Country Clubs

[Fred and Di]

My wife and I are contemplating a move to the villages. question, What does it cost to join the average country club and what benefits does one receive for these fees? I realize that prices may vary, so a generic answer will suffice. Thanks

[graciegirl]

Oh, I know that one of the English Majors could explain this better, but the answer is nothing and something. If you want to go to the country club for dinner or for drinks and to listen to the music, nothing. If you want to join to play 18 holes of golf at a reduced rate on a championship course than you can join and have privileges at several country clubs, but not all. (I think...Sweeties isn't here to ask) Some country clubs have pools, but all recreation centers have pools for no cost and there are free adult pools everywhere too.

Joining country clubs in The Villages is just not the same as it is in Ohio.

[Army Guy]

Did you not watch your TV DVD? Jst kidding! :pepper2: They are FREE!
Now let me add, that if you want to play the courses associated with them or use their pools you must join the Priority Golf Program or Pool for just pool. The cost varies on couple membership and how many. The most expensive is presently $925 for the year.

Army Guy

[mac9]

You do NOT have to have a priority membership to play 18 holes at any of the country clubs. Purchasing a priority membership for 3,4 or all clubs is an option which gives you reduced greens fees and priority on tee times. You must have a priority golf and/or pool membership in order to use the pools. I have never had a priority membership and have played 18 holes at all of the country clubs. There are enough pools around TV that I cannot see paying to use the country club pools, even in the winter when the snowbirds are here.

[ajbrown]

My wife and I are contemplating a move to the villages. question, What does it cost to join the average country club and what benefits does one receive for these fees? I realize that prices may vary, so a generic answer will suffice. Thanks

I think you are asking what it costs to be a member of a country club in TV? The simple answer is that as a resident of TV you are a member at the country clubs for free.

That allows you to play golf, eat and drink and enjoy the "country club life". Where have I heard that :)? Green fees, food and beer are pay as you go. In addition there are NO minimums. Here arethe green fees...

http://golfthevillages.com/images/winterRates.pdf (http://blankrefer.com/?www.golfthevillages.com/images/winterRates.pdf)

http://golfthevillages.com/images/summerRates.pdf (http://blankrefer.com/?www.golfthevillages.com/images/summerRates.pdf)
Even as a member of the country club you cannot use the pool without paying an additional fee or become a "priority member".

Check out this to understand what a priority member is.

http://www.golfthevillages.com/tee-times/membership.asp (http://blankrefer.com/?www.golfthevillages.com/tee-times/membership.asp)
and pools:

http://www.golfthevillages.com/pools (http://blankrefer.com/?www.golfthevillages.com/pools)
phew.... hope that is what you were looking for :)

[Fred and Di]

I am guilty of not watching the DVD. We stopped by TV to visit a friend a few weeks ago and were totally impressed with the lifestyle. We are going to do a 6 day official visit this winter and look at homes. I get the feeling from you fine folks that country club membership may not be the best value for the buck. Next quick question, Can our adult children spend a week there even if we are not present at the same time?

[Bogie Shooter]

I am guilty of not watching the DVD. We stopped by TV to visit a friend a few weeks ago and were totally impressed with the lifestyle. We are going to do a 6 day official visit this winter and look at homes. I get the feeling from you fine folks that country club membership may not be the best value for the buck. Next quick question, Can our adult children spend a week there even if we are not present at the same time?
May I direct you to another thread that is discussing passes. There are some good explanations there that will answer your questions.
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29230

[l2ridehd]

Actually I think the membership is good value. For the $925 annual fee, you get reduced greens fees and priority tee times. So you get to chose where you want to play ahead of those who are not priority members. Using the CC pools is OK but not a requirement. Although the resort pool atmosphere at Orange Blossom is quite nice. And if you use the community pools, the CC pools are less crowded in season.

The reduced greens fee pays for itself if you and your spouse play over once a week on average, so 50 times a year. Its about a $10 saving per person in the summer and $20 per person in the winter for each 18 hole round.

[graciegirl]

I absolutely agree with the last two posters. It all depends if you are a GOLFER.

