FAQs
Who does TGC provide travel services for?
Any golfer seeking premier experiences, good value and attentive, dependable travel planning services. We routinely assist individuals, couples, small groups, and large tournament fields. We customize our programs based on group dynamics. For overseas trips traveling without a TGC host, we suggest group sizes of 8-16 golfers, which allow for good camaraderie easier access to preferred golf courses and accommodations.
What is the ideal lead time for booking a golf trip?
This varies based on the region of the world you’re looking to visit and the timing of your trip. For example, premier trips to Scotland and Ireland are best booked a year in advance, while a fall trip to a top golf resort in the Caribbean could be booked in less than 90-days prior to arrival. Generally speaking, the more lead time for exploring options and securing room and tee time access the better. Thanks to the extensive industry partnerships and contacts TGC maintains, we endeavor to develop and secure your travel plans in the most efficient manner possible.
Can TGC book my trip from start to finish?
Simply put, YES! TGC is not a travel agency – we are a specialized Golf Tour Operator. Typically, our customers look to TGC to arrange all aspects of their land or golf package, including accommodations, tee times, local drivers, meals, tour excursions and airport transfers. Upon request, we’re happy and capable of arranging your airline, train, rental car and other related transportation needs. For larger groups, we can also provide a traveling TGC Host to guide the trip. This allows all travelers to sit back, enjoy and let us coordinate all in-market details for the group.
Can I customize my trip based sample TGC itineraries?
Throughout our website you will find highlighted golf packages and suggested leisure travel itineraries, all of which can be customized to your preferences, interests and budget. Customization is our specialty. Hosted tours, special events and tournaments, are staged with set itineraries, however each one affords time at leisure and pre/post extensions which can be customized to your special needs and interests.
Will I have options for my accommodation?
Absolutely! Upon review of your travel inquiry or quote request, TGC will present a number of lodging (and golf course) options that we feel best meet your travel interests and budget. TGC prides itself in presenting premier resort, hotel and golf course options that we have experienced ourselves, where we have established contacts that we know will look after you as we would. Our years of experience developing customized travel plans and personally visiting many of the popular golf destinations we promote, provides a valuable insider’s perspective that helps TGC give you unique, quality options to choose from.
Can I make my own air travel arrangements?
Of course. In this day and age of competitive online pricing, loyalty program benefits, and global travel requirements, TGC actually prefers when customers handle their travel arrangements. We will assist you in coordinating your travel with the beginning and end of your TGC booked itinerary. Depending on the type of air or sea travel required within your itinerary, we will work with you to provide the best service for your needs. Generally speaking, TGC will secure and coordinate all ground transportation needs within your itinerary.
What if I prefer a self-drive option?
No problem. TGC can provide you with your land/golf package minus any ground transportation needs. While we recommend hired drivers for overseas trips, particularly in parts of the Caribbean, Europe and Asia where local knowledge of roadways and laws differs greatly than the US and Canada for example, we can assist you in securing a car hire and providing necessary directions.
I am the group leader charged with organizing this year’s golf trip, but I don’t have a full participant roster yet. Can we still request a quote and/or book a trip and provide names later on?
Yes, we can start the process. TGC will need an idea of how many travelers you anticipate (or want to have) in order to develop a realistic quote for consideration. Once we fine-tune your travel program and confirm target availability for your group, TGC will need the final traveler names and count to collect deposits and confirm the booking. If TGC is booking your group’s flights we will need all required traveler information to confirm reservations.
How late can golfers be added to a booked group?
TGC allows golf travelers to be added to a booking, on a space available basis, up to 14-days prior to the booking’s travel date.
What is your cancellation policy?
TGC’s cancellation policies are clearly defined in the Terms and Conditions section of this website.
Does TGC require me to have travel insurance in order to make a booking?
No. But we strongly recommend clients explore and secure third-party travel insurance. As a service to our customers, we have forged a partnership with GolfSafe Travel Protection, an industry-leading provider of travel assistance and insurance . CLICK HERE to learn more about GolfSafe benefits and their CANCEL FOR ANY REASON (CFAR) policy.
When will final travel information be provided to me?
Once your balance payment has been made, TGC will finalize your booking and prepare Pre-Arrival Information. Pre-Arrival Information will include your confirmation details, final itinerary and advance tee time reservations, as well as detailed instructions for connecting with airport transfers and other ground transportation services. Typically, Pre-Arrival Information will be forwarded to you 14-21 days prior to your date of departure.
What travel documents do I need?
When traveling outside the U.S., you are required to have a valid passport. It is wise to check your State Department website to determine if any countries you are visiting require a separate visa for entry. If you plan to self-drive or rent a car during your trip, a valid driver’s license will also be required abroad. Effective October 1, 2020, U.S. residents are required to present a state issued REAL I.D. or a passport to pass through airport security. TGC recommends you make photo and/or digital copies of your passport and driver’s license, as well as your vehicle registration and insurance card if you plan to be driving abroad and place them in your carry-on luggage and mobile device for back-up security purposes. TGC also recommends you bring a copy of your Pre-Arrival Information packet with you to refer to while traveling.
Should I check my clubs as baggage, use a shipping service or rent them when I arrive?
This is ultimately a personal choice. TGC recommends checking them as baggage for the simple reason they are traveling with you and for most U.S. airlines, the cost to check-them as baggage is significantly less than rentals or shipping. If you choose to check them as baggage, we recommend soft-side travel covers. Customers have found hard cases to be very awkward once they arrive at the destination, particularly when moving them in and out of hotels and trying to store them on under a motor coach, rental car, or taxi. To save the hassle of lugging your clubs around airports and such, shipping services such as Ship Sticks, FedEx and DHL will get your clubs directly to your destination. These services have become far more reliable in recent years. Please advise us if you are planning to use a shipment service.
