What part of your decision was based on Free Golf?

[PersonOfInterest]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?

[Papa_lecki]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?

It wasn’t the FREE executive golf, it was the volume of golf holes. I would have come if I had to pay greens fees for Executive golf, as long as there were so many executive and championship courses.

It also was the number of other activities and the size - I think expansion makes TV more appealing, no way you can be bored here.

[dewilson58]

Impact of "Free Golf for Life"....................ZERO.

[golfing eagles]

Impact of "Free Golf for Life"....................ZERO.

Exactly the same----I don't play the exec courses anyway

[ThirdOfFive]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?
Well, it isn't quite free: there are the amenity fees, trail fees, pushcart fees, etc. But it IS far cheaper than any golf I could play on a regular basis back in Minnesota. And expenses aside...well, it is pretty hard to find you ball in three feet of snow.

I'd say that golf ranked #4, behind low taxes, beautiful weather, and reasonable cost of living. It was important to me but not essential.

[asianthree]

We are members at private clubs up north, which we do miss members perks, along with a great restaurant.

So no, execs really wasn’t the reason we came in 2007, it was the in bubble championship holes, that we’re important, along with multiple activities. Those who seem to find free golf a perk, seem to be new at the sport, or age has declined their game.
Traded acre of beautiful bluegrass lawn for green weed stuff, but oh well.

[Jayhawk]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?

Zero

[Velvet]

I had my uncle, my aunt, and my parents have homes in TV. Not one of them golfed or bought a golf cart.

[Rainger99]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?

It was not the most important factor. If Florida had high taxes and cold winters we would not be here - even with free golf and all the other amenities.

But after narrowing our decision to Florida we looked at several other retirement communities. Once we did that, free golf was a huge factor. If the other communities had free golf and the villages didn’t, I am not sure we would be here. Don’t play pickleball or tennis or horseshoes or shuffleboard that often.

[Bill14564]

We don't play golf so strictly speaking it had zero influence on my decision.

On the other hand, free golf and the number of holes is just one aspect of the amenities provided in the Villages. The golf wasn't a draw but the overall amenity package, which includes the golf, was.

[UpNorth]

The execs are "free", and you get what you pay for. The championship courses are overpriced and mostly boring designs. No comparison to the private course conditions I enjoy up north 6 months out of the year. But it beats shoveling snow.

[billethkid]

No impact on decision.
After we moved in, golf became one of many after the fact opportunities.

[Snakster66]

Proximity to a lot of golf courses attracted me more than the notion of 'free' executive course golf. I suspect I will use the execs to play a quick 9 holes after work, but it's having numerous championship courses nearby at a low cost is what I'm really looking forward to. For my wife, none of that is relevant. She is very much looking forward to the myriad clubs and activities that will be available to her.

[Stu from NYC]

We get free golf? Who knew?:gc:

[tophcfa]

The close proximity of many Championship courses (most 27 holes) to our home was a major factor. The Executives were kind of a bonus. As we age, we play the Executives more and my wife prefers them. During January and February I play the Executives often with my wife given that it’s almost $150 for us to play the Championships, and the conditions aren’t great until growing season begins around early March. Between June and the end of December I play the Championships almost exclusively when the rates are more affordable. My wife prefers the Executives year round.

[BrianL99]

it's having numerous championship courses nearby at a low cost is what I'm really looking forward to.


Let us know when you find some of those low cost championship courses!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Golf included in the amenity fee was one selling-factor for beloved spouse. I'm not a golfer at all. I'd rather see my wide open spaces occupied by sheep and tall grasses and horse trails. Or traded for cityscapes and spacious townhouse apartments in walking distance to the subway and libraries and museums.

My decision was based on ruling out a 5-acre lot in the middle of nowhere, with no neighbors, in a place where it snows and people can lose power for days with no way to get to the nearest gas station and refill the generator. It was that, or the Villages. So here I am.

[GoRedSox!]

