Sweetgum Executive Course

[N44125]

Played Sweetgum today, horrible Conditins. The greens are horrible. The Ambassador said they will be closing it soon for extended maintenance. On a positive note, Volusia has re-opened.

[ddharrold]

Extended maintenance on a course that's been open about 18 months. That doesn't sound good. Thanks for letting us know.

[Darlene Lansing]

I played Sweetgum today also //// glad they are closing the course , needs rejuvenating !

[Mikeod]

All four courses, Volusia, Palmetto, Sweetgum, and Mangrove, were opened prematurely, IMO, to accommodate the demand for courses below 466A. As a result, the Bermuda greens never had a chance to get established. They relied on the overseed to make them playable before their time. Palmetto suffered for over a year as the Bermuda tried to establish itself despite the traffic. Sweetgum and Mangrove are now in the same spot. At least with Volusia, they closed it down quickly to give the greens some time to fill in better. I hope conditions there avoid the problems of the other three.

I suspect the "maintenance" is simply letting the course grow in better.

[LittleDog]

I played Volusia 3 times before they closed it down. I thought that for a new course the conditions were very good. I really don't know why they closed it down. To my untrained eye I thought the course was in great shape.

John

[Bosoxfan]

Sweetgum has never been in good shape. Love the layout but it does need to be closed to hopefully allow the grasses to mature!!

[mtdjed]

I was gone for most of May. I understand it was dry and my view of Lake Sumter confirms that as it is down two feet since I left. Have played three executive courses since returning (Hawkes Bay, Belmont, and Bacall). Greens not very good. Aeration, sand, dead grass, no grass etc.

[justjim]

We played Sweetgum 3 weeks ago and it should have been closed then! No grass on the greens.

[Challenger]

We played Sweetgum 3 weeks ago and it should have been closed then! No grass on the greens.

Same two days ago- never played on greens that bad ever

[buzzy]

We played Sweetgum 3 weeks ago and it should have been closed then! No grass on the greens.

Had to repair green marks on my ball.

[Mikeod]

I played Volusia 3 times before they closed it down. I thought that for a new course the conditions were very good. I really don't know why they closed it down. To my untrained eye I thought the course was in great shape.

John
They opened Volusia after spreading an incredible amount of overseed so the course looked great and was playable. But the main grass for the course had not grown in sufficiently. When the overseed started to die off, they had to close it to give the Bermuda a chance to fill and develop at least a minimal base.

[jnieman]

I called the starter shack to ask about Sweetgum closing as we have a tee time for Thurs at Sweetgum. He said Sweetgum closes every Tuesday for maintenance. Other than that it is open.

[bagboy]

They opened Volusia after spreading an incredible amount of overseed so the course looked great and was playable. But the main grass for the course had not grown in sufficiently. When the overseed started to die off, they had to close it to give the Bermuda a chance to fill and develop at least a minimal base.

This is a very reasonable observation.

[Thnonne]

I played sweetgum on Sat 6/13. It was the in the worst condition of any golf course I have ever played. The cup on #1 was in sideways and the lip was all torn away, some of the other cups the lips were also torn up. The course was disgraceful and an embarassment to The Villages. This is the first time in the 9 years that I have lived in The Villages that anything was allowed the become so shabby, very un-villages like, I'm sure the developer would not be pleased.

[waynet]

I really do not think the developer knows at least I hope he doesn't.

[tomwed]

Why don't they at least experiment on 2 greens? I would set up a temp on the par four and close down 3. It's very short anyway. Try giving one green extra water and the other extra water and chemicals. It will have very little impact on the golfers.

[waynet]

There is a complete lack of leadership and expertise at the top end of the golf division. The men at the top got their positions by the who you know not what you know method. Profits are large so why try something different. We keep playing these sub-par golf courses,tee times are pretty full, and the money rolls in. I also will venture a guess that no one in the Morse family plays golf.

[rubicon]

There is a complete lack of leadership and expertise at the top end of the golf division. The men at the top got their positions by the who you know not what you know method. Profits are large so why try something different. We keep playing these sub-par golf courses,tee times are pretty full, and the money rolls in. I also will venture a guess that no one in the Morse family plays golf.

Liv like a millionaire on your retirement savings" Free golf for the rest of your life" Oh you may want to read the footnotes:ohdear:

[Bay Kid]

I love Sweetgum! I hope it is better by October.

[fred53]

Someone call a few whaaaambulances...it is apparent that lack of turf grass management knowledge is causing an upswing in old curmudgeons....

