Championship courses and the Afternoon wave

[henry1224]

I often get the 1st or second tee times for the afternoon wave, I find that after completing the first nine which often goes very quickly, The courses often fill in 2 to 3 foursomes in between the waves, from then on I find that the fill-ins play very slowly and it make the continuity of play very disruptive. we would normally finish around 4:00 pm and now we are lucky to finish near 5:00 pm.

This practice of adding in a couple of foursomes into the wave is very disruptive to the players trying to complete their rounds, stop closing off a course in the PM and put 9 hole players on that course

[John_W]

I often get the 1st or second tee times for the afternoon wave, I find that after completing the first nine which often goes very quickly, The courses often fill in 2 to 3 foursomes in between the waves, from then on I find that the fill-ins play very slowly and it make the continuity of play very disruptive. we would normally finish around 4:00 pm and now we are lucky to finish near 5:00 pm.

This practice of adding in a couple of foursomes into the wave is very disruptive to the players trying to complete their rounds, stop closing off a course in the PM and put 9 hole players on that course

There's no in between waves. If you teed off at 11:56 at the beginning of the afternoon wave, they calculated that you would finish the front nine and go the back nine at about 2:00. The problem you're finding I've encountered twice in the past couple of months. You finished the front nine not at 2:00 but about 1:30 to 1:45 and they won't let you start the back nine until the last couple of teetimes get off. Teetimes have priority over crossovers. If you ask why, they'll say you've played too fast.

[Rwirish]

You are playing the first 9 too fast.

[stanley]

There's no in between waves. If you teed off at 11:56 at the beginning of the afternoon wave, they calculated that you would finish the front nine and go the back nine at about 2:00. The problem you're finding I've encountered twice in the past couple of months. You finished the front nine not at 2:00 but about 1:30 to 1:45 and they won't let you start the back nine until the last couple of teetimes get off. Teetimes have priority over crossovers. If you ask why, they'll say you've played too fast.

BINGO!!
I will never understand how and why people cannot understand this.

[Polar Bear]

You are playing the first 9 too fast.
That’s true to explain the delays in the current system. Points to a flaw in the system though imho...there’s no such thing as playing too fast!! :)

[Papa_lecki]

The USGA is trying to speed up pace of play, they are changing the rule to improve POP
https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/rules-modernization/major-changes/encouraging-prompt-pace-of-play.html
The wave system is creative, but it hurts the game overall. The first few tee times of the day should be able to get 9 in in less than 2 hours.

[timberpike1]

You are correct, this happened to our group 2 out of 3 times. In 60 + years of golfing, I have never been told that I played too fast, people making the turn always go through, thats correct golf etiquette. It's all about extra money, since they say there are plently of players, even though at $64/round the CC are way overpriced. Solution, don't play the CC and play off campus where golfers are treated like customers should be, at half the price per round.

[John_W]

This was discussed just two days ago on the thread "Say Goodbye to the Wave at the Championship courses", I posted a solution that a few people agreed should be adopted, here it is again. Now we need to take this to management and have them put in use.

There would be no wave, those playing 18 holes would have teetimes all day every 8 minutes on Destin in my example below and all those playing 9 holes would have teetimes every 8 minutes on Ft. Walton. The current wave system does not promote faster play.

Keep Christmas Day procedures in place all year. For example at Bonifay, 18 hole players tee off at Destin and then go to Pensacola for the back nine. Those playing 9 holes would tee off at Ft. Walton, there would no need for a wave. Works great on Christmas. You rotate the 18 holes and 9 hole courses weekly, because for example my favorite is Destin to Ft. Walton, so every 3 weeks those two nines would be paired.

[tophcfa]

That’s true to explain the delays in the current system. Points to a flaw in the system though imho...there’s no such thing as playing too fast!! :)

Totally agree. Another good reason to dedicate one 9 to those wishing to only play 9 holes and go with straight T times on the other 18 as mentioned in another thread earlier this week. Last week I played the 11:56 at Palmer, Laurel to Riley, and our foursome had to wait 25 minutes at the turn, and that was with a foursome that was not rushing the pace of play.