Golf is just one of a myriad of activities. The beauty of the entire Villages, entertainment, pools, and abundance of flat walking areas and the friendliness of the people. Being a golf cart community is huge as well, we love to go for a golf car ride and never get tired of it. The quality of the homes, the weather, the whole package.

[Laker14]

Just about zero. Even without the "free" golf, I'd have considered it a good deal. But, I do enjoy the executive courses more than I thought I would, and as I age, I expect I'll use them more and more.
As far as the trail fee goes, I appreciate the encouragement to walk the course, for as long as I can. At this point I find it a perfect little exercise. About 90 minutes or so of flat walking.

[Snakster66]

Let us know when you find some of those low cost championship courses!

It's all relative. The good public courses I've been playing around me in PA (Broad Run, Wyncote, Glen Mills) are all over $100. Middle tier places (where I have to drive even farther) are $80+. I'll be golfing for half that in TV. That's low cost from my perspective. Ridiculously low.

[Number 10 GI]

Is less than Zero possible?

[kcrazorbackfan]

It wasn’t the FREE executive golf, it was the volume of golf holes. I would have come if I had to pay greens fees for Executive golf, as long as there were so many executive and championship courses.

It also was the number of other activities and the size - I think expansion makes TV more appealing, no way you can be bored here.

Same thinking here.

[Retiring]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?

I don't golf, so none. As to the second part, yes.

[UpNorth]

It's all relative. The good public courses I've been playing around me in PA (Broad Run, Wyncote, Glen Mills) are all over $100. Middle tier places (where I have to drive even farther) are $80+. I'll be golfing for half that in TV. That's low cost from my perspective. Ridiculously low.

Won't be long before you see $80 winter rates. And that doesn't include a cart.

[HospitalCoder]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?

“Free” golf is almost 100% our reason for moving here and is currently our only reason for not moving back to IL. If the courses continue to be so awfully SLOW and crowded in the winter, we may give up.

[FriscoKid]

Well, first off, I don’t consider golf to be “free”, but rather part of an “amenity package” that offered me maximum flexibility going forward as I age. I found it hard to know ahead of time exactly what I will (and can) do as I pass through my retirement years. Having a buffet of offerings was a major selling point.

I hadn’t been a golfer, but as I approached my retirement, I thought it would be something that I would take up… the fact that there were Chip & Putt courses coming online was very attractive to me as it afforded me a fun way to start playing. (I also played the Putt and Play quite a bit. These were the starter drugs of my golf addiction! LOL)

In summary, golf being included as part of the amenity package was very important in my decision to buy here and even more so now, as I have fallen in love with the game. The variety and number of courses (including the much maligned Pitch & Putt courses) are a major satisfier for my continued love of The Villages.

If you are suggesting an a la carte pricing structure, I would be opposed as I am not currently participating in any of the other amenities. (Note: I am a member of the Fit Club which does involve an add-on cost, which I resent. Minor dissatisfier.)

[MrFlorida]

Zero !

[DonH57]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?

The major part of that decision with the free golf is the fact we would be driving our golf cart to any of the executive courses rather than having to load clubs into the car, drive the car to the courses, rent a cart, return the cart, load the clubs and take the car home. If we had to do all that we would have found another golf cart community. Of course using the pools and rec centers was another factor.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Let us know when you find some of those low cost championship courses!

All of them!!! My previous local (adjacent the house) golf course wants $239 per golfer for 18 holes! That is green fees only and does not include cart rental, club rental, shoe rental, etc.

Of course, it's better than golf at Pebble Beach ($550 to $800 for resort staying guests).

As for the free golf being a motivation? Very little. We golf very little, but having the wonderful open green spaces all around are a big plus.

[Snakster66]

Won't be long before you see $80 winter rates. And that doesn't include a cart.

$80 to play in the wintertime without 4+ layers of clothing instead of $110 to play dressed like Ralphie's brother IF there isn't snow on the course. Again...context; it sounds pretty darn good to me.



And I'll have my own cart.

