Championship golf course rates

[emanzione]

Just wondering why the rates on the Championship Golf Courses continue to go up year after year after year. With the amount of CONTINOUS play they receive , they should be making enough suitable income already. I do not see other Championship Courses in the area doing the same...just the villages....can someone explain ?.

[MikeV]

What the traffic will bear.

[justjim]

All of the literature that I read indicates that "golf" is in serious decline across the country. The USGA has been very concerned as the number of golfers and rounds continue to decline. One of the major reasons is the time it takes to play 18 holes of golf.

As Retirees we have the time! The Villages I think are competive when compared to other Championship courses in Florida. Of course, they will charge whatever the market will bear and they have an excellent market. Fore!

[newguyintv]

Just wondering why the rates on the Championship Golf Courses continue to go up year after year after year. With the amount of CONTINOUS play they receive , they should be making enough suitable income already. I do not see other Championship Courses in the area doing the same...just the villages....can someone explain ?.

They will keep raising them as long as you keep paying them. They don't exist to please you, they are in business t make a profit. If you want to save a buck go to the other courses you reference.

[emanzione]

Hey NEWGUYINTV..it's not a question of saving a buck..this is a RETIREMENT COMMUNITY....it is wrong for ANYONE to take advantage of the elderly retired...do you understand this ???

[Bogie Shooter]

You can only be taken advantage of , if you allow it
If the extra buck is too much for you....his advice should be taken.

[alwann]

Just wondering why the rates on the Championship Golf Courses continue to go up year after year after year. With the amount of CONTINOUS play they receive , they should be making enough suitable income already. I do not see other Championship Courses in the area doing the same...just the villages....can someone explain ?.

I haven't been paying attention. How much have the rates changed? I have a priority membership and, in the three years I've been here, don't recall any major changes (except I feel Palmer is over-priced).

The irritant for me is how much the prices get jacked up in the winter. Many of us play off-site instead, where prices are cheaper - although the gap seems to be closing. I still don't understand why the owners do this. It drives away the full-timers, peeves the would-be buyers, and does nothing to reduce tee time demand.

[Polar Bear]

...prices get jacked up in the winter...I still don't understand why the owners do this. It drives away the full-timers, peeves the would-be buyers, and...

...does nothing to reduce tee time demand.

I'm afraid you answered your own question. :)

[newguyintv]

Hey NEWGUYINTV..it's not a question of saving a buck..this is a RETIREMENT COMMUNITY....it is wrong for ANYONE to take advantage of the elderly retired...do you understand this ???

Sorry but you don't understand. Rates will keep rising as long as there is a profit to be made. If you don't like the heat, get out of the kitchen!

[Mikeod]

Hey NEWGUYINTV..it's not a question of saving a buck..this is a RETIREMENT COMMUNITY....it is wrong for ANYONE to take advantage of the elderly retired...do you understand this ???
The championship courses are not part of our amenities. They are a privately owned business able to set their prices as they see fit. If the owners see play decreasing because of the fees enough to make them unprofitable, they will change. Although they are golf cart convenient, they are no different from any public access course anywhere.

Plus, they do make concessions during the summer with the late tee time fees, and ability to play and pay for nine holes.

The executive courses are still available.

[John_W]

I didn't notice any difference from last year, I pay the usual $20 or $21 to play after 11am except Palmer is $24. It's the winter rates that I disagree with, and that's when I will play the executives, can't beat the price on them.

I would prefer if they charged the same rate all year and higher on the weekends, that's how it was done in Maryland and they usually didn't have any income from mid-Dec to mid -March because of the weather. They could still keep their Priority Membership and I'll ignore like I do now.

I had 7 very nice courses to choose from within 25 miles of my house, they were all $30 to $37, with the highest one providing a free hot dog and coke at the turn. That's what I would like to see done here. $35 all year long and if they want, charge more on the weekend, I'm usually playing softball or watching football on the weekends and don't care about the weekends.

[fred53]

Hey NEWGUYINTV..it's not a question of saving a buck..this is a RETIREMENT COMMUNITY....it is wrong for ANYONE to take advantage of the elderly retired...do you understand this ???

it isn't wrong....and it isn't taking advantage as playing golf isn't a right and you don't need to do it to survive...wrong and taking advantage would be selling them things they don't need or jacking up the prices for just them...the prices go up for everyone...

Feeling entitled is a progressive belief that is being pushed by the liberals in the world and no one is entitled...

