"Friendliest Hometown"

[Blueblaze]

This is where Villagers go to vent, right? Here's my vent.

I'm walking my dog through the big open space under the high wires, next to the Mulberry dog park, way up North. This is the only area big enough that people routinely let their dog run off their leash, and my dog likes to find a stick for me to throw. Yes, it's technically illegal. But so is using the area as your free driving range. Today, there are three guys saving themselves a whole $5 by using the space to shoot golf balls -- despite the nice range at Nancy Lopez, less than half a mile away at the other end of the MMP. I don't know why people wealthy enough to retire to Florida care about saving $5 on something so stupid. I don't even care if they do it at the dog park. Just don't aim your damned golf ball at my dog because you're annoyed at having to wait a whole minute for us to clear the area!

Two of the guys were courteous, waved, and quit shooting as we crossed the lawn. But the jerk directly in our path to the woods at the far end, just kept shooting. When we got close, he started obviously aiming at my dog, and nearly managed to bean him on the head (wish I could hit a chip shot like that!). So I started picking up his balls and throwing them back at him. His smart-ass response? "Thanks, I needed a caddy". Things went downhill from there, and could easily have ended in blows. We just stood there yelling at each other for a bit, while the 85-year-old fart threatened to "kick my ass". I finally turned away and walked on into the woods, leaving him calling me a coward and yelling insults at my back. I don't think I've come that close to a fist fight since 8th grade.

This is such a nice place to live the other 9 months of the year, but even up North, people just get mean this time of year. Was the guy a snowbird? We have a bunch, even up this far North, but usually not that old. I think it's just the overcrowding that turns people into such jerks in the Winter (although being a jerk may be that guy's mission in life). Still, it's enough to make me think maybe we should have chosen one of the thousands of less-popular retirement communities in Florida.

"Friendliest Home Town"? Not today.

[asianthree]

Snowbird is tattooed on the bottom of feet, just ask them to remove their shoes and socks. Then again there are some very surly residents that are full time.

[Arctic Fox]

"Friendliest Home Town"? Not today.

The Daily Rag claims every week that TV is the "Healthiest Home Town", too.

Not sure what statistical evidence there is for either of these claims but, in general, people here are friendly and (hopefully) healthy.

[manaboutown]

Perhaps he is suffering to some degree from some form of dementia.

[Bogie Shooter]

This is where Villagers go to vent, right? Here's my vent.

I'm walking my dog through the big open space under the high wires, next to the Mulberry dog park, way up North. This is the only area big enough that people routinely let their dog run off their leash, and my dog likes to find a stick for me to throw. Yes, it's technically illegal. But so is using the area as your free driving range. Today, there are three guys saving themselves a whole $5 by using the space to shoot golf balls -- despite the nice range at Nancy Lopez, less than half a mile away at the other end of the MMP. I don't know why people wealthy enough to retire to Florida care about saving $5 on something so stupid. I don't even care if they do it at the dog park. Just don't aim your damned golf ball at my dog because you're annoyed at having to wait a whole minute for us to clear the area!

Two of the guys were courteous, waved, and quit shooting as we crossed the lawn. But the jerk directly in our path to the woods at the far end, just kept shooting. When we got close, he started obviously aiming at my dog, and nearly managed to bean him on the head (wish I could hit a chip shot like that!). So I started picking up his balls and throwing them back at him. His smart-ass response? "Thanks, I needed a caddy". Things went downhill from there, and could easily have ended in blows. We just stood there yelling at each other for a bit, while the 85-year-old fart threatened to "kick my ass". I finally turned away and walked on into the woods, leaving him calling me a coward and yelling insults at my back. I don't think I've come that close to a fist fight since 8th grade.

This is such a nice place to live the other 9 months of the year, but even up North, people just get mean this time of year. Was the guy a snowbird? We have a bunch, even up this far North, but usually not that old. I think it's just the overcrowding that turns people into such jerks in the Winter (although being a jerk may be that guy's mission in life). Still, it's enough to make me think maybe we should have chosen one of the thousands of less-popular retirement communities in Florida.

