GOLF TRAVEL · RENTALS

Renting equipment on-site vs. bringing your own.

Bring your own racket or rent on-site? Premium resort rental rates start at €40 per day — bring-your-own costs vary. When renting is worthwhile, when bringing your own is the better choice, and which three resorts offer premium equipment rental.

IFor 10 years, I took my own clubs on every trip. At 65, I tried resort rentals for the first time in Quinta do Lago — €60 a day for a current Callaway set. The realization: For short trips (3-4 days), rentals are often worthwhile. For week-long trips, your own clubs make more sense. There are no one-size-fits-all answers.

Rental club programs have improved significantly in the last 10 years: current models, professional fitting advice, often included at premium resorts. The decision to „rent or take your own” depends on four factors: trip duration, club premium level, wedge/putter customization preference, and transportation effort.

Three advantages of equipment rental

Benefit 1 — No travel stress

✓ NO LUGGAGE.

No special luggage, no travel bag, no lugging things around at the airport. A massive gain in comfort for short trips or multi-stop journeys. Senior golfers with mobility restrictions benefit disproportionately.

Advantage 2 – Test current models

✓ NEW EQUIPMENT.

Resort rentals usually have current models (Callaway, TaylorMade, PING from the current season). For those considering buying equipment: use the trip as a trial period. If you like it: buy custom-fitted at home.

Benefit 3 — Travel insurance saved

NO BATTER RISK.

Bringing your own premium clubs = higher risk of loss/damage. Insurance costs €30-80 per trip. With resort rentals, the renter bears the risk.

40-80 €

Daily resort rental for current premium set

IAGTO Equipment Rental Survey 2024

For a 5-day trip: 200-400 € rental vs. 60-100 € transport costs plus risk of damage.

Three advantages of owning your own equipment

Advantage 1 — Familiar Clubs

✓ NO TRIAL PERIOD.

Own clubs: Distances known, familiar feel, no breaking in needed. The clearly better choice for weekly trips or important competitions.

Benefit 2 – Personal Customizations

✓ WEDGES + PUTTER FIT.

Wedges (grooves, bounce, loft) and putters (lie, length) are very personal. Rental clubs rarely offer the individually perfect configuration. Those who are sensitive about their short game: own equipment is a must.

Advantage 3 - Total costs often lower

✓ ON WEEKLY TRIPS.

For a week-long trip (5-7 days): Rental €200-400, bringing your own bag €60-100. Bringing your own bag is cheaper — if you already have a travel bag and no damage occurs during transport.

Renting equipment used to be a last resort. Today, it’s a legitimate choice — especially for short trips or testing new gear.

— Bob Vokey, Wedge and Bag Designer (Titleist)

Three top resorts for premium equipment rental.

Quinta do Lago (Portugal)

Premium rentals with custom fitting service. Current Callaway/TaylorMade models. €60-80 per day. Optional: hourly lessons with rental set.

Pebble Beach (USA)

Highest rental standard worldwide. PXG, TaylorMade Stealth, Titleist T-Series. €120-€180 per day, but unbeatable for a premium experience.

Maxx Royal Belek (Turkey)

Resort rental included with premium booking. Current Callaway/PING sets. Bonus: Custom fitting by resort pros before your first round.

On this page

ON THIS PAGE

01 Three advantages of borrowing

02 Three benefits of taking it to go

03 Three top rental resorts

Mathias Struwe

PUBLISHER · HCP 31 · 68 YRS.

40-80 €

Daily rate for premium rental.

REFERENCE

DGV Member Statistics 2024. Golf Tourism Reports (KPMG 2024). PGA Travel Partner Overview. IAGTO Golf Tourism Report 2024. World Golf Awards 2024.

What the equipment decision does not replace

The rent-or-buy decision is a convenience-vs-cost issue – but it doesn't replace playful practice. Anyone who starts with rental equipment without a warm-up round loses the first 6-9 holes to get acclimated. Plan enough test time or use your own clubs.

THREE FIRST STEPS