[paulascorpio]

Sweetgum is supposed to be closed in August according to the schedule. The greens are pretty sad. Really nothing for the ball to slow down on. More like a pitch & more roll!!

[Villages Kahuna]

I hope they do close Sweetgum and "let it get better". It's a nice layout, but I've taken it off my list, even if it is open. All nine greens are mostly dirt.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Someone call a few whaaaambulances...it is apparent that lack of turf grass management knowledge is causing an upswing in old curmudgeons....

:clap2: That's hilarious. Probably the same ones that **** and moan every couple of weeks about course conditions and their inability to hit their driver off the deck 80 yards to the green due to tight lies.

[fred53]

I hope they do close Sweetgum and "let it get better". It's a nice layout, but I've taken it off my list, even if it is open. All nine greens are mostly dirt.

on my way to a one under there on Thursday it's impossible to fix ball marks with a tool as it's just dirt, sand and a few strands of grass...still putted pretty well though...give it time...lots of time...

[fred53]

Played Sweetgum twice (1st week in Sept)in the last week and the green situation has improved 90%....there are still some areas that are deadish near the green perimeter, but they now have grass(first time in 2 years)and putt very well...well done course super....

[fred53]

Played here on 9/27/2015...what a great turn around...the greens were just fine, but do have these strange pits in them...almost like unrepaired pitchmarks, but either to big or small to be such...-2 from the golds...

[OhioBuckeye]

We shouldn't complain to much about what we dislike about the Villages Executive golf courses, they're FREE to play. We could go back where we came from & pay everytime we play or don't play the Executive courses, play the Championship course & then at least your 30 or $40. green fees will pay for part of your complaining. Personally I feel privileged to play for FREE. I could think of a lot of other things to complain about The Villages besides of all the activities we get!

[N44125]

I don't think folks are complaining. This thread was set up so that golfers could give updates on particular course conditions. I don't look at that as complaining...just sharing their experiences.

[fred53]

We shouldn't complain to much about what we dislike about the Villages Executive golf courses, they're FREE to play. We could go back where we came from & pay everytime we play or don't play the Executive courses, play the Championship course & then at least your 30 or $40. green fees will pay for part of your complaining. Personally I feel privileged to play for FREE. I could think of a lot of other things to complain about The Villages besides of all the activities we get!

they aren't FREE! You pay for them monthly and while I really do enjoy them immensely I know we are charged for them through the monthly activities fee....

I don't feel privileged as I worked very hard and chose to come here to live...I earned it and don't mind paying the pittance it does cost to play the execs...

Complaining? So if someone passes info on course conditions it's complaining? I guess if I notice you have a flat tire I'll not mention it...wouldn't want to complain about your cars condition...the course conditions are passed on to inform people in case they don't wish to play a course going through problems or maintenance...if you see that as a complaint then you don't understand *shrug*

[golfing eagles]

they aren't FREE! You pay for them monthly and while I really do enjoy them immensely I know we are charged for them through the monthly activities fee....

I don't feel privileged as I worked very hard and chose to come here to live...I earned it and don't mind paying the pittance it does cost to play the execs...

Complaining? So if someone passes info on course conditions it's complaining? I guess if I notice you have a flat tire I'll not mention it...wouldn't want to complain about your cars condition...the course conditions are passed on to inform people in case they don't wish to play a course going through problems or maintenance...if you see that as a complaint then you don't understand *shrug*

:agree:
I just watched the news, and the meteorologist informed me of the upcoming weather---he must be complaining
But then again I watched for free---oops, forgot the cable bill

And then there could be a secondary gain---If people reading TOTV stay away from a course with poor conditions, it may get less play and a chance to recover

[Polar Bear]

they aren't FREE!...
Yes. They are. To me anyway.

I knew exactly what I was getting when I moved here. And I know I pay an amenities fee and all that. But once I decided to move here and accept the various costs involved...and since I get a lot of value from my amenities fee even if I don't play executive golf...and since I don't pay one cent more or less whether I play executive golf or not...to me the executive golf courses are FREE to play!! :)

[Polar Bear]

///

[golfing eagles]

Yes. They are. To me anyway.