"Friendliest Home Town"? Not today.

Your yelling didn’t seem to accomplish anything.
I live here it’s a nice place……every month.
Your scapegoat, blaming snowbirds, is a cop out.
Do you really, really believe there are no jerks in those “Less popular” communities.
If you can still walk, it may not be too late to find out.

BTW: thanking the two guys who paused for you……….then walking away was your other option.

[rustyp]

Two wrongs don't make a right !

[BrianL99]

This is where Villagers go to vent, right? Here's my vent.

I'm walking my dog through the big open space under the high wires, next to the Mulberry dog park, way up North. This is the only area big enough that people routinely let their dog run off their leash, and my dog likes to find a stick for me to throw. Yes, it's technically illegal. But so is using the area as your free driving range. Today, there are three guys saving themselves a whole $5 by using the space to shoot golf balls -- despite the nice range at Nancy Lopez, less than half a mile away at the other end of the MMP. .

So you're not supposed to have your dog off-leash ... there's law against that.

I know there's no specific rule about hitting golf balls.

So who's in the wrong here?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

"Friendliest Home Town"? Not today.

The Daily Rag claims every week that TV is the "Healthiest Home Town", too.

Not sure what statistical evidence there is for either of these claims but, in general, people here are friendly and (hopefully) healthy.

Dunno what criteria they use either but - I can guarantee the following as FACT:

People who live in The Villages are more likely to die within the next 20 years, than people who live in the suburbs of New York.

People who live in The Villages are more likely to get a cancer diagnosis within the next 20 years, than people who live in Aspen, CO.

People who live in The Villages are more likely to have heart disease within the next 20 years than people who live in Seattle, WA.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

So you're not supposed to have your dog off-leash l ... there's law against that.

I know there's no specific rule about hitting golf balls.

So who's in the wrong here?

Who's in the wrong? The person who was trying to cause physical harm to someone's dog, on purpose. If Blueblaze had his dog ON a leash, and was just standing in that field, and flat out didn't feel like moving - do you REALLY think this putter (with a z) would've said "oh golly gee I'll just wait til the dog-guy goes away, I'm retired, I have all day!"? Or would he have yelled at Blaze to get himself and his *(#$N$# dog off "his" unauthorized fairway?

[Velvet]

Dunno what criteria they use either but - I can guarantee the following as FACT:

People who live in The Villages are more likely to die within the next 20 years, than people who live in the suburbs of New York.

People who live in The Villages are more likely to get a cancer diagnosis within the next 20 years, than people who live in Aspen, CO.

People who live in The Villages are more likely to have heart disease within the next 20 years than people who live in Seattle, WA.

Are we talking about the same AGE people because if not, for example, people in nursing homes tend to die a lot sooner than say the young people on my street up north.

[Normal]

When you walked off you actually saved the day by demonstrating most here are mature enough to turn the other cheek. Don’t let it ruin your day, instead remind yourself of how you are in the 99% that are better off than that poor decrepit soul. We in mass make this Florida’s Friendliest Home Town!

[Velvet]

Another thought, if the guy was mid 80’s it is a pretty good guess he was not a snowbird. At that age most people prefer to live in one home.

[dewilson58]

"Friendliest Home Town"? Not today.

It's a marketing slogan.............did you fall for that?? :1rotfl:

[retiredguy123]

It's a marketing slogan.............did you fall for that?? :1rotfl:
Yes, but it is more accurate than calling the restaurants "country clubs".

[Aces4]

This is where Villagers go to vent, right? Here's my vent.

I'm walking my dog through the big open space under the high wires, next to the Mulberry dog park, way up North. This is the only area big enough that people routinely let their dog run off their leash, and my dog likes to find a stick for me to throw. Yes, it's technically illegal. But so is using the area as your free driving range. Today, there are three guys saving themselves a whole $5 by using the space to shoot golf balls -- despite the nice range at Nancy Lopez, less than half a mile away at the other end of the MMP. I don't know why people wealthy enough to retire to Florida care about saving $5 on something so stupid. I don't even care if they do it at the dog park. Just don't aim your damned golf ball at my dog because you're annoyed at having to wait a whole minute for us to clear the area!

