If you want to play, get some lessons in. Probably one a week or fortnight before you go away, and a visit to a driving range every week as well. It may be good to play a couple of courses before you go as well. If Mark McKay is still at Brandon, he is a cracking coach.
Its a great game but tough, and its not just about smacking the ball as far as you can off the tee, as the short game around the greens is a huge challenge as well.
Its also a very mental game. If there's anyone waiting at the tee when I play I try to put them out of mind, as if I am thinking about them and not my shot that's when I top it or slice it straight onto the next fairway. Same with a lake or a bunker, as soon as I think about it, that's where my ball goes!
Its a great game when dry, but shite in the wet