Green Fees

[Warren Kiefer]

Why are green fees on the championship courses inside the Villages higher than they are on the outside ???

[Jayhawk]

val·ue (văl′yo͞o)
n.
1. An amount, as of goods, services, or money, considered to be a fair and suitable equivalent for something else; a fair price or return.

[golfing eagles]

Why are green fees on the championship courses inside the Villages higher than they are on the outside ???

Because they can be. The courses are full , I'm surprised they didn't kick them up a few bucks. Remember, on the outside you'll have to pay to rent a cart, so your total cost is likely higher

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The cost of anything is tied into quality and location and what people are willing to pay. People are willing to pay more to play these courses so they charge more.

What I'm surprised at here is that there are no annual membership clubs like we have up north. The Villages tells us that we a all "members" at the country clubs, but exactly what does that membership entitle us to?

The Villages "championship courses", which by the way is a term that they use for standard golf courses that have less than three par three holes per nine, are all daily fee course. They do not fit the definition of country club that I know. Every country club that I know of has a membership that entitles members to play unlimited golf and engage in whatever other activities that the club might have. Country clubs, in my experience are private clubs where members of the general public cannot simply walk up and pay a green fee.

I have no problem with them charging whatever they want and having a successful business. I am a bit put out however by their terminology.

[PJOHNS2654]

Because they can be. The courses are full , I'm surprised they didn't kick them up a few bucks. Remember, on the outside you'll have to pay to rent a cart, so your total cost is likely higher

I play many of the courses outside TV and the advertised price always includes a cart.

[Warren Kiefer]

Because they can be. The courses are full , I'm surprised they didn't kick them up a few bucks. Remember, on the outside you'll have to pay to rent a cart, so your total cost is likely higher

Sorry but you are not correct about renting the cart. I have only had to pay for a cart once, and that was at the Ocala Country Club.

[golfing eagles]

Sorry but you are not correct about renting the cart. I have only had to pay for a cart once, and that was at the Ocala Country Club.

Was the cost of greens fees including cart less than the priority member fees in TV. If so, I stand corrected, but forgive me since I never played a nearby course. In NY, the cart is almost always a separate charge. Even at my country club, which meets the good Doctor Boogie's definition, they charge for the cart

[mickey100]

They do seem to do it differently down here in Florida. My spouse played Eagle Ridge the other day, only $20 for golf and cart. And they had a lunch special on Wednesdays - hamburg and fries for $5 with $1 draft beers. Said it was in excellent shape, better than the Villages courses. They may have just aerated the greens though, I would call first. Discount Golf Course Tee Times Nationwide - Book Tee Times Online - GolfNow.com® (http://www.golfnow.com)

[fred53]

The cost of anything is tied into quality and location and what people are willing to pay. People are willing to pay more to play these courses so they charge more.

What I'm surprised at here is that there are no annual membership clubs like we have up north. The Villages tells us that we a all "members" at the country clubs, but exactly what does that membership entitle us to?

The Villages "championship courses", which by the way is a term that they use for standard golf courses that have less than three par three holes per nine, are all daily fee course. They do not fit the definition of country club that I know. Every country club that I know of has a membership that entitles members to play unlimited golf and engage in whatever other activities that the club might have. Country clubs, in my experience are private clubs where members of the general public cannot simply walk up and pay a green fee.

I have no problem with them charging whatever they want and having a successful business. I am a bit put out however by their terminology.

Actually there are many courses outside the Villages that have not only membership fees, but also charge per each time played(see Del Webb communities as an example)...my club in Maine was a Country Club and besides my paying a yearly fee(with no greens fees when I played)they allowed outside folks to play for an 18 hole fee...

In my experience a country club has a clubhouse and various ammenities whereas a golf course has a starters shack at the least and may have a small pro shop...the number of par threes has nothing to do with whether or not a course is a country club/championship course or otherwise....what distinguishes our exec's from country clubs mostly is a lack of handicapping, ghin related to par and a USGA rating...that and the fact that the CC's are kept up to a slightly higher standard....