Two of the guys were courteous, waved, and quit shooting as we crossed the lawn. But the jerk directly in our path to the woods at the far end, just kept shooting. When we got close, he started obviously aiming at my dog, and nearly managed to bean him on the head (wish I could hit a chip shot like that!). So I started picking up his balls and throwing them back at him. His smart-ass response? "Thanks, I needed a caddy". Things went downhill from there, and could easily have ended in blows. We just stood there yelling at each other for a bit, while the 85-year-old fart threatened to "kick my ass". I finally turned away and walked on into the woods, leaving him calling me a coward and yelling insults at my back. I don't think I've come that close to a fist fight since 8th grade.

This is such a nice place to live the other 9 months of the year, but even up North, people just get mean this time of year. Was the guy a snowbird? We have a bunch, even up this far North, but usually not that old. I think it's just the overcrowding that turns people into such jerks in the Winter (although being a jerk may be that guy's mission in life). Still, it's enough to make me think maybe we should have chosen one of the thousands of less-popular retirement communities in Florida.

"Friendliest Home Town"? Not today.

Probably the first step to "Friendliest Home Town" is to leash your dog. You were straight out wrong not doing that. If your dog wants to run, get a longer leash or go to the dog park.

However, that character aiming golf balls at you and your dog sounds demented. It's a strange world and there is no such place with complete friendliness. Maybe The Villages is better than some.

[Dotneko]

Your mistake was throwing the balls at him. You should have tossed them into any available water. Or pocketed them. They are 2 bucks apiece.

[New Englander]

Anyone that tries to hit an innocent dog with a golfball is a total ahole.

[fdpaq0580]

This is where Villagers go to vent, right? Here's my vent.

"Friendliest Home Town"? Not today.

1. Yes

2. Still is, imho.

One bad apple doesn't ruin the whole orchard.
But the apple thief has no right to judge/complain about his stolen fruit. Jmho, based on the admonition, "let him who is without sin cast the first stone." Read that in some book somewhere. 😉😉

[fdpaq0580]

Two wrongs don't make a right !

One good right can bloody a nose! Don't ask how I know.
Ruined my favorite shirt. 🥴

[fdpaq0580]

Who's in the wrong? The person who was trying to cause physical harm to someone's dog, on purpose. If Blueblaze had his dog ON a leash, and was just standing in that field, and flat out didn't feel like moving - do you REALLY think this putter (with a z) would've said "oh golly gee I'll just wait til the dog-guy goes away, I'm retired, I have all day!"? Or would he have yelled at Blaze to get himself and his *(#$N$# dog off "his" unauthorized fairway?

You have only one person's self acknowledged "rant" offered as evidence. Do you have evidence that "the person" truly was attempting to harm the dog, off leash, continually and intentionally advancing into the line if fire danger zone.
Sorry, OBB, but I suspect you may have jumped the gun on this one.
Personally, had I been one of the golfers (not likely, but for this discussion), having been first on the scene and staked my "territory", as it were, I would have seen the dog walker entering the fire zone as being rude, presumptive, self entitled and without proper regard for his own safety or his dogs.
Had I, on the other hand, been the dog walker, I would have made sure that I and my furry companion were well out of any possible danger by, a- leaving the area, or b- circling round so that we did not disturb or distract the golfers from their activity.
Just another possible point of view.

[BrianL99]

You have only one person's self acknowledged "rant" offered as evidence. Do you have evidence that "the person" truly was attempting to harm the dog, off leash, continually and intentionally advancing into the line if fire danger zone.
Sorry, OBB, but I suspect you may have jumped the gun on this one.
Personally, had I been one of the golfers (not likely, but for this discussion), having been first on the scene and staked my "territory", as it were, I would have seen the dog walker entering the fire zone as being rude, presumptive, self entitled and without proper regard for his own safety or his dogs.
Had I, on the other hand, been the dog walker, I would have made sure that I and my furry companion were well out of any possible danger by, a- leaving the area, or b- circling round so that we did not disturb or distract the golfers from their activity.
Just another possible point of view.

