new holeless pin

[village dreamer]

the wife and i played turtle mound today, we liked the pvc around the hole.:bigbow:

[ColdNoMore]

the wife and i played turtle mound today, we liked the pvc around the hole.:bigbow:

It's actually just the regular cup...left above ground.

To approximate normal conditions, my groups have instituted a rule that if your ball hits the raised cup it must stay within "gimme range" (18")...to be considered "holed out."

If something similar to that rule isn't used, a lot of folks would be banging their ball at the cup pretty hard, just trying to hit the now raised cup, whereas it probably would have been hit too hard...and wouldn't have fallen in the hole under normal conditions. :shrug:

It is nice though, that you don't have to put your hand down in the cup now, where LOTS of other hands...have gone before. :thumbup:

[anothersteve]

A "rule" for your group is fine, let everyone else decide what's GTG for themselves and have fun with it. Oh, and on Palmer it is a PVC pipe and not an upside down cup.

[N44125]

Hawks Bay today had PVC inserts. Also, no rakes in sand traps, starter advised you can still hit from the trap and smooth the sand with your foot, or lift ball and hit from outside the trap. Worked for us.

[golfing eagles]

After I saw that on the 1st green, I looked for the windmill and the clown's mouth on #2:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[kcrazorbackfan]

Hawks Bay today had PVC inserts. Also, no rakes in sand traps, starter advised you can still hit from the trap and smooth the sand with your foot, or lift ball and hit from outside the trap. Worked for us.

Not raking the traps or smoothing their footprints is nothing new for a lot of people. I've started taking my own rake on the off chance I hit into a trap.

[Mleeja]

No holes in one for awhile.

[DonH57]

Wow. Really I think I'll set aside playing golf and find things to do around the house.

[ColdNoMore]

Hawks Bay today had PVC inserts. Also, no rakes in sand traps, starter advised you can still hit from the trap and smooth the sand with your foot, or lift ball and hit from outside the trap. Worked for us.

I had been told that they were going to just leave the cups above the hole, so they could still have the flags, but admit....I haven't actually seen them yet.

Will hopefully be able to see for myself by Saturday.

[fredputtputt]

After I saw that on the 1st green, I looked for the windmill and the clown's mouth on #2:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:
Are we to assume that the PVC is a response to COVID 19 and not an attempt to reduce maintenance costs an will revert to normal shortly.

[dewilson58]

Great Idea.


Really does not change the game.


No body in TV is getting a check based on their score.


Play Ball!!

[Challenger]

Are we to assume that the PVC is a response to COVID 19 and not an attempt to reduce maintenance costs an will revert to normal shortly.

Yes-Intelligent response to this and other diseases.

[noslices1]

Same on Amberwood

[ladyarwen3]

We played Walnut grove and they did not have the PVC pipes yet (pool noodles cut up are also effective). I wish they did. We were paired with 2 lovely gentlemen but they did NOT practice any social distancing or safety procedures. Both came over to withing 2 feet of our cart at the starter shack and attempted to shake our hands; they kept lifting the pin to putt, etc. I gave them both a paper towel soaked with alcohol to wipe their hands and asked them politely to stay away. Neither of them were taking this too seriously. They were much older than hubby and me by at least 10 years.

How can we get the message out to others that we are NOT being unfriendly, but trying to keep us (and THEM) safe?

[Drdoug49]

I saw the same thing yesterday on a golf course. I politely and firmly said “ please stay 6 feet away and practice social distancing “. They followed my instructions thankfully

[Windguy]

It is nice though, that you don't have to put your hand down in the cup now, where LOTS of other hands...have gone before. :thumbup:

Well, maybe a person ahead of you coughed on his ball before he hitting it against the cup. Now your ball hits the cup in the same spot and gets the virus on it and then you pick it up. It may be low odds (certainly better than reaching into the cup), but it’s possible. I hate the idea of using sanitizer on every hole, but...

[rjn5656]

it is pvc cut and stuck in the hole, protruding out about 4-6 inches

[dshoberg]

We played Volusia yesterday with the pvc inserts and were not held up by the group in front of us once. I think the inserts are great for speeding up play. They also had them on the practice green. Very innovative solution for the issues of today!