[golfing eagles]

Actually there are many courses outside the Villages that have not only membership fees, but also charge per each time played(see Del Webb communities as an example)...my club in Maine was a Country Club and besides my paying a yearly fee(with no greens fees when I played)they allowed outside folks to play for an 18 hole fee...

In my experience a country club has a clubhouse and various ammenities whereas a golf course has a starters shack at the least and may have a small pro shop...the number of par threes has nothing to do with whether or not a course is a country club/championship course or otherwise....what distinguishes our exec's from country clubs mostly is a lack of handicapping, ghin related to par and a USGA rating...that and the fact that the CC's are kept up to a slightly higher standard....

If I recall, there was an extensive debate on a thread a few months ago whether or not TV courses were public or private. After reflecting on it, I think they are kind of a unique hybrid----daily fee, but memberships that entitle you to a reduced green fee and preferential tee times, as well as restaurants and pools.

[Polar Bear]

...I think they are kind of a unique hybrid----daily fee, but memberships that entitle you to a reduced green fee and preferential tee times, as well as restaurants and pools.

Yep. That hybrid is "semi-private", which is what TV champ courses are considered.

<firmly braces self>

[golfing eagles]

Yep. That hybrid is "semi-private", which is what TV champ courses are considered.

<firmly braces self>

Agree, which was my argument.. But there were those that insisted on "public" so I'm using the term hybrid to be more PC

[dbussone]

I play many of the courses outside TV and the advertised price always includes a cart.


Agree 100%

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Actually there are many courses outside the Villages that have not only membership fees, but also charge per each time played(see Del Webb communities as an example)...my club in Maine was a Country Club and besides my paying a yearly fee(with no greens fees when I played)they allowed outside folks to play for an 18 hole fee...

In my experience a country club has a clubhouse and various ammenities whereas a golf course has a starters shack at the least and may have a small pro shop...the number of par threes has nothing to do with whether or not a course is a country club/championship course or otherwise....what distinguishes our exec's from country clubs mostly is a lack of handicapping, ghin related to par and a USGA rating...that and the fact that the CC's are kept up to a slightly higher standard....

Your club in Maine is what's known as a semi-private club.

In order to be recognized as a regulation golf course by USGA and NGF a course must have no more than three par threes per nine holes. Courses with more then three par threes per nine are considered executive courses.

Executive and par three courses do have USGA GHIN and Slope ratings. I know because I rated some of them.

There is no definition for a championship course unless some kind of actual championship is played there on a regular basis. "Championship Course" is basically a marketing term.

I know of many public courses that have a decent pro shop, snack bar and even restaurants. They shouldn't be considered country clubs.

[golfing eagles]

Your club in Maine is what's known as a semi-private club.


I know of many public courses that have a decent pro shop, snack bar and even restaurants. They shouldn't be considered country clubs.

A good example is Bethpage---great pro shop, decent restaurant, but a purely public course. I don't know any public courses that offers a membership that reduces greens fees and gives preferred tee times in exchange for an annual fee---once they do that, they meet the definition of semi-private

[karostay]

Why are green fees on the championship courses inside the Villages higher than they are on the outside ???

It's their sand box

[golfing eagles]

It's their sand box

Ultimately it comes down to supply and demand. Look at the seasonal rates. It doesn't cost any more to operate the course in January than June, maybe even less given water consumption. Look at the airlines (my pet peeve) and the airfare around the holidays. And it doesn't cost them any more (just a few dollars) to park your rear in first class. But if first class wasn't triple the coach rate, everyone would want it

[Mleeja]

I played Lopez today and noticed the fees went up $5.00. Winter rates?

[Bogie Shooter]

Was the cost of greens fees including cart less than the priority member fees in TV. If so, I stand corrected, but forgive me since I never played a nearby course. In NY, the cart is almost always a separate charge. Even at my country club, which meets the good Doctor Boogie's definition, they charge for the cart

Guess the answer is this ain't NY.

[Bogie Shooter]

I played Lopez today and noticed the fees went up $5.00. Winter rates?

Went up 10/1. Fall Greens Fees.
Will go up again on 1/1 Winter Greens Fees

[TheVillageChicken]

Fuel is usually the highest or second highest cost in golf course maintenance. With gas prices falling, raising greens fees is a bonus on top of a windfall.