I've played a lot of golf in TV. Very few golfers can hit a 4000 sq. ft. Green, from 50 yards away. I doubt either the walker or the dog, was in much danger.

& you're 100% right. All we've heard is one poster's rant, which I'm sure is a fair, accurate and unbiased recitation of the facts.

[Velvet]

I've played a lot of golf in TV. Very few golfers can hit a 4000 sq. ft. Green, from 50 yards away. I doubt either the walker or the dog, was in much danger.

& you're 100% right. All we've heard is one poster's rant, which I'm sure is a fair, accurate and unbiased recitation of the facts.

LOL my observations too exactly.

[Taltarzac725]

I know some people who let their pooches run in that area rather regularly. Or did. I have not been to the dog park nor to that area up near Mulberry as my dog has some muscle problems.


Hope that man hitting golf balls at dogs stops.

[CFrance]

My first reaction would be to protect the dog. The golfers were already there; I wouldn't take my dog in front of where they were hitting. It doesn't matter who is right or wrong or rude or aiming. It's all about the dog's safety.

[tophcfa]

Regardless of who has the right to use the property, if anyone, if someone purposely tried to hit a golf ball at our dog it wouldn’t end well.

[fdpaq0580]

Regardless of who has the right to use the property, if anyone, if someone purposely tried to hit a golf ball at our dog it wouldn’t end well.

No one should try to hurt any animal (except for mosquitos) that is not trying to hurt them. For the scenario as described to occur, the dogs owner would likely have been aware of the golfers and most likely knowingly lead his dog into danger. Sadly, dog owners seem oblivious to an aire of entitlement they exude when they have "phydoux" (fido) in tow. Approaching folks engaged in some activity, trespassing in neighboring yards, common area flower beds, golf coarses and their conecting grounds, etc. Dog owners are not bad people! BUT, many become clueless and myopic when they have their dogs with them. "Oh, he loves everyone". Maybe. But in the real world, not everyone loves him back or wants anything to do with him.
And back to your point of anyone trying to hit golf balls at your dog, I don't think you have to worry about angry golfers with golf bag, a bucket of balls, chasing you as you walk your dog, teeing up balls and, after a practice swing, tries to lob a ball onto your dogs noggin. Golfers may be nutty, but not that nutty.

[Taltarzac725]

This is where Villagers go to vent, right? Here's my vent.

I'm walking my dog through the big open space under the high wires, next to the Mulberry dog park, way up North. This is the only area big enough that people routinely let their dog run off their leash, and my dog likes to find a stick for me to throw. Yes, it's technically illegal. But so is using the area as your free driving range. Today, there are three guys saving themselves a whole $5 by using the space to shoot golf balls -- despite the nice range at Nancy Lopez, less than half a mile away at the other end of the MMP. I don't know why people wealthy enough to retire to Florida care about saving $5 on something so stupid. I don't even care if they do it at the dog park. Just don't aim your damned golf ball at my dog because you're annoyed at having to wait a whole minute for us to clear the area!

Two of the guys were courteous, waved, and quit shooting as we crossed the lawn. But the jerk directly in our path to the woods at the far end, just kept shooting. When we got close, he started obviously aiming at my dog, and nearly managed to bean him on the head (wish I could hit a chip shot like that!). So I started picking up his balls and throwing them back at him. His smart-ass response? "Thanks, I needed a caddy". Things went downhill from there, and could easily have ended in blows. We just stood there yelling at each other for a bit, while the 85-year-old fart threatened to "kick my ass". I finally turned away and walked on into the woods, leaving him calling me a coward and yelling insults at my back. I don't think I've come that close to a fist fight since 8th grade.

