chances of getting a tee time

[rustyp]

A group request for 16 golfers is being processed tonight

- executive golf
- 16 golfers
- no guests
- group average 2.5 points per golfer / range 0 - 4 points per (as of this morning)
- preference time over course
- target time 1:00 earliest 12:00 latest 3:00
- 25 courses requested

Did we get a reservation ? Let you all know tomorrow AM.

What is your outlook ?

[Jayhawk]

A group request for 16 golfers is being processed tonight

- executive golf
- 16 golfers
- no guests
- group average 2.5 points per golfer / range 0 - 4 points per (as of this morning)
- preference time over course
- target time 1:00 earliest 12:00 latest 3:00
- 25 courses requested

Did we get a reservation ? Let you all know tomorrow AM.

What is your outlook ?

Too small of a time window and a 2.5 average is high during the busiest season. Limit to 2.0 and put in a wider time frame.

With 3:00 latest time, you are really saying 2:30 when you have so many players. They go by the Last foursome on latest time.

[Jayhawk]

A group request for 16 golfers is being processed tonight

- executive golf
- 16 golfers
- no guests
- group average 2.5 points per golfer / range 0 - 4 points per (as of this morning)
- preference time over course
- target time 1:00 earliest 12:00 latest 3:00
- 25 courses requested

Did we get a reservation ? Let you all know tomorrow AM.

What is your outlook ?

16 golfers

To have an average of 2.5, (16 golfers x 2.5 = 40 total points) the breakdown would look almost like this. This only totals 39 points.

1 has 0 points
3 have 1.0 points
4 have 2.0 points
4 have 3.0 points
4 have 4.0 points

You may have too many guys playing too often to get lucky for 2.5-hour windows. Increase your available times and cut the golfers that got their rounds in already and the rest of you should be ok.

[rustyp]

16 golfers

To have an average of 2.5, (16 golfers x 2.5 = 40 total points) the breakdown would look almost like this. This only totals 39 points.

1 has 0 points
3 have 1.0 points
4 have 2.0 points
4 have 3.0 points
4 have 4.0 points

You may have too many guys playing too often to get lucky for 2.5-hour windows. Increase your available times and cut the golfers that got their rounds in already and the rest of you should be ok.

I've been here since 2005. I know the system inside and out. The question was not how to better the odds. The question is will this group get a tee time under these circumstances. Meant to be a live illustration of the degree of difficulty getting a tee time during high season. Hopefully gives newer members a real time example of the sensitivity of points - time window - and number of courses.

My gut instinct is this set of variables is a close call.

Footnote - your assumption about the rank order of golfers points is wrong . One golfer had 2.7 points. Others had tenths of a point also. I do appreciate your insight. In this case if this were your group trying to play a neighborhood game such as captain and crew and you could change only one variable -what would you pick ?
- remove the highest point golfers (obviously eliminate a foursome to preserve the neighborhood game format)
- extend the time window

[Jayhawk]

I've been here since 2005. I know the system inside and out. The question was not how to better the odds. The question is will this group get a tee time under these circumstances. Meant to be a live illustration of the degree of difficulty getting a tee time during high season. Hopefully gives newer members a real time example of the sensitivity of points - time window - and number of courses.

My gut instinct is this set of variables is a close call.

Footnote - your assumption about the rank order of golfers points is wrong . One golfer had 2.7 points. Others had tenths of a point also. I do appreciate your insight. In this case if this were your group trying to play a neighborhood game such as captain and crew and you could change only one variable -what would you pick ?
- remove the highest point golfers (obviously eliminate a foursome)
- extend the time window

I'm sure there were some with 2.7 and so on, but it's still 39 points, and you had 40.

To answer your follow-up question, to help the case of my group I'd do both. And we do (for all with more than 2.0). Every time.

[MrChip72]

When people do requests for 4 groups is the idea that the 4 groups will all be placed in 4 consecutive timeslots on the same course? If that's the case, I wonder how much your odds would go up if you split those groups in half and did 2 separate bookings, probably a lot I would think.

[rustyp]

I'm sure there were some with 2.7 and so on, but it's still 39 points, and you had 40.

To answer your follow-up question, to help the case of my group I'd do both. And we do (for all with more than 2.0). Every time.

Not what I asked - but some people can't color between the lines ever. How many courses do you put in ?

[GolfGirl122]

Points are rather high. Open up the time window by at least 2-3 hours. Add a few more courses also. Wednesday is ladies day so many courses are already busy in the morning - so the afternoon becomes crunch time. Good luck. Anxious to hear how it works out for you - hope it does!

[Jayhawk]

Not what I asked - but some people can't color between the lines ever. How many courses do you put in ?

At least 15 in most cases, sometimes more depending on which are closed for the day.

And I answered BOTH of your questions, so who is outside the lines?

[BrianL99]

If you called 100 Golf courses in the USA and requested a Prime Season, Prime Tee Time for 16 golfers ... 95 of them would laugh and 3 would hang up, thinking it was a joke and the other 2, you wouldn't want to play.

Only in The Villages, do people think they have an inalienable right to get a Tee Time for large groups of people.

The Villages should limit groups of over 8 players, to before 9 a.m. or after 2 pm, like most every other golf facility. At most private clubs, you can't even bring a guest on a Saturday or Sunday in prime season, unless it's in afternoon.

[rustyp]

I've been here since 2005. I know the system inside and out. The question was not how to better the odds. The question is will this group get a tee time under these circumstances. Meant to be a live illustration of the degree of difficulty getting a tee time during high season. Hopefully gives newer members a real time example of the sensitivity of points - time window - and number of courses.