[golf2140]

The savings for priority members is as follows:
5/1 to 10/14 $5.00

01/15 to 12/31 $10.00

1/1/ to 4/30 $15.00

If you play twice a week the priority membership will pay for it self. Also to play on a Championship course for men's or ladies days you must be priority. When you purchase priority it also covers your trail fee for the year. Good luck and come join the fun.

[chuckinca]

I am guilty of not watching the DVD. We stopped by TV to visit a friend a few weeks ago and were totally impressed with the lifestyle. We are going to do a 6 day official visit this winter and look at homes. I get the feeling from you fine folks that country club membership may not be the best value for the buck. Next quick question, Can our adult children spend a week there even if we are not present at the same time?


Yes.

They don't need guest passes unless they want to go to Katie Belles, rec centers, pools, 9 hole courses, and the like. The squares, shopping centers and 18 hole courses are open to the public (golf fees are higher tho).

If they live outside Lake, Marion or Sumter counties, you can call the issuing rec centers to order guest passes (30 day limit)(renewable) and set it up so they can pick them up. No guest passes for friends or relatives in the three local counties!

.

[spk7951]

The savings for priority members is as follows:
5/1 to 10/14 $5.00

01/15 to 12/31 $10.00

1/1/ to 4/30 $15.00

If you play twice a week the priority membership will pay for it self. Also to play on a Championship course for men's or ladies days you must be priority. When you purchase priority it also covers your trail fee for the year. Good luck and come join the fun.


I believe the priority membership also covers the yearly $18 GHIN fee.

[ajbrown]

I believe the priority membership also covers the yearly $18 GHIN fee.

It does not include GHIN fee or I am getting :swear: :)

[Bogie Shooter]

It does not include GHIN fee or I am getting :swear: :)

Its not included.

[mrdills]

When I first move to the Villages, I bought into the preferred membership but after going to the CC pools during the winter and trying to go into the pools with the all the kids jumping on you I stopped it the following year. There is lots of great golf coursed outside of the Villages and the price is cheaper than the Villages in the winter.

[Pturner]

Wow, the GHIN fee is $18? Our country club bills GHIN renewals annually at $30 per person. :cus::rant-rave:

[spk7951]

Last couple of times I have renewed my GHIN I was asked if I was a priority member. From reading what the priority enhancement includes it sounds to me like a priority members get reduced rates on the GHIN not free as I had been lead to believe. Below is the text from the Golf The Villages web site.

"The Priority Golf membership enhancement allows you priority access to golf tee times for the Championship Courses, reduced greens fees, reduced USGA handicap Fees and eligibility in country club tournaments. Additionally, this enhancement entitles you to the use of all the country club pools, spas and FREE tennis at Hacienda Hills Country Club."

[Rag Bagger]

I am not a golfer but no body mentioned that all the executive courses are fee. I think that is right. And I also think the quality of the executive courses are as good as the Championship courses. Right. I am sure some of you golfers will let this party no if these comments are true or not. Ya just got to decide how many $1000.00 extras you want and can afford. There aren't really many extra cost items but the golf thing is one that is significant.

[jebartle]

I think the championship courses are in MUCH better shape than the executives, BUT the executives get more use from new golfers, free if you are a walker like me, and a great opportunity to work on your short game....Many execs are VERY challanging, some like Amberwood, have a par 5 (granted it was originally a ....This might be the subject for a new thread but I would love for the Villages to give the NEW golfers an etiquette video to rent....I would do nothing to discourage our new golfers from playing more, but I'm sure they would also like to be in the know!!:pepper2:

[Boomer]

[QUOTE=jebartle;265811]I think the championship courses are in MUCH better shape than the executives, BUT the executives get more use from new golfers, free if you are a walker like me, and a great opportunity to work on your short game....Many execs are VERY challanging, some like Amberwood, have a par 5 (granted it was originally a ....This might be the subject for a new thread but I would love for the Villages to give the NEW golfers an etiquette video to rent....I would do nothing to discourage our new golfers from playing more, but I'm sure they would also like to be in the know!!:pepper2:[/QUOTE


Hi jebartle,

I don't know about a video, but here is a link to the place on the PGA site where golf etiquette is covered.

http://www.pga.com/play/etiquette/

Here is another link that might help. This one is more to the point for new golfers. It has a part with the top ten tips.

http://www.usga.org/Etiquette.aspx?id=7790#show=0015d974ca7942aaabe2fb 35199a6831forward

I guess this should be in a different thread, but I thought I would put it here since the subject came up. (Anybody who wants to start a new thread is welcome to move the links.)

