Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about finding golf courses, comparing options and planning your own golf trips.

Getting started

What GDB does, who it is for and how to use it.

What is Golf Done Better?

Golf Done Better (GDB) helps you discover golf courses, compare your options and plan your own golf trips. You can use it to find somewhere for a casual round, explore courses around a destination or research a weekend away with friends.

Is Golf Done Better free to use?

Yes. Course searching, comparisons and the available trip-planning tools are free to use. You do not need a subscription or an account.

What is the difference between Search Courses and Plan a Golf Trip?

Search Courses is for finding, filtering, saving and comparing golf courses. Plan a Golf Trip brings your golf selections together with accommodation and transport research, so you can put the different parts of a trip in one place. Some trip-planning features are still being developed.

Can I book through GDB?

No. GDB is a research and planning website, not a booking platform. You check live availability, prices and terms, and make bookings directly with the relevant golf club, accommodation business or other provider.

Which areas does GDB cover?

GDB is starting with golf courses across the United Kingdom. Coverage can expand as the website develops.

Searching for courses

Map searches, place names, search distances and device location.

What are the different ways to search?

Search Courses offers three options: Map Search, Search by Location and Find Courses Near Me. You can choose whichever best suits what you know about where you want to play.

How does Map Search work?

Move around the map, then use the drawing tools to define an area. You can draw a rectangle or a circle to find courses inside your chosen area.

Can I search around a town, postcode or destination?

Yes. Search by Location lets you enter a supported place or course name and choose an exact search or a distance of 5, 10, 25 or 50 miles.

Can I search for a particular golf course by name?

Yes. Enter the course name in Search by Location. You can then look at its details or explore other courses around it.

How does Find Courses Near Me work?

Choose Find Courses Near Me and allow your browser to use your device location when prompted. GDB can then search for nearby courses. If you prefer not to share your location, you can still use Map Search or Search by Location.

Can I search away from my current location?

Yes. You can explore any area within GDB’s current coverage, whether it is close to home or somewhere you are thinking of visiting.

What is the difference between clearing map selections and clearing filters?

Clearing map selections removes the geographical areas you have drawn. Clearing filters removes requirements such as facilities or difficulty. They are different controls, so you can change one without necessarily changing the other.

Why are no courses appearing?

Your chosen area may have no matching listings, or your filters may be excluding the courses there. Try widening the area or search distance, or clearing some filters. If using Near Me, check that location permission is enabled.

Filters and results

Find courses that match the golf day you have in mind.

What can I filter by?

Filters include total holes, course type, access, difficulty, dress code, atmosphere or vibe, price bands, facilities and on-course smoking and drinking considerations. Several filters can be used together.

Can I find courses that welcome visitors?

Yes. Use the access filter to narrow your options. However, access arrangements and tee-time availability can change, so always confirm them with the club.

Can I find 9-hole, 18-hole and multi-course venues?

Yes. The total-holes information helps you narrow results. Some venues have more than one course or layout, so check their detailed listing if you need a particular arrangement.

Which facilities can I search for?

The available filters include driving ranges, practice areas, buggy hire, trolley hire, restaurants or cafés, bars, pro shops, club hire, lessons and changing facilities. If a facility is essential, check directly with the club before travelling.

What does Atmosphere / Vibe mean?

These are broad descriptions, such as relaxed, friendly, traditional or exclusive, intended to help you judge whether a venue suits the occasion. They are not official ratings or promises about an individual experience.

How is course difficulty described?

GDB uses broad difficulty classifications, not official handicap requirements. Your chosen tees, the weather, course setup and your own game can all change how challenging a round feels.

What does On-Course Smoking & Drinking mean?

It refers to whether smoking or drinking may be permitted on the course itself, rather than whether the venue has a bar. It is only an indication: the club’s current rules always apply.

Does GDB show exact green fees?

No. GDB uses indicative price bands to help you compare options. Current bands are Budget (£0–£30), Affordable (£31–£60), Mid (£61–£100), Premium (£101–£150) and Luxury (over £150). These are guides, not live quotes. Check actual green fees with the club.

Why might a course appear in several price bands?

Green fees can vary by season, day of the week, tee time and booking conditions. More than one band may be relevant to the same club.

Can I sort the results?

Yes. Search Courses offers name A–Z, price low to high or high to low, nearest first, most holes and saved first. Distance sorting depends on having an appropriate search location.

Saving, comparing and course details

Shortlists, side-by-side comparisons and what listings show.

How do I save a course?

Use the save or star control on a course you are interested in. This lets you keep a shortlist while you explore. Saving a course does not reserve a tee time.

How do I compare courses?

