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 AirwaysVirgin Atlantic (from 25th November 2009)American AirlinesDelta 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

© The American Golf Holiday, June 2010