Top 100 Public Courses

[waynet]

Saw a new list of top 100 public courses in Florida. The Villages didn't even have an honorable mention.

[dengid]

Probably not considered Public courses

[waynet]

of course they are public,anyone can play them

[Polar Bear]

FWIW, from golfthevillages.com...

"These courses are considered semi-private facilities..."

[graciegirl]

excuse me, but "golf the villages" is indeed a villages website. The quote i referred to was from "golf the villages", not totv!



and?

[Mallory]

I'm thinking newguy is not happyguyintv.

As an aside, most of those rankings are bought and paid for by the courses and not a true ranking at all.

[golfing eagles]

OK, a private golf course is just that---members only
A public course is just that---open to the public for a fee with no restrictions
A semi-private course generally has a membership, is cheaper than a purely private club but allows the public to play with generally some sort of restriction---certain days or tee times, preferred tee times for members, tournaments restricted to members, etc.

So, unlike others, the "Horse's mouth" was not talking trash

[newguyintv]

OK, a private golf course is just that---members only
A public course is just that---open to the public for a fee with no restrictions
A semi-private course generally has a membership, is cheaper than a purely private club but allows the public to play with generally some sort of restriction---certain days or tee times, preferred tee times for members, tournaments restricted to members, etc.

So, unlike others, the "Horse's mouth" was not talking trash

Thanks. Guess that means that now there are two of us who know what we are talking about.

[rubicon]

Wow this thread is a classic example of what several consecutive days in the high 90's can do to the brain.

The championship courses here are public courses. Beside that top 100 list is like all of those top citis, vacation spots, etc pure bupkis

[golfing eagles]

So sorry to disagree, but.....
From golf.about.com----Definition:

A "semi-private course" is the term applied to golf courses that sell memberships, but also allow non-members to book tee times and play. So a semi-private course combines elements of a country club with elements of a public golf course.

What benefits do members of a semi-private course receive? Typically, reduced (or waived) green fees, sometimes preferential tee times, and access to other amenities or perks offered by the club.

Non-members can play the golf course, but typically pay higher green fees and might be restricted from entering other parts of the club (swimming pool or tennis courts, for example).

From the same site----Public courses: A public golf course is one that is open to the general public. Everyone who plays golf is welcome at a public golf course. Within the public category, there are two main sub-types - the municipal course and the daily fee course.
Municipal courses are those owned by cities or counties and run for the benefit of the local citizens (although they are open to all golfers regardless of place of residence). Daily fee courses are also open to everyone, but are privately owned and generally more upscale - and, therefore, more expensive - than municipal courses.

Since residents of TV can pay a fee to "join" 1,2,3,4 or all 12 courses, and get the benefits of swimming pool, tennis court and preferred tee time based on a point system that favors priority members, these course are SEMI-PRIVATE, NOT PUBLIC

[JGVillages]

of course they are public,anyone can play them

You have to be a resident or guest of a resident to play so they are not considerd public

[JGVillages]

Saw a new list of top 100 public courses in Florida. The Villages didn't even have an honorable mention.

Public, private, or semi-private, if the category is "top 100" none of The Villages championship layouts would or should necessarily qualify. I have been in Florida for 27+ years and have played all 3 of these course categories extensively. The Villages layouts are OK and their conditioning are OK- at best so the top 100 is not gonna happen.

[newguyintv]

You have to be a resident or guest of a resident to play so they are not considerd public

With all due respect. That is not true. Any dude from anywhere can walk in and get a Tee Time.

[Bosoxfan]

You have to be a resident or guest of a resident to play so they are not considerd public

Not true. The general public can get on for a higher fee. They cannot however make tee time prior to day of play.

[Polar Bear]

With all due respect. That is not true. Any dude from anywhere can walk in and get a Tee Time.

TV courses are still considered semi-private by definition, not public.

[golfing eagles]

Public, private, or semi-private, if the category is "top 100" none of The Villages championship layouts would or should necessarily qualify. I have been in Florida for 27+ years and have played all 3 of these course categories extensively. The Villages layouts are OK and their conditioning are OK- at best so the top 100 is not gonna happen.

:agree:
Here are the criteria golf digest uses to rank courses:
February 2015



1. SHOT VALUES
How well do the holes pose a variety of risks and rewards and equally test length, accuracy and finesse?


2. RESISTANCE TO SCORING
How difficult, while still being fair, is the course for a scratch player from the back tees?


3. DESIGN VARIETY
How varied are the holes in differing lengths, configurations, hazard placements, green shapes and green contours?


4. MEMORABILITY
How well do the design features provide individuality to each hole yet a collective continuity to the entire 18?


5. AESTHETICS
How well do the scenic values of the course add to the pleasure of a round?


6. CONDITIONING
How firm, fast and rolling were the fairways, and how firm yet receptive were the greens on the day you played the course?


7. AMBIENCE
How well does the overall feel and atmosphere of the course reflect or uphold the traditional values of the game?

With 16,052 courses in Florida as of 2005, I wouldn't hold my breath until one of ours appears. Best chance for the future---Belle Glade if the conditioning is nearly perfect

[John_W]

On Golf.com they list 30 of the best public courses in Florida. Best-public-golf-courses-florida-2014 (http://www.golf.com/courses-and-travel/best-public-golf-courses-florida-2014) On the list, #5 and #11 are the two courses at World Woods in Brooksville. I've played those courses 3 times, after the first time I went back only because my neighbor wanted to play them again. For $65 and a 90 minute drive, I didn't feel they were worth leaving TV.

They had a lot of trees and looked like a northern course, and they were pretty hard to play. At the time they were rated #3 and #9 when I went and to me they were just OK.

I much rather play my old neighborhood course back in Baltimore, that would be Geneva Farms. Over age 55 it's just $37, which includes a hot dog and drink at the turn. That course was the most fun I've had playing anywhere. The 6th hole for example is 442 yards from the white tees uphill. If you hit a 240 yard drive, you'll have reach the crest of the hill and then get to look at a 200 yard shot slightly down hill to the green with a pond in front. It looks like this.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ce/5b/50/ce5b5074923f21c0958aa589d7d89a9c.jpg

[alwann]

.... allow non-members to book tee times and play. So a semi-private course combines elements of a country club with elements of a public golf course.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe "non-members" in TV can book tee times. Have to be a guest or a property owner. So the definition cited doesn't hold true.

All that aside, TV courses may not be anything special in terms of architectural design or difficulty, compared to the tracks usually cited in those polls, but playing them is enough of a challenge for me, and they don't bust my budget.

[Polar Bear]

...TV courses may not be anything special in terms of architectural design or difficulty, compared to the tracks usually cited in those polls, but playing them is enough of a challenge for me, and they don't bust my budget.
Come on, alwann...this is way too 'common sense' for this thread. :)

[Ozzello]

.... allow non-members to book tee times and play. So a semi-private course combines elements of a country club with elements of a public golf course.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe "non-members" in TV can book tee times. Have to be a guest or a property owner. So the definition cited doesn't hold true.

All that aside, TV courses may not be anything special in terms of architectural design or difficulty, compared to the tracks usually cited in those polls, but playing them is enough of a challenge for me, and they don't bust my budget.

Anyone, yes ANYONE (properly dressed with a green fee) can play the championship courses. Resident or guest ID is required to play the execs.

I have met some residents over the years, on the putting and chipping greens, that were of the opinion I was not allowed to use the practice facility nor play the championship courses (back before I was a resident). A few stormed off to the starter shack, to have me removed I assume. Funny, they never returned. I do think there may be some salesmen out there selling homes and inflating the level of self importance gained by becoming a resident of TV, considering the level of indignation some of these 'gentlemen' expressed at my presence. Wish I could go back in time and see how many of those guys had a horrible short game. Jealousy can make people do some ugly things.

[Polar Bear]

Anyone, yes ANYONE (properly dressed with a green fee) can play the championship courses...

Yep. But they're still considered semi-private courses...not public.

[Taltarzac725]

Florida's Top 75 Golf Courses : Golf Digest (http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-courses/2015-01/75-best-public-golf-courses-in-florida?currentPage=1)

Here's one of those rankings.

[Ozzello]

Yep. But they're still considered semi-private courses...not public.

yet open....to the public ;P

[Ozzello]

As semi-private courses go, the "membership" or amenities available to purchase here at TV's championship courses, is about the least amount of nicety you could dream up to sell someone at a golf course, making these courses the least amount of private you can get and be called semi-private. Except the use of the country club pools is a nice bonus.. though I disdain swimming in public pools, including private...and semi-private...public pools.

[Barefoot]

...

[golfing eagles]

As semi-private courses go, the "membership" or amenities available to purchase here at TV's championship courses, is about the least amount of nicety you could dream up to sell someone at a golf course, making these courses the least amount of private you can get and be called semi-private. Except the use of the country club pools is a nice bonus.. though I disdain swimming in public pools, including private...and semi-private...public pools.

I'm not sure what additional amenities you would like to see. At my private course in NY there are 2 tennis courts, no pool, nice bar, mediocre restaurant and decent pro shop. The semi-private courses in the area are generally a golf course, building, possibly with a restaurant that is best described as a tavern menu--no tennis, no pool. When I was a guest at Winged Foot, for example, there were a few more amenities, but the ones they had were of course much nicer. Same was true at Baltusrol, Westchester CC, and Shinnecock to name a few. I find the main advantage of priority membership at TV is the on line reservation system. Yes, the public can play by calling the course same day, but unless you're a single, good luck with that in season.

[Polar Bear]

yet open....to the public ;P

yet still...semi-private courses. ;P

[Taltarzac725]

Florida Semi-Private Golf Courses -Florida Semi-Private Golf Course List (http://www.floridasgolf.com/semiprivategolfcourses.html)

Another directory of golf courses in Florida. No rankings though. A few Villages' ones here. It looks pretty out-of-date as far as Villages' golf courses go.

[kcrazorbackfan]

What. Does. It. Matter? Top 100/75/50 or whatever ratings will make the rates go up even more than the 1/1/16 increases. Jeez, just play and enjoy (or not enjoy) that you're above the grass. Seriously, with a LOT of the swings I've seen in the short time I've been here, LESSONS should be a top concern and not ratings.

[Ozzello]

I'm not sure what additional amenities you would like to see. At my private course in NY there are 2 tennis courts, no pool, nice bar, mediocre restaurant and decent pro shop. The semi-private courses in the area are generally a golf course, building, possibly with a restaurant that is best described as a tavern menu--no tennis, no pool. When I was a guest at Winged Foot, for example, there were a few more amenities, but the ones they had were of course much nicer. Same was true at Baltusrol, Westchester CC, and Shinnecock to name a few. I find the main advantage of priority membership at TV is the on line reservation system. Yes, the public can play by calling the course same day, but unless you're a single, good luck with that in season.

Easier tee times and what..7 bucks off? Pretty lame imo. Never had trouble getting a tee time at a championship course in season or out, but then I play mostly off campus in 'season'. TV courses are tramped to death,