FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How do I confirm my team place?
2. When is the final balance due?
3. How can I pay?
4. Can we book our own flights?
5. What is the average prize fund per event?
6. Do I need to bring my own PGA Professional?
7. Do professional golfers need to be a member of the
PGA to participate?
8. I am on my own, can you place me in a team?
9. Is there a maximum handicap to take part in the Pro-Am?
9a. How does it work if I don't have a CONGU handicap?
9c. And what is the tournament format?
10. Can ladies play in our events?
11. How may teams on average play in each event?
12. Do I have to share a room with another amateur?
13. What insurances are included?
14. Can we extend our stay?
15. What is the dress code on the golf courses during
the Pro-Am?
16. Is the prize giving dinner a formal event?
17. Can I hire a local caddy?
18. Can I use a range finder or GPS?
19. Do we have to use the golf carts (buggies) provided?
20. How is our money protected - are you bonded?
21. What insurances and extra costs are included in
my Car Rental?
22. Will I be asked to pay extra at the car rental
desk?
23. What driving licences do I need and how old do
I need to be to drive?
24. Can we upgrade the rental vehicle allocated?
25. Can I book airline seats in advance?
26. Are my golf clubs part of my free baggage allowance?
27. Can you book other activities, such as shows in
Las Vegas?
1. How do I confirm
my team place?
Just telephone or e-mail to confirm the names of your team members
and then return the booking form with your deposit payments.
2. When is the final
balance due?
The final balance is payable 2 months before your departure date (3
months for the Pro-Am Tour at Pebble Beach).
3. How can I pay?
By cheque, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. If you wish to
pay the final balance by credit card we do pass on the surcharge of
1.5% for MasterCard or Visa transactions, or 2% for AMEX. Credit card
surcharges are not applied when paying your deposit.
4. Can we book our own flights?
Yes you can - but please note that if you book directly with the airline
you may have to pay in full for your flights at the time of booking
and subsequent changes may not be permitted. Quite often we are able
to make changes to flight reservations up to the day the tickets are
issued, subject to availability and amendment fees.
5. What is the average prize fund
per event?
The Professional prize fund is $20,000 based on 25 teams. Prize funds
are increased or reduced pro-rata for greater or fewer participating
teams. Amateur prize winners receive top brand golf equipment and
trophies.
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6. Do I need to bring my own PGA
Professional?
Most teams bring their own professional but we are able to provide
one for you if necessary.
7. Do professional golfers need
to be a member of the PGA to participate?
Not of all of our events! We are very proud of our association with
the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland who administer our Pro-Ams
in California, Arizona, Scottsdale, Las Vegas & Pebble Beach.
On these events the professional must be a Member or Assistant Professional
of the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland, or their equivalent overseas
PGA (temporary affiliation of the PGA of GB & I will be provided
for eligible overseas Professionals). NEW FOR 2011: Our Dubai &
Sawgrass Pro-Ams are now also open to non-PGA professionals, such
as Jamega Tour or EuroPro Tour players - please telephone for further
information. In addition, The Hilton Head Golf Week is open to
all professionals - this is not a pro-am, and there is no prizemoney.
This event provides the opportunity for professionals to travel free
with a group of 7 amateurs for a "coaching week".
8. I am on my own, can you place
me in a team?
We will be pleased to place individual golfers, pairs or couples in
a suitable team.
9. Do I have to have a maximum handicap
to take part in the Pro-Am and what is the tournament format?
All amateur golfers require a handicap certificate, but the maximum
handicap that they can play off in the Pro-Ams is 24 for men amateurs,
and 36 for lady amateurs. The tournament format is best two nett scores
from four, medal, ¾ handicap allowance. All events are run
under the R&A Rules of Golf and the PGA Tournament rules. For
further information on non-CONGU handicaps click
here.
10. Can ladies play in the events?
Yes, of course. We welcome lady golfers to all our events. Ladies
will play from the appropriate tees, with appropriate handicap adjustments
made, and from the ladies stroke index.
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11. How many teams on average play
in each event?
Approximately 16 - 20 teams is the average, however, some events have
attracted over 30 teams.
12. Do I have to share a room with
another amateur?
Not if you don't want to, but if you do have a room on your own, you
will incur a single room supplement at the prices shown in the brochure.
