MAKING
YOUR BOOKING
How
do I book?
Please telephone or e-mail to confirm the names of your team members
and then return the Booking Form with your deposit payments.
How
can I pay?
You can pay by cheque, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. However,
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.
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).
How
is our money protected?
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.
I
am on my own, can you place me in a team?
We are often able to place individual amateurs into a team - please
telephone to discuss your requirements.
Is
travel insurance 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.
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FLIGHTS
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. Also, if we book
your flights your are fully covered under the CAA's ATOL protection
scheme, whereas flights booked separately may not offer such cover.
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.
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
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CAR
RENTAL
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.
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 should
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.
What
driving licences do I need? And 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.
Can
we upgrade the rental vehicle?
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.
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ABOUT
THE EVENTS
Do
I need to have a proper handicap to take part in the Pro-Am and what
is the tournament format?
All amateur golfers must have an acceptable handicap to participate
in The Pro-Am Tour. This includes CONGU (must be a member of a UK
golf club), a European Golf Association index, and a USGA index. Amateurs
with an EGA or USGA index will be allocated a "Tournament Handicap"
for the event.
If a player has an active CONGU handicap AND a USGA / EGA index
the player will play off the CONGU handicap.
Other handicaps may be acceptable but we must be notified of these
in advance for the handicap to be approved by The Pro-Am Tour.
The player may then be allocated a "Tournament Handicap"
for the event at our discretion.
If an amateur does not have an acceptable handicap their score
cannot count towards the team score.
The maximum handicap is 24 for
men amateurs, and 36 for lady amateurs. Amateurs with higher handicaps
will be required to play off these limits.
What
is the tournament format?
The Pro-Am tournament format is best two nett scores from four, medal,
¾ handicap allowance. The events also include Challenge Days
which are typically individual stableford, full handicap allowance.
All events are run under the R&A Rules of Golf and the PGA Tournament
rules.
What's
this about "senior friendly tee options"?
Men amateurs aged over 60, and with a handicap of 14 or more, may
elect to play from a slightly shorter set of tees (typically around
6,100 - 6,300 yards) with an appropriate handicap adjustment. This
will take the longer carries out of play and enhance your enjoyment
of the many stunning courses we feature on The Pro-Am Tour. Professionals
and regular men amateurs will play a course of typically 6,500 - 6,700
yards (par 72).
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 any appropriate handicap
adjustments being made, and will take their shots from the ladies
stroke index.
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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.
Does
the professional need to be a member of the PGA?
We are very proud of our association with the PGA of Great Britain
& Ireland who currently administer our Pro-Ams. There are a number
of ways a professional may be eligible:
1. Full Member, including Trainee / Assistant Professional, of the
PGA of Great Britain & Ireland;
2. Full Member, including Trainee / Assistant Professional, of an
equivalent overseas PGA;
3. Member of the PGA EuroPro Tour;
4. Certain membership categories of The Challenge Tour and The European
Tour are also eligible - please contact us for further information.
Members of other professional tours, such as EPD, Alps, Allianz,
Nordic League, Gecko, Jamega, TP Tour Series, etc., are invited to
join The PGA EuroPro Tour to become eligible to play in The Pro-Am
Tour. Please call for further information.
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.
How
many teams on average play in each event?
Approximately 16 - 20 teams is the average, however, some events have
attracted over 30 teams.
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Do
I have to share a room?
Not if you don't want to, however prices are shown based on two people
sharing a room. If you wish to have a room on your own, you will incur
a single room supplement at the prices shown.
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.
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. Please see
individual events, or contact us for further information.
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.
Do
we have to use the golf carts (buggies) provided?
Most of the courses have been designed with golf carts in mind and
there is often a substantial distance between a green and the next
tee. As a result most courses insist that you take a golf cart.
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Is
the prizegiving dinner a formal event?
We do request that competitors wear "smart attire" for our
awards dinners (i.e. collared shirt & trousers, but no denims!),
however, jackets and ties are optional.
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 either at the same destination as the Pro-Am or
a wide choice of other golf destinations in the States.
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
