Top tips when booking a golfing holiday

The bad weather in the UK over the past few months means it has seemed less like summer and more like autumn so far in July and August. Grey skies and heavy rainfall have led to floods and no doubt many Brits will be moaning about the lack of sunshine.

It means a lot of people will probably have had to put events such as barbecues and garden parties on hold because of the rain, while holidaymakers staying in Britain will have had to put up with wet weather instead of enjoying glorious sunshine. Sportsmen and women may also have struggled to play their chosen sport, as they will have been stuck inside instead of getting on to outdoor courts and pitches to play games such as tennis.

Golfers in particular could have been affected, as every round they play takes several hours. This is a long time for them to be standing out in the rain if they do decide to play and no doubt a large number of players would be discouraged from getting out on the greens if they look out of the window and see rain lashing down. Although golf can be played in bad weather, visibility is poor and the wind can knock balls off course. Plus, the players will be cold, wet and probably very unenthusiastic about their game.

One way to get around this is to book a golfing holiday. Of course, the UK has an abundance of golf courses, each of which offers a different challenge. Many - such as St Andrew's in Scotland - are world-famous and offer fabulous scenery for golfers to enjoy while they play.

But booking a golfing holiday in Britain does not get round the problem of the bad weather. To do this, enthusiasts should consider arranging a holiday abroad. This does not have to be as expensive as many people think and if a group can get together, they may be able to arrange a discount.

Places like Spain offer hundreds of golf courses and because of the different weather, they will offer new challenges, different landscapes and unusual conditions for players. Plus, it means they get to soak up some sun while still playing the sport they love. It is important to book in advance as some courses may not offer ad hoc games, while players could stay in a hotel at a golf course, meaning they can be on the greens first thing in the morning.