My gut instinct is this set of variables is a close call.

Footnote - your assumption about the rank order of golfers points is wrong . One golfer had 2.7 points. Others had tenths of a point also. I do appreciate your insight. In this case if this were your group trying to play a neighborhood game such as captain and crew and you could change only one variable -what would you pick ?
- remove the highest point golfers (obviously eliminate a foursome to preserve the neighborhood game format)
- extend the time window

At least 15 in most cases, sometimes more depending on which are closed for the day.

And I answered BOTH of your questions, so who is outside the lines?

You are - if you could change one variable !!!!! A line ?

[Jayhawk]

You are - if you could change one variable !!!!! A line ?

We change BOTH to give our group the best chance of getting tee times. If that affects your sensibilities, tough. We'll play while you sit at home and complain.

[GregP]

A group request for 16 golfers is being processed tonight

- executive golf -- no inpact
- 16 golfers -- fair
- no guests --- good
- group average 2.5 points per golfer / range 0 - 4 points per (as of this morning) --- poor
- preference time over course
- target time 1:00 earliest 12:00 latest 3:00 --- poor[/B] need more time
- 25 courses requested --- [B]excellent

Did we get a reservation ? Let you all know tomorrow AM.

What is your outlook ? Now because of the two poor ratings I would lean towards NO, but that one excellent may give you a edge some of the 4sums may get in if their point total is below 8.

[Rwirish]

Little chance. Too small of a window and all golfers with 4 points should have been excluded.

[rustyp]

we change both to give our group the best chance of getting tee times. If that affects your sensibilities, tough. We'll play while you sit at home and complain.



-102769

[sharonl7340]

No, too many with 4 points, too short a time frame.

[Rainger99]

-102769

Is that a yes??

[rustyp]

Is that a yes??

Stay tuned - poll closes at 10:29 AM

[NoMo50]

Yes...points matter, and can most certainly affect your request. However, during the busy season it is my experience that group size is just as, if not more, important. With a group of 16, the system will be looking for 4 consecutive tee times, which can be hard to come by, especially with a narrow time window.

I run a neighborhood group that plays on Thursdays. We typically have 16 golfers. In order to give us the best chance of getting tee times, I generally split the groups. It is much easier for the system to find 2 consecutive tee times for each group. Your groups may not play at the same course, but it is better than no tee time at all. Come May, things get a whole lot easier.

[ehonour]

Speculating a bit on the algorithm used, I suspect the tee time system starts by ordering all requests by average points, then goes down the list in order. It finds slots within the request for all those with zero points, then for all those with 0.2 points, then 0.4 points, and so on. Considering all those requests for twosomes, threesomes, and foursomes slotted in here and there per the requests ... by the time it gets down the long list to a request with average 2.5 points, how many slots will still be available with four consecutive tee times?

Pretty slim chance, I would say.

[rustyp]

DRUM ROLL PLEASE:

WE GOT A TEE TIME:
11 minutes from target time
Around mid point on course list

I hope this gives newer golfers some sensitivity to the width of windows you should be inputting during high season. I was very skeptical about this request. A new member of our group inputted this week. Our usual request at this time of year is limited to 8 golfers, max 3 points per golfer, a 4 hour time slot (preference time over course), approximately 15 courses. We rarely get shutout with this request.

Conclusion - if you are getting shutout your windows are too stringent.

[GolfGirl122]

Congratulations! Good work!

[jimmy o]

A group request for 16 golfers is being processed tonight

- executive golf
- 16 golfers
- no guests
- group average 2.5 points per golfer / range 0 - 4 points per (as of this morning)
- preference time over course
- target time 1:00 earliest 12:00 latest 3:00
- 25 courses requested

Did we get a reservation ? Let you all know tomorrow AM.

What is your outlook ?
As I understand it, it doesn’t matter your group average points. System works from the person in the group with the most points.

[Ken D.]

Not what I asked - but some people can't color between the lines ever. How many courses do you put in ?
With your attitude, why ask others?

[Jayhawk]

As I understand it, it doesn’t matter your group average points. System works from the person in the group with the most points.

Nope.

[Rainger99]

As I understand it, it doesn’t matter your group average points. System works from the person in the group with the most points.


See page 5.

It is the average number of the group that determines points.


https://www.golfthevillages.com/golf-in-the-villages/golfthevillages.pdf

[HORNET]

The golfers with 4 points are not considering those who play only twice a week, they are using the group to get their third or fourth tee time, when they know that they can’t get those third and fourth tee times on their own! Set a limit, and not worry about getting tee times. PS: I play with a group that if you have any more than 3 points they don’t put you in! They have been doing it since 2010, so if someone cancels or doesn’t show, they don’t get put in until their points go down! So continue with players with 4 points, and I will get better tee times!

[rustyp]

With your attitude, why ask others?
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[MrChip72]

DRUM ROLL PLEASE:

WE GOT A TEE TIME:
11 minutes from target time
Around mid point on course list



This was helpful in knowing what outcomes are possible. Can you tell us which course you ended up with?

[Vermilion Villager]

We've actually been down this road before with one of my golfing groups. We have anywhere from 4 to 6 foursomes and try to get them all together on Friday afternoons. Prior to the tourist season we were able to get this fairly easy. Right now we are putting in 20+ courses with a 3 to 4 hour time window. Our average golfer has two points or less. We have resorted to splitting it up into four different groups and four different courses to make it work.
I'd say the original posters chances of getting that done under the circumstances listed is fairly slim.
I did hear a golfing rumor that claims if you have 32 golfers in your group they consider that a "league" and you get some priority. I have not been able to confirm that one way or the other.