[tomwed]

Sorry but you are not correct about renting the cart. I have only had to pay for a cart once, and that was at the Ocala Country Club.
Where did you play where the cart was free?

[tomwed]

When the subject of Beth Page Black comes up the story below is what I have heard for 20 years. It's an honor and a privilege to play that course but it's not easy.


"I'm a NJ resident and have played the Black 4 times so far. Each time I've stayed in my car in the parking lot overnight and have had no issues getting out in the morning. Depending on the day you are planning on playing (weekday vs. weekend), you don't even really need to get there that early the night before. Aside from that, the starter comes around very early (pre-6am if I recall) and gives you a ticket. Good luck!"

[golfing eagles]

When the subject of Beth Page Black comes up the story below is what I have heard for 20 years. It's an honor and a privilege to play that course but it's not easy.


"I'm a NJ resident and have played the Black 4 times so far. Each time I've stayed in my car in the parking lot overnight and have had no issues getting out in the morning. Depending on the day you are planning on playing (weekday vs. weekend), you don't even really need to get there that early the night before. Aside from that, the starter comes around very early (pre-6am if I recall) and gives you a ticket. Good luck!"

Let me share a short story from Bethpage. Between the years 1974 and 1980 I played the course easily 300 times. The process back then was to buy a ticket, bring it to the starter to sign in. Waiting time at the other 4 courses there averaged 3-3 1/2 hrs, but the Black was 2 - 2 1/2 hrs. The sign in the ticket office read "The Black course is an extremely difficult course not recommended for beginners" About 1977 they changed the sign to read "The Black course is an extremely difficult course recommended only for highly skilled golfers" You guessed it---the waiting time climbed to 4 hrs

[tomwed]

Let me share a short story from Bethpage. Between the years 1974 and 1980 I played the course easily 300 times. The process back then was to buy a ticket, bring it to the starter to sign in. Waiting time at the other 4 courses there averaged 3-3 1/2 hrs, but the Black was 2 - 2 1/2 hrs. The sign in the ticket office read "The Black course is an extremely difficult course not recommended for beginners" About 1977 they changed the sign to read "The Black course is an extremely difficult course recommended only for highly skilled golfers" You guessed it---the waiting time climbed to 4 hrs
1977?
38 years ago it was difficult to get on- 4 hours.

The person I quoted said you need to get in the parking lot the night before. I've heard that same story for many years. Playing that course with my younger son is on my bucket list. Golf is golf. Who cares if it's difficult? Golf balls are cheap. It's not like your swimming the English Channel.

[golfing eagles]

1977?
38 years ago it was difficult to get on- 4 hours.

The person I quoted said you need to get in the parking lot the night before. I've heard that same story for many years. Playing that course with my younger son is on my bucket list. Golf is golf. Who cares if it's difficult? Golf balls are cheap. It's not like your swimming the English Channel.

The get to the parking lot at midnight so they sell you a ticket at 4Am to tee off at 8 nonsense only started after the 1st open there. I have no idea how it is now, but probably better. It wasn't difficult to get on in the 70's, you just had a long wait to tee off. Then an even longer round, especially on the Black. anything under 6 hrs was good, I once had to leave after 13 on account of darkness, 8hr and 45 min after teeing off. The problem was the course is VERY difficult, there was 6-8 inch rough from the tee to about 220 yds out where the fairway began. You got the see that in the open, especially on #11 where pros were having trouble reaching the fairway in poor weather conditions, and they were not using 1970's equipment. People would play the course who had no business ever getting near it, hit it 100 yds off the tee then hunt for their ball forever. This was complicated by # 2 being a tight dogleg left with the fairway 13 yds wide in the landing zone. I once got to the 2nd tee and 13 foursomes were waiting!!!
So naturally I am a strong proponent of ready golf and playing the course in the time suggested, but I also laugh when golfers complain of "slow play" in TV---if you don't need a calendar to time the round, it is fast compared to Bethpage in the 70's

[Polar Bear]