[stebooo]

To the point of being treated well off campus, when was the last time you were consistently thanked for playing this course? Rarely or never in TV

[drcar]

This was discussed just two days ago on the thread "Say Goodbye to the Wave at the Championship courses", I posted a solution that a few people agreed should be adopted, here it is again. Now we need to take this to management and have them put in use.

There would be no wave, those playing 18 holes would have teetimes all day every 8 minutes on Destin in my example below and all those playing 9 holes would have teetimes every 8 minutes on Ft. Walton. The current wave system does not promote faster play.


Sorry, but this will NEVER happen, Christmas Day, the nine hole course is half full. The 18 hole course, one nine is not used for 2 hours. The speed of play is caused by everyone using their own carts. 27 courses here are designed for the wave system.

[John_W]

Sorry, but this will NEVER happen, Christmas Day, the nine hole course is half full. The 18 hole course, one nine is not used for 2 hours. The speed of play is caused by everyone using their own carts. 27 courses here are designed for the wave system.

The 9 hole course would be less use when it's free, that's logical, but when you're paying $64 like now a lot of people would rather pay $32 and be happy with just 9 holes. Yes, the back nine would not get any play the first 2 hours, that's the way it is everywhere. By 10:00 AM the back nine would be in use all day.

[birdiebill]

You are correct, this happened to our group 2 out of 3 times. In 60 + years of golfing, I have never been told that I played too fast, people making the turn always go through, thats correct golf etiquette. It's all about extra money, since they say there are plently of players, even though at $64/round the CC are way overpriced. Solution, don't play the CC and play off campus where golfers are treated like customers should be, at half the price per round.

There is a difference when making the turn on 18 hole stand alone courses and 27 hole complexes that use the wave for tee times. I agree those making the turn on 18 hole courses have priority since there should be no tee times on the second nine. But on all 27 hole complexes that use the wave for the tee times, the player with the tee time has the priority. I have played elsewhere that have three sets of nine; they used the wave system just like is done here.

[tophcfa]

To the point of being treated well off campus, when was the last time you were consistently thanked for playing this course? Rarely or never in TV

Off campus is not always what it is built up to be. My wife and I decided to try the highly recommended Baseline golf course today. I called to make a t time and was informed the don’t take any, just show up. I told them I was uncomfortable with that as we didn’t want to show up and have a long wait. They assured me the wait is very short, 20 minutes maximum, so we took the risk and drove there. Upon arrival it didn’t look busy so we went into the pro shop and paid, after again asking if there would be a long wait, and were told just pull up to the starter on the first hole and he will get you right out. We paid, loaded up the cart (we hate not using our own cart) and went down the path to the first hole. Around the corner we went to see about 30 carts in line waiting to t off. I walked to the front to find the starter and asked approximately how long our wait would be. He very rudely said, don’t ask me I just work here, you will be able to tee off when your cart gets to the front of the line. Back to the cart I went, and we waited. After a few minutes we asked the group in front of us if they played here often and about how long they expected to wait. They said it was their first time at Baseline and they have been there fore 25 minutes and have not yet moved. I went to the pro shop and asked for a refund, which they reluctantly agreed to and we were out of there, having our days plans wasted. Lesson learned, never go anyplace off campus that does not take t times. We will never go back to that place, and wouldn’t even recommend it to our enemies.

Golfing in the bubble during high season is $$$$$, but we have never had a bad experience in the Villages like we had today at Baseline. Next time we will not worry about saving $50, and wind up wasting the better part of our day.

[jedalton]

Off campus is not always what it is built up to be. My wife and I decided to try the highly recommended Baseline golf course today. I called to make a t time and was informed the don’t take any, just show up. I told them I was uncomfortable with that as we didn’t want to show up and have a long wait. They assured me the wait is very short, 20 minutes maximum, so we took the risk and drove there. Upon arrival it didn’t look busy so we went into the pro shop and paid, after again asking if there would be a long wait, and were told just pull up to the starter on the first hole and he will get you right out. We paid, loaded up the cart (we hate not using our own cart) and went down the path to the first hole. Around the corner we went to see about 30 carts in line waiting to t off. I walked to the front to find the starter and asked approximately how long our wait would be. He very rudely said, don’t ask me I just work here, you will be able to tee off when your cart gets to the front of the line. Back to the cart I went, and we waited. After a few minutes we asked the group in front of us if they played here often and about how long they expected to wait. They said it was their first time at Baseline and they have been there fore 25 minutes and have not yet moved. I went to the pro shop and asked for a refund, which they reluctantly agreed to and we were out of there, having our days plans wasted. Lesson learned, never go anyplace off campus that does not take t times. We will never go back to that place, and wouldn’t even recommend it to our enemies.