13. Is travel insurances included?
Travel insurance is not included in the standard package as many people
have their own arrangements in place such as annual insurance. It
is a condition of booking that you have suitable insurance covering
cancellation, personal items, medical cover, etc.
14. Can we extend our stay?
The Pro-Am Tour is organised by The American Golf Holiday, a full
service, fully-bonded tour operator, so we would be pleased to arrange
your extended stay.
15. What is the dress code on the
golf courses during the Pro-Am?
Smart golf attire is required (no denims). Tailored shorts can we
worn by amateurs and professional golfers, and short ankle socks are
permitted. Soft spike golf shoes are required at all the golf courses.
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16. Is the prizegiving dinner a
formal event?
Most of our prizegiving dinners are formal, with a jacket and tie
requested for gentlemen. However, in Las Vegas the awards dinner takes
place at the golf course straight after play and smart/casual attire
(no demins) is allowed.
17. Can I hire a local caddie?
Most courses we feature are designed to be played using a golf cart,
which is included. However, at some courses a forecaddie is provided
and a gratuity will be payable locally for this service. At Scottsdale
a forecaddie is included at the TPC Stadium Course, and at Sawgrass
a forecaddie is included at the TPC Stadium & Valley Course.
18. Do we have to use the golf
carts (buggies) provided?
Most of the courses have been designed with golf carts in mind and
often there are substantial distances between a green and the next
tee. As a result most courses insist that you take a golf cart. Hilton
Head is the one destination where walking is convenient and permitted!
19. Can I use a range finder or
GPS?
Yes, distance measuring devices such as Bushnells & Sky Caddies
that provide distance information only are now permitted. Devices
which provide information on gradient or wind speed are not permitted.
20. How is our money protected
- are you bonded?
All air inclusive holidays booked with The American Golf Holiday are
ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority and our ATOL number
is 5784. Further info can be found on the ATOL website www.atol.org.uk.
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21. Can we upgrade the rental vehicle
allocated?
A seven seater minivan is provided for a team of four golfers. This
provides ample space for 4 suitcases, 4 sets of golf clubs, and hand
luggage. We will be pleased to quote for upgraded vehicles including
SUVs and Luxury Cars, however, in our experience minivans provide
the most comfort and luggage space for 4 golfers.
22. What insurances and extra costs
are included for my rental car?
Loss/Collision damage waiver, liability insurance supplement/extended
protection, unlimited mileage, state & local taxes, up to three
additional drivers and a full tank of fuel are all included in your
rental car cover.
23. Will I be asked to pay extra
at the car rental desk?
The car rental companies will ask whether you require optional theft
protection or personal accident insurance. Please note you may already
have travel insurance or other insurance that covers you for this
and we would recommend that you check with your insurance provider
in advance of departure. If you have adequate insurance in these areas
you may wish to decline this additional optional insurance.>
24. What driving licences do I
need? How old do I need to be to drive?
Every person who wishes to drive will require a full UK driving licence
and must be aged 25 or over. If you are aged 21 to 24 we can offer
an Alamo vehicle, however an underage driver's charge of approximately
$25-30 per day plus tax is payable locally directly to Alamo Car Rental.
Please advise us at the time of booking if you are under 25. If you
have been disqualified from driving in the last 7 years you may be
unable to rent a car, please telephone for further information.
25. Can I book airline seats in
advance?
Airlines are changing their policies on this on a regular basis. Where
airlines do still permit advance seat assignments we will assign the
best seats possible. If you have a special request please let us know
at the time of booking. For your information seat assignments are
not guaranteed until check in. Most airlines also allow online check
in 24 hours prior to travel where you can reserve seats free of charge.
British Airways have introduced a new seating booking policy
as of 07 October 09 allowing passengers to reserve seats in advance
at a charge - more
information.
26. Are my golf clubs
part of my free baggage allowance?
Policies do vary by airline and class of travel and we will be pleased
to provide specific baggage allowances on request and full information
is available at each of the airlines' website. Click on the following
links for up to date information:
• British
Airways • Virgin
Atlantic (from 25th November 2009) • American
Airlines • Delta
Airlines
27. Can you book other activities,
such as shows in Las Vegas?
Yes, we can provide information on shows and other non-golfing activities,
and will be pleased to book them in advance guaranteed by your credit
card.
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Please contact us by e-mail
if you have any further questions