[bagboy]

The cost of championship golf right now is $25 to $37 before 11 am, $19 to $25 after 11am. And for awhile longer $6 all you can play after 5pm. That is VERY reasonable. The price does go up "in season" but compared to other parts of the country it's still a bargain. Any area that has a "season" will see rates go up for everything from food, lodging, to entertainment and shopping. This is business as usual all across the world.
But I'm still not over White Castles not being a nickel anymore.

[kathygeorge]

Oh no! Why am I working so hard to sell my house here at Lake of the Woods in locusts grove, va. if the Villages is getting too crowded and expensive. I'm getting discouraged. Will somebody please reassure me I'm making the right decision.

[graciegirl]

Oh no! Why am I working so hard to sell my house here at Lake of the Woods in locusts grove, va. if the Villages is getting too crowded and expensive. I'm getting discouraged. Will somebody please reassure me I'm making the right decision.




Please read all of my posts. All of my posts. ALL of my posts.

Compare this..Lake of the Woods - Clubhouse (http://www.lowa.org/Amenities/Clubhouse.aspx)

to 12 Championship courses, 33 Executive courses, Seven Regional Rec centers and more than a dozen neighborhood rec centers and 77 public pools....just for starters. Billionaires and people who have worked hard all of their lives and never expected to live like this, live here.

[dewilson58]

Oh no! Why am I working so hard to sell my house here at Lake of the Woods in locusts grove, va. if the Villages is getting too crowded and expensive. I'm getting discouraged. Will somebody please reassure me I'm making the right decision.

100,000 people down here (some seasonal, some full time, so vacationers), now count the number of negative comments on your fingers. Not many places have that many satisfied people vs. the 1/2 empty glass holders. I remember when gas was $0.27 per gallon. Still buying gas and still enjoying driving my car.

:welcome::welcome:

[ajbrown]

I haven't been paying attention. How much have the rates changed? I have a priority membership and, in the three years I've been here, don't recall any major changes (except I feel Palmer is over-priced).

Stuff snipped...

I agree they can set price at what the market will bear, but I was curious about this, so looked back in Quicken. My records only go back to the winter season of 2008 for a priority member.

2008 2016

Havana $30 $38
Tierra $27 $35
GV $30 $37
OB $22 $29
Palmer $40 $43

I do not have any records of pricing for non priority members and could not find old price sheets to compare.

[rjn5656]

Off site courses are more than competitive during the winter, conditions are usually better, and the courses appreciate your business. And it is a nice change of play.

[justjim]

Wheather you are a "casual" golfer or a "serious" golfer or somewhere in between (casual/serious) there is golf for everyone here in The Villages. You can play nine hole executive courses and it doesn't cost you anything except your monthly amenity fee. You can live in a $900,000 home or $125,000 home and be quite comfortable.

Isn't this a great place or what?

[Mikeod]

A lot depends on where you come from. John W mentioned several courses near his former residence that charged in the $30-40 range. I looked at where I lived and the nice courses charge around $65-75 weekdays and $85-100 weekends/holidays. So the rates here, even in high season, don't seem so bad. And there are places to play outside the bubble that are even less expensive. I remember that I had to get in the car and drive before, so it's not much of an inconvenience to do so now.

[tomwed]

I agree they can set price at what the market will bear, but I was curious about this, so looked back in Quicken. My records only go back to the winter season of 2008 for a priority member.

2008 2016

Havana $30 $38
Tierra $27 $35
GV $30 $37
OB $22 $29
Palmer $40 $43

I do not have any records of pricing for non priority members and could not find old price sheets to compare.

That's very helpful. The courses go up about a dollar a year. I like the after 5 summertime rate. I also think it's very decent of the courses to charge half as much for nine holes. Where I'm from the nine hole rate is about 2/3 the 18 hole rate.

[justjim]

A lot depends on where you come from. John W mentioned several courses near his former residence that charged in the $30-40 range. I looked at where I lived and the nice courses charge around $65-75 weekdays and $85-100 weekends/holidays. So the rates here, even in high season, don't seem so bad. And there are places to play outside the bubble that are even less expensive. I remember that I had to get in the car and drive before, so it's not much of an inconvenience to do so now.

I play with a group that goes outside the bubble twice a month during the winter months. We take turns driving and keep the group to two foursome's with a couple of guys that will sub. It's a good "change of pace" and the cost depends on what courses we play. Sometimes it's less than TV and sometimes a bit more.

