Newly retired couple moving in a couple weeks!

[VickiDeFazio]

Hi all,

We're excited to start our next chapter. We're not golfers but would like to learn, any suggestions on what courses would be good for beginners? I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL. We've bought in the Spanish Springs area, after visiting a few times we decided that we like that area. We're in our mid 60s, from UPSTATE N.Y.

Thanks
Vicki

[Bogie Shooter]

Hi all,

We're excited to start our next chapter. We're not golfers but would like to learn, any suggestions on what courses would be good for beginners? I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL. We've bought in the Spanish Springs area, after visiting a few times we decided that we like that area. We're in our mid 60s, from UPSTATE N.Y.

Thanks
Vicki
Couple threads with some suggestions.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-new-members-forum-115/golfing-new-villager-352691/?highlight=Learn+golf
Golf The Villages (https://www.golfthevillages.com/)

[tophcfa]

Hi all,

We're excited to start our next chapter. We're not golfers but would like to learn, any suggestions on what courses would be good for beginners? I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL. We've bought in the Spanish Springs area, after visiting a few times we decided that we like that area. We're in our mid 60s, from UPSTATE N.Y.

Thanks
Vicki

Your new home is close to probably the easiest Executive course in the Villages, El Santiago. You are also close to the golf cart accessible Lady Lake driving range, where you can take very reasonably priced lessons. I would suggest starting by taking lessons and hitting balls at the range and then playing El Santiago. Once you are comfortable at El Santiago, try some of the other Executives in the area like Silver Lake, Hilltop, Chula Vista, De La Vista, Mira Mesa, and El Diablo. Welcome to both the Villages and the wonderful game of golf : )

[Normal]

Hi all,

We're excited to start our next chapter. We're not golfers but would like to learn, any suggestions on what courses would be good for beginners? I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL. We've bought in the Spanish Springs area, after visiting a few times we decided that we like that area. We're in our mid 60s, from UPSTATE N.Y.

Thanks
Vicki

Welcome, enjoy the adventure!

[CarlR33]

Ahh, lay by the pool instead and enjoy n relax, LOL. Search the threads for your questions as just about everything you will think to ask has been asked on here. BTW, Welcome.

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

Welcome!

[mtdjed]

Hi all,

We're excited to start our next chapter. We're not golfers but would like to learn, any suggestions on what courses would be good for beginners? I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL. We've bought in the Spanish Springs area, after visiting a few times we decided that we like that area. We're in our mid 60s, from UPSTATE N.Y.

Thanks
Vicki

Welcome to your next Chapter.

From my experience you don't really learn golf in the same way that you learn other things. You can learn the rules and techniques, but you really have to experience hitting the ball. If you truly have never played golf, I would recommend that you start at a driving range. Get the experience of hitting a small ball that is 5 to 7 feet from your eyes and have it go in the direction you intend. Once you have conquered that feeling then try the executive courses. However, recognize that those many of us who have played these courses still miss the ball or hit it into strange places,
Putting the ball is a whole different experience. There are several putting only courses, and or pitch and putt courses.

[Two Bills]

Definitely lessons first.
Practice between lessons on driving range.
When you are confident of what you can do with the various clubs, start on Executive courses.
In between lessons and practice, a study of the etiquette of the game will not go amiss.
It's a wonderful game, made better if you walk the courses as well.
Enjoy.

[MrFlorida]

Play on the pitch & putt courses for a while, also practice at the driving range, take a lesson or two.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Welcome to the Spanish Springs area! I'm over in the Historic Section, right across the street from the Town Square. The closest "Pitch & Putt" is over 1/2 hour from Spanish Springs by golf cart. Great for once a week or once every other week, but I wouldn't go there regularly if I just wanted to learn enough to enjoy the game.

The Villages offers a "New To Golf" program, you can check it out here:
Golf The Villages (https://www.golfthevillages.com/golf-academy/newtogolf.asp)

It offers contact info and signup on the page.

Remember to fix your own divots, rake sand traps after using them and putting the rakes spines-down in the sand and handles out toward the green (it's a safety thing - you wouldn't want to step on those spines, yeouch!), and if you're physically able, keep your golf cart on the golf path at all times to avoid having to figure out which ones you can ride off, and which you have to stay on. You can also walk the executive courses pretty easily, especially if your cart bag has wheels.

[tophcfa]

I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL.
Thanks
Vicki
If you’re worried about **** off other golfers just remember one very simple thing.

Nobody gets upset with a beginner, or not a very good golfer, as long as they aren’t stuck waiting behind them. As long as you play at a good pace and keep up with the group in front of you it’s all good. If you’re having a bad hole and holding things up, just pick up your ball and move on.