[michgary]

As a renter, free exec golf is just as imp as free water aerobics, free tennis, pickleball, line dance, drumming, music, need i go on,,,,, Renting a place in a high rise on the ocean is beautiful but has nothing but walking the beach.

[AMB444]

I don't play golf ... but would like to learn one day.

That being said, the golf courses here at TV positively influenced my decision to live here. TV is a very pretty place to live and the golf courses add to that aesthetic.

[Topspinmo]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?


Zero, I knew it wasn’t going to be free anything. As renter the price of renting includes cost of amenities.

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

I don’t golf so I’ve got pickleball, swimming, bingo, a plethora of antique stores, restaurants up the kazoo, more clubs like the Texas Club (insert your state here), the Mustang Club (insert your favorite car here) . . .

Golf is one amenity - you not even mentioning the golf cart trails that are donned with trees and flowers - why pick on golf?

[UpNorth]

$80 to play in the wintertime without 4+ layers of clothing instead of $110 to play dressed like Ralphie's brother IF there isn't snow on the course. Again...context; it sounds pretty darn good to me.



And I'll have my own cart.

Just about every course outside The Villages provides you with a cart, and lower greens fees to boot. Bringing your own cart is like handing them an additional $25 profit per round. They must really love it not to have to lease a fleet of carts to use. But if you enjoy it, that's ok.

[Papa_lecki]

Just about every course outside The Villages provides you with a cart

You don’t need to sell me on staying in the villages. I MUCH prefer playing in my own cart than some rental.

Personally, I prefer walking with a caddie, but they aren’t available in TV.

[badkarma318]

0.00 - never played golf, never will.

[scubawva]

Zero. Not even on my radar.

[Ignatz]

Golf is on my radar. Used to play semi regularly about 20 years ago but relocations and career ended it.

When I finally retire I plan to start playing again once or twice a week.

For now we do the putting courses and we’re going to start playing the pitch and putt courses soon.

We’re just glad to have all of the golf available for when we decide to use it.

[jamorela]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?

I golf a couple days a week now that I moved here, but it had no impact on my decision to move here.

[Topgun 1776]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?


Absolutely ZERO. The things that mattered most: High community standards. Unbelievable number of things to do or get involved in. I love golf and I'm blessed to play it fairly well, but it didn't drive my decision to move to TV at all.

[KJ Dave]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?.
Wait, free? Nothing is free. Included in amenity fees, trail fees, and $8.00/month for online access maybe. But it ain’t free.

[natjos]

It was a big part of our decision.

[drdoug59]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?

I rarely play the executive courses,I play championship courses, which are geared towards older golfers, which are less challenging than golf courses in New England
Weather was the main reason, if the villages was located in a cold weather income tax free state like Alaska, South Dakota would you move there? It’s the weather, everything else is a distant second

[Rainger99]

.
Wait, free? Nothing is free. Included in amenity fees, trail fees, and $8.00/month for online access maybe. But it ain’t free.

Do most people consider the amenities - golf, pickleball, tennis, the pools, the rec centers, the landscaping, etc. - to be free?

Or do people consider the amenities to be like the championship courses? Just something else that you pay for, the only difference between them is that the amenities are mandatory and championship golf is optional?

[Snakster66]

Just about every course outside The Villages provides you with a cart, and lower greens fees to boot. Bringing your own cart is like handing them an additional $25 profit per round. They must really love it not to have to lease a fleet of carts to use. But if you enjoy it, that's ok.

The subject under discussion is golfing INSIDE The Villages. You know...where a cart is extra if you don't have your own? Not bringing your own cart is like handing them an additional $14 profit per round. They must really love it to lease a fleet of carts for non golf cart owners to use. But if you enjoy that, it's ok.

Now, if you'd like to discuss your completely different subject of golfing outside The Villages and the economics thereof, perhaps you should start a new thread and I'd be happy to agree that loading a golf cart into the back of my SUV to golf at el Campeon is impractical.

[Desiderata]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?

It was a big part of our decision to buy here.

[La lamy]

I don't play golf, so there's your answer! I would prefer not paying for a major activity I don't use, but TV is still totally worth it.

