Golf travel insurance explained

Golf continues to be one of the most popular sports to play in the UK. In 2022, 24.7million rounds of golf were played by members across the UK, according to GolfNews24. 

Fans don't just limit their game to home soil; golf holidays are on the rise, with more and more players enjoying sunnier climates such as Spain and Florida to swing their golf clubs. 

But playing golf isn't cheap – a full set of clubs, including a bag and club covers, can set you back close to £1,000.

Golf travel insurance can offer you peace of mind when you take your golfing equipment on holiday and, while it can't protect you from a triple bogey on the 18th hole, it can cover your golf gear while you're away.

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What is golf travel insurance?

Golf travel insurance is travel insurance that is specifically for golf holidays. 

It's designed to help cover any incidents that may result in losing possessions or money while you are away with your clubs. 

And while golf is considered a low-risk sport to most travel insurance providers, if you're a keen golfer, specialist insurance may be the better option. 

Standard travel vs specialist golf insurance

Sports and leisure activities are covered as standard in most travel insurance policies.

You will therefore be covered for things like sustaining an injury playing golf and liability insurance if you were to hit someone or something with your golf ball. 

This will come at no extra cost, and if you plan to hire golf clubs while you're out there and play one or two games for a bit of fun, this could be a good option for you. Make sure to check your policy's full terms and conditions to see what's covered before you go. 

If you're planning to take your own set of clubs with you, and playing golf will be a large part of your trip, specialist add-on golf travel insurance could be a better option. Specialist insurance will cover you for loss, theft or damage of your golf equipment as well as unused green fees if you book your golf rounds before you arrive. 

This add-on will need to be purchased on top of your standard travel insurance, so it's important to check that your provider will cover you for everything you need. 

What should golf travel insurance cover?

Golf travel insurance typically covers theft, loss or damage of your golf equipment including your golf clubs, bag or balls while you're away on holiday. 

It can also include any non-refundable green fees you have paid for in advance if your trip is cancelled or you can no longer go. 

Some policies also include cover for equipment hire while you're out there. 

Below is a comprehensive list of what is covered:

Lost, stolen or damaged clubs and equipment

Golf insurance provider GolfCare reported that, in 2019, 16% of all golf insurance claims were due to loss of golf equipment and 11% were due to theft. It's by far the most common form of golf insurance claim. 

Covering the cost of your clubs and golf equipment is essential if you're taking your own clubs on holiday with you. Your golf travel insurance will cover your clubs, bag, golf balls, clothing, golf shoes and a non-motorised trolley in the event that they go missing or get damaged during transit or if they're stolen at your holiday destination. 

It may even cover you if you damage your clubs while playing, but this is a little more niche and you need to check with your provider before making a claim. It's also important to check how much cover your provider is willing to give you. 

There will be a maximum amount for each individual item that you take with you. The standard is usually a total limit of £1,000-£1,500  but each provider will vary. 

• Find out more: Best travel insurance for over 65s 2024 

Holiday cancellation

If you're unable to travel, you'll be able to recoup any costs lost, including your flights, accommodation and any other facilities you paid for upfront. 

Before consulting your golf travel insurance provider, it's worth checking whether you can get a refund from the holiday provider. They may be able to provide you with a refund, depending on the reason for the cancellation.

Injury and illness

Despite being seen as a tranquil and relaxing sport, playing golf can be quite a physical game. Players have been known to suffer all sorts of injuries, especially to the back and joints. 

Before you go away, make sure your insurance will cover the cost of your holiday and any green fees you have paid in advance if you suffer a physical injury and are no longer able to travel. 

If you get hurt while you're away, your insurance should cover you for any medical fees and hospital stays as well as reimbursing you for any unused green fees and your hotel costs. 

Personal liability

Even golfers like Rory McIlroy have off days. Personal liability insurance will help keep you covered if your golf game results in damage to another property or person while you make your way around the golf course.

Before starting your round, check your golf travel insurance small-print to check what you are and aren't covered for. While you won't plan on causing an accident, it's good to know in advance what your policy's parameters are. 

• Find out more: The Ehic and Ghic explained 

What does golf travel insurance not cover?  

• Changing your mind  – If you decide you no longer want to go on holiday but it's too late to get a full refund, your insurance will not reimburse you. To qualify for cancellation coverage, your reason must be more severe than a change of heart. 
• Intoxication – Your golf travel insurance will not condone any claims made that are a result of alcohol or drug consumption. Personal liability and injury or illness are not covered if you were drunk when the incident happened or if that''s the reason you were unable to play. 
• Going against government advice  – If the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) warns against travel, or specifies that only essential travel is allowed, but you chose to go anyway, your golf travel insurance will not be valid. 
• Acting unsafely  – Most insurers will not accept your claim if you weren't wearing the right safety gear or using the right equipment when your incident or damage happened. If you were using the wrong golf clubs for your height and you damage your back, your claim may well be rejected. 

What extras can I add to my golf insurance?

There are usually a number of sports and activity add-ons you can add to your travel insurance. Based on the type of activity, there will be different cover options available to you, but a general rule is the more extreme the sport, the more expensive the coverage. 

If you plan on taking part in winter sports, such as skiing or snowboarding, this can be added as an extra, as well as gadget cover if you plan on taking your laptop or phone with you on your trip.

• Find out more: How to claim on your travel insurance 

Does my home insurance cover golf kit? 

Your contents insurance will likely only cover the theft, loss or damage of your golf clubs if it happens in your home - not while you are on holiday or in transit to your location.

You will need to check your travel insurance or take out specialist golf travel insurance to make sure your clubs and kit are covered before you travel. It's important that your clubs aren't covered by two different types of insurance, as this will make it much harder to make a claim. 

Does standard travel insurance cover golf clubs?

If your standard travel insurance covers lost or damaged baggage, this is likely to include golf clubs.

It's important to double-check your travel insurance before you leave, specifically the excess and policy limits. If your clubs are worth less than your excess, they're effectively not covered. If they're worth more than the policy limit, you may want to purchase specialist gold insurance.

Standard travel insurance is limited to just your golf clubs and equipment; it will not cover green fees, hiring of golf clubs if yours are damaged or replacing hired golf clubs if something happens to those too. 

• Find out more: travel insurance for unexpected events

Does sports travel insurance cover golf?

Most sports travel insurance policies will cover a range of sports including golf. Golf is seen as a low-risk sport and will therefore be covered by many different providers. 

Again, sports travel insurance only applies to the activity of playing golf. There is no cover for loss of green fees or loss of golf equipment. If you don't plan to pay for any fees upfront and plan on hiring clubs while you're out there, sports travel insurance is recommended. 

But if you want to protect your equipment, and any money you're paying upfront for your rounds of golf, specialist insurance is the way to go.

We've compared the policies of more than 70 travel insurance providers to bring you our best travel insurance providers. We've listed the best policies from each provider, ranked by policy score. Check the tables below to see which insurers stand out overall, as well as how they compare for Covid cover and a selection of other key features. 

More questions on travel insurance? Take a look at our guides:

• Best travel insurance 2024
• Best travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions
• Best travel insurance for seniors
• Best cruise insurance
• Best ski insurance
• The Ehic and Ghic explained 
• How to claim on your travel insurance