...but I also laugh when golfers complain of "slow play" in TV---if you don't need a calendar to time the round, it is fast compared to Bethpage in the 70's
Heheh. I wish had a Bethpage Black story to relate. But it sounds like comparing TV slow play to Bethpage Black is similar to the folks complaining about traffic in TV...who apparently have never experienced real traffic. ;)

[golfing eagles]

Heheh. I wish had a Bethpage Black story to relate. But it sounds like comparing TV slow play to Bethpage Black is similar to the folks complaining about traffic in TV...who apparently have never experienced real traffic. ;)

Pretty much the same. But I'll save my best black course story for a time I feel like typing a page. Chuck Workman, the head pro there in the 60's and 70's told this to me over several beers, but I'll have to figure out the condensed version to post it

[Warren Kiefer]

Where did you play where the cart was free?

Ocala Gold,Harbor Hills, Stonecrest, and Eagle Ridge for a few. I did not use the term free, what I stated was the green fees for outside golf courses including the cart is less than the Villages where we are expected to use our personal cart.

[tomwed]

Ocala Gold,Harbor Hills, Stonecrest, and Eagle Ridge for a few. I did not use the term free, what I stated was the green fees for outside golf courses including the cart is less than the Villages where we are expected to use our personal cart.
If you can walk a course, it's usually less expensive. If the fee includes a golf cart they probably don't want walkers slowing everything down because it's a long walk here and there from the green to the next tee. If it's included a certain portion of the fee is going towards the cart. We agree. I think the cart fees in TV are the cheapest I ever paid.

[jebartle]

I think it is called fall rates....Winter rates will go up another $10 the first of the year.




I played Lopez today and noticed the fees went up $5.00. Winter rates?

[rubicon]

I;m late to this thread.

One could buy priority meaning they gain priority for tee times. However for that to work effectively means that your entire foursome be priority because once you reduce to three priority in a foursome two and then one well one priority in a foursome doesn't gt you much. You do get a reduce rate with priority. However with such an investment you have to play a lot of golf on championship courses to even break even.

I had priority for 6 years at roughly $800 per year meaning I paid $4800. do you know how many rounds of golf that would be at outside courses where I could secure the tee time I wanted and they would throw in a cart.

The Villages Championship courses are open to the public and hence public. Villages residents get a little bit of a break on fees and should since they invested a lot to reside here. Keep in mind a residents provides his/her own cart. Rentals last I heard were $10 for 18 holes

[golfing eagles]

I;m late to this thread.

One could buy priority meaning they gain priority for tee times. However for that to work effectively means that your entire foursome be priority because once you reduce to three priority in a foursome two and then one well one priority in a foursome doesn't gt you much. You do get a reduce rate with priority. However with such an investment you have to play a lot of golf on championship courses to even break even.

I had priority for 6 years at roughly $800 per year meaning I paid $4800. do you know how many rounds of golf that would be at outside courses where I could secure the tee time I wanted and they would throw in a cart.

The Villages Championship courses are open to the public and hence public. Villages residents get a little bit of a break on fees and should since they invested a lot to reside here. Keep in mind a residents provides his/her own cart. Rentals last I heard were $10 for 18 holes

A little disagreement on this
$800 sounds like the previous 12 club, couple rate, which is now 925
Besides priority tee times, which does have diminishing returns IF you're signing up as a foursome with some non-priority golfers, but still an advantage, you get $5 off summer, $10 off fall, and $15 off winter rates for a year round average of $9.60. Therefore 1 person playing 2x/week or 2 people playing 1x/week breaks you even
If you get a good deal on outside courses, say year-round average of $30 with cart, that's 16 rounds in 6 years for your $4800, or 27 rounds/year one person, 13.5 rounds 2 people. Minus the travel time and cost of gas.
With 12 championship courses at TV, 10 of which have 27 holes, so the equivalent of 17 courses, there would be some travel time to the 17 nearest outside courses of equal quality
And while "the public" can play, if they can get a tee time, they cannot play on equal terms--no reserved tee times, no discount, no pool, no tennis----so the courses at TV are semi-private by every definition in the book, not "public"

[Polar Bear]

...the courses at TV are semi-private by every definition in the book, not "public"

Yep.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

so the courses at TV are semi-private by every definition in the book, not "public"

Every semi private course that I've ever known about or worked at had memberships where members could play unlimited golf without additional fees. They also allowed the public to play upon payment of a green fee with restricted starting times. In addition they have events for their members such a tournaments and social events.