Golfing in the bubble during high season is $$$$$, but we have never had a bad experience in the Villages like we had today at Baseline. Next time we will not worry about saving $50, and wind up wasting the better part of our day.
we play Baseline every week and have never had that kind of experience. we get there around 8:00 am and longest wait we have had is about 20 minutes. Staff has always been very friendly. Great course and great price and we will continue to play there.

[Clark124]

That’s true to explain the delays in the current system. Points to a flaw in the system though imho...there’s no such thing as playing too fast!! :)
Everywhere I have ever played (except here) those making the turn have right of way

[thevillages2013]

This was discussed just two days ago on the thread "Say Goodbye to the Wave at the Championship courses", I posted a solution that a few people agreed should be adopted, here it is again. Now we need to take this to management and have them put in use.

There would be no wave, those playing 18 holes would have teetimes all day every 8 minutes on Destin in my example below and all those playing 9 holes would have teetimes every 8 minutes on Ft. Walton. The current wave system does not promote faster play.

Could they have the wave system in the morning so they can cram as many golfers in as possible and in the afternoon go to straight 18 and one course for 9 hole only

[Buckeye Bleau]

This was discussed just two days ago on the thread "Say Goodbye to the Wave at the Championship courses", I posted a solution that a few people agreed should be adopted, here it is again. Now we need to take this to management and have them put in use.

There would be no wave, those playing 18 holes would have teetimes all day every 8 minutes on Destin in my example below and all those playing 9 holes would have teetimes every 8 minutes on Ft. Walton. The current wave system does not promote faster play.


The problem or should i say the challenge is how to maximize the 27 hole layout on most of the courses. If you only have 18 holes it is simple as you use #1 for 18 hole times and #10 for 9 hole rounds for two hours. After that everything is straight forward.
With 27 holes the Wave is the most efficient way to get the maximum number of golfers through in the course of the day. The hazard of the wave, as you previously stated, it is dependent upon a normal pace of play. Anything slower or faster brings out conflict.
The wave is to facilitate maximum number of players.

[DrBrutyle109]

I often get the 1st or second tee times for the afternoon wave, I find that after completing the first nine which often goes very quickly, The courses often fill in 2 to 3 foursomes in between the waves, from then on I find that the fill-ins play very slowly and it make the continuity of play very disruptive. we would normally finish around 4:00 pm and now we are lucky to finish near 5:00 pm.

This practice of adding in a couple of foursomes into the wave is very disruptive to the players trying to complete their rounds, stop closing off a course in the PM and put 9 hole players on that course
You are 1,000 percent correct!!!!!! That happens all the time. There were several occasions when we waited for a half hour. It makes no sense. Maybe someone can tell me why they close nine? Your just putting more wear and tear on the others. Just makes no sense. Kind of like the “winter” rates through MAY!!!!!!!!

[DrBrutyle109]

This was discussed just two days ago on the thread "Say Goodbye to the Wave at the Championship courses", I posted a solution that a few people agreed should be adopted, here it is again. Now we need to take this to management and have them put in use.

There would be no wave, those playing 18 holes would have teetimes all day every 8 minutes on Destin in my example below and all those playing 9 holes would have teetimes every 8 minutes on Ft. Walton. The current wave system does not promote faster play.

I stated something similar. Great idea

[thevillages2013]

The nine hole course is half full on Christmas Day because they can play 18 for FREE.

[Pdesensi]

Sometimes our group has to wait 25 minutes to turn because they let people in who want to play the big course but only want to play nine holes. They usually are late arriving and have to get theirselves together . The starter will not let use go ahead of them. Sometime we could play three holes before they arrive. It’s awful. It’s been this way since I came 13 years ago

[Rylee]

The real problem is, they allow the slow players to take their time. They are most of the time only playing nine holes. If you watch them, they act like they are the only group on the course.

