Imagine playing as much golf as you want, from first light until you can't see the ball anymore, all for one single price. That's the promise of an all you can golf package. This guide is your complete playbook for understanding what these packages are, how to find the best deals, and most importantly, how to create a game plan to maximize every single swing from dawn to dusk.
What Exactly Is an "All You Can Golf" Package?
In simple terms, an all you can golf package - often called a "play all day" rate - is exactly what it sounds like. You pay a single flat fee to a golf course or resort, and in return, you get the right to play unlimited holes of golf for that day. You finish your first 18, and if there's enough daylight and an open spot on the first tee, you can head right back out for another round, or even just another nine.
Typically, these packages cover your green fees and a cart fee for the entire day. The cart is a big part of the deal, trying to walk 36-plus holes is a monumental task for even the fittest golfers. What's often not included are things like range balls, food and drinks, or accommodations, though many are offered as part of larger "stay and play" deals at resorts.
Why Choose an All You Can Golf Deal?
At first glance, it might just seem like a lot of golf. But when you look closer, these packages offer some distinct advantages for players who want to seriously immerse themselves in the game.
- Unbeatable Value: This is the most obvious benefit. Let's say a regular round with a cart at a course is $80. If their "all you can play" rate is $120, you're already saving money the moment you tee off for your 19th hole. If you manage to play 54 holes, you've gotten a phenomenal deal. It shifts the value proposition entirely in your favor.
- The Ultimate Practice Experience: Think of it as your own personal golf boot camp. There is no better way to iron out a swing change or work on your course management than by getting immediate, on-course feedback for hours on end. It's an opportunity to truly lock in a feel.
- Stress-Free Golfing: There's no pressure of scheduling multiple tee times or worrying about costs adding up. You pay once and the course is your playground for the day. This frees up your mental energy to just focus on your shots and enjoy being out there.
- Learn a Course Inside and Out: Playing a course once gives you a snapshot. Playing it two or three times in a single day gives you an intimate understanding of its character. You learn the subtle breaks in the greens, the smart bail-out areas, and the precise lines needed off the tee.
How to Find the Best "All You Can Golf" Deals
these deals aren't always advertised on a giant billboard, but they are out there if you know where to look. Your best bet is to be strategic in your search.
- Target Golf Resorts in the Shoulder Season: Resorts are the most common providers of all-day golf. They want to keep their courses full, especially during the "shoulder seasons" - the times just before and after the peak season. Check resort websites for their stay-and-play packages in the spring and fall, as that's often when the best unlimited golf deals pop up.
- Look for Weekday Specials at Public Courses: While less common, some daily-fee public courses offer play-all-day rates to drive traffic on slower weekdays (Monday-Thursday). Scour their websites or just call the pro shop and ask directly. The person answering the phone will know about any specials.
- Utilize Golf Trip Planners: If you're putting together a buddy trip, using a golf travel company can be a great option. These companies have established relationships with courses and resorts and are often the first to know about unlimited play packages. They can bundle everything for you, saving you the hassle of coordinating.
- Be Flexible: The best ingredient for finding a great deal is flexibility. Being able to go during the week, in a slightly less popular season, or even on a day with a questionable weather forecast can open up some amazing opportunities to have the course virtually to yourself.
Maximizing Your All You Can Golf Experience: A Coach's Game Plan
Alright, you've booked your trip. Now what? Going into a 36 or 54-hole day without a plan is a recipe for exhaustion and sloppy golf. As a coach, this is how I tell my players to approach it. This isn't just about endurance, it's about strategy, from preparation to the final putt.
Before You Go: Physical and Mental Prep
Your marathon golf day begins before you even get to the course. Setting yourself up for success is vital.
- Prepare Your Body: You wouldn't run a marathon without training. In the week leading up, make sure you're properly hydrated. A good stretching routine focusing on your back, hips, and shoulders is mandatory. Don't show up cold.