I don't consider paying an annual fee for preferred starting times and a slightly reduced green fee a membership.

IMHO, TV courses are public with no real membership. I don't see anything private or semi private about them.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

A little disagreement on this
$800 sounds like the previous 12 club, couple rate, which is now 925
Besides priority tee times, which does have diminishing returns IF you're signing up as a foursome with some non-priority golfers, but still an advantage, you get $5 off summer, $10 off fall, and $15 off winter rates for a year round average of $9.60. Therefore 1 person playing 2x/week or 2 people playing 1x/week breaks you even
If you get a good deal on outside courses, say year-round average of $30 with cart, that's 16 rounds in 6 years for your $4800, or 27 rounds/year one person, 13.5 rounds 2 people. Minus the travel time and cost of gas.
With 12 championship courses at TV, 10 of which have 27 holes, so the equivalent of 17 courses, there would be some travel time to the 17 nearest outside courses of equal quality
And while "the public" can play, if they can get a tee time, they cannot play on equal terms--no reserved tee times, no discount, no pool, no tennis----so the courses at TV are semi-private by every definition in the book, not "public"

At a discount of $9.60 you have to play about 97 rounds of golf in order to break even. Of course for a couple that's 48 rounds each.

I don't know what kind of value you put on the preferred tee times, but it's certainly worth it to some people and not worth it to others.

I think that it's really a shame that TV doesn't have truly public clubs where there are weekly events and camaraderie.

But, a golf course, like anything else is a business and a money making enterprise. The owners have determined the best way of marketing and selling their product.

[tomwed]

Maybe they could throw us a bone first couple of tee off times for nine holes on the "back nine?" Back nine being the nine that where you go to after the front nine.

[golfing eagles]

Every semi private course that I've ever known about or worked at had memberships where members could play unlimited golf without additional fees. They also allowed the public to play upon payment of a green fee with restricted starting times. In addition they have events for their members such a tournaments and social events.

I don't consider paying an annual fee for preferred starting times and a slightly reduced green fee a membership.

IMHO, TV courses are public with no real membership. I don't see anything private or semi private about them.

In the metropolitan NY area a lot of SEMI-PRIVATE courses just sell a tee time membership, you still pay daily greens fees. The "public" can take pot luck at a tee time, but it is still semi-private, by definition. There are tournaments at TV courses, and the need for "social events" is obviated by all the other social events in TV. There is also the pools, tennis courts and some hot tubs you get for MEMBERSHIP.

Again, 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).

[tomwed]

Wasn't it Shakespeare who said "I hose by any other name will get you just as wet" or something like that?

[ajbrown]

At a discount of $9.60 you have to play about 97 rounds of golf in order to break even. Of course for a couple that's 48 rounds each.

I don't know what kind of value you put on the preferred tee times, but it's certainly worth it to some people and not worth it to others.



From my perspective. I almost always play inside The Villages. It fits me better to hop into the cart in garage and off I go. I understand I could be paying a premium for that.

So the following rationale fits my wife and I. (I hope I got the math right)

For priority, I look at the math a bit different. My wife and I both play championships twice a week. If we just look at Jan - Apr, we each 'save*' $15 per round.

About 16 weeks * 2 plays *2 people * $15 = $960

So I have already 'broken even**' and I also get:

trail fee worth $141 which we use
I do believe there is a benefit having a priority tee times during the winter,
Men's day is also available to priority members on Tuesdays and is a good way to meet and play with other golfers.
we enjoy going to the CC pools to relax and maybe even a cocktail


* I understand the save is a bit off here as I pre-paid!
** I understand breaking even is only compared to someone who plays on TV as we do without priority.

[justjim]

Let's face it most of us play (most of time) the TV courses because they are convenient. In addition, they are reasonable in price relative to similar in quality courses. As a matter of fact, it cost much less here in TV for golf than many places in Florida.