[Dahabs]

Off campus is not always what it is built up to be. My wife and I decided to try the highly recommended Baseline golf course today. I called to make a t time and was informed the don’t take any, just show up. I told them I was uncomfortable with that as we didn’t want to show up and have a long wait. They assured me the wait is very short, 20 minutes maximum, so we took the risk and drove there. Upon arrival it didn’t look busy so we went into the pro shop and paid, after again asking if there would be a long wait, and were told just pull up to the starter on the first hole and he will get you right out. We paid, loaded up the cart (we hate not using our own cart) and went down the path to the first hole. Around the corner we went to see about 30 carts in line waiting to t off. I walked to the front to find the starter and asked approximately how long our wait would be. He very rudely said, don’t ask me I just work here, you will be able to tee off when your cart gets to the front of the line. Back to the cart I went, and we waited. After a few minutes we asked the group in front of us if they played here often and about how long they expected to wait. They said it was their first time at Baseline and they have been there fore 25 minutes and have not yet moved. I went to the pro shop and asked for a refund, which they reluctantly agreed to and we were out of there, having our days plans wasted. Lesson learned, never go anyplace off campus that does not take t times. We will never go back to that place, and wouldn’t even recommend it to our enemies.

Golfing in the bubble during high season is $$$$$, but we have never had a bad experience in the Villages like we had today at Baseline. Next time we will not worry about saving $50, and wind up wasting the better part of our day.

Baseline is far from reflective or typical of courses outside of TV. Recommend Eagle Ridge (36 holes); very competitive rates with carts. Baseline is the only course I now of that operates on a first come first serve basis. Nice executive course but it can be slow. I generally don't play it in high season.

[nhtexasrn]

I often get the 1st or second tee times for the afternoon wave, I find that after completing the first nine which often goes very quickly, The courses often fill in 2 to 3 foursomes in between the waves, from then on I find that the fill-ins play very slowly and it make the continuity of play very disruptive. we would normally finish around 4:00 pm and now we are lucky to finish near 5:00 pm.

This practice of adding in a couple of foursomes into the wave is very disruptive to the players trying to complete their rounds, stop closing off a course in the PM and put 9 hole players on that course

Slow down and smell the roses!! :)

[Polar Bear]

Slow down and smell the roses!! :)
Not a golfer. :D

[noslices1]

That’s true to explain the delays in the current system. Points to a flaw in the system though imho...there’s no such thing as playing too fast!! :)

You are correct. There’s no such thing as playing too fast. However, when you do, you may have to wait on the back nine for people to tee off. I play every Sunday around 7:30 AM and we’re supposed to finish the front nine at 9:30, but we usually finish about 9:15, so we have to wait for the last two tee times on that nine, in the “wave”, to tee off.

[Waltdisney4life]

Last time I checked it’s the score that you put down on the card not the time it took you to play.

[stanley]

You are correct. There’s no such thing as playing too fast. However, when you do, you may have to wait on the back nine for people to tee off. I play every Sunday around 7:30 AM and we’re supposed to finish the front nine at 9:30, but we usually finish about 9:15, so we have to wait for the last two tee times on that nine, in the “wave”, to tee off.

You can tell that to the first group out all the time and they still don't get it.

[Fore!]

You are correct. There’s no such thing as playing too fast. However, when you do, you may have to wait on the back nine for people to tee off. I play every Sunday around 7:30 AM and we’re supposed to finish the front nine at 9:30, but we usually finish about 9:15, so we have to wait for the last two tee times on that nine, in the “wave”, to tee off.

There is no wave on Saturday or Sunday. Now through end of May, it’s straight tee times on weekends. You can play 9 or 18. Only weekdays have the wave. Before 8, you can play 9. After 1 you can play 9. This applies to weekdays only.

[golfing eagles]

There is no wave on Saturday or Sunday. Now through end of May, it’s straight tee times on weekends. You can play 9 or 18. Only weekdays have the wave. Before 8, you can play 9. After 1 you can play 9. This applies to weekdays only.

That is so wrong. THERE ARE waves on Saturday and Sunday mornings. YES, you can play nine on the weekends.

[Aloha1]

In the Course Etiquette section of The Rules Of Golf:

"In the "Pace of Play" section: "It is a group's responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group."

"In the "Priority on the Course" section: "Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group's pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round. The term 'group' includes a single player."