I knew exactly what I was getting when I moved here. And I know I pay an amenities fee and all that. But once I decided to move here and accept the various costs involved...and since I get a lot of value from my amenities fee even if I don't play executive golf...and since I don't pay one cent more or less whether I play executive golf or not...to me the executive golf courses are FREE to play!! :)

I don't know if I buy that argument. Is your irrigation and potable water "free" because you knew about it? I think there is a difference between "free" and consenting to the cost

[Polar Bear]

I don't know if I buy that argument. Is your irrigation and potable water "free" because you knew about it? I think there is a difference between "free" and consenting to the cost
I don't think all the people who think of executive golf as "free" are ignorant of the costs involved. I just don't think they're averse to calling it free since they don't have to pay anything "extra" to play. And since people who will never play a round of golf in TV pay the exact same fees, I think a lot of people are comfortable calling it free. Maybe it's semantics, but I just don't think it's a big deal, or a denial of any facts, to call it free.

And as far as your water example...I pay for what I use. How's that even similar?

[golfing eagles]

I don't think all the people who think of executive golf as "free" are ignorant of the costs involved. I just don't think they're averse to calling it free since they don't have to pay anything "extra" to play. And since people who will never play a round of golf in TV pay the exact same fees, I think a lot of people are comfortable calling it free. Maybe it's semantics, but I just don't think it's a big deal, or a denial of any facts, to call it free.

And as far as your water example...I pay for what I use. How's that even similar?

Fair enough, I think most people(at least those who worked for a living) understand that nothing is free
Water, bad example, sorry. But then again, you pay a base service for water and electricity, even if you use zero

[Polar Bear]

Fair enough, I think most people(at least those who worked for a living) understand that nothing is free

Water, bad example, sorry. But then again, you pay a base service for water and electricity, even if you use zero

I know what you're saying, believe me. It's just easier (I think) to talk about it being free...as opposed to playing golf anywhere else. I would hope most everybody knows the actual details.

[rubicon]

I hit on this thread because I am playing Sweetgum tomorrow 9/30. It appears the course is improving. But given the amount of rain this year and the amount of play its not surprising that the conditions of the courses are not worse.

The number of golfers here only increases even in so called off season so it is no surprise that the Golf Administration keeps courses open longer than perhaps they should . Now with full season in play the need for all courses to be opened is indeed going to strain them.

The only comment I have concerning "free golf" is nothing is free because in the logical sense of it who in their right mind would bear all of the cost to maintain 30+ executive courses for the benefit of thousands of golfers. No one way or another revealed or hidden golfer or golfer not residents pay for these courses.

[Bay Kid]

Free? Cheap, good golf!

[ddharrold]

:agree:
I just watched the news, and the meteorologist informed me of the upcoming weather---he must be complaining
But then again I watched for free---oops, forgot the cable bill

And then there could be a secondary gain---If people reading TOTV stay away from a course with poor conditions, it may get less play and a chance to recover

OKAY guys - as has been pointed out I worked with TOTV staff to create this forum - "The Villages Golf Course Conditions" - as a way to aid we golfers who wish to know the current playing condition of various courses as described by your fellow golfers. Going forward, please limit your post in this forum to golf course conditions and help me keep this entire forum from jumping off the tracks like so often seems to happen on other TOTV forums.

[fred53]

Yes. They are. To me anyway.

I knew exactly what I was getting when I moved here. And I know I pay an amenities fee and all that. But once I decided to move here and accept the various costs involved...and since I get a lot of value from my amenities fee even if I don't play executive golf...and since I don't pay one cent more or less whether I play executive golf or not...to me the executive golf courses are FREE to play!! :)

pretty much the same as thinking that when the gov't funds something it doesn't cost you anything because you pay taxes...a fairly naive point of view, but if it keeps your head in the sand and that's where you like it then it's all good...

personally it bothers me not knowing the execs cost me a very small amount...but telling anyone else it's free is a lie...plain and simple...

[ddharrold]

:agree:
I just watched the news, and the meteorologist informed me of the upcoming weather---he must be complaining
But then again I watched for free---oops, forgot the cable bill

And then there could be a secondary gain---If people reading TOTV stay away from a course with poor conditions, it may get less play and a chance to recover

pretty much the same as thinking that when the gov't funds something it doesn't cost you anything because you pay taxes...a fairly naive point of view, but if it keeps your head in the sand and that's where you like it then it's all good...

personally it bothers me not knowing the execs cost me a very small amount...but telling anyone else it's free is a lie...plain and simple...

I will say it one more time!! These sorts of post are not appropriate for this Forum. This Forum, as previously stated, was created for posting Golf Course Conditions. Continuation of what is/isn't free, references to gov't taxes, etc. will result in your post being moved and/or deleted.