Golf carts riding on par 3 courses

[BETHPAGE BLACK]

2 weeks ago I played on Bacall. We were paired up with a couple who told us they were renting for 3 months: end of April they were leaving. During this time they had all kinds of family members visiting, grandkids children friends etc. who all managed to play golf with them.
I kept noticing they would ride on the course (even if it were par 3). Finally I asked the wife, if they had a handicap sticker on the golf cart; she answered "no, why do you ask"? I told her that we are not supposed to take the cart on a par 3 course unless you had a handicap sticker. She said "oh I'll have to tell my husband. This was just after we teed off. She got in the cart and next thing you know they had the cart right off the green, a little more I thought they would go right up to the pin. No ambassador in sight...
It started to rain, and I was not feeling well to begin with. I excused myself and left.
My thought is this: if these "renters" have been in TV for 2 months golfing all the time, "have they never been reprimanded for this action?? Why not?
If they owned in TV they may have had a different attitude to take care of "what is theirs". :cus:

[zcaveman]

Personally renters should be so low on the totem pole of golf that I should get a tee time instead of being not accommodated before they get a tee time.

This is not a resort area. It is a retirement community.

And now you know how I feel about renters.

[ajdeck]

Just for my info, we have not purchased a place yet but didn't know about the golf cart thing on the Par 3 courses. Is that for everyone or just for visitors.

No problem either way, just trying to be informed.

Thanks,
aj

[Talk Host]

The rule is for everybody. It is not peculiar to The Villages. It is common that golf carts are not permitted on holes that are "three par." Even on championship courses, "three par" holes are off limits to carts.

On the Villages executive courses, carts are allowed on holes that are "four Par" or "five par." Never, on "three par" holes.

JLK

[disney07]

Personally renters should be so low on the totem pole of golf that I should get a tee time instead of being not accommodated before they get a tee time.

This is not a resort area. It is a retirement community.

And now you know how I feel about renters.

How many persons you know that bought a home in The Villages before renting or doing the Lifestyle visit? Whether through friends or family, word of mouth, most Villagers start out doing just that RENTING. I don't golf, you can have my Tee Times and half my monthly amenities cost. Stay over on Silver Lake, Mira Mesa and De La Vista "Residents Only". Whiner!:yuck:

[spk7951]

Just for my info, we have not purchased a place yet but didn't know about the golf cart thing on the Par 3 courses. Is that for everyone or just for visitors.

No problem either way, just trying to be informed.

Thanks,
aj

The Villages has a good golf class which gives a pretty good overview of golf in The Villages including the do's and don'ts. I believe they are held once a month. They also provide handouts, which are also available in every pro shop, that have even more detailed info. Great information for anyone in the community whether owner or renter.

[Russ_Boston]

The rule is for everybody. It is not peculiar to The Villages. It is common that golf carts are not permitted on holes that are "three par." Even on championship courses, "three par" holes are off limits to carts.

On the Villages executive courses, carts are allowed on holes that are "four Par" or "five par." Never, on "three par" holes.

JLK

Mostly true but remember that some courses (outside of TV) do not have designated golf cart paths and they just ask that you scatter when going down the fairway. But execs in TV have paths and you are supposed to stick to them on par 3 holes (unless you have a handicap sticker). This is spelled out in the TV golf rules found here: http://www.golfthevillages.com/golf-in-the-villages/goodgolfguide.pdf

Note: On Silver Lake exec you can ride in the fairway.

[Talk Host]

Mostly true but remember that some courses (outside of TV) do not have designated golf cart paths and they just ask that you scatter when going down the fairway. But execs in TV have paths and you are supposed to stick to them on par 3 holes (unless you have a handicap sticker). This is spelled out in the TV golf rules found here: http://www.golfthevillages.com/golf-in-the-villages/goodgolfguide.pdf

Note: On Silver Lake exec you can ride in the fairway.


I have played golf all over the world. I don't remember, ever, being permitted to drive in the fairway of a par three hole. Not even at Apalachin Golf Course, where, just about anything goes.

JLK

[RCT]

I too, have never seen a par three hole, no matter the length, that it is acceptable to drive a golf cart on.

[EdV]

Just for my info, we have not purchased a place yet but didn't know about the golf cart thing on the Par 3 courses. Is that for everyone or just for visitors.

No problem either way, just trying to be informed.

Thanks,
aj

Just so that newbees and wanabees don't get the wrong idea, you can use a golf cart on the executive (mostly par 3) courses provided you pay a modest trail fee and keep your cart on the cart paths.

These renters were apparently oblivious to or ignoring that rule and driving their carts right onto the fairways like you can on a championship course.

[gemorc]

Havana Country Club has a par three that allows carts to venture off the cart path. This allows pace of play to be kept in time.

[RCT]

Havana Country Club has a par three that allows carts to venture off the cart path. This allows pace of play to be kept in time. What par 3 is that?

[chuckster]

Hemingway #5...........

[Ooper]

If I might call everybody's attention to page 27 of the 2009 Villages phone book, it states that Silver Lake is the ONLY executive course which allows golf cart traffic using the 90-degree rule anywhere. All other exec courses carts are allowed on the par 4's only. Also, a player or rider on any course in TV needs to be age 16 or older with a valid drivers license to operate a cart on the courses. Pretty black and white to me!

[Mallory]

The 5th on Hemingway has been allowing it temporarily while they work on the regular tee boxes. Temporary tees were to the right of the regular tees. Not sure they are still being used.

[Indy-Guy]

I have played golf all over the world. I don't remember, ever, being permitted to drive in the fairway of a par three hole. Not even at Apalachin Golf Course, where, just about anything goes.

JLK

# 5 Hole at Havana Hemingway Par 3 you can drive on fairway. The starter tells you this when you tee off. Only one I have ever seen. This has been this way every since I started playing Hemingway for the last 2 years. Before and after they reworked the tee boxes.

Plays
Green--143
White--171
Blue----189
Gold----210
Black---352

[Russ_Boston]

I was referring to golf clubs where they have no golf cart paths. Yes there are not many but there are some that, because they have no defined pathway, you drive from the tee to your ball on every hole regardless of par. I play one every Saturday in the summer called Ridder Farms in Whitman Mass. It has cart paths but allows carts on fairways without the 90 degree rule. Another TOTVer has worked there for years and he can back me up on that. And it's not a bad course conditions wise but they do allow carts on the rough/fairway of #8, 13 and 15 all of which are par 3. In fact #15 is over 225 yards long so the majority of people aren't hitting the green anyway:)

As mentioned even your own Silver Lake course permits 90 degree on its par 3s!

But there's no sense debating this since most TV exec holes don't allow it as mentioned.

[BUC]

O.K. How's this for an idea " Anyone leaving the cart path on a par 3 unless it is acceptable, due to conditions or for handicap reasons, and for people with dogs that have ever barked or gone to the bathroom anywhere outtside of the dog park." Will be tared and feathered and have there underwear put up on the flagpoles in the town sqaures!

I'm only kidding,but unfornately a few here would probaly think that is O.K.

[Russ_Boston]

How about a better idea - just read the rules and follow them. If you can go on the fairway with your cart then go - if not then don't.

Shouldn't be any issues.

[nitehawk]

. How's this for an idea " Anyone leaving the cart path on a par 3 unless it is acceptable, due to conditions or for handicap reasons, and for people with dogs that have ever barked or gone to the bathroom anywhere outtside of the dog park." Will be tared and feathered and have there underwear put up on the flagpoles in the town sqaures!

I'm only kidding,but unfornately a few here would probaly think that is O.K.
__________________
Ga.

I dont understand your statement "unfornately a few here would probaly think that is O.K." I for one think it is OK. I for one try to obey the rules -Thank You and I am not kidding

[BUC]

Please let explain my statement to you:

IT WAS A JOKE

Lighten up and life's to short to worried about what everyone else does. Enjoy life you live in a wonderful place.

Have a happy day!

[texasfal]

By the way, this place is a resort. I was being interviewed recently for an assistant position to the real estate dept. I was informed that the visits that I called Lifestyle Previews are now called vacations b ecause the realtors are pushing this place for vacations in the hope that people will enjoy their vacations in the resort town so much they'll buy a home.

[Pookirgirl]

Wow...I don't golf...at all! I DO rent there in TV. I have been renting and visiting for about 10 years now, since my sister in law moved in. My husband and I decided many years ago that we would love to retire there "someday". Well, our "someday" has arrived and we have anxiously been trying to sell our home...unfortunetly it is the worst time for us to sell, but none the less, we are trying to get to TV permanently.
I am a bit aghast at the comment made about "renters". We take care of the homes we rent as if they are our own. When we see litter on the streets, it infuriates me also. I pick it up! This is part of what made us fall in love with the beauty of TV's. Never before have we ever been to a neighborhood or town quite like the Villages.
I have lived in a seashore town in New Jersey all my life. Here, we call the out of towners Bennies. It means something derogatory about Northerners.
The thing is... without these "Bennies or Renters", many of our businesses would fold up and the economy would be in worse shape than it is already.
I just wanted to spew my thoughts on this because..Yes, I am a "Renter".
I love the Villages and intend to make it my home one day as well. I abide by rules and regulations, I keep it neat, clean and beautiful. Please don't think all "Renters" are bad people.