Lay Of The Land

[Wenham]

My wife and I are closing on a home in The Villages in mid August so needless to say we have a lot to learn.
My question is, Are there any restricted roads in The Villages property where you are not allowed to drive a golf car?

[Kenswing]

My wife and I are closing on a home in The Villages in mid August so needless to say we have a lot to learn.
My question is, Are there any restricted roads in The Villages property where you are not allowed to drive a golf car?
You’re pretty much not allowed on any road that has a speed limit over 20mph unless it has a dedicated cart lane. Most of the major roads will have a multimodal path that runs parallel to it where the carts can travel.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

You’re pretty much not allowed on any road that has a speed limit over 20mph unless it has a dedicated cart lane. Most of the major roads will have a multimodal path that runs parallel to it where the carts can travel.

The "Historic Section" doesn't have cart lanes and the speed limit in most of it is 25mph.

More accurately -

If the speed limit is 30 or less, you can drive your golf cart on it. However if the road has a golf cart lane you have to stay in it except to turn left or to pass a slower vehicle.

[villagetinker]

When you get here, there is a golf cart safety course, I believe it is held at least monthly and is very useful for new residents, by the way, Welcome to The Villages.

[Bogie Shooter]

My wife and I are closing on a home in The Villages in mid August so needless to say we have a lot to learn.
My question is, Are there any restricted roads in The Villages property where you are not allowed to drive a golf car?

This should be helpful.
Golf Cart Requirements | The Villages Florida (https://thevillagesflorida.com/golf-cart-requirements/)

[LeRoySmith]

My wife and I are closing on a home in The Villages in mid August so needless to say we have a lot to learn.
My question is, Are there any restricted roads in The Villages property where you are not allowed to drive a golf car?


When you get here it's pretty obvious where you should and shouldn't go. You may get out of bounds on occasion but if you watch the signs you will be fine. As village tinker recommend the course is very good. You will spend the most time close to home at first and venture out from there. You won't find yourself on the fringes often unless you seek them out.


BTW, villagetinker's advice has always been top notch, follow his recommendations without fear of being mislead.

[Wenham]

Thank You to all of you for your assistance.
We can’t wait to become “Villagers”

[LeRoySmith]

Thank You to all of you for your assistance.
We can’t wait to become “Villagers”

It's the best. You will be shocked just how positive and eager to help everyone is. The personalities you encounter online aren't representative of the people you will meet in your daily interactions.

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

When we came for our ‘looking around’ trip last July, my husband and I were tooling along in the golf cart when all of sudden we were accosted by a person telling us in no uncertain terms, “Get off the cart path if you’re not golfing”. We were shocked because we weren’t trying to be on it!

We realized later if the path is asphalt that’s good; if it’s cement it’s not. Lesson learned.

[LeRoySmith]

When we came for our ‘looking around’ trip last July, my husband and I were tooling along in the golf cart when all of sudden we were accosted by a person telling us in no uncertain terms, “Get off the cart path if you’re not golfing”. We were shocked because we weren’t trying to be on it!

We realized later if the path is asphalt that’s good; if it’s cement it’s not. Lesson learned.

Some of these golfers are cranky, it's because their game is so bad. Just smile and say get lost shankapotomus, if you can knock their ball further in the rough as you say it.

[Wenham]

Great piece of advice there, I’ll sure remember that one!

[Wenham]

Some of these golfers are cranky, it's because their game is so bad. Just smile and say get lost shankapotomus, if you can knock their ball further in the rough as you say it.

Thanks LeRoy

[Bill14564]

Golf carts are not allowed on roads with speed limits over 30mph. This means 44, 466A, 466, Buena Vista, most of Morse, and several roads south of 44 are off limits. You cannot even cross these roads on a golf cart.

Fortunately, any road you cannot travel on has a MMP next to it and any road you cannot cross has a tunnel or a bridge for golf carts.

I do not know anyplace within the Villages that you cannot reach on a golf cart. Similarly, there are very few places outside the Villages that are reachable by golf cart.

