Absolutely Golf & Travel – Booking Terms & Conditions

Jean van de Velde's golf collapse at the 1999 Open at Carnoustie

Jean van de Velde
throws it all away.

The last thing we want is for you to feel the disappointment of Jean Van de Velde at the British Open at Carnoustie. We hope you will take the time to read our Booking Terms & Conditions.

By providing Absolutely Golf & Travel (Absolutely Golf) with your credit card or check (preferred) for your trip deposit, you confirm and acknowledge that you have read and accept our travel Booking Terms & Conditions for you and all in your party covered by that deposit.

Accommodations: All accommodations include room en suite (with bath) based on double occupancy (2 people sharing a room), with breakfast daily. Those requesting single occupancy will be subject to a single room supplement (SRS). See your individual itinerary for rooming details. Triple/family rooms also require a supplement where available/applicable.

Chauffeur Coach/Car & Driver Guide: Includes driver/guides daily eight hour salary, daily hire of luxury car or coach, petrol throughout, and drivers daily meal and overnight expenses. Gratuity to the driver at end of trip is not included and is the responsibility of the client(s). We are delighted to provide you with a recommended guideline regarding driver’s gratuity.

Payments: A deposit of $750.00 per person, occasionally more depending upon your individual customized itinerary – in which case you will always be advised from the start, is required at the time of acceptance of the proposed itinerary. All items included within a proposed itinerary are subject to availability at the time of booking. Should an alternative property/golf course or schedule change within a proposed itinerary be required due to availability, these changes will first be reviewed with client prior to trip acceptance. Once final itinerary is approved by client(s) and deposit is made by client for said trip itinerary, trip and conditions have been accepted by client(s) and thus final invoice balance is due in Absolutely Golf’s offices 75 days prior to departure. Trip price quoted in proposed itinerary is subject to change due to currency however is confirmed upon receipt of final payment. Payment may be made by check or American Express (preferred) Master Card, Visa or Discover. Actual card billing address and security code is required in order to process payments.

Changes: Unlike our competitors, we do not charge an administrative fee for changes you make to an itinerary once it is booked. We consider flexibility and customers’ desires an important part of our job! Changes made which result in a loss of deposit already paid by ABSOLUTELY GOLF on clients behalf will however be charged to the client(s).

Cancellations: Notification of cancellation must be made in writing to ABSOLUTELY GOLF via email, fax or regular mail, and receipt of cancellation must be confirmed back in writing to client by ABSOLUTELY GOLF. The majority of golf courses in Ireland, Scotland, Portugal & Wales require NON-REFUNDABLE deposits to secure confirmed tee times. Many hotels also require non-refundable deposits. Should you need to cancel your trip prior to traveling, any deposits paid by ABSOLUTELY GOLF on client’s behalf that are non-refundable are the client’s responsibility to pay. Should your initial deposit not cover the deposits paid to suppliers by ABSOLUTELY GOLF, we will bill you for the remaining balance. Hotels may levy cancellations charges if room(s) cannot be re-sold. Many, especially in Scotland have a one-month cancellation policy. We highly recommend taking out trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Any trip cancelled by Absolutely Golf & Travel (ABSOLUTELY GOLF) will be refunded in full.

Caddies: We are delighted to request and pre-book caddies on your behalf. Junior caddies (bag carriers) and Senior Caddies (typically members/golfers who know the courses well) are independent staff at most clubs, and fees for caddies must be paid directly to the club/caddy master upon arrival. We will gladly advise you of applicable caddy fees – just ask. Once requested, any caddies not utilized by the golfers upon arrival are the financial responsibility of the golfer(s).

Electric Carts/Pull Carts: Pull carts are available at most courses for a very nominal fee. Most links courses do not allow electric carts, have very few, or have only one or two available for medical purposes (each course varies and we are happy to advise), which must be reserved in advance and a medical letter/certification produced. Cart fees are the responsibility of the golfer(s) at time of hire at the club(s).

Handicaps: All golfers should carry with them a current handicap certificate/USGA Card as the majority of courses require visiting players to meet their maximum handicap restrictions, typically 36 for women and 24 for men. Failure to provide a current USGA handicap card could prohibit your play. PGA golf professionals need to provide us with a copy of their PGA card at time of booking in order to receive professional courtesy/discounted green fees.

Emergencies: Unfortunately they sometimes happen. Be assured that we will do our absolute utmost to help you when there is a medical problem, injury, business or family emergency. We will do all we can to communicate your situation to our suppliers to alleviate your financial costs. We urge you to enquire about travel insurance to protect your trip investment, see Travel Insurance, below.

Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance: You are embarking on and investing a great deal in your dream vacation abroad. As unforeseen situations can happen, we urge you to invest a little more in travel insurance. The best company we have dealt with is Travelex.

You can contact them directly at 800-228-9792, or enroll online by clicking on the link below. 

Travelex Inusrance Services

Click here for a free quote that will protect your travel plans

Ask them about their new “CANCEL FOR ANY REASON” program

Be sure to mention/use Location Number 07-0102 so that you can take advantage of ABSOLUTELY GOLF’s great rates. Trip Cancellation /Interruption insurance covers illness, injury or death of you or your family, loss of job/bankruptcy, jury duty, emergency medical expenses during travel, baggage delay or theft, (to mention only a few). Pre-existing medical conditions are covered when you enroll within 21 days of your initial trip deposit (not covered on Travel Basic) with ABSOLUTELY GOLF. We are happy to mail you a brochure upon request.

All terms, conditions, exclusions and provisions of the policy apply. All benefits will be determined at the time of a claim based on the information and documentation submitted.

Unused Services: Services included in your package not used are not refundable. No refunds will be made for unused hotel accommodations, tee times, meals, transportation, or any other services not used due to flight delays, schedule changes for any reason, etc. The exception to this will be when a golf course has officially closed due to inclement weather. In this case you must contact the club on day of play and determine the status of play with the course office itself. In the case of a closure, please provide your name and tee time to the course, and then contact us upon your return along with the name of contact at course, course name, date and tee time for a full refund. Failure to obtain course closure status and name of contact at club will forfeit refund.

Responsibility: Absolutely Golf & Travel (ABSOLUTELY GOLF) has contracted with independent suppliers in securing hotel accommodations, airline reservations, car or coach hire, golf tee times, and other services provided in the individual itinerary. ABSOLUTELY GOLF supplies pre-paid vouchers detailing services provided by each supplier and is not responsible for any negligent acts and / or omissions by these independent contractors, their employees, agents or representatives. ABSOLUTELY GOLF advises we are not acting as principals but as agents only for those providing the travel components. ABSOLUTELY GOLF will accept no responsibility or liability in respect for either person or property for any loss, damage, injury, accident, delay or irregularity however sustained during any packaged trip booked through ABSOLUTELY GOLF.

Travel Agents: By placing a booking with ABSOLUTELY GOLF on your client’s behalf, you confirm that each client has been provided with and has agreed to these Booking Terms & Conditions, and that your clients are subject to the policies as set forth above. Payments for both deposit and final payment will be accepted by Agency Check only.