key to making the trip enjoyable for everyone.
No matter the size, the most important thing is making sure everyone has a great time—because at the end of the day, a golf trip is about more than just the golf, it’s about time-well-spent with great people and the legendary memories you bring home.