[coleprice]

Golf was a major factor in deciding to move to The Villages. Let's remember that even Executive Golf isn't "FREE". Part of the Amenity Fees that we pay sustain the Executive Golf Courses. Also, we pay trail fees, etc.

[MX rider]

It played a role for us along with many other reasons.
Even if you don't play golf, the thing I like about there being so many golf courses is that they break up the density of the homes and they create beautiful green space. It makes the place more scenic imo.

Btw, the amenity fee is a bargain for what we get. And the golf is pretty close to free.

[SHIBUMI]

So, what side of $10,000 do you pay for 6 months of golf up north???:shrug:



The execs are "free", and you get what you pay for. The championship courses are overpriced and mostly boring designs. No comparison to the private course conditions I enjoy up north 6 months out of the year. But it beats shoveling snow.

[RobertScott]

Zero, do not golf

[Professor]

Don't care that much about golf. Play a few times a year but could care less about the cost. Love the green space golf courses create and the other amenities are great...green space and amenities other than golf are what brought us here.

[coconutmama]

It was not the most important factor. If Florida had high taxes and cold winters we would not be here - even with free golf and all the other amenities.

But after narrowing our decision to Florida we looked at several other retirement communities. Once we did that, free golf was a huge factor. If the other communities had free golf and the villages didn’t, I am not sure we would be here. Don’t play pickleball or tennis or horseshoes or shuffleboard that often.

Same here for us

[UpNorth]

So, what side of $10,000 do you pay for 6 months of golf up north???:shrug:

Answer: zero. I was lucky to buy into a lifetime membership in 2000. I play 2 private country clubs as often as I want; my monthly statement is always $0.00.

[Regorp]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?

Golf was a zero draw for us as we don't golf other than putting courses. The other 95percent of things to do is the reason and ...oh yeah.. Florida. No snow, ice, or cold weather.

[sowilts]

Impact of "Free Golf for Life"....................ZERO.
Agree, came here for Championship courses. Would expect and gladly pay a fee for Executive Courses for Maintenance.

[PootleK]

I don't play golf, so the free golf was irrelevant to me. Zero. Having access to the whole community via golf cart was a draw though, maybe a 6 or 7.

[maistocars]

Absolutely none, even though I do play golf.

[wanttoknow]

zero - it was the softball

[JC and John]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?

Free golf had no impact on our decision. We moved here in 2012. The concept of The Villages lifestyle, friendly people, well-kept common areas/landscaping, warm weather and no state income tax were the deciding factors. Lots of changes in TV since then for sure but we are still very happy living here. BTW, we both learned to play golf.

[SHIBUMI]

Thats a new one............what side of 30,000$ did that cost........unless your uncle owns the golf courses..............:shrug:

No golf car fees???? No caddy fees??? Very hard to believe? Where is this utopia?

I came here to get under the bubble...........all the amenities are a huge bonus.............and the golf is special too.........






Answer: zero. I was lucky to buy into a lifetime membership in 2000. I play 2 private country clubs as often as I want; my monthly statement is always $0.00.

[Michael 61]

Golf played a very minor role in my decision to relocate here, though I was impressed with the beauty of all the golf courses during my lifestyle visits. I never played golf until I moved here. I now play about once a week and enjoy it, but I think I would be equally happy here without it. Now if you were to take away my pickleball……

[UpNorth]

Thats a new one............what side of 30,000$ did that cost........unless your uncle owns the golf courses..............:shrug:

No golf car fees???? No caddy fees??? Very hard to believe? Where is this utopia?

I came here to get under the bubble...........all the amenities are a huge bonus.............and the golf is special too.........

$50k back in 2000. But if I chose to leave, they resell it and I get back 40%. Break even was back in 2006. Yes, golf utopia for me - no dues, no cart fees, no range fees, no locker fees, no minimums. Listed as one of Golf Digest's 50 toughest courses in America a few years back. Recently added a second private club which I can play for only a cart fee. Taking the risk back then was one of the best decisions of my life.