[Kelevision]

You’re pretty much not allowed on any road that has a speed limit over 20mph unless it has a dedicated cart lane. Most of the major roads will have a multimodal path that runs parallel to it where the carts can travel.

Well, kind of…. there are plenty of cart lanes that end and you have to merge into the road for a bit until another comes up. There will always be a sign that says carts not allowed past this point if it’s a major road you’re not allowed on. There are 2 apps with GPS for golf carts that are very helpful

[bowlingal]

golf cart safety clinic....given every month at Colony Cottage Rec Center. It's free and every villager should attend to get the correct and true answers to your questions. It could very well save your life and the lives of your loved ones. In August it will be 9am Aug 21. In Sept it will be Sept 18 and every month after the 3rd Wed. at 9am.

[Wenham]

That’s a great idea, is this something that you need to pre-register for or can you just show up?

[rsmurano]

There are pockets where you can’t get to legally in a golf cart. For example on trailwinds on 466a where Jersey mikes, Lowe’s, Starbucks are located. Houses all around, your golfing right next door, but can’t get there. Same goes for freedom plaza where sunny pint is.

[Grill Meister]

My suggestion is for you and your wife to enlist in The Villages' Resident Academy. Go to the headquaters office in Sumter Landing and sign up. It's the greatest way to learn all you want to know about your new home.

Welcome

[Wenham]

Good morning, I have already downloaded “The Villages GPS”.
Can you tell me the second one?

[Wenham]

Great piece of advice and we certainly will do that.

[Ignatz]

Another tip is to read the signage posted along the MM paths. They’re green in color and provide directional arrows to the paths and nearby attractions.

Also watch for smaller white signs (about the size of a speed limit sign) that states “No golf carts past this point”. They are there to keep you from driving on roads that a cart shouldn’t be on.

Street legal carts are a different story of course.

It’s not hard, really! Have fun, be safe, and welcome to TV!!!

[Heytubes]

The app you pay for is best.

[Papa_lecki]

My wife and I are closing on a home in The Villages in mid August so needless to say we have a lot to learn.
My question is, Are there any restricted roads in The Villages property where you are not allowed to drive a golf car?

The first week of driving golf cart is scary (knowing where you can and can’t drive) - in a week or two, you will be a pro.

Generally, there are signs that say no golf carts past this point.
In the southern area, the walking trails have 2 poles at the entrance, golf cart paths (MMP) have 1 pole.
At many village entrances (with the automatic arm) there is a multi modal path to the left and the right.

[Papa_lecki]

Also, if you are north of 44, directions are pretty easy, there are 2 main roads that go North/South - and a few secondary roads that go East/West.

[dp.reed]

Download the free Villages App. It has a GPS system. Or download The Villages GPS App, which has a subscription fee. I prefer The Villages GPS App.
Either one will navigate you within The Villages safely.
Do not use Google Maps or iPhone’s maps app and try to navigate with them by selecting “Bike”. Bikes can go where carts can’t.

[dewilson58]

The app you pay for is best.

Actually, the free app from The Villages is best.

The purchase app goes down A LOT more.
The purchase app is NOT as current as the free app.

:clap2:

[BobbyM46]

Get the Villages GPS to help with your navigation as a newbie. Welcome to The Villages!

[NoMo50]

Good morning, I have already downloaded “The Villages GPS”.
Can you tell me the second one?

The 2nd one would be The Villages app. It has a navigation module built in, but it can be wonky at times. The Villages GPS app is an app you purchase, and last year it was changed to an annual payment. Originally, it was a one-time payment. But, the pay app is superior to the navigation included in the free app. After your initial year with the pay app, you may find you no longer need it. That is, of course, unless you venture out into new areas.

Welcome to The Villages, and congrats on your new home!

[MidWestIA]

Usually cannot drive a cart on any 4 lane road. Download The Villages app for directions or google map and tell it you are a bicycle works better above hwy 44

[Wenham]

Great, I bought that one last week.