When we make our "trek" north in the summer, it's similar. You can play for as little as $25 including cart (senior days) or pay $50-$75 depending on the courses you play. I find myself leaning toward the cheaper (but maintained) courses the older I get and as my skill level diminishes.

[billethkid]

I am wondering if those who are concerned about the price of playing 18 holes here in TV were golfers before they came here. If yes, then one knows that the rates here in TV are very attractively price compared to comparable clubs and clourses.

As far as the pricing to play on the championship courses dicouraging potential buyers, I would think here again....maybe only the non golfers....the rest will look at the prices as a savings for life......TV has grown over double in size over the last 10 years for a reason.

To each his/her own....the priority club rates are reasonable even after the price increase.

[JoMar]

Hey NEWGUYINTV..it's not a question of saving a buck..this is a RETIREMENT COMMUNITY....it is wrong for ANYONE to take advantage of the elderly retired...do you understand this ???

Take advantage of? I guess you didn't investigate this place much before you moved here. Championship Golf courses, restaurants, shops and stores are not included and are not here for any other reason then to make a profit. If your retirement doesn't let you participate there are lots of other activities to fit everyone's financial situation. They have no obligation to structure their business around an individuals circumstances.

[dewilson58]

Take advantage of? I guess you didn't investigate this place much before you moved here. Championship Golf courses, restaurants, shops and stores are not included and are not here for any other reason then to make a profit. If your retirement doesn't let you participate there are lots of other activities to fit everyone's financial situation. They have no obligation to structure their business around an individuals circumstances.

:coolsmiley:

The way I look at it....................I need to budget $7,500 per year for golf in TV. It's cheaper than my country club up North and I have more than 18 holes to play. Just my way of thinking.

[tomwed]

Have you ever used golfnow.com?

Do me a favor. Go to golfnow.com. Look at the courses that are discounted in our area and tell me what ones are usually in good shape.
I think I might make a big circle on google maps, bring my camera and scout out the neighboring courses outside the villages that use golfnow.
For now I am very happy to play the champs after 5pm.

[Bogie Shooter]

Oh no! Why am I working so hard to sell my house here at Lake of the Woods in locusts grove, va. if the Villages is getting too crowded and expensive. I'm getting discouraged. Will somebody please reassure me I'm making the right decision.

Start by quit reading TOTV......if you can't pick out the whiners!

[tomwed]

On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best I would give: all the champs I played in TV a 5
continental - 3
lakes of lady lake - 1

I think these are the closest courses to me.

Are any of the ones below a 4 or 5?
wedgewood
harbor hills
water oak
links of spruce creek
miona lake golf club
van der valk
mission inn

[newguyintv]

On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best I would give: all the champs I played in TV a 5
continental - 3
lakes of lady lake - 1

I think these are the closest courses to me.

Are any of the ones below a 4 or 5?
wedgewood
harbor hills
water oak
links of spruce creek
miona lake golf club
van der valk
mission inn

By comparison to TV which I don't disagree should be a five on a scale of 1-10.

Harbor Hills = 8
Water Oak= -3
Links of Spruce Creek =5
Miona Lake = -2
Mission Inn = 10

Never heard of the other two so they are probably in negative numbers also.

[David73]

What you all need to understand, is THE VILLAGES was designed for our residents to be catered to. Translation: You get to use YOUR OWN golf cart, no extra charge. You get a "contained" environment with teriffic facilities, prices that are competitive, and you dont have to schlep your clubs in and out of your car, etc, etc, etc.

Want real world prices? Go to Orlando. Go to Tampa. Go to Gainsville. The championship courses in THE VILLAGES ARE PUBLIC GOLF COURSES. ANYONE can play here as long as they are willing to pay the price. PRIORITY memberships are exactly what they imply. You pay for PRIORITY you get PRIORITY when REQUESTING a tee time up to 7 days in advance. Non priority residents, get whats left, OUTSIDERS can only obtain a tee time by calling the TEE TIME OFFICE 3 days in advance of the desired day of play, or the golf course ON THE DAY OF PLAY.

Do the math. What do you think each course has to pay maintenance staff, starters, golf course SHOP staff, etc??? If you factor in minimum wage, the number per day will scare the pants off of you. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.

[Polar Bear]

What you all need to understand, is THE VILLAGES was designed for our residents to be catered to. Translation: You get to use YOUR OWN golf cart, no extra charge. You get a "contained" environment with teriffic facilities, prices that are competitive, and you dont have to schlep your clubs in and out of your car, etc, etc, etc.



