Only 2 Champ Courses with After 3:00 Tee Times?

[grayesun]

Well, it seems golf in the Villages keeps evolving in the wrong direction! Greens fees keep going up, and tee time availability keeps going down. Some (it seems like a lot) of us like to play afternoon golf, after 3PM, get in 9 holes before sunset and it's getting more difficult every year. We're now down to a total of 2 Championship courses that offer after 3:00 tee times. The last few times we've played after 3:00 the course was packed, busy season ramping up, lots of beginner golfers, extremely slow play...result: almost impossible to do a 2 hour round of 9 holes. Suggestion: Maybe opening a few more Championship courses to allow more after 3:00 tee times to reduce the burden on OBH & TDS as our Villages population swells to winter levels. Note: We went out the other day just before 3:00 and still barely finished 9 holes before dark; we spoke to the ambassador about "pace of play", and he just shrugged it off, saying the course was full, not much he could do about it. The market is there (here) to sell more product (tee times), why not sell to it?

[drcar]

Well, it seems golf in the Villages keeps evolving in the wrong direction! Greens fees keep going up, and tee time availability keeps going down. Some (it seems like a lot) of us like to play afternoon golf, after 3PM, get in 9 holes before sunset and it's getting more difficult every year. We're now down to a total of 2 Championship courses that offer after 3:00 tee times. The last few times we've played after 3:00 the course was packed, busy season ramping up, lots of beginner golfers, extremely slow play...result: almost impossible to do a 2 hour round of 9 holes. Suggestion: Maybe opening a few more Championship courses to allow more after 3:00 tee times to reduce the burden on OBH & TDS as our Villages population swells to winter levels. Note: We went out the other day just before 3:00 and still barely finished 9 holes before dark; we spoke to the ambassador about "pace of play", and he just shrugged it off, saying the course was full, not much he could do about it. The market is there (here) to sell more product (tee times), why not sell to it?

Well to your point, the next championship course will open next fall with another planned. The 27 hole courses do not have a third wave because there is no time time to schedule the tee times, BUT they do try to get people in the best they can do. And the new prices are out, they are the SAME as the rates last winter.

[stanley]

Minimum time you will be able to get out after the PM turn (2nd wave) is 3:30, depending how many afternoon 9 holers that don't do the turn. Also the wave always goes out before anyone else, even the turn, that's just the way it is. You pretty much answered to your own rant if you reread it.

[justjim]

USGA encourages 9 holes of golf and the executive courses work well but for those of us who want to play just nine on a Championship course it’s sort of a hassle. It’s probably about the $$$$ and that folks is what “makes the world go around”. That said, if money can be made “they” will figure out a way to do it.

[drcar]

USGA encourages 9 holes of golf and the executive courses work well but for those of us who want to play just nine on a Championship course it’s sort of a hassle. It’s probably about the $$$$ and that folks is what “makes the world go around”. That said, if money can be made “they” will figure out a way to do it.

you can play nine holes everyday any time on a Championship course until January 1.

[grayesun]

Minimum time you will be able to get out after the PM turn (2nd wave) is 3:30, depending how many afternoon 9 holers that don't do the turn. Also the wave always goes out before anyone else, even the turn, that's just the way it is. You pretty much answered to your own rant if you reread it.
There are plenty of afternoon wave slots available on many courses, indicating there should be plenty of openings after 3:00PM, because of these openings mean no group is making the turn (for back 9 play). I've gone out a few times in the last couple weeks between 3 and 3:20. I'm currently sitting on 3:08 & 3:15 tee times for Friday & Sunday, so, your first statement is incorrect.

[grayesun]

you can play nine holes everyday any time on a Championship course until January 1.
After 3:00, only OBH and TDS offer 9 hole play, that's my issue.

[grayesun]

Well to your point, the next championship course will open next fall with another planned. The 27 hole courses do not have a third wave because there is no time time to schedule the tee times, BUT they do try to get people in the best they can do. And the new prices are out, they are the SAME as the rates last winter.
Thanks for your info on the new winter rates, hadn't seen them yet. If they're not going up, that's great...they're already far too high in the winter (and just high in the summer), driving many Village golfers "off campus" to get much more reasonable rates. We played Mission Inn a few weeks ago for less than 1/2 what the Villages is getting right now. No time to schedule a third wave (9 holes) is problematic, when so many PM wave slots go un-booked. Perhaps the tee time system needs to address the availability of evening (after 3) 9 hole slots when PM slots go un-booked. On more than 2 courses too, obviously OBH & TDS are already dealing with this situation.

[stanley]

your first statement is incorrect.

No it's not. If the afternoon wave is full and all 18 holes, 3:30 is the earliest the starter will, should let you out

[grayesun]

No it's not. If the afternoon wave is full and all 18 holes, 3:30 is the earliest the starter will, should let you out
In theory I see your point of a PM wave conflict, with groups making the turn. Nevertheless, we've gone off between 3 and 3:20 PM exactly as scheduled, on time as booked on-line many times over the last couple months. We've yet to be held up by any group making the turn. Do I need to show you my reservation form for this Friday and Sunday. Takeaway: The afternoon wave is rarely filled, so evening play shouldn't be unavailable on most courses.