[swooner]

A poor excuse for not closing the courses

[DonH57]

At first I would never say this but at this point I believe it's time to close the courses for now. I'm playing tomorrow and it will be it for me for a while. I need to also get stuff around the house done.

[anothersteve]

At first I would never say this but at this point I believe it's time to close the courses for now. I'm playing tomorrow and it will be it for me for a while. I need to also get stuff around the house done.

Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today?
Steve

[golfing eagles]

A poor excuse for not closing the courses

You don't need an excuse for not doing something that is not necessary

[DeanFL]

...Couple days ago, first time with the 'raised cups', I thought rules were changed and now we must chip 'up & in'. No one told me.

I really messed up the green on Hole #1, but finally scored a 13. Nice leavin' the putter in the bag...

[N44125]

Anyone got a photo of the new PVC / holes?

[cemlopez]

The intention is god but the execution is terrible, apparently all you have to do is hit the pvc pipe and you have made the put and you don't have to reach inside hole to retrieve the ball (that is not golf that is target shutting).
All they have to do was to install the same pipe about 1/2" below the hole surface and you would still have to put the ball at the proper speed for it to go in the hole and still be easily retrieved with out the need to reach all the way to the bottom of the hole.

[golfing eagles]

The intention is god but the execution is terrible, apparently all you have to do is hit the pvc pipe and you have made the put and you don't have to reach inside hole to retrieve the ball (that is not golf that is target shutting).
All they have to do was to install the same pipe about 1/2" below the hole surface and you would still have to put the ball at the proper speed for it to go in the hole and still be easily retrieved with out the need to reach all the way to the bottom of the hole.

wholeheartedly agree. It was like playing goofy golf yesterday. Players hit putts that were going to end up 20 feet past the hole, but because it just glanced the pipe on the way by, they were screaming "birdie!"

[anothersteve]

The intention is god but the execution is terrible, apparently all you have to do is hit the pvc pipe and you have made the put and you don't have to reach inside hole to retrieve the ball (that is not golf that is target shutting).
All they have to do was to install the same pipe about 1/2" below the hole surface and you would still have to put the ball at the proper speed for it to go in the hole and still be easily retrieved with out the need to reach all the way to the bottom of the hole.

With the PVC in the hole they can still keep the flag in. Some people seem to not understand that. Anyway it's still golf, you still need to get from tee to green in as little strokes as possible. Whatever anyone thinks about this not being golf, think about it as keeping the skills up.
Steve

[golfing eagles]

With the PVC in the hole they can still keep the flag in. Some people seem to not understand that. Anyway it's still golf, you still need to get from tee to green in as little strokes as possible. Whatever anyone thinks about this not being golf, think about it as keeping the skills up.
Steve

You can have a normal cup that is only 1 1/2 inches deep. The ball can easily be retrieved without touching the flagstick

[justjim]

Geez, I’m just happy to get out and play given the Coronavirus. I’ve played Tarpon Boil and Gray Fox this week and they had the PVC pipe to prevent the ball going in the hole. It’s a common sense move to help keep us safe. Tomorrow my group plays a Championship Course and we expect to find the same. We are using the two putt rule. Once on the green, you attempt to roll the ball and hit the hole. After that we pick up the ball and move on. Given the “conditions”, we are not posting scores for handicap purposes. Just glad to be playing and having some fun! Fore!

[Waltdisney4life]

I love the PVC just lowered my handicap by five strokes

[anothersteve]

You can have a normal cup that is only 1 1/2 inches deep. The ball can easily be retrieved without touching the flagstick

How do you do that when a "normal" cup is 4" deep?
Steve

[golfing eagles]

How do you do that when a "normal" cup is 4" deep?
Steve

Really? same type of cup, just not as deep. Still holds the flag. Allow me to substitute the word "similar" for "normal"

[tophcfa]

A poor excuse for not closing the courses

Or a brilliant idea on a safe way to keep the courses open.

[alemorkam]

What the PVC looks like.

