Why Pioneer Golf?
Be Sure You’re Comparing Apples-to-Apples

Comparing golf tour operators is not a simple task. Here, we outline a few points to consider when deciding between companies:

• St. Andrews Tee Times: Unfortunately, some groups may not be successful in obtaining tee times through the advance application process. The company you deal with should be one that has its own guaranteed tee times to serve as a back-up. You could by-pass the advance application process entirely and purchase a guaranteed tee time from the get go. However, if you go through the advance application process, be sure to have in writing that your deposit will be refundable if you are not successful through this process, or have it in writing that they will have a guaranteed tee time for you if unsuccessful (and if not, you will have the right to a full refund). This is the most important thing to have in writing! Pioneer Golf is one of a handful of operators that has guaranteed tee times and if unsuccessful through the advance application process, we will offer you one of our guaranteed tee times (albeit at a premium) or refund your deposits.
  
  
• Length of time in industry: Each year, companies come and go. Use an operator that has established a good reputation over a number of years. Pioneer Golf was established in 1971. See www.pioneergolf.com/testimonials for scanned, authentic client feedback.
  
  
• Office versus home office: The company you hire should have not just an office, but a full staff. Some small operators have a P.O. Box as an address or a phone answered by the “owner.” A one-person operation doesn’t necessarily mean that the trip will not meet your expectations, but it introduces an element of risk. Each year, the successful companies grow while some small operators disappear. Pioneer Golf is one of the larger companies in the industry.
  
  
• References: Any company can come up with two or three clients to say a few good words. The company you are considering should be able to provide references in your area. This precludes a tour operator from selecting only the most laudatory. See www.pioneergolf.com/testimonials and feel free to ask us for as many references in your area as you want.
  
  
• Golf Tour Operators Association: Membership in a trade association lends credibility to a provider. The company could be a member of one or more of the following organizations: NAGTOA (North American Golf Tour Operators Alliance), GTS (Golf Tourism Scotland ), IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agent Network), and/or IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators). Pioneer Golf is a member of both NAGTOA and IATAN.
  
  
• Golf Tour Operator: The company should specialize only in golf trips. Savvy clients will entrust their business to an operator whose level of service and expertise is not diluted by the number of services they offer. Travel agencies frequently turn to companies like Pioneer Golf. Better yet, find a company that deals only with your destination. Pioneer Golf arranges golf trips to only Scotland, Ireland, England, and Wales.
  
  
• Level of Service: Your trip is likely to be handled with the same level of professionalism and thoroughness reflected in the written proposal or that you will have sensed when talking to the sales agent. A sloppy proposal may be a precursor to a poorly planned trip. It is important to both trust and feel comfortable with those who will be guiding you in the months leading up to your trip. Pioneer Golf prides itself on a level of service and professionalism that we believe is second to none.
  
  
• U.S. Office: The internet has spawned a number of overseas companies claiming experience and expertise in this industry – claims which may or may not be true. If the latter, your only reasonable means for recourse will be if the company is incorporated in the U.S. Pioneer Golf was incorporated in Texas as a “C” corporation in 1971.
  
  
• Whom do you call: If something goes wrong, have confidence that the company you hire will be on call. Pioneer Golf maintains a representative in Scotland and will provide you with emergency phone numbers in Austin, to call while on your trip. We are on call 24/7.
  
  
• Agent: Is the company merely an agent? Be sure that the company you have selected will be making all of the arrangements themselves. We have long since learned that the only way to assure quality is by handling the trip from start to finish. Many U.S. companies will either hire someone on a part-time basis in Scotland or Ireland to make arrangements for them or pass on your trip to another company altogether (thereby becoming simply a middleman). Although Pioneer Golf is Scottish-owned and managed, the staff in our head office in Austin Texas will handle all arrangements from start to finish. We have many valuable relationships with golf courses, hotels, and transport providers.
  
  
• Professional Liability Insurance: What if something does go wrong? Be sure that the company you are dealing with is properly insured. It is risky to deal with a company that does not have a professional liability insurance policy. Ask for proof! Uninsured companies are vulnerable and could conceivably not exist when your trip rolls around. Such a policy is different from a general business policy which, if they are wise, they should also have. Pioneer Golf has both a professional liability insurance policy and a general business policy.
  