[rsmurano]

Don’t take you golf cart to a pitch n putt, you have to walk the course anyway. We live within a few miles of all 3 of the pitch n putt courses and we drive the car with a small bag of 2 or 3 irons each and you walk the course.
In the winter, if we can’t get a regular course, we will play a pitch n putt and work on your short game.
Take lessons, and use the driving range. In the summers people hate waiting for beginners while they are taking 4 strokes to get on a green 100 yards away. If you are still learning go late in the day where you can spend all the time you want on each hole.

[bark4me]

Hi all,

We're excited to start our next chapter. We're not golfers but would like to learn, any suggestions on what courses would be good for beginners? I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL. We've bought in the Spanish Springs area, after visiting a few times we decided that we like that area. We're in our mid 60s, from UPSTATE N.Y.

Thanks
Vicki
Do yourself a favor. Go paint one of your walls and watch the paint dry. It'll be more exciting than golf! ������

[asianthree]

OP your area is one of the most scenic in TV, old trees pretty golf courses. Many come to TV without any golf experience. My tip to you, go to the pitch and putts first. Get a feel for a club. Take a “new to golf” class. Listening to how important golf etiquette will help you immensely.

You will be playing with residents, who most likely have played their entire life. They will be on the older spectrum and golf etiquette is important to some.

We enjoy playing there because every once in a while a wwII guy will be playing. It will be the most memorable round of golf you will ever have. Not only is their conversation, informative, and impressive, but that they are still enjoying the game.

Best part is some are not in a hurry, or need more time to walk to and from their cart.

[rochellepfaff]

Hi all,

We're excited to start our next chapter. We're not golfers but would like to learn, any suggestions on what courses would be good for beginners? I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL. We've bought in the Spanish Springs area, after visiting a few times we decided that we like that area. We're in our mid 60s, from UPSTATE N.Y.

Thanks
Vicki
You must take lessons first. There is nothing more frustrating to golfers than being behind someone who has no idea how to play and knows nothing about the rules of etiquette. Playing on a course is not the way to learn to play. Take lessons!!!!!!

[banjobob]

Hi all,

We're excited to start our next chapter. We're not golfers but would like to learn, any suggestions on what courses would be good for beginners? I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL. We've bought in the Spanish Springs area, after visiting a few times we decided that we like that area. We're in our mid 60s, from UPSTATE N.Y.

Thanks
Vicki First step take lessons after acquiring some skills and kmow the rules El Santiago a good exec course to start, short drives and large cups beginners training ground.

[Billrisma]

If you’re open to other sports/activities, consider pickleball. Easier to learn, more social, takes less time, less cost, no reservations needed…plus many other pluses. 😌

[Tyson]

Please dont just go to a course. You need to take some kind of lessons, either group at Palmer or individual and I suggest George at the range behind Wall Mart off of 466.Then go to a range and keep going until you can get the ball in the air.

[ndf888]

Hi all,

We're excited to start our next chapter. We're not golfers but would like to learn, any suggestions on what courses would be good for beginners? I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL. We've bought in the Spanish Springs area, after visiting a few times we decided that we like that area. We're in our mid 60s, from UPSTATE N.Y.

Thanks
Vicki

I had a great experience with Billy at the Oxford Golf Academy on 466. He is an amazing instructor better than any Villages instructors I worked with. They also have TopTracer simulators that help track your learning process.

[Ptmcbriz]

Your new home is close to probably the easiest Executive course in the Villages, El Santiago. You are also close to the golf cart accessible Lady Lake driving range, where you can take very reasonably priced lessons. I would suggest starting by taking lessons and hitting balls at the range and then playing El Santiago. Once you are comfortable at El Santiago, try some of the other Executives in the area like Silver Lake, Hilltop, Chula Vista, De La Vista, Mira Mesa, and El Diablo. Welcome to both the Villages and the wonderful game of golf : )

Excellent advice. Please take lessons first and use the driving range to practice what you learn. After 6 weeks of lessons and practice you’ll be at the bare minimum stage of going out to play. Lessons out of the gate will help you not pick up bad habits you have to break. You also don’t want to slow down the entire golf course because you are having to take too many shots to get to the green. The ambassador will ask you to move ahead if you are moving too slow and the two strangers playing with you (always play in groups of four unless course isn’t busy) will be frustrated. Invest in lessons.

[YoRomeo]

Hi all,

We're excited to start our next chapter. We're not golfers but would like to learn, any suggestions on what courses would be good for beginners? I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL. We've bought in the Spanish Springs area, after visiting a few times we decided that we like that area. We're in our mid 60s, from UPSTATE N.Y.