[Rodneysblue]

My wife and I are closing on a home in The Villages in mid August so needless to say we have a lot to learn.
My question is, Are there any restricted roads in The Villages property where you are not allowed to drive a golf car?
Yes

[CybrSage]

So many posts! Might have missed it, but if the entrance to an off road path has 2 posts at its entrance, it is a bike and walking path only. Even if the golf car easily fits between them

Learned that the hard way. ;)

[bshuler]

Before you come down, spend a little time watching some of the Village Newcomers “golf cart” ride videos.

The host is a retired middle school teacher who, in a dozen videos, takes you all over the villages on his cart with his wife, a retired kindergarten teacher.

He (Jerry) repeatedly, patiently, and amusingly rides for miles, pointing out when to signal, how to handle car/cart crossings, round-a-bouts, tunnels, etiquette, etc. His wife keeps him in check.

In YouTube search for “newcomers golf cart rides”.

[Wenham]

Oh Yes, we have watched hundreds of videos regarding The Villages including quite a few of Jerry & Linda.
They are very informative. Thanks.

[bark4me]

My wife and I are closing on a home in The Villages in mid August so needless to say we have a lot to learn.
My question is, Are there any restricted roads in The Villages property where you are not allowed to drive a golf car?
You might want to attend the training and informational class ref to golf cars.

[Bilyclub]

You’re pretty much not allowed on any road that has a speed limit over 20mph unless it has a dedicated cart lane. Most of the major roads will have a multimodal path that runs parallel to it where the carts can travel.


Unless the cart is street legal. A street legal cart can ride on streets up to a 35 MPH speed limit.

[LeRoySmith]

Unless the cart is street legal. A street legal cart can ride on streets up to a 35 MPH speed limit.

It's funny you mention 35mph. I was just driving my car on meggison where the speed limit is 30, I was going almost 35 and a silver Yamaha golf cart passed me. I think it was gas, no tags, so I sped up a little after he went around me to match his speed and he maintained 35mph until we got to sawgrass where he got on the mmp.

That's the fastest golf cart I have seen, I didn't know they could go that fast.

[Ignatz]

It's funny you mention 35mph. I was just driving my car on meggison where the speed limit is 30, I was going almost 35 and a silver Yamaha golf cart passed me. I think it was gas, no tags, so I sped up a little after he went around me to match his speed and he maintained 35mph until we got to sawgrass where he got on the mmp.

That's the fastest golf cart I have seen, I didn't know they could go that fast.

We had a guy in one of those roadster carts do the same thing on Meggison. He was easily blowing past the car traffic leaving us well in his dust. It happens…

[JStyles]

:gc:Are there any restricted roads in The Villages property where you are not allowed to drive a golf car?

I wasn’t sure how I would figure out where to be, nervous I would wind up where I don’t belong and someone told me about the Villages GPS app. Works just like and other GPS app except you can choose to go by golf cart and then it takes you on the paths and through the tunnels where you can go. It was $8 for an entire year. Well worth the investment.

[Rocksnap]

My wife and I are closing on a home in The Villages in mid August so needless to say we have a lot to learn.
My question is, Are there any restricted roads in The Villages property where you are not allowed to drive a golf car?
Sure is. Most are obvious, some are labeled with do not enter signs.

[La lamy]

All the best for your move!

[Wenham]

:gc:

I wasn’t sure how I would figure out where to be, nervous I would wind up where I don’t belong and someone told me about the Villages GPS app. Works just like and other GPS app except you can choose to go by golf cart and then it takes you on the paths and through the tunnels where you can go. It was $8 for an entire year. Well worth the investment.

Yes, I have purchased that and hopefully it will help keep me on the right path.

[Wenham]

All the best for your move!

ThankYou for the well wishes, it should be an interesting trip from Massachusetts with two cats.

[Bruceg0028]

Download the Villages GPS app. There is a small cost but it has a good turn by turn directions for all the golf cart paths. A bit confusing at 1st but you’ll get the hang of it quickly. Get a phone holder for your cart that fits in the cup holder. That way you can see the screen to follow the directions. The app is available for IOS and Androids.