Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 'Golf Trail?' The term 'Golf Trail,' popularized by the "Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail" is made up of a number of golf courses with most within a day's drive of your selected lodging. Unlike the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama which was built using one designer, our Arizona Golf Trails are utilizing existing golf courses from a variety of historic and contemporary golf course architects. These include Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Donald Ross, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, Hale Irwin, Pete Dye, Greg Norman, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Doak, etc. Secondly, our Arizona Golf Trails golf getaways do not require a hotel change (unless you request one.) So, pardner, like the spokes of a Conestoga wagon wheel, you can 'hub' at one lodging locale and feel settled and rested as you drive your 'horse' to each course each day of play.
How many Golf Trails does Arizona Golf Trails have? We have (9) Golf Trails throughout Arizona with over 60 golf courses under our major (golf) umbrella Trails: I) Valley of the Sun Golf Trail - 1) (Scottsdale) Saguaro Golf Trail, 2) (Fountain Hills) Four Peaks Golf Trail, 3) Gold Mine Golf Trail (SE Valley), 4) South Mountain Golf Trail (South and East of Phoenix), 5) Roadrunner Golf Trail (SW to NW of Phoenix.) II) Old Tucson Golf Trail - 1) North 40 Golf Trail, 2) (Four Under) Foothills Golf Trail, 3) Wild West Golf Trail and, 4) Tin Cup Golf Trail. P.S. We have (10) Golf Trails on our Colorado Golf Trails, our April-to-October Trails System with over 100 championship golf courses so check it out at www.ColoradoGolfTrails.com for those of you who live in warm weather climates & want to escape the summer heat!
What makes Arizona Golf Trails unique? We offer BOTH Custom and Preplanned Golf Packages. Our Custom Packages are custom-tailored to your group's needs. Our Preplanned Packages are 3, 5, and 7 day stays, playing 3, 5, 7 or 9 rounds of golf (two 36 hole days), and staying at your choice of a 2, 3, 4 or 5 star hotel. Secondly, we are the ultimate desert golf getaway! Our Avid Golfer Founder & Trailblazer lived in AZ for 13 years, has family there so has local inside knowledge of the courses and lay of the land. Each Arizona Golf Trail is unique in topography, scenery, selection of lodging and course design! With Arizona Golf Trails, we preplan all of your hotel, golf and drive times to save you time, energy, money and legwork so that once you arrive in Arizona, your stress-free vacation begins the moment you check into your hotel or private residence.
Why are courses not listed in alphabetical order on your "Courses-Preplanned" web pages? While these pages are under construction, keep in mind that the courses will be listed in the order that they would be played per each Package. (Note: We do have some flexibility in changing the play dates at each course, depending on tournaments being held or other events.)
What if a Trail isn't built yet for an area in Arizona that we want to stay 'n play golf? No problem. We will gladly accommodate your group by building a Custom Package for your group, regardless of your group size (a minimum of 2 golfers.)
How do I/We sign up for a Arizona Golf Trails Package? First of all, 1) Decide the dates of your Arizona Golf Trails Getaway, 2) Custom Packages utilize ANY day of the week. Preplanned Trail Packages starts on Sunday and then, depending on the Package, go from Sun.-Wed. (Par), Sun.-Fri. (Birdie), or Sun.-Sun. (Eagle or Double Eagle.) 3) Tell us how many golfers/non-golfers will be in your Group, 4) Choose which of our Trails you'd like to play, 5) Confirm how many Rounds of Golf you'd like to play, i.e. YOUR CHOICE on Custom Packages OR 3, 5, 7 or 9 Rounds on Preplanned and, 6) Determine how long you can stay 'n play in Arizona, i.e. YOUR CHOICE on Custom Packages OR 3, 5, or 7 Days for Preplanned and, 7) Select a level of Hotel (2 Ball, 3 Ball, 4 Ball, 5 Ball or High Ball, i.e. 2 Star, 3 Star, 4 Star, 5 Star or Private Residence), and give us your 1st, 2nd & 3rd choices then, we'll do our best to accommodate your request based on availability, 8) Sign Up and Join Us this Season for one of our unique Arizona Golf Trails! 9) Once all of this is confirmed, we'll email or fax you a 'Group Golf Confirmation.' 10) Then, once you've approved it and provided your credit card information, we'll get everything booked and send you lodging and golf confirmations. Finally, you and your Group will be well on your way to enjoying one of the most memorable golf getaways in Arizona or anywhere!