[Decadeofdave]

I always play by the Marquis of Queensbury
Rules as dictated by Sir Loin of Beef!
LOL

[Debboguch50]

The pvc is not part of the regular cup the pvc is cut so you have about a 2 to 3 inch tall insert into the regular cup, we were told if you hit it is considered in the cup. We saw this on both Mira Mesa and Tarpon Boil, I am sure all courses will have it.

[Rosebud1949]

Still playing ????? what is it about stay at home you do not understand.....

[golfing eagles]

Still playing ????? what is it about stay at home you do not understand.....

What part of 4 separate carts, golfers staying 6 feet apart, no need to touch each other's equipment, a flagstick or a rake don't YOU understand. You are at far greater risk at the grocery store, pharmacy and gas station. There is no mandatory stay at home order, so essentially, MYOB

[anothersteve]

Still playing ????? what is it about stay at home you do not understand.....

The staying at home part.
Steve

[retiredguy123]

If I hadn't already given up golf, this raised cup thing would make me do it. I think it is the looniest idea since Looney Tunes.

[biker1]

It is only temporary, it prevents people from touching equipment, and why do you even care?

If I hadn't already given up golf, this raised cup thing would make me do it. I think it is the looniest idea since Looney Tunes.

[DeanFL]

The Villages Sun reports holes-in-one each week in the paper.

With the current hole config, if the golfer or group cannot confirm it (the ball IN the cup), how can this be verified - and truly a H-in-1.
Perhaps if the ball is resting right next to the PVC?
Perhaps best guess?
Perhaps the group saw the ball roll up to the hole and bounce lightly off the PVC?
Perhaps...

[TJLAMPHERE]

It's actually just the regular cup...left above ground.

To approximate normal conditions, my groups have instituted a rule that if your ball hits the raised cup it must stay within "gimme range" (18")...to be considered "holed out."

If something similar to that rule isn't used, a lot of folks would be banging their ball at the cup pretty hard, just trying to hit the now raised cup, whereas it probably would have been hit too hard...and wouldn't have fallen in the hole under normal conditions. :shrug:

It is nice though, that you don't have to put your hand down in the cup now, where LOTS of other hands...have gone before. :thumbup:


So yesterday at SaddleBrook, my tee shot rolled up, tapped the raised cup, and rested about 2' away. Hole In One? Will any HIO be recorded with the raised cups? My 3 playing partners said the ball would have stayed in the cup. Thoughts???

[DonH57]

Today we played Briarwood. It's confusing to aim and putt at a pipe than a hole or not hit and rake out a bunker. I decided to temporarily put up the clubs for a while, get things done around the house and wait and play once when everything opens back up. For me it's become a nuisance not having a place to eat before or after golf and now temporary changes for safety. At least I'll save from trail fees for a while.

[DeanFL]

The Villages Sun reports holes-in-one each week in the paper.

With the current hole config, if the golfer or group cannot confirm it (the ball IN the cup), how can this be verified - and truly a H-in-1.
Perhaps if the ball is resting right next to the PVC?
Perhaps best guess?
Perhaps the group saw the ball roll up to the hole and bounce lightly off the PVC?
Perhaps...


Today's paper - they now report only Age-breakers, no Eagles or H-in-1. Poor folks that actually would have gotten one (legally, IN the cup) and no notoriety...and can't buy that round of drinks.

[ColdNoMore]

So yesterday at SaddleBrook, my tee shot rolled up, tapped the raised cup, and rested about 2' away. Hole In One? Will any HIO be recorded with the raised cups? My 3 playing partners said the ball would have stayed in the cup. Thoughts???

Good question.

My personal feeling is that any round played with the current cup configuration...should NOT be posted in GHIN. :shrug:

[dewilson58]

So yesterday at SaddleBrook, my tee shot rolled up, tapped the raised cup, and rested about 2' away. Hole In One? Will any HIO be recorded with the raised cups? My 3 playing partners said the ball would have stayed in the cup. Thoughts???