This is such a nice place to live the other 9 months of the year, but even up North, people just get mean this time of year. Was the guy a snowbird? We have a bunch, even up this far North, but usually not that old. I think it's just the overcrowding that turns people into such jerks in the Winter (although being a jerk may be that guy's mission in life). Still, it's enough to make me think maybe we should have chosen one of the thousands of less-popular retirement communities in Florida.

"Friendliest Home Town"? Not today.

There are no golf holes here where the man wrote someone was using that large open area as a golf range.


But people with big dogs running around near the towers is a common sight.

[riley2011]

I would have kept his balls.

[MandoMan]

This is where Villagers go to vent, right? Here's my vent.

I'm walking my dog through the big open space under the high wires, next to the Mulberry dog park, way up North. This is the only area big enough that people routinely let their dog run off their leash, and my dog likes to find a stick for me to throw. Yes, it's technically illegal. But so is using the area as your free driving range. Today, there are three guys saving themselves a whole $5 by using the space to shoot golf balls -- despite the nice range at Nancy Lopez, less than half a mile away at the other end of the MMP. I don't know why people wealthy enough to retire to Florida care about saving $5 on something so stupid. I don't even care if they do it at the dog park. Just don't aim your damned golf ball at my dog because you're annoyed at having to wait a whole minute for us to clear the area!

Two of the guys were courteous, waved, and quit shooting as we crossed the lawn. But the jerk directly in our path to the woods at the far end, just kept shooting. When we got close, he started obviously aiming at my dog, and nearly managed to bean him on the head (wish I could hit a chip shot like that!). So I started picking up his balls and throwing them back at him. His smart-ass response? "Thanks, I needed a caddy". Things went downhill from there, and could easily have ended in blows. We just stood there yelling at each other for a bit, while the 85-year-old fart threatened to "kick my ass". I finally turned away and walked on into the woods, leaving him calling me a coward and yelling insults at my back. I don't think I've come that close to a fist fight since 8th grade.

This is such a nice place to live the other 9 months of the year, but even up North, people just get mean this time of year. Was the guy a snowbird? We have a bunch, even up this far North, but usually not that old. I think it's just the overcrowding that turns people into such jerks in the Winter (although being a jerk may be that guy's mission in life). Still, it's enough to make me think maybe we should have chosen one of the thousands of less-popular retirement communities in Florida.

"Friendliest Home Town"? Not today.

I’m sorry you went through that ordeal. I don’t think the problem is overcrowding. The people who think The Villages is overcrowded in the winter when our snowbirds are here probably moved here from some farmstead in the mid-west or the Deep South less than twenty miles from a town with a traffic signal. To them this is crowded. Anyone who has lived and driven in a major U.S. city north or south knows that we never have that sort of crowding and traffic here. Honestly, we don’t! Go drive through Orlando or Tampa or Miami or even Ocala and see if I’m not right. Driving there or even being there always makes me tense. The Villages never makes me tense. (It would if I walked my dog where golf balls were flying.)

Some people are just angry, disappointed, frustrated, in pain, about to explode, worried. You don’t know. I don’t know. Maybe they don’t really know. Some are snowbirds. Some are frogs, like me, here ‘til they croak. Those feelings can be found anywhere. They carry their own hell with them wherever they go, and they offer a free taste to everyone they meet. But really, I think there is less of that here than many places because for most of us, most of the time, lonely or not, The Villages really is a fun, happy place to be with a lot more opportunity for friendship than we’d find most places we could go.

As Satan says in John Milton’s great poem “Paradise Lost” (1667):
“Me miserable! Which way shall I fly
Infinite wrath and infinite despair?
Which way I fly is hell; myself am hell;
And in the lowest deep a lower deep,
Still threat'ning to devour me, opens wide,
To which the hell I suffer seems a heaven.”

There are some people here who feel that way, alas. I’m sorry you may have met one. Or maybe he was just having a bad day.