How do I know which Courses will be part of my chosen Package? You choose the courses you'd like to play. You don't have to play all of the courses on one Trail; you can crossover into other Trails, as long as the drive time doesn't get to where you'd be changing your lodging. The courses are listed on the "Trails" Summary Page and then, again on the Preplanned Packages Page of each Trail. For Custom Packages, each of your courses selected will be listed under each package option that we'll send you after discussing your preferences.. The Courses are listed in the order in which they will be played on the Preplanned Packages and are listed on your Custom Package Proposal per each day of play. Again, they'll be listed on your Group Booking Confirmation to reconfirm your courses and order of play per day. Prior to your arrival in Arizona, we'll 'snail mail' or UPS your full itinerary and golf getaway information.
What do each of the Packages Include? 1) Hotel Room Rate, including Lodging Taxes, (you are responsible for personal incidentals such as Valet Parking, Dry Cleaning or Tipping the Bell Hop), 2) Double Occupancy Rooms, Suites or Villas that include Double, Queen- or King-Sized Beds, 3) Your Hotel Rewards Points (if available, credited to your account at check-in, 4) Many, but not all Hotels include or offer a Hot or Continental breakfast and/or a Beer/Wine/Hors d'oeuvres 'Happy Hour' during Weeknights, In-Room Coffee Makers, Valuables Safes, WiFi/Internet Access, iPod Docking Stations, Flat Screen or Large Screen TV's, Business Centers, Fitness Centers, Indoor or Outdoor Pools and Hot Tubs, Laundry Facilities, Spa Services (booked separately with AGT and included in the price of your Package, Free or Valet Parking, Concierge, Maid Service at hotels and private residences, 5) Golf, including Greens Fees, Cart, Range Balls and in some cases, a Gift Pack and Yardage Book and at an add'l. cost, Caddies or Fore Caddies, 6) Detailed "Trail Maps", i.e. from your hotel to each Golf Course, including Drive Times sent to your Group Organizer, prior to your arrival and, 7) Arizona Golf Trails Gifts that you can use on and after your Arizona Golf Trails Getaway!
Can our personal Travel Agent or Tour Operator sign up their Groups with Arizona Golf Trails? Yes, and when they include their IATA # or N# when we sign up your group, we'll follow up with them on the details.
Can I sign up and pay individually as part of a Group? Yes, of 'course' and when you sign up and pay with a credit card, please designate a name for your Group so that we can organize your group together. Also, if your Group Organizer wants to pay for your entire group or a portion of your group on one credit card, he or she can do this as well. We'll email you a Booking Confirmation receipt after each individual or group payment is made so provide us all emails.
Our packages accommodate groups of 2 to 20 players...What if my group is much larger, possibly 40-288+ players... can we still sign up for one of your AGT Packages? Yes, we can accommodate your Men's Club, Chamber of Commerce group, fraternity brothers, 'Arizona Desert Rats Invitational,' 'Hit 'n Giggle Girls Golf Getaway,' 'O.F.G.A. '(Old Friends/Farts Golf Association), 'Birdie Bunch,' Fortune 500 National Sales meeting and/or Business Perks for Employees. As part of our services, we offer Consulting Services for your corporate or charity golf tournament and our hourly, flat fee or % is based on the time and type of consulting we provide. Please contact us for details.
Do you put together Custom Golf Packages? Yes, if any of the Double Eagle, Eagle, Birdie and Par Packages do not meet your group's needs, call or email us OR fill out the short form on our "Contact Us" page and/or let us know a) your arrival & departure dates, b) # of players, c) # of rounds you'd like to play, d) preferred Arizona Golf Trail, e) target budget for hotel & golf, f) special requests/activities or other? We'll correspond with you via email and/or phone to put a Custom Arizona Golf Trails Package with you.
How were the Courses chosen? Most, if not all of these courses have received many awards from national golf & travel magazines, have held prestigious state, regional and national amateur & pro golf tournaments, are designed by famous golf course architects and of 'course,' we had to play them to see the amenities firsthand and ensure that your Group will have a golfing good time!
Why is there a variety of Hotels in each Package? In order to meet your budget AND guarantee that hotels have available & adequate accommodations available for our AGT Golfers during the golf season, we have selected 2-4 options for each level of lodging, i.e. Exclusive-Private Residence, Extraordinary-5 Ball, Exceptional-4 Ball, Executive-3 Ball or Easy Escape-2 Ball.