So anyway, "Drive for show. Putt for dough." -- (I know. I know. That part has nothing to do with any of the topics in this thread. And besides, I am a terrible golfer who can neither drive nor putt worth a darn. But I just love that old driving and putting saying, and I wanted to throw it in. I digress sometimes.)

Boomer

[Ohiogirl]

And sometimes, I think I'm on the verge of becoming a good golfer - then the golf gods show me where I belong. I have discovered that on the 15th hole I'm ready to quit, which means I am a 9 hole golfer. Which is not all bad, because 9 holes on an executive course is free! And I'm really just there to enjoy the wildlife, or at least, that's what I tell myself.

And I keep meeting these golfers (in The Villages) in great shape who tell me (usually on the 7th hole) that they are 75 years old and always walk. That's good enough for me, except in Ohio, on 9 holes of a regular course, I am wishing I was riding on about the 4th hole. But those guys (in The Villages) keep me going, except on days that threaten a thunderstorm, which gives me a great excuse to ride . . .

(Catholic School hangover - please God, give me strength to keep walking)

[golf2140]

I believe the priority membership also covers the yearly $18 GHIN fee.

The Ghinn fee is seperate $15.00

[graciegirl]

And sometimes, I think I'm on the verge of becoming a good golfer - then the golf gods show me where I belong. I have discovered that on the 15th hole I'm ready to quit, which means I am a 9 hole golfer. Which is not all bad, because 9 holes on an executive course is free! And I'm really just there to enjoy the wildlife, or at least, that's what I tell myself.

And I keep meeting these golfers (in The Villages) in great shape who tell me (usually on the 7th hole) that they are 75 years old and always walk. That's good enough for me, except in Ohio, on 9 holes of a regular course, I am wishing I was riding on about the 4th hole. But those guys (in The Villages) keep me going, except on days that threaten a thunderstorm, which gives me a great excuse to ride . . .

(Catholic School hangover - please God, give me strength to keep walking)

Did I write this? I am an Ohio girl too...Oh HOLY HAT, (as Blondie says) a new best friend. My feelings exactly!

[Pturner]

I am not a golfer but no body mentioned that all the executive courses are fee. I think that is right. And I also think the quality of the executive courses are as good as the Championship courses. Right. I am sure some of you golfers will let this party no if these comments are true or not. Ya just got to decide how many $1000.00 extras you want and can afford. There aren't really many extra cost items but the golf thing is one that is significant.

Hi Rag,
You bring up a good point for newbies wanting to know more about TV golf. The executive courses are free for walkers. You can pay a trail fee ($7, I think) to ride in a cart. There is no green fee. There's also an option to rent an awesomely easy-to-push push cart for $1.

The executive courses are mostly par 3, nine-hole courses. The executive courses in TV form a trail. You can play 18 holes of executive golf (or 27 holes, for that matter), by scheduling adjacent nine-hole courses back-to-back. As someone else mentioned, the executive courses are excellent for working on your short game. They are also a good choice for beginners.

Course conditions vary, not necessarily by executive vs. championship. In other words, the championship courses are not necessarily in better shape. The advantage of the championship courses is that they have the common range of par 3, par 4 and par 5 holes. They are more suitable than the executive courses for serious golfers (whether high or low handicap).

By serious golfers, I mean people who'd rather golf than have sex. Just kidding. I just mean people who LOVE golf. I'm a high handicapper, but LOVE to golf.

I love playing the executive courses, but play "real" golf on the championship ones and love them more.

[graciegirl]

Hi Rag,
You bring up a good point for newbies wanting to know more about TV golf. The executive courses are free for walkers. You can pay a trail fee ($7, I think) to ride in a cart. There is no green fee. There's also an option to rent an awesomely easy-to-push push cart for $1.