[Pairadocs]

When you decided to move to the Villages what part of your decision was based on the Free Executive golf? Would you have moved to the Villages if there were no Executive golf courses here?

Played a major part in our decision. Being Fl natives, we were well aware of what golf could cost us in our retirement. We realized that ONLY 9 hole executive courses were "free" (for the $189 monthly fee of course) , but predicted as time passed, we'd be playing 4 hour plus rounds less and less, so the choice of so many executive length courses was very appealing to us. "Probably" would not have decided on the V's if not for all the shorter courses to choose from.

[Pairadocs]

Let us know when you find some of those low cost championship courses!

Hope your request is answered, a LOT of us would like to know about those low cost championship courses too ! ! !

[SHIBUMI]

God bless you!!!



$50k back in 2000. But if i chose to leave, they resell it and i get back 40%. Break even was back in 2006. Yes, golf utopia for me - no dues, no cart fees, no range fees, no locker fees, no minimums. Listed as one of golf digest's 50 toughest courses in america a few years back. Recently added a second private club which i can play for only a cart fee. Taking the risk back then was one of the best decisions of my life.

[jimjamuser]

I had my uncle, my aunt, and my parents have homes in TV. Not one of them golfed or bought a golf cart.
Agreed. I have no interest in golf. I can golf when I'm dead.

[Pairadocs]

Zero, I knew it wasn’t going to be free anything. As renter the price of renting includes cost of amenities.

Of course, LOL ! Sometimes I do wonder if people realize rents do include property insurance costs of the owner, property taxes, lawn care and maintenance, periodic replacement of major appliances, etc.etc., and/or believe "renters" get by without paying for these things...LOL !

[G.R.I.T.S.]

95%!

[Rainger99]

Of course, LOL ! Sometimes I do wonder if people realize rents do include property insurance costs of the owner, property taxes, lawn care and maintenance, periodic replacement of major appliances, etc.etc., and/or believe "renters" get by without paying for these things...LOL !

In the broadest sense, few things in life are free. (Although I think the squares are actually free.)

We pay for roads with our taxes. But I consider them to be free. I think there is a huge difference between I 95 and the Turnpike.

[UpNorth]

Hope your request is answered, a LOT of us would like to know about those low cost championship courses too ! ! !

You can get great deals on the internet. Even in the winter. I felt like apologizing to my foursome if a round cost more than $30, including cart.

[SHIBUMI]

1. What course do you belong to up north and in what state?

2. Did you have to buy a multi-million dollar home to get that deal?

3. Isn't playing 30$ golf courses down here a huge drop in quality vs up north?

4. Can you break 85?

5. Did your course up north give away free tees?

Inquiring minds want to know if there is any beef in the stew!!! :undecided:You can get great deals on the internet. Even in the winter. I felt like apologizing to my foursome if a round cost more than $30, including cart.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Agreed. I have no interest in golf. I can golf when I'm dead.

You can get a golf cart then finally. I recommend a diesel with no catalytic converter.

[Topspinmo]

We get free golf? Who knew?:gc:

Perception of free golf. we are all paying for it like everything else:wave:

[UpNorth]

1. What course do you belong to up north and in what state?

2. Did you have to buy a multi-million dollar home to get that deal?

3. Isn't playing 30$ golf courses down here a huge drop in quality vs up north?

4. Can you break 85?

5. Did your course up north give away free tees?

Inquiring minds want to know if there is any beef in the stew!!! :undecided:

Yeah, great questions. :loco: I could care less what you need to know.

[SHIBUMI]

Not fact.............but, entertaining...........:popcorn:


Yeah, great questions. :loco: I could care less what you need to know.

[ohiosbestus]

I was kind of shocked because back in ohio I lived in a private community that was protected by armed security and paid assessments over the years from 20.00 to 215.00 a month before I moved here and all the golf was free. I was surprised by the high costs the villages charged for golf plus the charges in the snowbird season. Because of the higher costs based on other nearby courses we choose to play 18 hole courses outside of the area.