Here’s a bright note, though. My sense is that there was a lot more frustration and deep anger going around in 2020 when we were in the depth of Covid restrictions. When we no longer had to wear masks and stay six feet apart in the rec centers, when the games and pools were available again, when those of us who wanted to be vaccinated had been (Yes! Me!), when we felt less like death or illness could strike any day (it can, of course, but it seemed so much closer during Covid), our anger eased, we relaxed, we smiled more. A lot of people were close to exploding back then. I remember a number of people flipping the bird at other people when frustrated. I haven’t seen that in several years. But some people will always be angry. Give them the benefit of the doubt and keep your distance.

[USOTR]

Security needs to enforce The Villages rules and regs. Both walking a dog off leash and golfing in a non golfing area..
If rules and regs where enforced, this incident would of never happen.

[Normal]

I would have kept his balls.

Hmmmmm

On a higher note….

[Bogie Shooter]

Security needs to enforce The Villages rules and regs. Both walking a dog off leash and golfing in a non golfing area..
If rules and regs where enforced, this incident would of never happen.

Security?

[Battlebasset]

Are we talking about the same AGE people because if not, for example, people in nursing homes tend to die a lot sooner than say the young people on my street up north.

My thought exactly. It's certainly not related solely to a geographic area. If it was, then we would all move. And we, and apparently the OP, have not.

[msilagy]

Now a JERK, always has been a JERK!

[BlueStarAirlines]

I'm heading out there this morning to do some skeet shooting......

[opinionist]

We cannot control other people's actions in this world, but we can control our response to them.
The jerk tried to hurt your dog, and that would infuriate most people.
It may seem unfair, but find another place to let your dog run free.

[Switter]

This is where Villagers go to vent, right? Here's my vent.

I go up and down the path through the area you're talking about on my bike. I've had a multiple incidents where people were letting their dogs run loose on or very near the cart path. The problem with this is animals are unpredictable and they may just decide to run directly in front of you. Dogs are particularly a problem because they tend to like to chase things. My bike weighs 75 pounds and I'm traveling at 15-20 miles an hour. If I hit a dog it's not gonna end well, for me or the dog. A golf cart would likely kill a dog.

If you are going let your dog run loose, at a minimum make sure you are far enough away from the cart paths where that won't happen.

However, a better idea is to use the fenced in dog park that is right there.

[maggie1]

So you're not supposed to have your dog off-leash ... there's law against that.

I know there's no specific rule about hitting golf balls.

So who's in the wrong here?

Let's see, who's in the wrong....dog running loose, or guy intentionally taking chip shots at the dog. Okay, I'm going with the chip shots.

[wamley]

I don't live in the northern area you speak of, but I'm familiar with the area from playing golf up there. I think there's enough room for a golfer hitting pitch shots and a dog walker that both could keep a distance that keeps both safe. Sounds like to me, & maybe I'm wrong but you wlked toward the area he was chipping or pitching and got close enough to get hit. I would not have hit balls once you arrived in the zone that my ball would reach, but lets get real. walk a different direction.

[Mrfriendly]

I would have stepped on his balls.

[DaveZ]

This is where Villagers go to vent, right? Here's my vent.

I'm walking my dog through the big open space under the high wires, next to the Mulberry dog park, way up North. This is the only area big enough that people routinely let their dog run off their leash, and my dog likes to find a stick for me to throw. Yes, it's technically illegal. But so is using the area as your free driving range. Today, there are three guys saving themselves a whole $5 by using the space to shoot golf balls -- despite the nice range at Nancy Lopez, less than half a mile away at the other end of the MMP. I don't know why people wealthy enough to retire to Florida care about saving $5 on something so stupid. I don't even care if they do it at the dog park. Just don't aim your damned golf ball at my dog because you're annoyed at having to wait a whole minute for us to clear the area!

Two of the guys were courteous, waved, and quit shooting as we crossed the lawn. But the jerk directly in our path to the woods at the far end, just kept shooting. When we got close, he started obviously aiming at my dog, and nearly managed to bean him on the head (wish I could hit a chip shot like that!). So I started picking up his balls and throwing them back at him. His smart-ass response? "Thanks, I needed a caddy". Things went downhill from there, and could easily have ended in blows. We just stood there yelling at each other for a bit, while the 85-year-old fart threatened to "kick my ass". I finally turned away and walked on into the woods, leaving him calling me a coward and yelling insults at my back. I don't think I've come that close to a fist fight since 8th grade.

