The frugal traveler

1. Do your research. To find affordable trips, follow leads like a private detective. Use the Internet, magazine ads, tour operator brochures and Golf Digest's Places to Play.

2. Find a good travel agent, who can often provide good package deals. Ask for last-minute discounts-tour operators often have surplus inventory to unload.

3. Reduce the airfare, which accounts for a large chunk of any travel budget. Find deals on the Internet, by booking early and by being flexible about airline and departure date/time.

4. Join a frequent-flier program and also affiliated hotel-chain frequent-stay programs.

5. Travel in the off-season. Deals abound in the off-season (see "Trip of the Month" on preceding page) and in the "shoulder seasons," too.

6. Avoid big-name, high-ticket places, which often charge more to help pay for their ad campaigns. According to AAA, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa and Kansas are the five cheapest states for travelers. All have great golf.

7. Consider cheaper accommodations, such as bed and breakfasts or motels.

8. Get a group of buddies together and share a condo or negotiate a group rate.

9. Avoid weekends. Green fees are cheaper midweek.

10. Keep those bets to a minimum. Unless you're feeling lucky.

COPYRIGHT 1999 New York Times Company Magazine Group, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group