TV courses are USGA approved courses, so why are they not following USGA guidelines ? I have never seen a rule by the TV Golf Committee that supersedes this.

[stanley]

In the Course Etiquette section of The Rules Of Golf:

"In the "Pace of Play" section: "It is a group's responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group."

"In the "Priority on the Course" section: "Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group's pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round. The term 'group' includes a single player."

TV courses are USGA approved courses, so why are they not following USGA guidelines ? I have never seen a rule by the TV Golf Committee that supersedes this.

"In the "Priority on the Course" section: "Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group's pace of play."

The Starters and Ambassadors are "the Committee"

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/committee-procedures/rule-1.html#:~:text=The%20Rules%20of%20Golf%20define,a% 20competition%20or%20the%20course.&text=While%20many%20of%20the%20duties,general%20or %20every%20day%20play.
1A- General Play


"During general play, the structure of the Committee is often more informal than in competitions, and in many cases the responsibilities of the Committee will be delegated to or undertaken by one or more course representatives, such as the golf professional, course manager or other employee of the course. "

[Jokomo]

I often get the 1st or second tee times for the afternoon wave, I find that after completing the first nine which often goes very quickly, The courses often fill in 2 to 3 foursomes in between the waves, from then on I find that the fill-ins play very slowly and it make the continuity of play very disruptive. we would normally finish around 4:00 pm and now we are lucky to finish near 5:00 pm.

This practice of adding in a couple of foursomes into the wave is very disruptive to the players trying to complete their rounds, stop closing off a course in the PM and put 9 hole players on that course
Welcome to The Villages.

[tophcfa]

Could they have the wave system in the morning so they can cram as many golfers in as possible and in the afternoon go to straight 18 and one course for 9 hole only

That does nothing to solve the problem of no t times between 9:30 and noon.

[sterlingcnslts]

I play off campus from Jan-March every year and the waves are part of the reason. I spoke with 2 of the Golf Course managers about the wait at the turn with the same results. "You play too fast", in reality they schedule the T-times to maximize the income with no gap in time allowed between the end of a wave and the golfers making the turn. Instead of planning for the first group of the day to play in 2 1/2 hours plan for 1 3/4 hours leaving a open period for "Fast Golfers" or as previously suggested designate one of the 3 nines to accept the people making the turn.

[golfing eagles]

I play off campus from Jan-March every year and the waves are part of the reason. I spoke with 2 of the Golf Course managers about the wait at the turn with the same results. "You play too fast", in reality they schedule the T-times to maximize the income with no gap in time allowed between the end of a wave and the golfers making the turn. Instead of planning for the first group of the day to play in 2 1/2 hours plan for 1 3/4 hours leaving a open period for "Fast Golfers" or as previously suggested designate one of the 3 nines to accept the people making the turn.

The "plan" is for the first groups to play in 2 hrs 8 min, NOT 2 1/2 hrs. (7:28 first tee time, 9:28 last). If you play faster, you WILL hit the wave. They do this to maximize tee times, especially in high season (and profit as well). Separate carts have added to the faster times as well. If you're first out just be aware that arrival at the back 9 quicker than 2:08 will probably result in a short wait. IMHO, that's better than getting stuck behind a group that takes 2:40 to play the front nine. (I'd rather wait 15 minutes at the turn than wait on EVERY shot all 18 holes)

[Dilligas]

That’s true to explain the delays in the current system. Points to a flaw in the system though imho...there’s no such thing as playing too fast!! :)
When you have 27 holes, an efficient tee time system will fill 9 holes at a time, within all 3 nines crossing over to another nine. If you finish the first nine under the alotted time (2:08 hours), you will have to wait for the remaining tee times to go before you start the back nine.

[Polar Bear]

When you have 27 holes, an efficient tee time system will fill 9 holes at a time, within all 3 nines crossing over to another nine. If you finish the first nine under the alotted time (2:08 hours), you will have to wait for the remaining tee times to go before you start the back nine.
I fully understand the system. And I really don’t have a major problem with it, especially at a 27 hole club. Doesn’t change the fact however that it can punish fast play. That part I’m not crazy about.

[Fore!]

That is so wrong. THERE ARE waves on Saturday and Sunday mornings. YES, you can play nine on the weekends.