The courses here are not truly public and not truly semi-private. The country Clubs are not truly Country Clubs as we know them either. The Developer owns the courses and the Clubs and operates them to his best advantage.

Following build out of The Villages it's anybody's guess what will happen and how policies might change. Fore!

[golfing eagles]

Let's face it most of us play (most of time) the TV courses because they are convenient. In addition, they are reasonable in price relative to similar in quality courses. As a matter of fact, it cost much less here in TV for golf than many places in Florida.

The courses here are not truly public and not truly semi-private. The country Clubs are not truly Country Clubs as we know them either. The Developer owns the courses and the Clubs and operates them to his best advantage.

Following build out of The Villages it's anybody's guess what will happen and how policies might change. Fore!

Not to beat a dead horse, but read the definition of semi-private courses in post #38. Then, what part of the definition, just any one part, do the championship courses in TV NOT meet? Ok, I am beating a dead horse, but then maybe we can bury it.:1rotfl:

[Bogie Shooter]

I don't understand all the concern as to what the courses are called? Or is this just a pi$$ing contest?

[tomwed]

Beating a dead horse? I suppose that's a lot kinder than beating a live horse but.......

[Mleeja]

What would this site be if we did not keep riding and beating dead horses? As my wife tells me "the merry-go-round has stopped. Get off"

[golfing eagles]

I don't understand all the concern as to what the courses are called? Or is this just a pi$$ing contest?

Probably the latter.
But then again, say someone makes the assertion that Secretariat was a zebra. You give the definition of a horse, and by every criteria listed for a horse, Secretariat meets the definition. But the person still states he was a zebra. do you say whatever, or is it a pi$$ing contest?

[JoMar]

Probably the latter.
But then again, say someone makes the assertion that Secretariat was a zebra. You give the definition of a horse, and by every criteria listed for a horse, Secretariat meets the definition. But the person still states he was a zebra. do you say whatever, or is it a pi$$ing contest?

But who really cares?

[Bogie Shooter]

But who really cares?

A novel question.:BigApplause:

[fred53]

Probably the latter.
But then again, say someone makes the assertion that Secretariat was a zebra. You give the definition of a horse, and by every criteria listed for a horse, Secretariat meets the definition. But the person still states he was a zebra. do you say whatever, or is it a pi$$ing contest?

school of buffoonery and liberal socialism....twist any statement with non-sensical claims, assertions, definitions and glib vocalisms....if you can't dazzle them with your intellect then baffle them with B.S.....if I say something it must therefore be true, but not necessarily verifiable....

[Bonny]

A few years back we went with another couple to Kings Ridge in Clermont to play their course. First we have to drive there, after we are done, we now have to cart our clubs to the van and drive to a restaurant and now drive home.
It was a nice course and maybe fun to do that once in awhile, but I would rather take my cart to one of our courses, take my cart with friends to go eat, have a drink or both, then drive my cart clubs and all right into my garage. :thumbup:

[golfing eagles]

school of buffoonery and liberal socialism....twist any statement with non-sensical claims, assertions, definitions and glib vocalisms....if you can't dazzle them with your intellect then baffle them with B.S.....if I say something it must therefore be true, but not necessarily verifiable....

To which post are you referring? My horse or their zebra?

[tomwed]

Well, some golfers slice and some hook.
I say different strokes for different golfers.
[needs a little work with the iambic pantanama or maybe the rhyming]

[golfing eagles]

Well, some golfers slice and some hook.
I say different strokes for different golfers.
[needs a little work with the iambic pantanama]

meter, rhyming----your poetry is declining:1rotfl:

[Mleeja]

A few years back we went with another couple to Kings Ridge in Clermont to play their course. First we have to drive there, after we are done, we now have to cart our clubs to the van and drive to a restaurant and now drive home.
It was a nice course and maybe fun to do that once in awhile, but I would rather take my cart to one of our courses, take my cart with friends to go eat, have a drink or both, then drive my cart clubs and all right into my garage. :thumbup:

Oh Bonny, your reply makes waaaay to much sense for this topic! :ohdear:

[Bonny]

Oh Bonny, your reply makes waaaay to much sense for this topic! :ohdear:
What was I thinking !! LOL :loco: :faint:

[golfing eagles]

Not a very nice thing to say. :cry:

No, but think of it this way:
If he doesn't play on TV courses, that's more tee times for the rest of us, and, you won't have to play with him and listen to all his trash talk about TV
Looks like a win-win

[Bonny]

No, but think of it this way:
If he doesn't play on TV courses, that's more tee times for the rest of us, and, you won't have to play with him and listen to all his trash talk about TV
Looks like a win-win
:bigbow: :coolsmiley:

[johnboy]

Because they can be. The courses are full , I'm surprised they didn't kick them up a few bucks. Remember, on the outside you'll have to pay to rent a cart, so your total cost is likely higher

I have never had to pay extra to rent a cart outside. It is always included in the greens fee. And yes they are overall much cheaper.

[tomwed]

I have never had to pay extra to rent a cart outside. It is always included in the greens fee. And yes they are overall much cheaper.
Think of it as a Happy Meal. You are paying for the cart.

[Warren Kiefer]

I have never had to pay extra to rent a cart outside. It is always included in the greens fee. And yes they are overall much cheaper.

I played Tierra Del Sol last Friday, cost me $41 and used my own cart, I booked four tee times at Stonecrest today, $15 and cart included !!!!

[Warren Kiefer]

At a discount of $9.60 you have to play about 97 rounds of golf in order to break even. Of course for a couple that's 48 rounds each.

I don't know what kind of value you put on the preferred tee times, but it's certainly worth it to some people and not worth it to others.

I think that it's really a shame that TV doesn't have truly public clubs where there are weekly events and camaraderie.

But, a golf course, like anything else is a business and a money making enterprise. The owners have determined the best way of marketing and selling their product.


Last week Lopez cost $41 and your cart, Stonecrest today $15 and their cart.

[ajbrown]

I played Tierra Del Sol last Friday, cost me $41 and used my own cart, I booked four tee times at Stonecrest today, $15 and cart included !!!!

:shocked: what a great price. I used to take guests staying with me in TV to Stonecrest and enjoyed it. Do not have any idea is the conditions are still the same.

Maybe it is worth me getting in the car once in a while.

[Warren Kiefer]

:shocked: what a great price. I used to take guests staying with me in TV to Stonecrest and enjoyed it. Do not have any idea is the conditions are still the same.

Maybe it is worth me getting in the car once in a while.

In todays Daily Sun: Black Bear CC $32.95 includes unlimited golf and lunch. Mission Inn $38: Continental CC $20, Golf, Cart, Hotdog, and a beer. Palmer in the Villages, $58 and your cart.

[rubicon]

Come 10/1 every year my neighborhood group heads out the bubble to play a round. Some of the courses include breakfast/lunch some don't. when the rates drop in Spring they will play inside The Villages.

We played Black Bear a few years back and we met a guy from The Villages that joined Black Bear and drove from TV every day to play it. To each his own

As to priority you have to play a lot of golf. and by definition a foursome with priority moves ahead of a threesome who move ahead of a twosome who move ahead of me who seemed to be the only golfer in my group with priority the math didn't work well for me. Its like those cards you purchase at a restaurant you need to go frequently and buy drinks.

I don't frequent restaurants and when I do its my meal and water with lemon

And while I hear the sound of galloping hoofs am I hearing horses or zebras?
The championship courses here are public:D

[golfing eagles]

And while I hear the sound of galloping hoofs am I hearing horses or zebras?
The championship courses here are public:D

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby--I so hate to disagree with a fellow Auburnian, but...

Is Highland Park GC on Franklin St public or semi-private?

Again, 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 issue you the same challenge that I posted previously----name ONE, just ONE of the criteria in the definition above that is NOT met by the championship courses in TV

[drcar]

Why are green fees on the championship courses inside the Villages higher than they are on the outside ???

Getting back to the start of this, the fees are higher because they can be and the cost of doing business here is probably more costly then outside the bubble . It amazes me that some of the people on here rally around the free enterprise system, fight for the freedoms we all love BUT raise the price of a green a dollar and watch out!!!! There are many reasons the prices are higher, the main one is because they get that price. They are full in the "season!" The staffing levels at the villages courses is rather high, and oh god don't see a ambassador for 3 holes and watch out, THE SKY IS FALLING!! Wages go up, no I did not forget staff get minimum wage, but that also goes up. Cost of doing business goes up, therefore cost goes up.That folks is the free enterprise system. If you do not like do not play those courses. BUT a lot of folks do, check the numbers,, last year Mallory, Havana, and Cane had near 300,000 rounds of golf on JUST those three courses. Please all of the whiners, go outside the bubble, leave more room for me.

JUST SAYING

[golfing eagles]

Getting back to the start of this, the fees are higher because they can be and the cost of doing business here is probably more costly then outside the bubble . It amazes me that some of the people on here rally around the free enterprise system, fight for the freedoms we all love BUT raise the price of a green a dollar and watch out!!!! There are many reasons the prices are higher, the main one is because they get that price. They are full in the "season!" The staffing levels at the villages courses is rather high, and oh god don't see a ambassador for 3 holes and watch out, THE SKY IS FALLING!! Wages go up, no I did not forget staff get minimum wage, but that also goes up. Cost of doing business goes up, therefore cost goes up.That folks is the free enterprise system. If you do not like do not play those courses. BUT a lot of folks do, check the numbers,, last year Mallory, Havana, and Cane had near 300,000 rounds of golf on JUST those three courses. Please all of the whiners, go outside the bubble, leave more room for me.

JUST SAYING

And thank you, "drcar", for your work in maintaining these courses for everyone's enjoyment. Hope to be on them soon.

[Greg Nelson]

I'll stick with the free courses near Mulberry. We golfed here in Minnesota yesterday and it was 95F! Today 47F, rain and wind! 29F by Friday..we'll be in TV by the 1st of November..four!

[Warren Kiefer]

Getting back to the start of this, the fees are higher because they can be and the cost of doing business here is probably more costly then outside the bubble . It amazes me that some of the people on here rally around the free enterprise system, fight for the freedoms we all love BUT raise the price of a green a dollar and watch out!!!! There are many reasons the prices are higher, the main one is because they get that price. They are full in the "season!" The staffing levels at the villages courses is rather high, and oh god don't see a ambassador for 3 holes and watch out, THE SKY IS FALLING!! Wages go up, no I did not forget staff get minimum wage, but that also goes up. Cost of doing business goes up, therefore cost goes up.That folks is the free enterprise system. If you do not like do not play those courses. BUT a lot of folks do, check the numbers,, last year Mallory, Havana, and Cane had near 300,000 rounds of golf on JUST those three courses. Please all of the whiners, go outside the bubble, leave more room for me.

JUST SAYING

It just seems that somewhere along the line we lost the dream of the founder Harold Schwartz. Not to many years ago the developer advertised championship golf at less that a dollar a hole. Eighteen years ago using the priority advantage Tierra Del Sol cost me only $12 for 18 holes. Do you thing the minimum wage nearly tripled in eighteen years ??? The outside courses have the same costs as is incurred inside the Village community.

[Polar Bear]

Just curious...do the outside courses have nine-hole rates?

[JoMar]

This is why from now until May 1 I'll be golfing off the reservation. Lots and lots of nice courses all much cheaper than the Villages.

And we appreciate that.

[drcar]

It just seems that somewhere along the line we lost the dream of the founder Harold Schwartz. Not to many years ago the developer advertised championship golf at less that a dollar a hole. Eighteen years ago using the priority advantage Tierra Del Sol cost me only $12 for 18 holes. Do you thing the minimum wage nearly tripled in eighteen years ??? The outside courses have the same costs as is incurred inside the Village community.

Of course the minimum wage has not tripled, there are many reasons for prices to go up. My point was that is just one of them. The courses outside the villages get people out of the bubble with cheaper prices. My point is and will be, this is free country, charge what they want, play where you want, JUST stop whiner about the cost. The market will determine the price, it is that easy!

[mulligan]

Good answer!! When the courses are not booked full every day, you may see a drop in green fees. Until that happens, we will all pay whatever the market will bear. They are there to make money.