Mark the courses you want to compare, then open the comparison tool. It shows their available details side by side so you can weigh up the differences without switching repeatedly between listings.

How many courses can I compare?

You can select up to six courses for comparison.

What is on a course’s Full Details page?

Depending on the information available, it can show the location, contact details, course layout and playing characteristics, visitor access, dress code, facilities, price bands, map location and useful external links. Some listings have more complete information than others.

Are the photographs of the actual golf clubs?

Not necessarily. Many course cards use representative photographs illustrating a course type or setting, rather than photographs of the exact club. For venue-specific images, visit the club’s official website.

Does GDB rank the best courses?

No single ranking can say which course is right for everyone. GDB focuses on helping you find and compare places that fit your budget, preferences and plans.

Planning a golf trip

Trip baskets, accommodation, transport and itineraries.

What can I do in Plan a Golf Trip?

You can research golf courses and collect potential options in a trip basket. The page also provides accommodation and transport research areas. Some of those functions are still in development, so the available actions may change.

Do I need to choose a destination first?

No. You can start with an area on the map, a place name or a course you want to play, then explore what else is nearby.

Can I plan more than one round?

Yes. You can research several courses and add options to the trip basket while organising a weekend or a longer trip.

Can I include accommodation?

Accommodation search is part of the developing trip planner. It is intended to help you research where to stay alongside your golf options. It does not confirm availability or make a reservation.

What about car hire or transfers?

The planner includes transport research tools. Depending on the type of transport, you can enter details such as locations, dates, passengers, luggage and golf bags. These are planning details, not confirmed bookings or quotations.

Why does the planner ask about golf bags?

Golf equipment takes up considerable space, especially for groups. Asking about golf bags alongside people and luggage helps you think about the size of vehicle needed. Confirm any vehicle’s capacity directly with the provider.

What is the trip basket?

It is a place to collect and review options you are considering for your trip. Adding an item does not book it or make a payment.

Can I change or remove basket items?

Yes. You can review and remove selections or clear your basket and start again.

Can I keep or transfer my basket selections?

Supported trip-basket information is saved locally in your browser. The page also includes copy and import options for basket data, which can help transfer selections without creating an account.

Can I print or download an itinerary?

A printable or downloadable itinerary, including PDF output, is a planned feature. It should not be treated as available until that function is completed and tested.

Does GDB guarantee routes or journey times?

No. Maps, coordinates and journey information are planning aids. Check travel times, routes and local conditions before making commitments.

Can I use GDB to plan a group trip?

Yes. It is useful for organising options for friends or larger groups, but you remain responsible for agreeing everyone’s requirements and making the bookings with providers.

Course information and accuracy

Sources, missing details and keeping listings useful.

Where does the course information come from?

GDB researches course information from golf clubs, official websites and other relevant sources, bringing useful details together to make comparisons easier.

How up to date is the information?

We aim to keep it useful and accurate, but prices, facilities, access, dress codes and other arrangements can change. Verify anything important directly with the club.

Why is some information missing?

Not all clubs publish the same level of information. When reliable information is unavailable, a field may be left blank rather than guessed. A blank field does not necessarily mean that a facility is unavailable.

Why can’t I find a particular course?

It may be outside current coverage, hidden by your filters, listed under a different name or not yet included. Try a wider area or clear the filters.

Can I report an error or suggest a missing course?

We welcome corrections and suggestions. A contact method will be added when GDB’s business contact arrangements are ready.

Accounts, privacy and links

Browser storage, location and how GDB is supported.

Do I need to create an account?

No. GDB does not currently use visitor accounts or registrations for its core search and planning features.

Will my saved selections appear on another device?

Not automatically. Browser storage is normally specific to the device and browser. Where available, you can use the basket copy and import controls to move selections manually.

What happens if I clear my browser data?

That may remove saved courses, comparisons, your basket and other locally stored preferences. Keep a separate copy of any trip information you want to retain.

Does GDB need my current location?

Only if you choose a feature that uses it, such as Find Courses Near Me, and give browser permission. You can search using a map or place name without using your device location.

Does GDB collect personal information?

You do not need to submit your name, address or email to use the core features. Some technical, search and location information may be processed by website or mapping providers. See the Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

How does GDB make money?

GDB may receive a commission when visitors use certain affiliate links and complete a qualifying booking or purchase. Affiliate arrangements help support the website.

Does an affiliate link cost me more?

GDB does not add its own separate booking fee when you follow an affiliate link. The external provider controls its own prices and offers, so always check the final amount before purchasing.

Who should I speak to if something goes wrong with a booking?

For availability, payment, cancellation or booking changes, contact the business that took your booking. The Terms & Conditions explain GDB’s role and the limits of the service.

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