I’ve been to over 200 high-end golf courses around the globe. Here are 8 mistakes I always see first-timers make.

When you’re jetting off for a weekend of golf, pack light.

Not only do most airlines charge hefty fees for bulky golf travel bags, but also hauling them around can be hernia-inducing.

Fortunately, it’s often not necessary to pack so much. Most courses are well-stocked with high-end rental clubs and sell everything from golf balls to Gatorade.

Or you can even have your own gear shipped ahead to your golf course through services like Ship Sticks.

Not checking to see if the course has a dress code

Higher-end country clubs and resorts typically have a dress code, so look into it ahead of time.

The codes often suggest collared shirts tucked into belted trousers or athletic skirts and golf shoes — no denim or tank tops.

Traveling to serious golf resorts with people who don’t want to play

Everyone is different, but playing too much golf can foreshorten an otherwise painless vacation and lead to embarrassing scores to boot.

I find it’s sustainable to play a few rounds in a week, but more than 18 holes daily over a long weekend can cause some wear and tear on feet, hips, and shoulders.

Plan for breaks. Fortunately, many resorts have massages and spas available, too.

Choosing bad golf partners

A few hours can feel like an eternity if you’re playing with a crabby companion who has fits of cursing and club-throwing when things go south.

Golf is meant to be a collegial affair, not a cage match. Choose your companions wisely to avoid fisticuffs or frustration. The game is hard enough.

Assuming you have to stay at specific resorts just to access their golf courses

Golf’s recent renaissance — combined with inflated prices for almost everything — means an outing can get expensive when you add up accommodations, green fees, and travel costs.

Fortunately, you don’t actually have to stay at most resorts just to golf at them. When you can, book your tee time at a resort but stay somewhere more modest nearby to save money.

This can save you a few hundred dollars a day, if not more — and so can dining off of the property.