Want real world prices? Go to Orlando. Go to Tampa. Go to Gainsville. The championship courses in THE VILLAGES ARE PUBLIC GOLF COURSES. ANYONE can play here as long as they are willing to pay the price. PRIORITY memberships are exactly what they imply. You pay for PRIORITY you get PRIORITY when REQUESTING a tee time up to 7 days in advance. Non priority residents, get whats left, OUTSIDERS can only obtain a tee time by calling the TEE TIME OFFICE 3 days in advance of the desired day of play, or the golf course ON THE DAY OF PLAY.



Do the math. What do you think each course has to pay maintenance staff, starters, golf course SHOP staff, etc??? If you factor in minimum wage, the number per day will scare the pants off of you. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.

I agree with much of what you say, but TV championship courses are not by definition public. They are semi-private.

[JoMar]

I agree with much of what you say, but TV championship courses are not by definition public. They are semi-private.

The public can play the Championship Courses in TV. They are at the bottom of the food chain (for tee times) but they can get on, especially in the summer.

[Polar Bear]

The public can play the Championship Courses in TV. They are at the bottom of the food chain (for tee times) but they can get on, especially in the summer.

I know. You are absolutely right. But it doesn't change the fact that TV Championship courses are semi-private.

[Northwoods]

I think The Villages Championship courses are very nice. If they increase rates it's because the market is willing to pay it. People who think we're "entitled" to low rates on championship courses have to realize that cheaper rates would create a different issue - there would be more demand than course availability. People would complain they can't get on a Championship course. I think the current strategy works well. Plus there are Executive courses which are VERY cost-effective.

[Roaddog53]

By comparison to TV which I don't disagree should be a five on a scale of 1-10.

Harbor Hills = 8
Water Oak= -3
Links of Spruce Creek =5
Miona Lake = -2
Mission Inn = 10

Never heard of the other two so they are probably in negative numbers also.

Regarding the rate increases in the winter. My guess is much of it is tied to the snowbirds. They come down between October-April in general. They are more than willing to pay the prices since they CAN'T play in the far northern states. The rate increases in winter coincide with that time. The fall and spring rates tie more into the increased play when not as hot yet.
The rates charged in TV to me are high for what you are getting and conditions and (you already HAVE a golf cart otherwise add $10 per person if need a cart in TV) but again as all said it is tied to supply and demand. No tee times and lots of traffic. Very similar to the rates in city courses such as Tampa, Orlando. If you want to play you will pay. It is not gouging, taking advantage of, or wrong. You don't have to play them.

Remember, although you can "drive" your cart to TV courses, depending on which one and your house, you may be 10-50+ minutes one way from it by cart. No different than getting in your car and driving.

In the summer time we play most times here after 11:00am since competitive Sometimes we go off site. We ALWAYS go offsite in the winter and have not paid over $28 for 18 holes unless with a group and than includes lunch, balls, range ball...
Right now: Spruce Creek-$15 at 8:00 am with a free lunch. Eagle Ridge-$12.25 12:45 pm shotgun 2 days a week. Others $20-$28

I would not rate most TV courses above 5-6. Average at best on condition AND character based on 40+ years of play all over the US. Including some of the top courses and some municipal courses. There are municipal courses that TV don;t hold a candle to in condition and character.

My take on some offsite I played.
Harbor Hills = 6 or 7
Water Oak= 2 Dangerous layout
Links of Spruce Creek = 5 or 6 same as TV
Eagle Ridge = 7 or 8 lots of character
Sanctuary Ridge = 5 or 6 views are amazing
Continental = 3 or 4
Ocala National = 7
Otter Creek = 5
Black Bear = 7 or 8
Summer Glen = 6

Go to GolfNow and see ratings of offsite courses too and some good rates

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

What the traffic will bear.

That in addition to the fact that most costs go up year after year. Are the employees of the courses making the same amount of money as they did last year? Is the cost of chemicals, gas and oil the same? As the golf courses get older do they cost more to maintain? Do greens need to be replaced? Are older grasses more susceptible to diseases? Have taxes and the cost of government regulation gone up?

Why does the cost of anything go up every year?

[Bogie Shooter]

I think it is worth noting all the courses that have been rebuilt and up dated the past few years. Some of our fees are being put back into the courses.

[tomwed]

• UNLIMITED PLAY. Tee times after the afternoon wave include unlimited play
(based on course availability on the same course) for the remainder of the day. this is from the Rates and Fees pdf

What time is the afternoon wave on the championship courses?
How often is unlimited play unavailable due to course availability? very often? often? not often?