The executive courses are mostly par 3, nine-hole courses. The executive courses in TV form a trail. You can play 18 holes of executive golf (or 27 holes, for that matter), by scheduling adjacent nine-hole courses back-to-back. As someone else mentioned, the executive courses are excellent for working on your short game. They are also a good choice for beginners.

Course conditions vary, not necessarily by executive vs. championship. In other words, the championship courses are not necessarily in better shape. The advantage of the championship courses is that they have the common range of par 3, par 4 and par 5 holes. They are more suitable than the executive courses for serious golfers (whether high or low handicap).

By serious golfers, I mean people who'd rather golf than have sex. Just kidding. I just mean people who LOVE golf. I'm a high handicapper, but LOVE to golf.

I love playing the executive courses, but play "real" golf on the championship ones and love them more.

Thoughtfully stated, P. The trail fee for one is $3.50. We sign up for the yearly trail fees so it feels more like free each time. Sweetie is a serious golfer, no wait, well close. He is a really good golfer and fun on the course....and off too.

The golf on the executive courses here isn't what long time golfers are used to. But still nice in it's own way.

[Ohiogirl]

Hi Rag,
You bring up a good point for newbies wanting to know more about TV golf. The executive courses are free for walkers. You can pay a trail fee ($7, I think) to ride in a cart. There is no green fee. There's also an option to rent an awesomely easy-to-push push cart for $1.

The executive courses are mostly par 3, nine-hole courses. The executive courses in TV form a trail. You can play 18 holes of executive golf (or 27 holes, for that matter), by scheduling adjacent nine-hole courses back-to-back. As someone else mentioned, the executive courses are excellent for working on your short game. They are also a good choice for beginners.

Course conditions vary, not necessarily by executive vs. championship. In other words, the championship courses are not necessarily in better shape. The advantage of the championship courses is that they have the common range of par 3, par 4 and par 5 holes. They are more suitable than the executive courses for serious golfers (whether high or low handicap).

By serious golfers, I mean people who'd rather golf than have sex. Just kidding. I just mean people who LOVE golf. I'm a high handicapper, but LOVE to golf.

I love playing the executive courses, but play "real" golf on the championship ones and love them more.

I asked and was told one could only schedule 9 holes (except for Yankee Clipper, and that's only temporary). Is there really a way to get a reservation for 2 exec courses on the same day?

I heard from another golfer last trip that sometimes in the summer only on certain days you can play certain other exec courses as 18 holes, but not all.

Actually, don't think I even want to play 18 anymore, but still feel somehow this need to know . . .

[Bogie Shooter]

I asked and was told one could only schedule 9 holes (except for Yankee Clipper, and that's only temporary). Is there really a way to get a reservation for 2 exec courses on the same day?

I heard from another golfer last trip that sometimes in the summer only on certain days you can play certain other exec courses as 18 holes, but not all.

Actually, don't think I even want to play 18 anymore, but still feel somehow this need to know . . .
Its true in the summer starting now there are several pairings you can request a tee time thru the reservation system. This info is in the Daily Sun.

[ajbrown]

I asked and was told one could only schedule 9 holes (except for Yankee Clipper, and that's only temporary). Is there really a way to get a reservation for 2 exec courses on the same day?

I heard from another golfer last trip that sometimes in the summer only on certain days you can play certain other exec courses as 18 holes, but not all.

Actually, don't think I even want to play 18 anymore, but still feel somehow this need to know . . .

In the summer you can request 18 holes at executives, but I would also do this over the winter when you can only request 9. The way I do it is put in a request for 9 at say Bogart and Bacall to try and play around 2.... After I get the request filled I go and make a reservation at another for an available time after say 4:15 at the one I did not get.

We did this several times this year playing Redfish at 2-3 and yankee at 4:30-5 (before Yankee was 18).

Keep in mind before daylight savings this is a much tougher thing. Now it is simple. The tee time system will only balk if you put your reservation too close to your request. In other words, say your request is 3:12 at Truman. Now you go to make a reservation and look at available tee times and see there is 5:09, 5:19, 5:29 at Roosevelt. If you select 5:09 at Roosevelt, the system will say you have a conflicting time, but will let you select 5:29.

Hope that makes sense....

[Pturner]

Sweetie is a serious golfer, no wait, well close.

ha ha. Glad you read my post carefully. ;)