Cloud 9 Checkpoints and Checklists
What to expect as you prepare for your golf trip to Spain and Portugal
Okay, so you have paid your initial deposits and booked your trip to Spain and Portugal. Now what? Below we have outlined a timeline of checkpoints that you can expect between now and your trip.
Checkpoint: Immediately
- Review your itinerary. As soon as your group’s deposits have been received, we will begin securing tee times and hotel reservations for your trip and will send over a confirmed itinerary for your review once those bookings have been confirmed. If anything appears amiss with your itinerary, this is definitely the time to let us know!
- Consider travel insurance. Cloud 9 will lock in your trip price with currency contracts and will pay non-refundable deposits to suppliers (golf courses, hotels, etc.) so payments made to Cloud 9 are non-refundable. Therefore, we strongly encourage all clients to consider purchasing travel insurance. You can shop quotes here.
- Get a handicap. We recommend that golfing clients set up a handicap in advance of their trip for a few reasons: 1) Many top courses require visitors to meet certain handicap requirements so you may need a valid handicap card for your trip. 2) A handicap can serve as great motivation to improve your game in advance of your trip!
- Locate your passport. It is never too early to make sure you have a valid passport since it is the only item that is 100% mandatory for your trip and processing delays are common should you need a new one.
Checkpoint: ≈3 Months Prior to Departure
- Pay your final balance. Approximately 8 weeks before your trip we will send over your group’s final balance invoice, which will be due approximately 45-60 days prior to departure (exact final balance due dates may vary depending on your itinerary). Final balances at many of the top golf courses come due around this time, so it is imperative to have your balance paid on time to avoid putting any of your tee times in jeopardy.
- Finalize your itinerary. If you haven’t already, this would be a good time to research non-golfing activities/attractions that you may wish to do/see between rounds on your trip. We are always happy to offer suggestions and help with additional bookings to help fill out your itinerary.
Checkpoint: ≈1 Month Prior to Departure
- Review pre-departure documentation. About 3-4 weeks prior to departure, we will send over all documentation that you will need for your trip. Some of the finer details, like pickup times and booking numbers, will be outlined, and it’s a good time to start final preparations for your trip.
- Explore baggage options. Services like Ship Sticks or Luggage Forward are great options to take the hassle out of traveling with your clubs, especially if there are significant fees associated with checking your golf bag on your flights. Make sure to decide early though, as you will need several weeks to confirm your pickup and dropoff to ensure your clubs reach your destination before you do.
- Make dinner reservations…or not? Dinner reservations may not be necessary, as we recommend leaving as much flexibility in your itinerary as possible to encourage spontaneity. However, if you are keen on including high-end or exclusive dining experiences then it’s important to pre-book. Be mindful that restaurants will open and close much later than you are used to, so you should be prepared to eat after 8:00 pm each night.
- Connect Abroad. Staying connected while travelling internationally is much easier than it used to be, you just have to decide how you want to do it. The most straightforward option is to upgrade your current phone – for a fee, most wireless companies will extend your talk and data plan to just about any country internationally. Alternatively, you can use apps like Viber or Skype in combination with local wifi to limit your data usage. Just make sure you have a strategy in place before you leave the country because roaming charges start accumulating the moment your land in your destination.
- Plan your finances. Foreign transaction fees can add up quickly, so it is important to assess the fees associated with your credit/debit cards to find the most economical way to travel. It may even be worthwhile to open a new account or upgrade your existing account to avoid significant fees. Once you decide the best option, make sure to alert your bank that you will be traveling; otherwise they might put a hold on your credit card as soon as they detect an international transaction. Also, investigate your cash withdrawal limits and see if you need to purchase some foreign currency before you leave home to cover cash expenses like caddie fees and tips.
- Start packing. We assume you have the essentials but here are a few other Important Items To Remember:
• Passport – The most important item on the list. Please be mindful of the expiration date, as your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your travel dates.
• Adapter/Converter – At the very least, you will need a basic type C or type F adapter to plug in your electronics chargers. Note, though, that power outlets in Spain and Portugal are typically 230 volts, versus 120 in most of North America, so you may need an adapter that converts power as well. Most devices can handle 230 volts but some older appliances (like hairdryers) do require a converter.
• Drivers License – Any visitor might need it as a second form of ID, but especially those renting a car since it will be required. Don’t just remember to pack it, also make sure it hasn’t expired!