[newguyintv]

I know. You are absolutely right. But it doesn't change the fact that TV Championship courses are semi-private.

They are public courses (primarily for residents) who have no say in how they are operated, have no restaurants operations that cater to them, they have no elected board of directors that have a say in how they are operated and have recurring maintenance level issues that wouldn't be tolerated by semi private clubs in other areas and they have no locker room facillities that are plentifully available in many Semi-Private Clubs. There are in fact NO members unless you think paying a priority fee for preferred tee times with no right to vote on anything makes you a member.

[golfing eagles]

They are public courses (primarily for residents) who have no say in how they are operated, have no restaurants operations that cater to them, they have no elected board of directors that have a say in how they are operated and have recurring maintenance level issues that wouldn't be tolerated by semi private clubs in other areas and they have no locker room facillities that are plentifully available in many Semi-Private Clubs. There are in fact NO members unless you think paying a priority fee for preferred tee times with no right to vote on anything makes you a member.

The following DEFINITION of a semi-private golf club comes directly from golf.com:

""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.

The term "semi-private course" is one used most commonly in the United States. But many of the famous links of Great Britain, for example, qualify as semi-private.

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)."

I think the championship courses pretty much meet this definition

[Polar Bear]

They are public courses (primarily for residents) who have no say in how they are operated, have no restaurants operations that cater to them, they have no elected board of directors that have a say in how they are operated and have recurring maintenance level issues that wouldn't be tolerated by semi private clubs in other areas and they have no locker room facillities that are plentifully available in many Semi-Private Clubs. There are in fact NO members unless you think paying a priority fee for preferred tee times with no right to vote on anything makes you a member.

Rant all you want. By definition they are semi-private. If you want to generically call them "public" because anybody can play them, fine.

But to say they are not semi-private is to deny the reality of what defines a semi-private course. Priority Members have lower rates, better access to tees times, availability of tournaments, etc...thus semi-private. The availability of locker rooms and other such facilities is irrelevant. Sounds to me like you're talking about fully private clubs.

I know this will mean nothing to you in resolving our disagreement, but here is a quote from the golfthevillages.com Championship Golf web page: "These courses are considered semi-private facilities with fee structures designed to be affordable for Villages residents."

[tomwed]

They are public courses (primarily for residents) who have no say in how they are operated, have no restaurants operations that cater to them, they have no elected board of directors that have a say in how they are operated and have recurring maintenance level issues that wouldn't be tolerated by semi private clubs in other areas and they have no locker room facillities that are plentifully available in many Semi-Private Clubs. There are in fact NO members unless you think paying a priority fee for preferred tee times with no right to vote on anything makes you a member.
All that's true but by definition the TV Championship courses are semi-private. I forget where that is posted. Does anyone remember?

[JoMar]

Rant all you want. By definition they are semi-private. If you want to generically call them "public" because anybody can play them, fine.

But to say they are not semi-private is to deny the reality of what defines a semi-private course. Priority Members have lower rates, better access to tees times, availability of tournaments, etc...thus semi-private.

I know this will mean nothing to you in resolving our disagreement, but here is a quote from the golfthevillages.com Championship Golf web page: "These courses are considered semi-private facilities with fee structures designed to be affordable for Villages residents."

I belonged to both private and semi private courses. Every semi private course I belonged to had club storage, locker and shower facilities, food services and special tournaments i.e., member guest tournaments, that actually shut down the course and membership fees that eliminate green fees. The Champ courses offer none of that. The food service is owned and managed by someone else. If you want to call it semi private that's ok, but the reality is the Champs are public courses with a discount card for people that are residents of The Villages.

[Bogie Shooter]

All that's true but by definition the TV Championship courses are semi-private. I forget where that is posted. Does anyone remember?

Read post #42.........

[tomwed]

Read post #42.........
thank-you---I knew it was from a trusted source. The Villages defined it themselves. Now I get it, if the course is part of a real estate community then by definition it is semi-private now matter how it's run or what it offers. Our HS golf course called itself a Country Club but it was just like all the public courses. Country Club sounded more prestigious.

[Polar Bear]

I belonged to both private and semi private courses. Every semi private course I belonged to had club storage, locker and shower facilities, food services and special tournaments i.e., member guest tournaments, that actually shut down the course and membership fees that eliminate green fees. The Champ courses offer none of that. The food service is owned and managed by someone else. If you want to call it semi private that's ok, but the reality is the Champs are public courses with a discount card for people that are residents of The Villages.