Why don't you use the Mobile "Star" or AAA "Diamond" system for rating your hotels? Because, when we did personal site visits to each and every participating hotel, we have a sense for the level of service, accommodations and cleanliness that you, our discriminating golfer demands. Remember: We are golfers too, and have taken MANY golf trips over the years. Some hotels where we stayed measured up to the Rating System; others fell far short. So, our personal site visits and rating system ensures you of a quality experience. For the most part, our 2, 3, 4, 5, and "High Ball" are not too far off the mark with the standard hotel industry ratings of 2, 3, 4, or 5 Star or Diamond.
Can I take a day off and do other activities? Sure, you can head out for hiking, mountain biking, shopping, spa, hot air ballooning, horseback riding, adventure parks or any other pursuit. But, our Preplanned Packages are built in with golf only so you'd be losing out on a memorable day on the course as well as this portion of your Pkge. So, ask us about a Custom Package if you plan to balance your time with golf and other leisurely pursuits and we'll build in and book these added activities with your AGT Package OR refer you to these other leisure activities.
What will the weather be like during my AGT experience? Since our Arizona Golf Trails golf season is during the most beautiful time of the year, i.e. October-to-April, including 'shoulder months,' you should experience cool to warm temperatures, 50 - 90, depending on the month. Therefore, from shorts to skorts, capris to khakis, these should cover the gamut of your golf apparel needs. However, pack the rain gear in the event of a 'winter' rainstorm.
What type of golf attire is appropriate in Arizona? Collared shirts, pants (no denim), shorts (no cut-offs and leave your 'bubba' tank top at home), skorts (ladies only, please!), rain gear, windshirts, your favorite golf cap or visor and golf footwear OR Arizona Golf Trails-logoed golf gear from our yet-to-be launched Online Golf Shop...and please, don't forget the eyewear; it's bright in the desert.
Can I arrange for airfare and rental car through Arizona Golf Trails? No, not at this time. We assume that many of you have frequent flier miles and rental car coupons to use toward our Arizona Golf Trails golf getaway. Honestly, Pardner, you can get a better price with the online travel websites.
Will you offer Special Events OR your own AGT Tournaments? We believe strongly in giving back to the game of golf. Therefore, as part of our long-range plan, we will donate a portion of our proceeds to designated charities and we will offer our own golf tournaments or events to raise money for Charity and/or partner with some local corporations to do fundraisers. Note: As mentioned above, we also consult on and organize tournaments, lessons & clinics with courses and teaching pros throughout Arizona.
When is the payment due? Once you approve the Package Confirmation that is faxed or emailed to you, a $200 deposit per person is due at time of booking. Then, we can prebook and confirm your lodging and golf courses on your Trail. We accept all major credit cards, i.e. AMEX, MasterCard, VISA and Discover. We will accept payment by personal check or company checks from major corporations (on a case-by-case approval.) Your final balance is due 30 days from your golf getaway arrival date. For groups booking 4-6 months or longer from date of arrival, we'll split your deposit schedule into (3) payments, i.e. 1) at time of booking, 2) 60 days out and, 3) 30 days from arrival.
What is your Cancellation Policy? A Full Refund will be issued if cancellation is made 30 days or more from the start of your trip. If your cancellation is less than 30 days, your $200 Deposit will be kept by Arizona Golf Trails as an Administrative Fee to cover our costs of booking changes with our Lodging and Golf Course Partners. If your individual or group cancellation is less than 15 days from the start of your trip OR no notification is given by Group, your paid-in-full pkge. price is retained by Arizona Golf Trails to cover our liabilities and contractual agreements with said lodging and golf. Cancellation Due To Weather: On unexpected severe weather, a refund will be determined by the golf course staff and issued on golf only (not your hotel), for the days the course is closed due to inclement weather.
Prices & Products: Once you book, pay your deposit and we book and confirm your lodging and golf, your package price is firm. However, if one or more of your group members cancel, this will affect the cost of your package and will result in a price increase per golfer. By the same token, if your group increases in size, this may lower your cost per person, depending on your lodging and course choices. Another change you may encounter is with your itinerary OR the order in which courses are played. For example, we may have to switch your play date at a particular golf course due to a conflicting golf tournament or a new aerification date. We don't want your experience to be jeopardized by a slow-playing tournament group OR that the course is not in pristine condition!
Contact us at 1.800.222.8483 OR ArizonaGolfTrails@msn.com to book your Arizona Golf Trails Getaway Today!