• Handicap Card – Some top courses, especially in Spain, have handicap requirements and have the right to ask for verification if they wish.
• Charger – Definitely consider a portable charger because there is nothing worse than having a phone or camera die when you need it most on a trip.
• Shorts vs Long Pants – For those visiting during the warmer/summer months between May – October, pants are almost never required with temperatures staying well above 60 F throughout each day. During the cooler/winter months between November – April, you’ll may need to pack a mixture of pants and shorts with comfortable temperatures during the day and cooler temperatures during the evenings and early mornings.
• Jacket/Sweater – As noted above, layers may be important during the cooler/winter months between November – April, especially for any early morning or late afternoon tee times.
• Golf Shirts – Collared shirts will be required at each course but you may want to pack fewer than you think, especially if you are keen on buying a few souvenir shirts which you can wear and then take home.
• Hat(s) – The primary golfing regions of Spain and Portugal are known for their sunny weather so this is a must.
• Shoes/Sandals – This is specific to your itinerary. If you are staying at a beach resort and plan to spend your time away from the course sunbathing and relaxing, then sandals are important. However, if your itinerary is full of city tours, hiking and adventure, then obviously a great pair of shoes is a must. Meanwhile, golf shoes with soft spikes are not only recommended, but also mandatory at many courses.
• Golf Balls/Golf Gloves – Bring plenty since they can be expensive at most resorts and clubs in Spain and Portugal.
• Swimsuit – Beyond the world-class golf, the coasts of Spain and Portugal are primarily beach destinations so be prepared to relax in the sand or sit by your resort’s pool(s) in the sun.
• Sunscreen – An absolute must on the Iberian Peninsula’s sunny costs.
• Water Bottle – It is best to fill up before your rounds in case there are no or few water coolers on the course. This is especially important in the extremely hot summer months.
• Mask/Vaccine Card – Our newest packing list item in the COVID era may be required for certain destinations or on certain airlines.
• Passport – Once again, don’t forget it and please check the expiration date!
Trip Tips
Once you check in for your flight and it is go time, here are a few tips to ensure your travel goes smoothly:
- Cards are king. You will be able to use your credit card most places and, unless you have any significant fees associated with your credit card (please check this before you travel!), choosing to make card payments in EUR will almost always give you a better exchange rate.
- Get cash. You’ll need local currency for tips and caddie fees and it can be easiest and cheapest to wait until you land in Spain and Portugal to get some or all of the cash that you need. A few rules:
- Avoid money exchanges (i.e directly exchanging dollars for euros) because the unfavorable exchange rates will cost you a lot of money.
- Choose the transaction amount displayed in the local currency (euros). The rate shown in your home currency is usually via a dynamic currency conversion and very expensive. For a local currency transaction, your bank will choose the rate and will be a lot more fair.
- Withdraw local currency directly from an ATM using your debit card. You will still need to exercise caution, as not all ATM fees are the same. With a little research, though, you should be able to identify international banks which partner with your home bank and dispense money through ATMs at minimal cost.
- Keep loose changes and small bills. This makes it easiest to pay service tips and small fees for taxis, buses, etc.
- Follow golf club etiquette. Most members clubs are friendly and welcoming but there are a few general guidelines to follow during your visit(s):
- Dress properly – no denim, wear a collar, and dress like you are going to play a private members club at home
- Play fast
- Put away your cell phone, especially in the clubhouse at the high-end clubs
- Learn how to dial. Make sure to dial the country code first, using a + followed by 351 for Portugal or 34 for Spain, before dialing the local number.
- Get a VAT refund. VAT, or Value Added Tax, is included on many purchases in Spain and Portugal and can range as high as 23%. It may be more trouble than it is worth but if you are making any especially large purchases, you can ask for a receipt and/or electronic tax free form upon purchase and then present this along with your passport, boarding pass, and the goods that were purchased at a DIVA screen or kiosk upon check-in at the airport.
- Know how to tip. As a general rule, tipping in Spain and Portugal is not mandatory but is recommended for good service from the following:
- Single-Bag Caddies: €25+ (in addition to base fee)
- Forecaddies: €15+ per person (in addition to base fee)
- Restaurants: 10% (assuming no service charge)
- Porter – €1 per bag
- Housekeeping – €1-2 per night
- Taxi – round up to nearest € or 5% of fare
- Driver – €10-12 per person per day (can vary based on group size)
- Tour Guide – €2-5 per person for a thorough group tour
- Bartender – Round up to nearest €1