Thanks
Vicki

Where in UPSTATE NY are you from? I’m from Clifton Park.

[nn0wheremann]

Hi all,

We're excited to start our next chapter. We're not golfers but would like to learn, any suggestions on what courses would be good for beginners? I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL. We've bought in the Spanish Springs area, after visiting a few times we decided that we like that area. We're in our mid 60s, from UPSTATE N.Y.

Thanks
Vicki
Start out on El Santiago, with the pie-plate sized holes, then go to El Diablo, and progress from there. You have 14 courses within a 20 minute cart ride, all but three are north of Highway466.

[jimmy o]

Hi all,

We're excited to start our next chapter. We're not golfers but would like to learn, any suggestions on what courses would be good for beginners? I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL. We've bought in the Spanish Springs area, after visiting a few times we decided that we like that area. We're in our mid 60s, from UPSTATE N.Y.

Thanks
Vicki
Welcome to The Villages! And welcome to a fun frustrating game. Remember if golf was easy it would be so fun. Lessons and driving range practice is a great place to start. You’re gonna love it here.

[ldj1938]

Palmer used to have a "New to Golf School". Not sure if it is still available. it was the best. They do have plenty of pros for instruction. Please don't play until you can hit the ball and keep up with other players. Start on the easiest courses.
Then join the rest of us pathetic golfers.
:gc:

[defrey12]

Hi all,

We're excited to start our next chapter. We're not golfers but would like to learn, any suggestions on what courses would be good for beginners? I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL. We've bought in the Spanish Springs area, after visiting a few times we decided that we like that area. We're in our mid 60s, from UPSTATE N.Y.

Thanks
Vicki

Oxford Golf Academy. The best, and cheapest, by far.

[ThirdOfFive]

Hi all,

We're excited to start our next chapter. We're not golfers but would like to learn, any suggestions on what courses would be good for beginners? I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL. We've bought in the Spanish Springs area, after visiting a few times we decided that we like that area. We're in our mid 60s, from UPSTATE N.Y.

Thanks
Vicki
I once read that golf is “a game where you try to hit a little round ball into a little round hole, with tools singularly unsuited to the purpose”. If you’ve never played before, you will definitely get that impression. Don’t let that deter you though. There’ve been folks who never golfed before in their lives, who have come to TV, taken up the game, and really enjoy it.

Good advice so far in this thread. Take lessons, practice on the driving range, and once you feel ready play the easier courses first. El Santiago is a great starting course: No hole longer than 150 yards from the black tees (much shorter from the gold and green) nice wide fairways with only a few sand traps and no water, and large greens that slant towards the tees. Also saucer-sized holes.

I’d also strongly recommend reading up on the ETIQUETTE of the game. We are all beginners once, and not-so-great play is part of the learning process. Other golfers on the executive courses for the most part recognize that fact so less than proficient play will not create any hard feelings, What does though is when golfers show poor etiquette on the course. Things like playing more than one ball if there is a group behind you, pulling (or even worse) driving your cart onto the greens, not fixing ball marks on the greens, failure to rake sand traps if you happen to hit into one, taking an inordinate amount of time trying to find a lost ball (I think you’re allowed five minutes), not clearing the area near the green after you’ve finished with a hole, talking loudly when a member of your group is teeing off, etc. etc. can and will raise the ire of other golfers.

Anyway—welcome! And enjoy golf as well as the other numerous recreational opportunities that TV offers.

[yankygrl]

Hi all,

We're excited to start our next chapter. We're not golfers but would like to learn, any suggestions on what courses would be good for beginners? I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL. We've bought in the Spanish Springs area, after visiting a few times we decided that we like that area. We're in our mid 60s, from UPSTATE N.Y.

Thanks
Vicki
I’ve read several of the comments- I moved here 14 years ago and never played golf before…my suggestion take a course on basics of the game and how to play. I did villages new to golf and it was fine. Compare price of other places that have similar programs then decide. Also new to golf went over the tee time system.
Welcome and enjoy retirement.

[BPRICE1234]

Hi all,

We're excited to start our next chapter. We're not golfers but would like to learn, any suggestions on what courses would be good for beginners? I know people take it very seriously but we just want to have fun with it not **** anybody off LOL. We've bought in the Spanish Springs area, after visiting a few times we decided that we like that area. We're in our mid 60s, from UPSTATE N.Y.

Thanks
Vicki

We are not retired but moved here 3 weeks ago. So far, everything has been great. The people have been very nice and inviting. As far as golf, they have so many pitch n putt courses and just putting courses that are awesome.

We played an executive course and no one complained about our play. We do play ready golf and because it's free, we just pick up after triple bogey and move on. Good luck.