[drcar]

Thanks for your info on the new winter rates, hadn't seen them yet. If they're not going up, that's great...they're already far too high in the winter (and just high in the summer), driving many Village golfers "off campus" to get much more reasonable rates. We played Mission Inn a few weeks ago for less than 1/2 what the Villages is getting right now. No time to schedule a third wave (9 holes) is problematic, when so many PM wave slots go un-booked. Perhaps the tee time system needs to address the availability of evening (after 3) 9 hole slots when PM slots go un-booked. On more than 2 courses too, obviously OBH & TDS are already dealing with this situation.

OBH & TDS are 18 hole courses they do no run the wave, They can do it because they run straight tee times. There is no third wave on 27 hole courses. As to your point of the rates, the villages course are FULL. many people do not want to hear that BUT several courses are going to do close or over 100,00 rounds for the year, They know what they are doing.

[dewilson58]

Well, it seems golf in the Villages keeps evolving in the wrong direction! Greens fees keep going up, and tee time availability keeps going down.
Economics 101 would tell me the rates are not high enough. :ho:

[stanley]

OBH & TDS are 18 hole courses they do no run the wave, They can do it because they run straight tee times. There is no third wave on 27 hole courses. As to your point of the rates, the villages course are FULL. many people do not want to hear that BUT several courses are going to do close or over 100,00 rounds for the year, They know what they are doing.

Thank you

[stanley]

Economics 101 would tell me the rates are not high enough. :ho:

Wait until the "trickle down economics" of the minimum wage going up! Man the bitching then!

[DrBrutyle109]

But the prices are through MAY NOT APRIL

[wsachs]

You can play 9 anytime you want. I did it yesterday at Palmer at 1:58. They ask you every time is it for 9 or 18, even at 11 am.

[dewilson58]

Wait until the "trickle down economics" of the minimum wage going up! Man the bitching then!
Wrong understanding of economics.............no trickle down with minimum wage increase.......them there peeps are at the bottom. :ohdear:

[stanley]

Wrong understanding of economics.............no trickle down with minimum wage increase.......them there peeps are at the bottom. :ohdear:

Trickle up? Someone's going to pay

[grayesun]

OBH & TDS are 18 hole courses they do no run the wave, They can do it because they run straight tee times. There is no third wave on 27 hole courses. As to your point of the rates, the villages course are FULL. many people do not want to hear that BUT several courses are going to do close or over 100,00 rounds for the year, They know what they are doing.
Yes fully understand the wave and straight time scheduling, yet we have played between 3 and 3:20 at Evans Prairie several times in recent weeks, scheduled this on-line, and gone off on time without disrupting the PM wave. They just stopped offering after 3 tee times at EP this week. This is exactly what caused starting this thread.

[grayesun]

You can play 9 anytime you want. I did it yesterday at Palmer at 1:58. They ask you every time is it for 9 or 18, even at 11 am.
Not after 3:00 on all courses except OBH & TDS.

[paulajr]

Yes fully understand the wave and straight time scheduling, yet we have played between 3 and 3:20 at Evans Prairie several times in recent weeks, scheduled this on-line, and gone off on time without disrupting the PM wave. They just stopped offering after 3 tee times at EP this week. This is exactly what caused starting this thread.

This was only because EP wasn’t using a “wave” due to one course being closed. They are back on the “wave” this week...

[grayesun]

Economics 101 would tell me the rates are not high enough. :ho:
Yes, reduce the supply of "evening - lower cost" tee times by closing 10 of 12 courses to after 3:00PM play, forcing as many players as possible into "higher rate" time slots. As stated earlier, Economics 101 regarding winter golf in the Villages says it's a much better deal to play "off campus". Hardly a good business model.

[stanley]

Bitch all you want people, this will not affect the course play at all.

[grayesun]

This was only because EP wasn’t using a “wave” due to one course being closed. They are back on the “wave” this week...
The "Official" Villages Golf schedule for 5/1 thru 12/31/20 provides a pricing chart for morning, afternoon and evening waves at all courses except OBH & TDS.
The second page of this rate schedule states, "9-Hole play is allowed all day, every day, on any of our championship courses." Yet no after 3:00PM (evening wave play) is allowed to be booked on 10 of the 12 courses.

[JoMar]

Yes, reduce the supply of "evening - lower cost" tee times by closing 10 of 12 courses to after 3:00PM play, forcing as many players as possible into "higher rate" time slots. As stated earlier, Economics 101 regarding winter golf in the Villages says it's a much better deal to play "off campus". Hardly a good business model.

Seems the economic model is working fine.....for those where golf is a financial decision then off campus is the way to go. And as long as those that play based on cost stay in the minority (which based on population growth I think they will--IMO) there will be no incentive to change the model.

[Regor]

If you have the last tee time in the afternoon wave, you won't start the back nine until around 3:50 (1:52 start time + 2 hrs to play the front nine). Now if the wave is full, how could you expect them to have a 3:00 tee time? The first players in the afternoon wave don't finish till 4:00 - 4:15.

[Marathon Man]

The "Official" Villages Golf schedule for 5/1 thru 12/31/20 provides a pricing chart for morning, afternoon and evening waves at all courses except OBH & TDS.
The second page of this rate schedule states, "9-Hole play is allowed all day, every day, on any of our championship courses." Yet no after 3:00PM (evening wave play) is allowed to be booked on 10 of the 12 courses.

If there were additional opportunity to play cheap golf after 3:00pm, it would be quickly taken by the multitude of players who are looking for the same thing as you. I think that you would find close to the same difficulty as you are having now.