COLORADO GOLF TRAILS: FAQ'S
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 and most are within a day's drive of your selected lodging. Unlike the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail which was built using one designer, our "Colorado Golf Trails" are utilizing existing golf courses from a variety of historic and contemporary golf course architects, including Robert Trent Jones, Jr.: Donald Ross, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, Hale Irwin, Pete Dye, Greg Norman, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Doak, Jim Engh and Dick Phelps (our hometown heroes), etc. Secondly, we make every attempt to prevent lodging changes during your golf getaway with Colorado Golf Trails so that you can 'hub' at one lodging place and feel settled as you drive to each course each day.
How many Golf Trails does Colorado Golf Trails have? Currently, we have (10) Golf Trails throughout Colorado: 1) Aspen Peaks, 2) Durango-Four Corners, 3) Grand County, 4) Greens 'n Streams (Golf & Fly Fishing), 5) Longs Peak (northern Colorado), 6) Mile High (Denver Metro Area), 7) Pikes Peak (southern Colorado), with two 'Trailheads', these being "Northern Lights" & "Southern Cross," 8) Private Reserve(Private Clubs Only), 9) Rocky Mountain Vail and 10) Western Slope Shale Golf Trail.
What makes Colorado Golf Trails unique? We offer BOTH Preplanned and Custom Golf Packages. 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 high altitude golf getaway and offer playing golf from 5280-9,860 feet above sea level! Translation: Longer drives off of the tee box...between 10%-20% more than at sea level! The diversity in geography within Colorado is a dramatic contrast...from the mountains to the plains, each Trail is unique! Most importantly, unlike other Trails, we custom design and preplan all of your hotel, golf and drive times to save you time, energy, money and legwork so that once you arrive in Colorado, 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? The courses are listed in the order that they would be played per each Package. Therefore, when you sign up for a Par Package on the Mile High Golf Trail, for example, you will play Arrowhead on Monday (M), Fossil Trace on Tuesday (T) &, Fox Hollow on Wednesday (W), then fly home from DIA or drive home. (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 Colorado that we want to stay 'n play golf? No problem. We'll 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 Colorado Golf Trails Package? First of all, 1) Decide the dates of your Colorado Golf Trails Getaway, 2) Each Preplanned Trail Package starts on Sunday and depending on the Package, goes from Sun.-Wed. (Par), Sun.-Fri. (Birdie), or Sun.-Sun. (Eagle or Double Eagle.) Custom Packages utilize ANY day of the week. 3) Choose which of our Trails you'd like to play, 4) Confirm how many Rounds of Golf you'd like to play (3, 5, 7 or 9 Rounds on Preplanned and YOUR CHOICE on Custom Packages), 5) Determine how long you can stay 'n play in Colorado, (3, 5, or 7 Days for Preplanned or YOUR CHOICE on Custom Packages), 6) 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 and finally, 7) Sign Up and Join Us this Season for one of our unique Colorado Golf Trails! 8) Once all of this is confirmed, we'll email or fax you a 'Group Golf Confirmation.' 9) Then, once you've approved it and provided your credit card information, you and your Group will be well on your way to enjoying one of the most memorable golf getaways in Colorado!
How do I know which Courses will be part of my chosen Package? 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. 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. Finally, once we confirm your courses, we'll send you the tee times with your 'Trail Pack,' i.e. 'Welcome Kit.'
What do each of the Packages Include? 1) Hotel Room Rate, including Lodging Taxes, (you are responsible for personal incidentals), 2) Double Occupancy Rooms or Suites that include Double, Queen- or King-Sized Beds, 3) Your Hotel Rewards Points (if available, credited to your account, 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 CGT 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) Colorado Golf Trails Gifts that you can use on and after your Colorado Golf Trails Getaway!
Can Travel Agents or Tour Operators sign up their Groups with CGT? Yes, and when you will include your IATA # or N# when you sign up your groups, we'll follow up with you 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.
Our packages accommodate groups of 2 to 20 players...What if my group is much larger, possibly 40-144+ players... can we still sign up for one of your CGT Packages? Yes, we can accommodate your Men's Club, Chamber of Commerce group, fraternity brothers, 'Colorado Couples Classic,' '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.
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 existing or future Colorado 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 Colorado 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 CGT Golfers, 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 cleaniless 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 fly fishing, whitewater rafting, 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 CGT Package.
Can I arrange for airfare and rental car through Colorado Golf Trails? We are looking into offering this as part of our Packages and should have this benefit in place soon. However, before we officially announce this offering, we assume that many of you have frequent flier miles and rental car coupons to use toward this golf getaway that'll help you save on this cost.
Will you offer Special Events OR your own CGT 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: We also consult on and organize tournaments, lessons & clinics with courses and teaching pros throughout Colorado.
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 and VISA. 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) 45 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 from 30-15 days from the start of your trip, your $200 Deposit will be kept by Colorado Golf Trails as an Administrative Fee to cover our costs of booking changes with our Lodging and Golf Course Partners. If your cancellation is less than 15 days from the start of your trip or no notification is given by group, your paid-in-full package price is retained by Colorado Golf Trails to cover our liabilities and contractual agreements with said lodging and golf. Cancellation Due To Weather: On unexpected snowstorms, a refund will be issued on golf only (not your hotel), for the days the course is closed due to inclement weather as determined by the golf course staff.
What will the weather be like during my CGT experience? In Colorado, the saying goes: "If you don't like the weather, wait five (5) minutes!" Although you'll be playing golf in the spring, summer and fall, pack for all weather conditions as being in the Rocky Mountains can be unpredictable at times.
What type of golf attire is appropriate in Colorado? 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 Colorado Golf Trails-logoed golf gear from our yet-to-be launched Online Golf Shop...and please, don't forget the eyewear; it's bright at 5280+ ft. above sea level!
What is High Altitude Sickness? Arriving from sea level, you may feel light-headed, dizziness, some fatigue, a slight headache or in extreme cases, nausea. The best advice is to avoid alcohol (are you kidding me...okay, maybe just the first day until you adapt), drink lots of water and stay hydrated throughout the day and evening activities, apply sunscreen throughout your round and wear UV-rated eyewear.
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 raise 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 303.744.0200 OR ColoradoGolfTrails@msn.com with any of your questions!