Nope. Reality=semi-private. Just do the typical on-line search. You will see.

And tomweb...here is the link to the TV statement...second paragraph...

Golf The Villages (http://golfthevillages.com/championship-golf/index.asp)

[golfing eagles]

I belonged to both private and semi private courses. Every semi private course I belonged to had club storage, locker and shower facilities, food services and special tournaments i.e., member guest tournaments, that actually shut down the course and membership fees that eliminate green fees. The Champ courses offer none of that. The food service is owned and managed by someone else. If you want to call it semi private that's ok, but the reality is the Champs are public courses with a discount card for people that are residents of The Villages.

Sorry, but just because someone says the Earth is flat does not change the DEFINITION of a spheroid.

I've belonged to a private club for 30 years, we have a board of governors and membership meetings with voting.
There are many semi-private clubs in the area, they are all OWNED by some entity or person, and the "members" get no say or vote whatsoever. Some have lockers and showers, some don't. Some have club storage, some have tournaments like a member-guest

Are you a priority member? If so, you must believe you are wasting your money to get the same product the general public gets
If not, good luck with peak season tee times vis a vis the MEMBERS of these SEMI-PRIVATE CLUBS. Oh, and no swimming or tennis for you, as you pay the full resident price for golf

That being said, we can agree to disagree, and just enjoy golf year round

[tomwed]

Sorry, but just because someone says the Earth is flat does not change the DEFINITION of a spheroid.

I've belonged to a private club for 30 years, we have a board of governors and membership meetings with voting.
There are many semi-private clubs in the area, they are all OWNED by some entity or person, and the "members" get no say or vote whatsoever. Some have lockers and showers, some don't. Some have club storage, some have tournaments like a member-guest

Are you a priority member? If so, you must believe you are wasting your money to get the same product the general public gets
If not, good luck with peak season tee times vis a vis the MEMBERS of these SEMI-PRIVATE CLUBS. Oh, and no swimming or tennis for you, as you pay the full resident price for golf

That being said, we can agree to disagree, and just enjoy golf year round
It's a prepaid discount card that costs $550.

If half the time it saves you $10 and the other half $15 you need to play [550/12.50] 44 times a year to break even. If you play Evens Prairie all year round your golf bill for 44 rounds would be 11x31 11x37 11x26 11x31 = 1375 + 550= 1925

If you play twice a week your total golf bill is 104 - 44 =60 rounds at an average of 31 =1800/yr plus 1925

So for $3725 you play twice a week.

It's not for me at this time. If I was tearing up the execs I might think differently. I want to play 9 holes or more in the afternoon after the wave.

When is the wave? Playing in the summer is practically free at 5pm.

[golfing eagles]

It's a prepaid discount card that costs $550.

If half the time it saves you $10 and the other half $15 you need to play [550/12.50] 44 times a year to break even. If you play Evens Prairie all year round your golf bill for 44 rounds would be 11x31 11x37 11x26 11x31 = 1375 + 550= 1925

If you play twice a week your total golf bill is 104 - 44 =60 rounds at an average of 31 =1800/yr plus 1925

So for $3725 you play twice a week.

It's not for me at this time. If I was tearing up the execs I might think differently. I want to play 9 holes or more in the afternoon after the wave.

When is the wave? Playing in the summer is practically free at 5pm.

Great analysis, but I'm not sure I get the point. Golf is expensive?
I was imply siding with those who believe the championship courses are semi-private, and cited a published definition to support that claim.

As far as the cost, I play 2x/week for 24 weeks out of the year and pay far more per year, so TV golf is a huge bargain for me, even after paying greens fees and priority membership

As far as "tearing up" the execs goes, it's not that easy. Par threes generally play to a higher scoring average than 4's and 5's, and much more if looking at strokes/yard

[tomwed]

I was trying to decide for myself if I wanted to play the champs and what it would cost. I thought I would share the numbers.

I think maybe this deserves a new discussion. But I was wondering if I could either have:
unlimited exec golf
or 2 rounds a week at a championship course which would I want?

I don't know.