Oops, you are correct. I was thinking summer play

[Marathon Man]

I fully understand the system. And I really don’t have a major problem with it, especially at a 27 hole club. Doesn’t change the fact however that it can punish fast play. That part I’m not crazy about.

To allow for fast play, the number of tee times would be reduced. Is that not punishing others?

[Polar Bear]

To allow for fast play, the number of tee times would be reduced. Is that not punishing others?
I’m not arguing for reduction in the number of tee times. That is exactly the problem with the wave system.

No wave system equals no delay in crossing over...and no need to reduce tee times.

[tophcfa]

I’m not arguing for reduction in the number of tee times. That is exactly the problem with the wave system.

No wave system equals no delay in crossing over...and no need to reduce tee times.

And no wave means t times would be available between the desirable time slot of 9:30 and noon. On a typical day, many t times go unfilled between the first available in the morning and around 8:30.

[golfing eagles]

And no wave means t times would be available between the desirable time slot of 9:30 and noon. On a typical day, many t times go unfilled between the first available in the morning and around 8:30.

In either case, wouldn't those early tee times go unfilled anyway????

[drcar]

There is no wave on Saturday or Sunday. Now through end of May, it’s straight tee times on weekends. You can play 9 or 18. Only weekdays have the wave. Before 8, you can play 9. After 1 you can play 9. This applies to weekdays only.

Sorry, you are not correct, the 27 hole course have the wave 7 days a week. You are correct you can play 9 any time on the weekends

[drcar]

Everywhere I have ever played (except here) those making the turn have right of way

That is because you were NOT playing in a wave tee time system

[drcar]

That does nothing to solve the problem of no t times between 9:30 and noon.

Sorry there is no problem with no tee times between 9:30 and noon in the wave system, play the two 18 hole courses if you want that or the new one when it opens this fall. No one wants to understand the wave is for making the most out of the tee times for a 27 hole course. THEY are not going to change it, THEY are making money.

[Papa_lecki]

So serious question - how do we get it changed? There has to be some sort of golf committee hierarchy. I get the developers own the courses - but there has to be a mechanism for feedback - other than telling a starter. Do we write to the pros?

[stanley]

- other than telling a starter. Do we write to the pros?

Please don't bother the starters with this trivial BS, they have nothing to do with it. they get enough flack about other things.........

[EviesGP]

Sorry to burst your bubble, folks, but I have to disagree with some of your posts(even John W's, whom I agree with most of the time). TV is an aging/retirement community, where most of the golfers are recreational(vs serious/pro). The expected pace of play is NOT based upon the group in front of you, but a reasonable timed pace. If the group ahead are advanced(or 2-3 men), there is no expectation for the group behind them to keep up to them, nor faster than the faster group behind them! As has been reported, golf has been in decline over the years. We need to keep that interest here. If we turn off these recreational golfers, expecting them to play at an advanced pace, they will quit. Guess what happens to some of these courses when that occurs? For the record, I'm not nearly as good of a golfer as many of you(I'm sure), and I also worked as a Champ Ambassador(til last May). I kept the expected pace of play, but did not/will not push players beyond what is expected. I don't like slow play any more than you, but I also don't want to see courses closed.

[tophcfa]

In either case, wouldn't those early tee times go unfilled anyway????

Yes, they would. But there would be times available between 9:30 and noon that would get filled.

[tophcfa]

That’s true to explain the delays in the current system. Points to a flaw in the system though imho...there’s no such thing as playing too fast!! :)

Let’s not forget that there are multiple flaws in the wave system, not just for fast players that play first in the wave and then have to wait to make the turn. That is flaw number one, which I have experienced more than once when having the first afternoon time. I have also been on the other side of the coin, with the last time on the AM wave. I have had a 9:30 time and showed up and paid at 9:10 and got to the starter shack at 9:15 to be told I was late, I missed my time, and my group already teed off. The first foursome of the day was already on the box ready to make the turn. I looked at the clock and it said it was 9:15, and my t time was 9:30. Needless to say, I was bullish!t. How could I have possibly been late for a 9:30 t time when I was paid up and ready to go at 9:15? It is simply not right to pay $64 for a round, using your own cart, showing up early, and have to deal with stress and confrontation. And let’s not forget flaw number three, no t times between 9:30 and noon? The wave is full of flaws!

