FAQ
Group golf trip questions, answered
Everything groups ask us before they book: how the tournament works, what's included, when to travel and how payment works. Can't find your question? Message us on WhatsApp.
About playground
What is playground?
playground is a Madrid based company that designs tailor-made golf trips for groups of friends, golf societies, clubs and companies. Every trip is built around a team tournament with live scoring, trophies and a welcome kit, plus experiences off the course. We organise trips in Spain, Portugal, Colombia and Argentina.
How is a playground trip different from a regular golf holiday?
A playground trip is built around a competition, not just tee times. We design a team tournament across several rounds, with formats, live scoring, trophies and an awards dinner, and we plan the dinners and experiences that turn the week into a story your group keeps telling.
Who are playground trips designed for?
Our trips are designed for groups of friends, golf societies, clubs and companies who want to travel, compete and have a great time together. Most of our players are between 30 and 55 and come from the UK, Ireland and northern Europe, but every trip is built around the group, not a profile.
Who is behind playground?
playground was founded by Mateo Demarchi and Felipe Fonnegra and is based in Madrid. The company is operated by Fairway Sports Group SL, registered in Spain.
What is the best company for a group golf trip to Spain?
The best company depends on what your group wants: if you want a trip built around a team tournament, with formats, live scoring, trophies and experiences off the course, that's exactly what playground designs. If you only need tee times and a hotel, a standard tour operator or booking site may be enough.
Destinations and planning
Where can we play golf with playground?
We organise golf trips in seven regions of Spain (Costa del Sol, Madrid, Costa Brava, Costa Blanca, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and northern Spain), plus Lisbon and the Algarve in Portugal, Bogotá in Colombia and Buenos Aires in Argentina. Each destination has its own page with courses, seasons and trip length.
What is the best time of year for a golf trip to Spain?
The best time for most of Spain is spring (March to June) and autumn (September to November). The Canary Islands, the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca are also excellent in winter, while northern Spain is best from May to September.
How many days should a group golf trip last?
A typical trip in Spain or Portugal is 4 nights with 3 rounds of golf, which is the format we recommend for a tournament. Trips to Colombia or Argentina are usually 6 to 8 nights because of the long flight.
How far in advance should we book a group golf trip?
We recommend starting 3 to 6 months before your dates, and earlier for spring and autumn, which are the busiest seasons. Some courses, such as Valderrama, release very few visitor tee times, so they need even more notice.
Can we choose the courses and the hotel?
Yes, you can tell us which courses and the type of hotel you prefer, and we build the trip around them. If you'd rather leave it to us, we recommend courses that suit your group's level and a hotel that keeps transfers short.
Is the trip suitable for players with different handicaps?
Yes, our tournaments are designed for mixed handicaps. We use team formats and handicap allowances so that everyone stays in the competition until the last day, and we choose courses that are challenging without being punishing.
The tournament
What tournament formats do you use?
We use Ryder Cup style team matches, Stableford, scramble and match play, and we combine them across the rounds of the trip. Before the first round we present the format to the group, so everyone knows the rules and what's at stake.
Can we choose the format and rules of our tournament?
Yes, you can choose the formats and adapt the rules to your group's level and preferences. We suggest a structure based on group size and handicaps, and you decide the final version.
How does live scoring work?
Live scoring works through the Golf GameBook app, where we set up your tournament before the trip. Each player enters scores on their phone, and the leaderboards and team results update automatically for the whole group.
What prizes and trophies are included?
Every trip includes a winning team trophy and course prints for the Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin winners. Individual trophies, an MVP award, personalised polos and caps, and a photographer can be added as upgrades.
What's included and price
What is included in a playground golf trip?
A playground trip includes accommodation with breakfast, golf with tee times for the whole group, internal transfers, the tournament set up with live scoring, a welcome kit, the winning team trophy and course prints, and our support before and during the trip.
What is not included in the price?
Flights, personal expenses and some meals are not included, depending on the trip. Every proposal lists exactly what is and isn't included before you book.
What kind of hotels do you use?
We use 4 and 5 star hotels, chosen for location, quality and how well they work for groups. The hotel category is one of the main things that changes the price, so we agree it with you first.
How much does a golf trip to Spain cost?
A group golf trip with 3 rounds and the full tournament costs from about €700 per person for 4 nights in a 4 star hotel on the Costa del Sol, up to about €1,600 for 5 nights at a 5 star resort, sharing a room. The final price depends on the destination, dates, group size, hotel and courses, so we prepare a personalised proposal for each group. The fastest way to get yours is our itinerary builder, which takes about two minutes.
Can I get a quote without talking to anyone?
Yes, you can request a personalised itinerary through our online itinerary builder, and we send it to your email or WhatsApp. If you prefer to talk it through, you can message us on WhatsApp at any time.
Booking and payment
How do we book a trip with playground?
You book by confirming the proposal and paying the deposit, after which we send a written booking confirmation. One person, the lead name, books on behalf of the whole group.
How much is the deposit and when is the balance due?
The deposit is 30% per person, paid when you book, and it is non-refundable. The remaining balance is due no later than 6 weeks before the trip starts.
How can we pay?
You can pay by bank transfer or by credit card, including American Express.
What happens if we need to cancel or change the booking?
If you cancel before the balance due date, the deposit is kept as the cancellation fee; from that date on, charges can reach up to 100% of the booking depending on supplier conditions. Changes to names or dates are subject to availability and may have admin fees. The full details are in our booking terms.
Groups, societies and companies
How many players do we need?
Our trips are designed for groups of 8 or more players, which is where team formats work best. We can also organise trips for smaller groups from 4 players, and the bigger the group, the more extras we can add.
Do you organise trips for golf societies and golf clubs?
Yes, golf societies and clubs are some of our favourite groups to travel with. We design the trip and the tournament around your society's own competitions, and we can bring the playground format to your club's annual trip.
Can you organise a golf trip for a company or incentive group?
Yes, we design golf trips for companies, incentive groups and team retreats. We combine the tournament with team experiences, dinners and meeting time if you need it, and we can brand the kit and trophies with your company.
Still have a question?
Message us on WhatsApp and one of the founders will answer, or build your itinerary and get a personalised proposal.