[bagboy]

IMO, the championship golf courses here are decent, a couple I like better than the rest. The prices are affordable, and depending on the time of year the conditions are good. There are too many factors for me to fairly compare them to the public and private courses in central Ohio and the 100 courses ( I've played 70 or so) in the Myrtle Beach area. Ohio I grew up in, and I lived in Myrtle Beach for 12 years.
You can call our courses country clubs, public or semi private, whatever you wish. But in my experience, they are nice, well maintained and well run facilities. And the price to play regardless of the time of year is extremely reasonable.

[golfing eagles]

I was trying to decide for myself if I wanted to play the champs and what it would cost. I thought I would share the numbers.

I think maybe this deserves a new discussion. But I was wondering if I could either have:
unlimited exec golf
or 2 rounds a week at a championship course which would I want?

I don't know.

The good news is that you can have both!

The only limitations are:
The number of hours of daylight
Your golf budget
Your body's endurance
(and probably your spouse)

[JoMar]

Sorry, but just because someone says the Earth is flat does not change the DEFINITION of a spheroid.

I've belonged to a private club for 30 years, we have a board of governors and membership meetings with voting.
There are many semi-private clubs in the area, they are all OWNED by some entity or person, and the "members" get no say or vote whatsoever. Some have lockers and showers, some don't. Some have club storage, some have tournaments like a member-guest

Are you a priority member? If so, you must believe you are wasting your money to get the same product the general public gets
If not, good luck with peak season tee times vis a vis the MEMBERS of these SEMI-PRIVATE CLUBS. Oh, and no swimming or tennis for you, as you pay the full resident price for golf

That being said, we can agree to disagree, and just enjoy golf year round

I agree that we will disagree......and yes I am a priority member primarily for the tee times since the group I play with are all priority and as you know, if a non priority plays, the tee time rules go to the lowest rank. Not all private clubs are as you stated, a local one, Bay Hill comes to mind. Also, all the clubs owned by Trump are privately owned. Also some semi-private clubs are member owned. There may be a definition out there that someone published but there are no regs so people can call it what they want and run it the way they want. Kinda like TV

[golfing eagles]

I agree that we will disagree......and yes I am a priority member primarily for the tee times since the group I play with are all priority and as you know, if a non priority plays, the tee time rules go to the lowest rank. Not all private clubs are as you stated, a local one, Bay Hill comes to mind. Also, all the clubs owned by Trump are privately owned. Also some semi-private clubs are member owned. There may be a definition out there that someone published but there are no regs so people can call it what they want and run it the way they want. Kinda like TV

So, in other words, you are getting some of the stated benefits in the definition of a semi-private course by virtue of your preferred tee times, reduced green fees and pool access as a priority member. Great!!!

I'm not so sure Bay Hill or Trump is a good example of a private club---they fit more into the category of resort courses, not truly restricted to members and their guests. I've played Bay Hill and Trump when it was Doral, and frankly, they are not worth the money--and that was in 1977---now Bay Hill is $225.
Of course, you can join Bay Hill. Initiation is $30,000. Dues just under $9,000/ year. Minimum is $1200/year and then they nickel and dime you for club storage, range fees, locker etc. But my favorite is the trail fee if you use your own cart of $2,000/year when cart rental there is $18. You would have to play 111 times/year to break even---But,......if you have a cart there solely for golf, and I do not know if there is any other use there, a $12,000 cart that lasts 10 years adds $1200/year or another 67 rounds. If you add the cost of money, say the same $12,000 invested at 7.2% for 10 years, that's another $12,000 or 67 rounds, bringing the total to 245 rounds to break even.
So my advice is: If anyone has the money and wants to join Bay Hill, after you pay the 30K initiation and 11+K/year dues etc., RENT THEIR CART!!
I love Arnie, but you have to admit as a golf business entrepreneur, he is STILL THE KING.

[tomwed]

So, in other words, you are getting some of the stated benefits in the definition of a semi-private course by virtue of your preferred tee times, reduced green fees and pool access as a priority member. Great!!!