Once you have an idea of the factors to consider when choosing among companies, you will want to be sure that the price is fair. Comparing prices from different companies is not as straightforward as it may seem. Will all that has been proposed be delivered? Are you comfortable with the lowest priced company and their reputation? Here are a few tips:

• Fixed vs. Variable Cost: Some companies will base their price on supplier costs of that year (the year before you will be traveling). This gives them latitude to increase your price and to potentially give you an unpleasant surprise later. Pioneer Golf’s prices take inflation into account so the price given will be the price you will pay (i.e., we estimate next year’s costs and adhere to our quote).
  
  
• Exchange Rate Used: Companies based in Scotland or Ireland may quote in pounds or euros and volunteer the U.S. dollar equivalent at an unrealistic exchange rate. The exchange rate you will see in the newspaper or on the internet (www.oanda.com) is a wholesale, inter-bank rate for large scale transactions. To obtain the rate you will likely end up paying, add about 4-5% to this wholesale rate to determine the retail rate of exchange. Then use this rate to convert a pound or euro-denominated price to a realistic dollar amount. This will approximate the rate your credit card company is likely to use. On a $3,500 trip it adds $175.00 per person!
  
  
• Credit Card Charges: Some companies, especially those quoting in pounds or euros, charge an additional fee of approximately 3-4% if you use a credit card to pay (a common practice in the UK and Ireland). On a $3,500 trip this adds $140.00 per person. Avoid companies that do not accept credit cards (even if you plan to pay by check). Pioneer Golf prices are the same no matter how payment is tendered.
  
  
• Exchange Rate Fluctuations: Most companies will provide prices “subject to exchange rate fluctuation.” This is standard industry practice. However, Pioneer Golf does give you the option to fix your price and remove entirely the exchange rate risk. We are able to provide this service by entering into a currency forward contract on your behalf. This is a valuable option when the dollar is strong. The dollar is stronger now than is has been in over 7 years.
  
  
• Hotels: The caliber of hotel can greatly influence price. The only certain way to know that you are comparing like with like, is to be sure the same hotels and number of nights are included in each proposal. Even if you compare hotels of the same caliber, the price may be very different depending on location. This is especially true when comparing “in St. Andrews” versus “a five-minute drive from St. Andrews.”
  
  
• Golf Courses: This is easy. Are the courses identical? For the St. Andrews Old Course, determine whether the tee time is guaranteed or not!
  
  
• Transportation - Self-driving: The vehicle most appropriate for four golfers is a van, not a minivan. Although more expensive, Pioneer Golf provides full-size vans with automatic transmission. Automatic transmission is more expensive than manual. Once you get to Scotland is not the time to discover that the four of you with clubs and baggage do not fit into a minivan! Ireland is a bit different due to the relative scarcity of the larger vans. Therefore, Pioneer Golf uses the largest minivans available, usually standard transmission but automatic as an option.
  
  
• Transportation - Point-to-Point transportation: If two itineraries are the same, then the transfers should be too. However, the vehicle may be different. We use Mercedes executive vans or coaches for most transfers.
  
  
• Transportation - Full-time Coach and Driver: This is an area in which price can vary considerably. Pioneer Golf’s coach operator has the best fleet in Scotland, designed specifically for golfers. Most of the vehicles are either 2008 or 2007 Mercedes coaches outfitted to the highest degree of luxury. In fact, our operator was named the “Transport Operator of the Year” in 2007 by the trade association Golf Tourism Scotland. Beware of tour operators that own their own coaches; they may be older vehicles in sub-par condition. Ask for photographs of the vehicle you have been promised. Also, ask if you have been given a price for a full-time coach and driver… as opposed to a coach and driver for transfers only (what we classify as our point-to-point transportation). Lastly, your driver can “make” the trip and our drivers are some of the best in the business.
  
  
• Time of Year: Travel in April and October is less expensive than May through September. Sometimes May can be marginally less expensive. Check that all your proposals apply to the same time period.
  
  
  
  

Below you'll find notes, cards, and photos from former clients. We hope that these give you a sense of who we are and the level of service we provide: