Executive Course Greens in Deplorable Condition

[MrGolf]

Again this year, the Executive course greens are in deplorable condition. An embarrassment and one that could have been corrected. No this is not caused by excessive footsteps but by management opting to not overseed and elect to have residents instead putt on green dirt. Come on folks. Too late for this year but invest in our courses next year and give us something to play on. Heads need to roll.

[Kahuna32162]

Are these the same courses that the Villages Golf Mgt just took back over?

[Bruce zapolski]

I agree 100% it’s a shame and most of the Championship courses are not worth half of what they are charging very disappointed

[billethkid]

We played Belmont Saturday....the greens were a mess.
We played Walnut Grove on Sunday...the greens were exceptional....like a pile carpet.

The difference? It has to be those those manage and maintain the courses.

An obvious difference in condition of the courses.

Add to that the growing numbers of players who do not fix ball marks, fill divots or rake bunkers.

TV newspaper needs to do a special on the players responsibilities when playing golf. The incidents of ball marks on the greens is staggering. Must be the same inconsiderate folks that do not rake the bunkers. And never fill a divot.

If the newspaper can run an article about dog owners doing the right thing....they can certainly run a special appeal to the far too many golfers who do not do the right thing(s).

[canyonblue]

If the newspaper can run an article about dog owners doing the right thing....they can certainly run a special appeal to the far too many golfers who do not do the right thing(s).

Newsflash........

They're the same people. :swear:

[gqd7806]

Don't forget how hard it is to get a tee time this time of year. Over developed already for the FROGs. Looking for my next investment/home. U can have this congested mess.

R, X Villager.

[DonH57]

We played Belmont Saturday....the greens were a mess.
We played Walnut Grove on Sunday...the greens were exceptional....like a pile carpet.

The difference? It has to be those those manage and maintain the courses.

An obvious difference in condition of the courses.

Add to that the growing numbers of players who do not fix ball marks, fill divots or rake bunkers.

TV newspaper needs to do a special on the players responsibilities when playing golf. The incidents of ball marks on the greens is staggering. Must be the same inconsiderate folks that do not rake the bunkers. And never fill a divot.

If the newspaper can run an article about dog owners doing the right thing....they can certainly run a special appeal to the far too many golfers who do not do the right thing(s).

I would say today on El Diablo I fixed no less than 3 ball Mark's on all the greens. Unbelievable how many of our fellow residents don't care for our courses and apparently thankless to have them.

[JimD215]

I see that a lot of people playing are a little older and cannot bend down to fix the ball marks. They use the ball grabber on the end of their club to get the ball wothout having to bend over. I am sure not all ball marks are made by people who are physically unable to bend over but if you see one while playing please fix them. Every little bit will help.

[gatorbill1]

Seems like the courses north of 466 are in a lot better shape than the ones south of 466.
Someone said they put both areas out for quote on maintenance each year and the company that does northern courses do a better job. I don't know if that is correct.

[MrGolf]

It might just be working against them. Played with a three month renter that has been coming here for 4 years. After playing four substandard exec courses in a row he said the luster has worn off. Since golf is his principal activity he is considering a move further south to play better conditioned courses with less traffic. Pretty sure he is not alone. Just sayin.

[kcrazorbackfan]

I see that a lot of people playing are a little older and cannot bend down to fix the ball marks. They use the ball grabber on the end of their club to get the ball wothout having to bend over. I am sure not all ball marks are made by people who are physically unable to bend over but if you see one while playing please fix them. Every little bit will help.

The older/physically limited players that have the ball pickers on their putters USUALLY can’t flight the ball high enough to make marks; it’s the lazy privileged entitled that aren’t taking care of OUR courses.

[anothersteve]

The older/physically limited players that have the ball pickers on their putters USUALLY can’t flight the ball high enough to make marks; it’s the lazy privileged entitled that aren’t taking care of OUR courses.

Hey! I was going to say that!
Steve

[justjim]

Ball marks are a minor problem compared to proper maintenance by the Greenskeeper.

[rjn5656]

it is embarassing when you have company. not the pictures the villages wants to sell

[Bogie Shooter]

it is embarassing when you have company. not the pictures the villages wants to sell

Or Harbor Hills too, right?

[stan the man]

I for one do not repair Ball marks on the greens nor do I rake the traps I have become one of the entitled. The powers to be don't really care about the conditions of the executive courses. I too don't care. I pay my dues and take what's there. It's really nice being one of the entitled, when next move is to get a handicap flag so I can drive right up to the greens. Sorry about this but that's the way I feel and no I'm not moving

[Bay Kid]

Played Bogart Sunday. EVERY cup had been torn up by someone too lazy to remove the pin to retrieve their ball. Such a shame.

[N44125]

Sarasota...just got done playing Sarasota. Greens and tee boxes are in great shape, probably the best maintained executive course that I played all week. Kudos to their groundskeepers.

[billethkid]

I for one do not repair Ball marks on the greens nor do I rake the traps I have become one of the entitled. The powers to be don't really care about the conditions of the executive courses. I too don't care. I pay my dues and take what's there. It's really nice being one of the entitled, when next move is to get a handicap flag so I can drive right up to the greens. Sorry about this but that's the way I feel and no I'm not moving

Hmmmnnnnn!!!
Sometimes it very difficult to distinguish between BS and bait!!

[Polar Bear]

I for one do not repair Ball marks on the greens nor do I rake the traps I have become one of the entitled. The powers to be don't really care about the conditions of the executive courses. I too don't care. I pay my dues and take what's there. It's really nice being one of the entitled, when next move is to get a handicap flag so I can drive right up to the greens. Sorry about this but that's the way I feel and no I'm not moving
Somehow I feel like that’s the only part of the post that’s not true.

[ColdNoMore]

Ball marks are a minor problem compared to proper maintenance by the Greenskeeper.

Yep...:agree:

[Paper1]

Played Bogart Sunday. EVERY cup had been torn up by someone too lazy to remove the pin to retrieve their ball. Such a shame.

Played Bogart today, Weds, and you are correct. New flag rule might be reducing round time very slightly but cup are taking a beating for reason you stated. I also thought greens were very poor, even for this time of year. That said in all fairness I know nothing about maintaining golf greens.

[Two Bills]

Don't forget how hard it is to get a tee time this time of year. Over developed already for the FROGs. Looking for my next investment/home. U can have this congested mess.

R, X Villager.

I play every other day, and have never had a problem getting a tee time, unless you are looking for a time to the minute and a specifiic course.
I put a two and a half hour window, with a 'time to start' of 0130pm, and I get it within twenty minutes either way every time.
I give a selection of courses that I prefer.

[billethkid]

Played Bogart today, Weds, and you are correct. New flag rule might be reducing round time very slightly but cup are taking a beating for reason you stated. I also thought greens were very poor, even for this time of year. That said in all fairness I know nothing about maintaining golf greens.

Play Walnut Grove if you want to see it done right!

[anothersteve]

I've never played on an exec with "deplorable" greens. And coming from NY, the greens fees on the champs are very reasonable, especially after 2
Steve

[John Golen]

The greens are horrible and bunkers are filled with too much sand. Use the sand for the divot bottles and buy some rollers to use weekly. Problem solved

[DonH57]

The greens and tee boxes on Silver Lake were in decent shape yesterday except for untouched fresh ball marks.

[PTY Sparky]

Again this year, the Executive course greens are in deplorable condition. An embarrassment and one that could have been corrected. No this is not caused by excessive footsteps but by management opting to not overseed and elect to have residents instead putt on green dirt. Come on folks. Too late for this year but invest in our courses next year and give us something to play on. Heads need to roll.

I could not agree with you more....They are atrocious! A complete embarrassment to The Villages. Seems like all the focus and money is going into Fenney and they are ignoring what's here.

[Tomterrif]

Again this year, the Executive course greens are in deplorable condition. An embarrassment and one that could have been corrected. No this is not caused by excessive footsteps but by management opting to not overseed and elect to have residents instead putt on green dirt. Come on folks. Too late for this year but invest in our courses next year and give us something to play on. Heads need to roll.

Boy do I agree..... honestly I sometimes play an 18 hole 4500 yard course in PA literally maintained by a farmer that costs $11.00 to play.... their green are better than these.... if these incompetents are not removed then the Villages has duped their residents.... most are not fit to putt on...extremely disappointing....will ultimately impact home values... sets a new standard for mediocrity

[Bruce zapolski]

Can you believe the villages charges a guest $14 to play a executive course when you guys are done with that round I bet your guest is not your friend anymore .

[graciegirl]

Can you believe the villages charges a guess $14 to play a executive course when you guys are done with that round I bet your guess is not your friend anymore .

FIVE more days and many wonderful seasonal residents and property owners who pay taxes and amenity fees year 'round and enjoy being here in high season will go home and take their guests. Less feet. Easier on greens. YES.

[MrGolf]

Reduced traffic is not going to fix these greens. They are worse than any previous years and the traffic volume is consistent with last year. Course maintenance is the issue.

[justjim]

Can you believe the villages charges a guess $14 to play a executive course when you guys are done with that round I bet your guess is not your friend anymore .

I paid $15 for my guest the other day at Okeechobee And, of course, my granddaughter rode with me in my cart. BTW, she plays on her HS team and beat me by a stroke from the gold tees. Her only comment was that the greens were difficult and hard. A number of shots hit the green and rolled to the back or off. The traps looked like a gorilla had walked through a couple of them and I fixed several ball marks that were not mine.

I keep hearing “tee times are hard to get” but I just don’t find it to be a big problem. :ho:

[Viperguy]

Just waiting for July.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

If price and availability is your only criteria of what constitutes "good" golf conditions, then feel free to play in my driveway for just $2. No golf cart needed.

If you want a well-maintained golf course - even if it's not pristine, then you SHOULD be able to get it, since that's supposedly what some of your amenity fees are paying for.

[biker1]

The difficulty of getting tee times is a function of how many are in the group, the average number of points, the number of candidate courses, and the time window. If you are a foursome with zero points you can probably play any course when you want to. If you are a group of 32 with an average of 3 points then you will probably only be able to get the northern courses or the 4 courses south of Route 44 if you want to play in the morning.




I keep hearing “tee times are hard to get” but I just don’t find it to be a big problem. :ho:

[dewilson58]

KEEP RAINING................great medicine for the courses.

[anothersteve]

KEEP RAINING................great medicine for the courses.

That's the biggest problem that everyone's missing. Too bad the courses aren't getting enough water from all the tears.
Steve

[Bogie Shooter]

Easy now...…………………………..

[dewilson58]

I would be in favor of closing two per month and let them rest & repair. 12 months of play is tough on them.


Up North, courses got winter rest.

[Bruce zapolski]

There’s not enough rain in the world to help these courses with this management.very sad to say

[villagerjack]

There’s not enough rain in the world to help these courses with this management.very sad to say

Do you have a plan to offer? What are they doing wrong that you could do differently and have you tried to approach Management? I would be interesting to hear your ideas and I suspect others too. Thanks

[Tomterrif]

In my experience it is not ball marks causing the problem, it is large grassless spots in the greens, incompetent and poorly timed aeration, mindless operation of equipment damaging the greens, and lack of grass care. On one course I saw three greens damaged by leaking fluid... you have to wonder if the operator was half asleep... pure amateurism. I agree they are on the way to busting the bubble. In general the greens north of 466 seem to be in better shape than those to the south... have no idea why

[Happinow]

It might just be working against them. Played with a three month renter that has been coming here for 4 years. After playing four substandard exec courses in a row he said the luster has worn off. Since golf is his principal activity he is considering a move further south to play better conditioned courses with less traffic. Pretty sure he is not alone. Just sayin.

Moving South with less traffic?? Please share where that may be. Others may want to follow....

[graciegirl]

Moving South with less traffic?? Please share where that may be. Others may want to follow....

I think he meant "foot traffic" on the Golf courses.

[JimJohnson]

Moving South with less traffic?? Please share where that may be. Others may want to follow....

I also think all of Florida has the opportunity to have great greens. Moving south would only help if the management put more time and money into maintenance. We need that here.

[Shbullet]

I also think all of Florida has the opportunity to have great greens. Moving south would only help if the management put more time and money into maintenance. We need that here.

You are absolutely correct

[Polar Bear]

Southern Star this week. Green conditions fair-to-good. Far from perfect. Far from deplorable.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I would be in favor of closing two per month and let them rest & repair. 12 months of play is tough on them.


Up North, courses got winter rest.

This is actually a great idea. Have a rotating closure of ALL greens, including the Club/Championship courses. There's what, 40 Exec and 12 Championship at the present time? So here's what you can do:

Close Nancy Lopez for 2 weeks to upgrade, maintain, repair, and rest the greens. While Lopez is closed, close Mira Mesa, Turtle Mound, and Okeechobee. Notice that's pretty spread out. A CC course up top, with the 3 execs at totally different locations, so that golfers still don't have to go too much further to visit one of the other ones in the area.

Then have them all stay open for a week, before closing the next CC and 3 execs for 2 weeks. And keep doing this, rotating with enough spreadout to minimize complaints of distance from someone's "usual haunt."

Any course that shows more wear and tear than 2 weeks can repair, would stay closed until it has a chance to rest, but while that one is closed, only two other execs would be closed during that rotation, not three.

By the end of the season, all courses should be ready to reopen in much better condition than they were before the process begun.

[MrGolf]

I meant the courses, not the roads. After all, this has been the winter season and this is Florida. If you are looking for less road traffic, shoot for Arkansas or Iowa. Rumor has it their golf courses might have less traffic as well.

[sheena0904]

In my experience it is not ball marks causing the problem, it is large grassless spots in the greens, incompetent and poorly timed aeration, mindless operation of equipment damaging the greens, and lack of grass care. On one course I saw three greens damaged by leaking fluid... you have to wonder if the operator was half asleep... pure amateurism. I agree they are on the way to busting the bubble. In general the greens north of 466 seem to be in better shape than those to the south... have no idea why
So how and what would you do differently? Have you ever thought that the soil conditions are night and day from North of 466 to South of 466? Or the longer the course has to mature the better shape it will be in? The Villages was/is being North to South correct?

[Mikeod]

Posting displeasure about the executive course conditions here amounts to venting with no expectation of improvement. These complaints need to be brought to the district directly just like you would complain to the city or town council. Since the problem involves courses over many of the residential CDDs I don’t think it would be effective going through them.

As far as the difference between courses above 466 and those below, consider that above 466 (plus the Pimlico group, I believe) the maintenance budget is a function of the AAC, which has been involved for many years. The budget for those below has only recently become the responsibility of the district since the sale of the amenities by the developer.

[Shbullet]

Posting displeasure about the executive course conditions here amounts to venting with no expectation of improvement. These complaints need to be brought to the district directly just like you would complain to the city or town council. Since the problem involves courses over many of the residential CDDs I don’t think it would be effective going through them.

As far as the difference between courses above 466 and those below, consider that above 466 (plus the Pimlico group, I believe) the maintenance budget is a function of the AAC, which has been involved for many years. The budget for those below has only recently become the responsibility of the district since the sale of the amenities by the developer.

Since people have been venting on this website, even tho I agree its not the ultimate method of getting expected improvement, they have closed down 3 executive courses and I believe another 2-3 will be closed for repairs in the near future. Uneccessary venting, I agree with dosent help, but because the problem has negatively influenced so many golfers that I think this forum has given them a feeling of some satisfaction with the expectation that something will get done about it. Slowly there will be improvement but softening the problem gets nothing done.

[MrGolf]

Agree with your comments. In addition to posting on this thread I have been in touch with executives. Their response as you have pointed out resulted in closing of several exec courses. It is anticipated that when more of the seasonal folks depart over the next 4 weeks we will see others clos as well.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I think it helps to know you're not alone, when you feel you have a valid complaint. You express it in a community, and get feedback. You can decide for yourself if the feedback is useful - whether it validates your concern, or offers a different perspective you might not have had before, that changes your mind.

If you get enough feedback that convinces you to take action, you can then go more confidently into a dialogue with the appropriate parties.

[Shbullet]

Well said!

[graciegirl]

Since people have been venting on this website, even tho I agree its not the ultimate method of getting expected improvement, they have closed down 3 executive courses and I believe another 2-3 will be closed for repairs in the near future. Uneccessary venting, I agree with dosent help, but because the problem has negatively influenced so many golfers that I think this forum has given them a feeling of some satisfaction with the expectation that something will get done about it. Slowly there will be improvement but softening the problem gets nothing done.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/sandhill-closed-until-further-notice-14134/?highlight=courses+closed+repair Thread from 2008

I just said to the good golfer and reasonable person in our family who golfs 18 hole courses here four days a week, I said "lot of complaints on TOTV about the courses being in bad condition". He said "they're right, there are patches that could be easily fixed but aren't". I am not golfing these days due to a hitch in my get along.

Apparently you are right Shbullet. I apologize.

[Shbullet]

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/sandhill-closed-until-further-notice-14134/?highlight=courses+closed+repair Thread from 2008

I just said to the good golfer and reasonable person in our family who golfs 18 hole courses here four days a week, I said "lot of complaints on TOTV about the courses being in bad condition". He said "they're right, there are patches that could be easily fixed but aren't". I am not golfing these days due to a hitch in my get along.

Apparently you are right Shtbullet. I apologize.

Oh GG there's no need for apologies, if you could ask another member of your family that golfs the executives, I think you would really get a earful. Also, at no point have I complained about the courses, I have merely been a advocate of those that have used this forum for there concerns about the courses, without having their concerns "softened".

Still friends GG....oh and by the way, Im Shbullet not sht...hopefully that wasn't a short abbreviation purposely thrown my way,,lol

[MrGolf]

There is a new piece of equipment called Air2G2 built by a Jacksonville company that shoots air into the greens and avoids the old way of aeration. You can play on the greens immediately after it’s completed

The Air2G2, which is painted blue, looks like just another greens mower. Except instead of blades, it’s got three large circular pads beneath its midsection. They’re 2 feet apart and each pad has one injection point. The pads are pressed down on the turf, then compressed air is injected into the ground. It reaches as far as 12 inches underground in two blasts, breaking up compacted turf.

◼ Watch: The Air2G2 in action

In use, the Air2G2 moves slowly, injecting air, advancing 3 feet and injecting air again, and so on. It leaves behind only a few holes — approximately 2 percent as many as traditional aerating, Jones figures — and play may resume immediately.

[Paporter]

Don't forget how hard it is to get a tee time this time of year. Over developed already for the FROGs. Looking for my next investment/home. U can have this congested mess.

R, X Villager.

Here goes 90% of the problem in The Villages, the developer allowing people to buy investment home(s) to rent out during the “season”. And people moving out of their homes and renting them out during season, just to make money! The renters are the problem, they have no vested interest in keeping the courses, picking up dog poop, allowing children to drive golf carts and, respecting our way of life! People can not be allowed to rent their homes out less than 6 months! I see advertising for weekly and biweekly rentals, what we have is a vacation club, not a retirement village(s)!

[Paporter]

There is a new piece of equipment called Air2G2 built by a Jacksonville company that shoots air into the greens and avoids the old way of aeration. You can play on the greens immediately after it’s completed

The Air2G2, which is painted blue, looks like just another greens mower. Except instead of blades, it’s got three large circular pads beneath its midsection. They’re 2 feet apart and each pad has one injection point. The pads are pressed down on the turf, then compressed air is injected into the ground. It reaches as far as 12 inches underground in two blasts, breaking up compacted turf.

◼ Watch: The Air2G2 in action

In use, the Air2G2 moves slowly, injecting air, advancing 3 feet and injecting air again, and so on. It leaves behind only a few holes — approximately 2 percent as many as traditional aerating, Jones figures — and play may resume immediately.

This machine is used on some courses, south of 466a.

[Jayvee]

Other than the greens that seem to be rotted (actually looks like over watering ) the fairways are way too short. It's almost like hitting off plain curt. The grass will. Never recover if they continually scalp the fairways every day. I'm not an expert by no means but I do have eyes. Half the fairways are no more than dirt and they still mow them. This I just my opinion for what it's worth.

[MrGolf]

It is not being used by any of the Executive courses. Can you identify which course is currently or has been using?

[stujake]

In my experience it is not ball marks causing the problem, it is large grassless spots in the greens, incompetent and poorly timed aeration, mindless operation of equipment damaging the greens, and lack of grass care. On one course I saw three greens damaged by leaking fluid... you have to wonder if the operator was half asleep... pure amateurism. I agree they are on the way to busting the bubble. In general the greens north of 466 seem to be in better shape than those to the south... have no idea why

The greens north of 466 are in better condition because they get less play. They get less play because the average age of residents north of 466 is greater than the average age of residents south of 466 and the older residents either don't play as much or maybe no longer play at all. For those of us who live south (almost to SR44), it is too long of a ride in a golf cart to play a nine hole course north of 466. Also, many residents south of SR44 are playing the courses north of SR44 and south of 466. That will get to be a bigger problem once the bridges over SR44 have been completed.

[stujake]

Again this year, the Executive course greens are in deplorable condition. An embarrassment and one that could have been corrected. No this is not caused by excessive footsteps but by management opting to not overseed and elect to have residents instead putt on green dirt. Come on folks. Too late for this year but invest in our courses next year and give us something to play on. Heads need to roll.

I could not agree more. It has become almost impossible to putt on some of the greens. On some of the courses, there appears to be two different types of grass growing in patches all over the same green. In reality, it may be a disease problem with the grass. On one course we recently played, the grass on the green had been removed in rectangular sections and new grass had been installed in its place; however, the sizes of the rectangles of new grass did not match the sizes of the rectangles that had been removed, resulting in ruts and bumps. Many of the greens have recently been aerated and sanded, making them difficult to putt on. I guess the bottom line is should they close these courses for longer periods of time to allow them to be properly repaired, spend more money to repair them properly or find people who really know how to properly repair the courses? The answers to all of those questions should be "YES"; however, the end result will be less availability and/or potentially higher costs to play golf. I think management has chosen to let more people play at the lowest cost. In the end, you get what you pay for.

None of those problems are caused by the players. I agree that many players don't rake traps, but I also know from experience that there are not enough rakes in many traps. Having one or two rakes in some of the very large traps makes it time consuming to go a long way just to get a rake and it just slows down play. During a recent round, we found that the sand in some traps had just been replaced with new sand of a different type and color than sand that had not been newly replaced in the other traps, making it difficult to play out of the traps due to lack of consistency. That is not a player problem, but strictly a maintenance problem.

[DeanFL]

Just played Volusia (near the Sarasota Driving Range). Entire course in very good condition - greens, close to excellent. Of course I may be biased - played pretty well today too...

[ColdNoMore]

Something I think the superintendents should investigate, is the feasibility of closing a couple of greens at a time to try and get them healthy...and set up 'temporary greens.'

Most of us who have played where there is a winter, have played courses in early spring...where this was done.

A small discount could be offered, allowing time to remediate some problem greens without closing the entire course, while still bringing in revenue...and could turn out to be a win-win. :shrug:

Of course, an 'automatic two putt rule'...needs to apply. :D

As long as not too many greens were so designated on a specific 9...I personally would still play them. :thumbup:


BTW - You can still post scores to GHIN...with temporary greens.

http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/articles/2017/04/temporary-greens-and-tees--can-i-post-my-score-.html

[Bogie Shooter]

The greens north of 466 are in better condition because they get less play. They get less play because the average age of residents north of 466 is greater than the average age of residents south of 466 and the older residents either don't play as much or maybe no longer play at all. For those of us who live south (almost to SR44), it is too long of a ride in a golf cart to play a nine hole course north of 466. Also, many residents south of SR44 are playing the courses north of SR44 and south of 466. That will get to be a bigger problem once the bridges over SR44 have been completed.

If you check available tee times at the northern courses you will see this is not true.

[Bobobrien]

Again this year, the Executive course greens are in deplorable condition. An embarrassment and one that could have been corrected. No this is not caused by excessive footsteps but by management opting to not overseed and elect to have residents instead putt on green dirt. Come on folks. Too late for this year but invest in our courses next year and give us something to play on. Heads need to roll.
Agree 100%. Played Sandhill Sunday: like putting in my back yard.

[dewilson58]

Emerging Alternative to Overseeding

Overseeding a golf course requires time, labor and money, and inconveniences golfers during the grow-in times. Is there a better alternative? There might be one emerging.


Some golf courses have experimented over the years with coloring, or painting, their dormant turfgrass, rather than overseeding it. It sounds kind of silly, but as the quality of the "turf colorants" has improved, and best-practices for doing it have been shared among greenskeepers, coloring (at least of the dormant greens) is catching on with more golf courses. Overseeding is still more common for now.







A case study of the use of turf colorants published by the USGA Green Section (http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/course-care/water-resource-center/bmp-case-studies/2017/using-turf-colorants-instead-of-overseeding.html) concluded:


"The majority of golfers could not tell the difference between fairways treated with turf colorants and the conventional overseeding practices. Low-handicap players at the course especially preferred the colorant-treated playing surfaces. Turf colorants provide excellent visual definition during the winter and eliminate the poor playing conditions during the overseed transition periods. Of course, there were some golfers who were not happy with the change and preferred the overseeded fairways, but for the most part the reaction has been extremely positive."

[ColdNoMore]

For me, as long as there is a vestige of grass in the fairways and I'm not hitting off of bare dirt...the condition of the green is the most important.

Even if the greens are not all that fast (which I personally prefer), as long as they're fairly consistent without large bare/sodded sections...I'm reasonably satisfied.

These days, I've actually been hoping to get in the rough instead of the fairway though...because it's usually a better lie.

On the positive side though, even topped shots or smothered hooks (the primary bane of my game :censored:) can run forever, and if the ball is lucky enough to stay in play...can make you feel like a hero after your tee shot. :D

[Northwoods]

Here goes 90% of the problem in The Villages, the developer allowing people to buy investment home(s) to rent out during the “season”. And people moving out of their homes and renting them out during season, just to make money! The renters are the problem, they have no vested interest in keeping the courses, picking up dog poop, allowing children to drive golf carts and, respecting our way of life! People can not be allowed to rent their homes out less than 6 months! I see advertising for weekly and biweekly rentals, what we have is a vacation club, not a retirement village(s)!
So it's "The Developer's" fault that people buy investment homes (because The Developer would know that when they sell them). Can't you just say "The problem is that people that buy homes to rent don't have a vested interest...". Not that I agree or not. But why is it always the Developer's problem???