I'm not so sure Bay Hill or Trump is a good example of a private club---they fit more into the category of resort courses, not truly restricted to members and their guests. I've played Bay Hill and Trump when it was Doral, and frankly, they are not worth the money--and that was in 1977---now Bay Hill is $225.
Of course, you can join Bay Hill. Initiation is $30,000. Dues just under $9,000/ year. Minimum is $1200/year and then they nickel and dime you for club storage, range fees, locker etc. But my favorite is the trail fee if you use your own cart of $2,000/year when cart rental there is $18. You would have to play 111 times/year to break even---But,......if you have a cart there solely for golf, and I do not know if there is any other use there, a $12,000 cart that lasts 10 years adds $1200/year or another 67 rounds. If you add the cost of money, say the same $12,000 invested at 7.2% for 10 years, that's another $12,000 or 67 rounds, bringing the total to 245 rounds to break even.
So my advice is: If anyone has the money and wants to join Bay Hill, after you pay the 30K initiation and 11+K/year dues etc., RENT THEIR CART!!
I love Arnie, but you have to admit as a golf business entrepreneur, he is STILL THE KING.
And you tip the guy that puts your clubs in the cart and later wipes them down and puts them in your trunk. You can't not tip. It will ruin your reputation, plus clubhouse drinks and food. I think I would cry if I got a hole in one. You need to wear great golf outfits too.
I do feel like a millionaire down here golfing in a country club type of atmosphere not a public course back home.

[golfing eagles]

And you tip the guy that puts your clubs in the cart and later wipes them down and puts them in your trunk. You can't not tip. It will ruin your reputation, plus clubhouse drinks and food. I think I would cry if I got a hole in one. You need to wear great golf outfits too.
I do feel like a millionaire down here golfing in a country club not a public course back home.

I suppose there is always hole in one insurance. Plus tip the towel guy in the locker room, the beverage cart girl, your caddy. Some places have forecaddies so don't forget to tip them also. Tip the waitress and the bartender as usual, and if you want to sneak in without a tee time, don't forget to grease the starter. There may be a parking attendant as well, and if you stay there, the doorman and the bellhop, as well as the maid. But maybe their cart paths have stripes!

[JoMar]

So, in other words, you are getting some of the stated benefits in the definition of a semi-private course by virtue of your preferred tee times, reduced green fees and pool access as a priority member. Great!!!

I'm not so sure Bay Hill or Trump is a good example of a private club---they fit more into the category of resort courses, not truly restricted to members and their guests. I've played Bay Hill and Trump when it was Doral, and frankly, they are not worth the money--and that was in 1977---now Bay Hill is $225.
Of course, you can join Bay Hill. Initiation is $30,000. Dues just under $9,000/ year. Minimum is $1200/year and then they nickel and dime you for club storage, range fees, locker etc. But my favorite is the trail fee if you use your own cart of $2,000/year when cart rental there is $18. You would have to play 111 times/year to break even---But,......if you have a cart there solely for golf, and I do not know if there is any other use there, a $12,000 cart that lasts 10 years adds $1200/year or another 67 rounds. If you add the cost of money, say the same $12,000 invested at 7.2% for 10 years, that's another $12,000 or 67 rounds, bringing the total to 245 rounds to break even.
So my advice is: If anyone has the money and wants to join Bay Hill, after you pay the 30K initiation and 11+K/year dues etc., RENT THEIR CART!!
I love Arnie, but you have to admit as a golf business entrepreneur, he is STILL THE KING.

I don't disagree, my point was that semi private can mean many things and have different structures, as can private courses so it really doesn't matter if you call these courses public or semi private. I prefer public with a discount card as you saw and if you play champs twice a week it pays for itself. I don't use the pool, too many public pools close by. For what we pay, and the amount of play the courses get I think it's a pretty great place for golf, even in season.

[golfing eagles]

I don't disagree, my point was that semi private can mean many things and have different structures, as can private courses so it really doesn't matter if you call these courses public or semi private. I prefer public with a discount card as you saw and if you play champs twice a week it pays for itself. I don't use the pool, too many public pools close by. For what we pay, and the amount of play the courses get I think it's a pretty great place for golf, even in season.

:agree:

As was posted above, 100 rounds in TV with priority membership will cost you about $4,000/ year or $40/round
Bay Hill, about $130/round, plus the 30K initiation, which divided over say 10 years brings you to $160/round, plus tips
The course is somewhat better, but not 4x better
There is also probably a tee time issue there, and remember you won't get to play for 3-4 weeks at all in March-April as they prepare for and play their pro tournament

[karostay]

Just wondering why the rates on the Championship Golf Courses continue to go up year after year after year. With the amount of CONTINOUS play they receive , they should be making enough suitable income already. I do not see other Championship Courses in the area doing the same...just the villages....can someone explain ?.
Yup- Cause they can
Their sand box their rules if you want to play your going to pay

[graciegirl]

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[newguyintv]

....

Can't quite figure out what .... has to do with the price of Golf at Villages courses. What am I missing????

[njbchbum]

Can't quite figure out what .... has to do with the price of Golf at Villages courses. What am I missing????

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