- Check Your Gear: Pack smarter, not harder. You’ll need at least two golf gloves, as they'll get sweaty. Bring more golf balls than you think you need - mental and physical fatigue can lead to a few more lost balls than usual. The most important piece of gear? Incredibly comfortable shoes. You're going to be in them all day.
- Set a Realistic Goal: Why are you doing this? Is your goal to shoot the lowest score of your life? Or is it to finally figure out your driver? Decide on a single, primary objective for the day. For example: "Today, I will focus on my pre-shot routine for every single shot," or "I'm going to work on hitting a fade off the tee." Having a purpose will keep you focused when fatigue sets in.
On the Day: A Strategic Approach to 36+ Holes
Break the day down into distinct phases. Each round has a different purpose.
Round 1: The Reconnaissance Mission (The First 18)
The morning round is all about gathering information. Don't worry too much about your score. Play conservatively and pay attention.
- Take notes, mental or physical, of pin placements.
- Identify good sight-lines off the tee and smart playing angles.
- Pace out the green complexes. Where is the trouble? Where are the safe misses?
You're not playing against the course yet, you're learning it. By the 18th hole, you should have a solid game plan for your next round.
Lunch Break: Refuel and Refocus
This isn't a three-course meal break. Eat something light but packed with energy - like a turkey wrap, chicken salad, or a protein bar with some fruit. Avoid heavy, greasy foods that will make you sluggish. Most importantly: HYDRATE. Drink a full bottle of water or a sports drink. Re-apply sunscreen, change your glove, and do a quick 5-minute stretch. Reset yourself for the second act.
Round 2: The Scoring Round (Holes 19-36)
This is it. You've refueled, you have a deep understanding of the course, and you're ready to put a number on the board. Now you can play more aggressively, armed with the knowledge from your morning round.
- Go after pins you now know are accessible.
- Take a more aggressive line on that par-5 because you know where the bail-out area is.
- Play with confidence. Your goal here is to execute the game plan you formulated in Round 1.
The Bonus 9 or 18: The Lab Session
If you've got steam left for a third round, this is where the real improvement happens. Your score is totally irrelevant. This is your personal practice laboratory.
- Drop a few balls in a greenside bunker and work on your sand game.
- Play a difficult par-4 with three different strategies: a driver, a 3-wood, and a long-iron off the tee.
- If you struggle with uneven lies, intentionally play your approach shots to hilly areas around the green.
This is pure, unadulterated practice where the only goal is to learn and experiment. This is how you leave the day a genuinely better golfer than when you arrived.
Avoiding Common All-Day Golf Pitfalls
Even with the best plan, a long day of golf can go sideways. Be aware of these common traps.
- Burnout: The number one enemy. If you feel your energy cratering, take a short break. It's better to reset for 10 minutes than to card a 10 on the next hole. Listen to your body.
- Poor Nutrition: A huge mistake is waiting until you are starving or thirsty to refuel. Pack snacks like nuts, bananas, and protein bars, and sip water continuously throughout each round.
- Mental Drift: It's hard to stay focused for 8+ hours. If your mind wanders, come back to your one simple goal for the day. And remember to have fun. The moment you start getting angry on your third round is the moment you've lost the plot. A bad shot on hole #42 of the day is just not worth the emotional energy.
Final Thoughts
An a you can golf package is one of the best ways to completely immerse yourself in the game you love. By seeing it not just as a test of endurance but as a strategic opportunity to learn and improve, you can turn a long day on the course into one of the most productive and enjoyable golf experiences possible.
This kind of targeted on-course practice is where having an expert opinion can turn experimentation into real progress. Whether you're trying to figure out the right play on a tough hole in Round 2 or you've put yourself in a tricky lie during your 'lab session' and aren't sure of the smartest shot, having a reliable voice is invaluable. When we built Caddie AI, we wanted to deliver that on-demand expertise, giving you instant course-management advice and shot strategy right in your pocket. It’s about taking the guesswork out of the mental game so you can focus on making a confident swing and get the most out of every single hole of your all day adventure.