Custom Tours FAQs

Here we answer some frequently asked questions to help you better understand what you may expect on one of our custom tours. As always, our Golf Travel Experts welcome the chance to help your personally at 800.344.5257 or Expert@PerryGolf.com.

Planning Process

• How far in advance should I book a trip to ensure best availability?

  Our best advice is to decide on your preferred trip and confirm the dates as soon as possible, for everything is a component of availability. If you are traveling during high season, the golf courses can have significant demand and sooner we are able to submit your groups request for tee times and similarly to the hotels, the likelihood of securing your exact, preferred schedule is enhanced.

• What is the optimum size of a group?

  Every group has different dynamics but we believe that groups of 8 travelers are more preferred, for two reasons; (1) a group of 8 people remains small enough that everyone can interact with each other easily and (2) in terms of access to golf tee times and hotel arrangements we have found this size of group to be the easiest to accommodate. Of course, we are delighted to assist with groups of 2 to 150 travelers.

• What is the best time to travel?

  It varies by destination. High season (for golf) is as follows;

  • Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales, France & Italy
    April – October.
    During the summer season you will enjoy the best possible chance of good weather. However Britain does experience changeable, unpredictable weather year round and it is therefore best to anticipate.
    
    
  • New Zealand & Australia
    September – April
    Peak season is December - February/March
    
    
  • Spain, Portugal & South Africa
    January - December
    South Africa is attractive all year round. Many prefer to visit from October - March. The summer months in the south of Spain and Portugal can be very hot and the condition of the courses deteriorates. Therefore the peak seasons in Spain and Portugal would be April – June & September – November.
• Can you book tee times only?

  No. We require three components; golf, hotel accommodations and land transportation as part of your package.

• What are handicap requirements?

  Some golf clubs have handicap requirements for visitors. Where these exist PerryGolf recognizes them in our stated information on the golf course, in your day by day schedule. We suggest you travel with your handicap card in your possession.

• What is the minimum length of a PerryGolf trip?

  Five nights at the destination.

• Are golf carts available?

  They are available at certain golf courses and we provide this information in your day by day schedule.

• How do I reserve a caddie and what is the cost?

  As part of the booking process, you select whether you wish a caddy and that requests is entered into our system and we shall follow through on your behalf. Caddies shall generally be approximately £75 in Scotland and €80 in Ireland, plus expected gratuity.

• What kind of transportation is available for my group?

  We offer trips either with a Concierge Driver or on a self drive basis in rental cars and mini vans.

• Are there any age restrictions for driving a rental vehicle on a PerryGolf trip?

  Some destinations have maximum age restrictions. Please check with your golf travel specialist.

• We have others interested in joining us on our vacation; can they be added after we book?

  Yes, subject of course to availability at the golf courses and hotel.

• Can I book a trip with PerryGolf through a travel agent?

  Yes.

• What level of fitness & mobility is required ?

  Aspects of PerryGolf trips may require a certain level of fitness and mobility in order for a guest to participate fully. Activities may include walking over uneven or rough surfaces, stepping on/off buses, walking up/down stairways where elevators do not exist, stepping in/out of tender boats or occasionally smaller boats, this list is intended as representative but is not exhaustive. If a guest has any concerns over their fitness or mobility levels they should discuss this in advance of any trip with a PerryGolf golf travel specialist and they will provide further information with regard to the activities that you are concerned about, but in general, PerryGolf activities are not designed or intended to be overly strenuous.

Trip Booking Process

• What are the trip booking requirements?

  For PerryGolf to book your trip, we require the golf arrangements, hotel accommodations and land transportation. This ensures that we are fully and completely responsible for your vacation.

• I want to book. What do you now need from all tour participants to put into place?

  We require a complete reservations form for each traveller.

• I do not know all the participants names at this time. Can we still book and the names be provided at a later stage?

  Yes, but we still require a deposit for each traveller, regardless of whether we have their name. Be aware some golf clubs require the names of all players at time of booking.

• Is the cost of the trip fixed?

  Once deposited, the cost of the vacation is fixed in US Dollars.

• When will all arrangements be confirmed?

  All arrangements shall be confirmed as soon as the last golf club confirms your exact tee time back to PerryGolf. Depending on the destination and time period, this will generally be 7 - 10 months prior to departure. Of course, at any time, we will be delighted to provide you with the tee times currently confirmed. If you are booking your trip at a time when all of the facilities are confirming reservations immediately for the upcoming season, we ordinarily confirm your arrangements back to you the next business day after receipt of your reservations forms.

• Can I make my own air travel arrangements?

  Yes. PerryGolf has its own in-house airline department which can assist with your air travel arrangements.

• What forms of payment do you accept?

  Checks, MasterCard, VISA, American Express or wire transfer/ACH

• What if I have to cancel my trip?

  Our cancellations policies are clearly defined on our reservations form and we would encourage you to read them in advance of booking your trip. We do permit name changes as described in the terms & conditions of the reservations form.

• Do I need travel insurance?

  We strongly suggest and offer an attractive travel protection program. This information is described on the reservations forms.

• What insurance coverage do you offer?

  Details can be viewed at /pages/protection.php

• Can we make any amendments to our schedule once the booking is confirmed?