Not sure many care. :ohdear:



I think it's funny when people report hole-in-ones, "Look at me!" My dad was excited when I got my first one, 50 years ago......but come on people, it was a fluke, an accident, not skill.


Hole in one on the putt-putt courses...............don't even get me started.

[Chi-Town]

So yesterday at SaddleBrook, my tee shot rolled up, tapped the raised cup, and rested about 2' away. Hole In One? Will any HIO be recorded with the raised cups? My 3 playing partners said the ball would have stayed in the cup. Thoughts???

I say it's a hole in one with an asterisk ⛳*

[PoolBrews]

Great Idea.
Really does not change the game.
No body in TV is getting a check based on their score.
Play Ball!!

I am fine with the changes short term, but it does change the game - significantly. It makes a good putter a great putter. Putts that would never have gone in are now "in" because they glanced off the side of the insert.

My scores are averaging about 3 strokes less on Executive, and 4 less on Champion.

One of the folks I played with yesterday banged it off the PVC on an approach shot. He got an eagle... but that ball is never going in on a normal course.

We refer to it as "croquet golf". Oh, and I got my first "hole in one" playing croquet golf yesterday. It might have gone in on a normal day - one hop and tapped the PVC, came to rest about 18" away. But no way am I going to try to claim that.

I see a lot of folks putting harder and trying to hit the PVC instead of putting to hole out. When things return to normal, I predict a lot of bad putting due to bad habits picked up with these inserts.

[dewilson58]

I am fine with the changes short term, but it does change the game - significantly. It makes a good putter a great putter. Putts that would never have gone in are now "in" because they glanced off the side of the insert.

My scores are averaging about 3 strokes less on Executive, and 4 less on Champion.


I agree................great in the short-term.


But you know: Golf is a game of Integrity. You know if you made the putt or not. It's up to you how you score a glance.



Prior to PVC, How many gimmes do you take?.....Hmmm.

[maryl]

Stay homestay home

[DonH57]

I am fine with the changes short term, but it does change the game - significantly. It makes a good putter a great putter. Putts that would never have gone in are now "in" because they glanced off the side of the insert.

My scores are averaging about 3 strokes less on Executive, and 4 less on Champion.

One of the folks I played with yesterday banged it off the PVC on an approach shot. He got an eagle... but that ball is never going in on a normal course.

We refer to it as "croquet golf". Oh, and I got my first "hole in one" playing croquet golf yesterday. It might have gone in on a normal day - one hop and tapped the PVC, came to rest about 18" away. But no way am I going to try to claim that.

I see a lot of folks putting harder and trying to hit the PVC instead of putting to hole out. When things return to normal, I predict a lot of bad putting due to bad habits picked up with these inserts.

Your eyes definately tell your brain the hole you're aiming at is now a pipe sticking out of the ground and you're not used to hitting an obstacle. It is really different. We played twice with these temporary measures. I decided between stuff I need to do around the house and these changes I'll return to play later. I'll still go to the range.

[JP]

I think it could improve my putting. I too frequently leave it short but now I'm not. If I keep putting like this when the PVC is gone, I think I will sink more putts.

[kcrazorbackfan]

No holes in one for awhile.

Well, I played EP Saturday and had one on Egret #4; hit 2’ in front of the pin and bounced it in between the pin and pipe.

And no, it wasn’t my first (my 10th).

[kincaiddb@embarqmail.com]

Me too. My last two championship rounds are 10 strokes less then normal. Show I need to work on my putting!!

[arickis]

We thought it would be easier also, just slam the ball at the pvc through the break and an easy birdie......did not work! Instead of getting it close for your next put, we rolled the ball 10-20 feet past the hole and ended up 3 putting for bogie. Looks can be deceiving.

[Bogie Shooter]

10 to 20 feet...…………………..

[photo1902]

10 to 20 feet...…………………..

That's the distance of my typical tee shot :)

[Pinball wizard]

I always play by the Marquis of Queensbury
Rules as dictated by Sir Loin of Beef!
LOL

and for those who don't get the reference...

Arise, Sir Loin of Beef - YouTube (https://youtu.be/8Qtgm5g5Gyo)