[Raton270]

The operative word is should.

[HoosierPa]

Try playing the 1 pm shotgun start at Continental CC. Championship course and you won’t have that problem. Much improved conditions and fairways & tees are over seeded
352-748-3293

[Jazzman]

The "plan" is for the first groups to play in 2 hrs 8 min, NOT 2 1/2 hrs. (7:28 first tee time, 9:28 last). If you play faster, you WILL hit the wave. They do this to maximize tee times, especially in high season (and profit as well). Separate carts have added to the faster times as well. If you're first out just be aware that arrival at the back 9 quicker than 2:08 will probably result in a short wait. IMHO, that's better than getting stuck behind a group that takes 2:40 to play the front nine. (I'd rather wait 15 minutes at the turn than wait on EVERY shot all 18 holes)

That’s not always the case. For example, yesterday teed off at Kildeer Evans Prairie at 7:55. We were first ones out and the starter reminded us not to get to Osprey before 9:28 because we would wait at the turn. We took our time and got to Osprey starter shack at 9:31. Then was directly behind a foursome that needed some lessons. Slow play from that point on could not describe the time it took to complete the back nine. In my opinion, this is the issue where individuals who need some lessons don’t follow the rule that if you hit the ball six times on a par four it’s time to pick up and move on.

[Aloha1]

"In the "Priority on the Course" section: "Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group's pace of play."

The Starters and Ambassadors are "the Committee"

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/committee-procedures/rule-1.html#:~:text=The%20Rules%20of%20Golf%20define,a% 20competition%20or%20the%20course.&text=While%20many%20of%20the%20duties,general%20or %20every%20day%20play.
1A- General Play


"During general play, the structure of the Committee is often more informal than in competitions, and in many cases the responsibilities of the Committee will be delegated to or undertaken by one or more course representatives, such as the golf professional, course manager or other employee of the course. "

No, there is an actual Committee that sets the guidelines for TV. They also randomly review golfer play history to make sure all rounds are properly recorded on GHIN. The Starters and Course Ambassadors simple enforce the Committee rules.
So, again, what IS the rule?

[John_W]

Try playing the 1 pm shotgun start at Continental CC. Championship course and you won’t have that problem. Much improved conditions and fairways & tees are over seeded
352-748-3293

I just looked at Continental's website, is that shotgun just on Monday? I would rather start on the first hole on a course I'm playing for the first time. When are regular times? It looks like they have special for $30 on Tuesday & Saturday afternoons. I wish their website was little more clear. Do you need to make your teetime on their website, that page is a bit confusing, I would rather call for a teetime if possible.

[bagboy]

Not saying the Villages Country Clubs would want or need to try this, but a 27 hole course tee sheet can be set up as a "curve ball". Two open tees from 7:30 to 9:30 (3rd tee for 9 holers or maintenance). From 9:30 to Noon one tee would be open for mid to late morning golf. At noon, back to 2 tees open until 2pm. At 2 pm, one tee remains open until approximately 4:30pm. Then there would be 2 open tees again for evening play.
This tee sheet is the only way to offer mid morning tee times at a 27 hole facility when all three nines are being utilized.

[robsherry]

Don't know if it is even worth playing the so called champion ship courses. As RM, it is over $60 to play one of these courses that are not in good condition. Nah, not worth it. Go off property or play as a single player on executive courses.

[Dontee]

I have complained about this problem with phone calls, a letter signed by our group of 16 and emails. I never got a reply from anyone. We often have to get a rain check because the tenth tee is completely backed up. We all lose our momentum and play badly. They just don’t care. Making money is all they care about.

[UpNorth]

Don't know if it is even worth playing the so called champion ship courses. As RM, it is over $60 to play one of these courses that are not in good condition. Nah, not worth it. Go off property or play as a single player on executive courses.

This year I've been playing Execs and off-campus. Many of the off-campus courses are in better shape than the ones here, and far less expensive. The other day, I drove by the Caroline starter shack at Mallory at around 2pm and saw 3 foursomes waiting to hit on the 1st tee and one foursome still in the fairway. No thanks, been there, done that. For $64 and using my own cart, I think I would be going crazy at that point. It may be because of the "wave", but it certainly is not for me.