  Yes. There is a nominal administrative fee but changes can be made.

Pre-departure

• When will I receive final travel information?

  We ordinarily distribute final travel information 21 days in advance of departure. This includes all hotel contact details for your trip along with other pertinent information.

• What travel documents do I need?

  A valid passport and drivers license (if driving car).

• What is best way to transport my clubs?

  While some golfers like to utilize hard side golf bag carriers, we have found them to be very awkward once you arrive at the destination. Without doubt they provide excellent protection from the airlines, but they do not store well in your hotel, coach or rental car as they are quite bulky. We would suggest a travel bag like Club Glove or similar which provides significant protection but also collapses for storage.

• Can I ship my golf clubs ahead of me to my destination?

  If you would prefer to send your golf clubs, and indeed any luggage in advance to your destination to avoid checked baggage hassles, PerryGolf is pleased to recommend Luggage Forward, the leading provider of doorstep to destination luggage delivery to over 200 countries worldwide. Upon your return, Luggage Forward can have your baggage picked up at your hotel, golf course or cruise port and delivered back home (or can send your clubs back if you are staying on to travel but the golfing portion of your trip is done).

  As a client of PerryGolf you are entitled to a 10% discount on any Luggage Forward delivery. For price quotes or to book a delivery, visit www.luggageforward.com/perrygolf. To speak with a Forwarding Specialist, please call 866.416.7447 and remember to reference promo code PERRYGOLF when booking over the phone. Luggage Forward recommends booking at least a couple weeks prior to your trip to ensure you receive all available service options.

  Please note: In order to complete an international delivery, you will need to provide travel documents as required by customs.

• What cash should I take to the destination?

  Most items can be paid via a credit card at the destination, e.g. restaurants, hotel extra accounts, etc. You will require cash for caddies and we suggest using your ATM card to secure local currency, once you arrive at your destination.

• Meet & Greet - how does that work?

  Upon arrival at your final destination (not connecting airport) a PerryGolf representative shall be in the arrivals hall with a PerryGolf sign with your group leaders name on it. Our personnel shall be wearing a PerryGolf sweater or shirt and shall remain with you throughout the arrival process, until you are either safely into your coach or your rental car with directions.

• What kind of weather should I expect?

  It varies by destination. Our final travel packet details temperatures by month.

• What clothing should I pack?

  It varies by destinations. Our final travel packet details suggested clothes to pack.

• Will I need a coat and tie?

  A few golf clubs and hotels require this for complete access to their facilities. If you are in doubt, please ask your golf travel specialist who can assist, relative to your trip.

• What can I expect from my Concierge Driver and what level of gratuity is expected.

  On tours with our Concierge Driver you should expect him to “manage” your experience. He will remain with you throughout, from your arrival at the airport until departure. His duties are far more than driving you, but rather he will pro-actively anticipate your needs, assist with dinner reservations, check in and out of hotels and golf courses and generally be a trusted travel manager. In your final travel package we provide guidelines for gratuities.

• If my departure is delayed who should I call?

  Call PerryGolf immediately when you know of a delay in your arrival so that we may re-schedule your golf and alert other travellers in your group.

• Will I be provided with vouchers to present to the hotels or golf courses?

  Since 1984 PerryGolf has never operated on a voucher system as we reconfirm in writing all of your confirmed arrangements. With our in house technology, every client receives the same confirmation of services that each of the hotels and golf courses also receives. We have never experienced an issue in this regard as we believe it provides for a less stressful arrangement for our clients.

On Tour

• Can you assist with dinner suggestions?

  PerryGolf provides a dining guide with the information you receive in your Final Travel Documents prior to travel.

• Can you assist with sightseeing suggestions?

  PerryGolf provides sightseeing suggestions for self drive travelers at your destination. Your Concierge Driver can provide sightseeing options on small group tours.

• Can we book additional golf while at our destination?

  Yes.

• What local assistance do you provide on self drive tours?

  We provide a 24 hour emergency number which will provide assistance throughout your stay.

• What local assistance do you provide with Concierge Driver

  Your Concierge Driver will be your primary point of contact for all of your needs throughout your stay. He will provide you with his cell number on your first day at your destination. However, if you wish additional assistance, you are always welcome to utilize our 24 hour emergency service.

• Will my driver’s license be accepted?

  A valid driver’s license will be accepted by our rental car partners.

• Will my automobile and medical insurance be valid?

  Please ask your local insurance agent. PerryGolf includes insurance with each self drive program, the exact inclusions vary by destination and we strongly encourage you to be familiar with the terms of the coverage.

• What is the electricity supply?

  We suggest you travel with an adaptor which is designed for your destination.

• What about cell service?

  Every PerryGolf destination provides cell service via GSM. In order to use a cell phone it needs to have GSM capability. Alternatively you may consider renting a phone from World Cell (www.worldcell.com).

• Should I take my laptop to check my email or will the hotels have internet access?

  This varies by hotel and we provide this information prior to departure.

We hope these questions and answers assist you.

Should you have any additional questions please feel free to ask your PerryGolf Travel Expert at Expert@PerryGolf.com or 800.344.5257.