How much cash should I bring with me?
Most of your incidental expenses can be paid via credit card (e.g. restaurants, bars, hotel services, caddies fees or gratuities, etc.). In the Caribbean, US Dollars are widely accepted and appreciated for gratuities and local purchases. However, when making local retail purchases with USD, you will receive chance back in local currency. Outside the U.S., TGC recommends using credit cards for as many local purchases as possible. Typically, you will be given a choice to process the charge in local currency or US dollars. TGC recommends choosing “local currency” which means the bank that issues your card will handle the currency exchange. If you select “US Dollars”, the bank that handles the local vendors credit card processing will do the currency exchange and their rates and fees are typically higher than US banks’. Caddies will need to be paid in cash at the end of your round. TGC will advise you on the required fee, which may var from course to course, and the standard gratuity for caddies. TGC suggests using your Credit or Debit card to secure local currency, once you arrive at your destination. Typically, airport ATMs, Cambios, or Post Offices that offer foreign currency exchange, provide the best rates.
What is the advantage of using a hired driver?
Hired drivers do much more than just drive. In many cases, they help to manage your trip and enhance the travel experience. The driver will remain with you throughout the trip, keep your group on schedule, assist with local dinner reservations and generally act as tour guide – often providing local insights, historical context, and alerting you to points of interest. While the driver’s daily fee is covered in your group package, it is customary for each member in the traveling party to contribute to a pooled gratuity at the end of the trip. The local currency equivalent of $5-10 per day per person for the duration of the trip is commensurate for good service.
Will I be provided with vouchers to present to hotels and golf courses on my itinerary?
No. In most cases, TGC does not use vouchers. All TGC hotel and golf course bookings are confirmed in advance and pre-paid. Your TGC Pre-Arrival Information Packet and itinerary can be shared with suppliers should any confusion arise. In the event you don’t have that with you, please ask the local supplier to contact TGC immediately.
Are golf handicap requirements enforced?
In most cases they are not. However, TGC recommends that you travel with a certified handicap card (or app) in case a course requests to see your handicap certificate. It’s also important that you play the appropriate tees for your skill level. Eyebrows will undoubtedly be raised if a visiting golfer walks back to the championship tees and proceeds to cold top their tee shot on the first hole, or if a visiting group takes 3+ hours to play the first 9 holes. As long as you are courteous and move along, most courses around the world that welcome visiting golfers are glad to have you and want to see you have a good time (and spend your money in their Golf Shop and 19th Hole).
Are golf carts included in my trip?
For U.S., Canada and Caribbean golf trips, carts are included in your golf package rate. Motorized golf carts (or buggies as they are often referred to in Europe) are not as common outside of North America and the Caribbean, however there are some overseas courses that offer them. And some courses overseas require a medical certificate to even access a golf cart. In lieu of golf carts, most overseas courses provide caddies or hand-trolleys for hire. Specific details and incremental costs pertaining to your itinerary will be discussed during the booking process. In most cases, requests for caddies need to be made in advance. Occasionally, golf clubs run short on caddies. In this case, caddies may carry two bags, or one foursomes may be assigned a fore caddie and asked to carry their bags or use hand-trolleys. In such instances, the caddie master at the course will advise travelers of such situations and adjust the caddie fee and suggested gratuity. So for your sake – and the caddy’s – be sure to travel with a good carry bag and keep it light!
Are replays included in my golf package?
No. Unless you are booked on an unlimited golf rate, all TGC golf packages include one 18-hole round per day. However, upon completion of your primary round, If you’d like to play more golf and your travel itinerary allows it, you are welcome to book additional tee times directly with the golf course. Any charges incurred will be payable to the golf course outside your pre-paid TGC golf package.
Can I book sightseeing excursions through TGC?
Yes. If you are interested in experiencing your chosen destination away from the golf course or you want to build in a non-golf day to see some points of interest, just let us know and we will propose popular options that can be factored into your pre-paid travel itinerary. At most hotels and resorts we partner with; the concierge or tour desk can also assist you in exploring and scheduling sightseeing excursions which can be purchased outside your TGC travel program.
What is the best time of year to travel to the golf destinations TGC features?
USA & Canada
May – October.
Aside from the southern “sunshine states” in the U.S. and the West Coast of Canada, which provide an escape in winter, the best time to experience golf in North America is during traditional golf months.
Caribbean & Central America
November - April.
Hurricane season typically ends by early October and temperatures begin to cool into November. For winter golf getaways, there is no better time to go to the islands than between Thanksgiving and Easter.
UK & Ireland
May – October.
Although weather is very unpredictable at any time of year in the UK and Ireland, the high season offers long days and the best chance of good weather, along with ideal course conditions.
France
May – October
July & August are particularly good around Paris. May, June & September are equally good in the south of France.
Spain & Portugal
The “shoulder” months of April – June & September – November are ideal. Summer months in the south of Spain and Portugal can be very hot and the condition of the courses deteriorates.
Australia, Tasmania & New Zealand
This is dependent on the area of Australia you wish to visit. If you are visiting the north, then May to September is best, as their summer can be very hot. For the remainder of the country, including the most popular golf destinations around Melbourne, as well as New Zealand, the best time to travel is between September and May.