MYRTLE BEACH FEATURES

The ABC's of choosing a Myrtle Beach golf package

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (March 9, 2003) -- Shopping for a Myrtle Beach golf package is a daunting task for those who don't know the area and its many players. Web sites advertise specials "starting from" daily rates that seem ridiculously low. Pamphlets and booklets saturate hotel lobbies and restaurants advertising "special" weekday or winter rates. What's a golfer to do? Plenty, according local experts and industry observers.

J.T. Kobelt, golf director at Carolina Golf Travel in Wilmington says a few simple phone calls can eliminate much of the anxiety from choosing a golf packager.

"First, call the golf course and see what kind of experience the golf director has had with that company," he says. "Then call some of the accommodation properties they deal with and see what they have to say."

Carrie Jordan of Coastal Golf and Travel even recommends going a step further. Golf courses and hotels might not have anything negative to report if they are receiving large amounts of business from a particular golf packager. And golfers might not be inclined to voice their complaints in the pro shop or hotel lobby.

Coastal Golf and Travel - (877) 453-8785 Carolina Golf Travel - 866-409-2177 Better Business Bureau - (843) 626-7257 Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce - (843) 916-7262

But even the Better Business Bureau can be outfoxed, if only through the passing of time. Complaints are only kept on file for three years before they are expunged. A spokesperson for the organization says that the system is designed to protect the consumer, but businesses for which complaints are filed often go out of business or clean up their acts.

Prospective golf package buyers can also check with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber sponsors an ethics committee in conjunction with the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association that registers visitor complaints about specific businesses.

"We won't recommend one member over the other if they are looking for that type of information," says Patsy Padgett of the Chamber's marketing department. "But golfers can contact the ethics committee to see if a complaint has been filed."

According to most local packagers, however, fly-by-night operations are the exception in the Grand Strand and not the norm when it comes to golf packagers.

"This is the most competitive market for golf packages and everybody knows each other around here," she says. "If a packager is not on the straight and narrow, someone will know about it and that someone is usually the golf course. If not that, then they just won't get repeat business if they are cheating people out of money and repeat business is what we all thrive off of."

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Hampton Inn North Myrtle Beach general manager Paul Abele is well-versed in the nuances of golf packaging. Because Abele doesn't have a full time golf director, he uses independently owned and operated golf packing companies to supply tee times for his customers. He says that he's had positive experiences with a handful of local golf packagers, but that his hotel is still smarting from one nasty experience.

"A company called Players Choice still owes us $11,000 and we still carry it on our books," Abele says. "I am sure they owed other hotels and not just us. They totally stiffed us and ran away. We will never be able to collect it."

The fine print - what to ask and what to expect

So you've done your homework. You've called around to golf courses and hotels, checked with the BBB and you've narrowed your choices down to three reputable independent golf packagers. What now? Its time to start looking at the fine print and sizing up company policies on deposits, cancellations and cart fees.

"They should look at the amount of deposits per person, when that deposit is taken and when that credit card number is required," says Kobelt. "I tell people we'll take the credit card only when the reservation form is in your hand and everyone is happy with it. We require deposits of $75 per person, which is low. In the event of cancellation with us we return all deposits less a $25 token administrative fee."

Jordan actually recommends paying by credit card so disputes can be filed in the event the golf packager doesn't deliver (or disappears). Coastal Golf and Travel requires a $100 deposit per person and the balance of the package is required 30 days prior to the arrival date. Cancellations up to 72 hours before the arrival date are $50 per person.

"But I will usually even waive that if it is a repeat client," says Jordan. "Once I get someone's business, I don't like to lose it."

A golf packager garners repeat business, according to Kobelt, by being up front with the customer and accessible.

"We are very clear on cart fees and how we handle those," he says. "Some packagers aren't. Especially when they advertise their package rates. We offer groups two ways to do it. If it is the peak spring or fall season and it is a big group, we'll recommend that put the cart fees in the price of the package. That way they don't have to go into the pro shop. But if it is a smaller group in the winter, we'll tell them to keep their cart fees in their pockets. It may rain or be too cold and they may want to go bowling with that money instead."

Jordan makes herself available 24 hours a day by way of her mobile and home phone numbers.

"They can call me at midnight the night they get in if there is a problem with anything," she says.

Some golf packagers will also charge for substituting one course for another, even if it is of comparable quality. Other golf packagers like to tout that breakfast is included, claiming to significantly reduce a golfer's daily meal expenses.

"We don't charge for changing courses if it is within reason," Kobelt says. "And we've gotten away from including breakfast because some hotel will trot it out at 7 a.m. and if you are playing 36 holes, you don't even have time to eat it."

Been there, done that

Finally, make sure the golf packager knows it's selling. Just because someone answers the phone and rattles off the course's designer and the year it opened doesn't mean that he or she has ever played or even seen the course.

"I don't just go out there and look at them, I play them," Jordan says. "I also use extensive feedback from my customers through word of mouth and surveys. You won't find a course on our list that we don't have total confidence in."

Confidence, especially when it comes to selecting a golf packager, is a great thing have.