This is such a nice place to live the other 9 months of the year, but even up North, people just get mean this time of year. Was the guy a snowbird? We have a bunch, even up this far North, but usually not that old. I think it's just the overcrowding that turns people into such jerks in the Winter (although being a jerk may be that guy's mission in life). Still, it's enough to make me think maybe we should have chosen one of the thousands of less-popular retirement communities in Florida.

"Friendliest Home Town"? Not today.

I had a similar experience after a guy sliced one in front of me as I was running on the sports path parallel to the dog park. After asking him to be aware that there were people on the path and just over the nearby fence he informed me that there were no people around. It occurred to me that either I wasn’t people or he qualified as selfishly blind. I told him that he could be the reason no one was nearby and that he almost hit me. His tantrum was not only incredibly loud but with a NY City brand of swearing that was amazing in the number of swear words packed in per sentence. Although I thought he might swing at me with his club, I dropped his ball in front of him and told him not to hit me with it, his slice was that bad. I admit it was a warning and although a quiet one I was mad. I walked away and his swearing continued in volume that brought out people from everywhere staring at him and me too. I kept walking and he screamed “fore” several times between rants but never hit one at me that I know of. My back was turned and could hear him screaming all the way to the pool.

I brought the matter to the CDD board and others stood up in the meeting. One of the board members said a golf ball was hit over her head in a near miss. There was talk of putting signs on the fence of the dog park banning driving golf balls then nothing.

[GoldenBoy]

This is where Villagers go to vent, right? Here's my vent.

I'm walking my dog through the big open space under the high wires, next to the Mulberry dog park, way up North. This is the only area big enough that people routinely let their dog run off their leash, and my dog likes to find a stick for me to throw. Yes, it's technically illegal. But so is using the area as your free driving range. Today, there are three guys saving themselves a whole $5 by using the space to shoot golf balls -- despite the nice range at Nancy Lopez, less than half a mile away at the other end of the MMP. I don't know why people wealthy enough to retire to Florida care about saving $5 on something so stupid. I don't even care if they do it at the dog park. Just don't aim your damned golf ball at my dog because you're annoyed at having to wait a whole minute for us to clear the area!

Two of the guys were courteous, waved, and quit shooting as we crossed the lawn. But the jerk directly in our path to the woods at the far end, just kept shooting. When we got close, he started obviously aiming at my dog, and nearly managed to bean him on the head (wish I could hit a chip shot like that!). So I started picking up his balls and throwing them back at him. His smart-ass response? "Thanks, I needed a caddy". Things went downhill from there, and could easily have ended in blows. We just stood there yelling at each other for a bit, while the 85-year-old fart threatened to "kick my ass". I finally turned away and walked on into the woods, leaving him calling me a coward and yelling insults at my back. I don't think I've come that close to a fist fight since 8th grade.

This is such a nice place to live the other 9 months of the year, but even up North, people just get mean this time of year. Was the guy a snowbird? We have a bunch, even up this far North, but usually not that old. I think it's just the overcrowding that turns people into such jerks in the Winter (although being a jerk may be that guy's mission in life). Still, it's enough to make me think maybe we should have chosen one of the thousands of less-popular retirement communities in Florida.

"Friendliest Home Town"? Not today.

Get used to it. This is the Most Entitled Hometown.

[Bilyclub]

No leash + bad golfer = assault or battery.

[DonnaNi4os]

Why didn’t you call The Villages Watch and have them tell them to stop golfing in the dog park? I would NEVER engage in an argument. Too many crazies out there and not just in TV

[Ele201]

Dunno what criteria they use either but - I can guarantee the following as FACT:

People who live in The Villages are more likely to die within the next 20 years, than people who live in the suburbs of New York.

People who live in The Villages are more likely to get a cancer diagnosis within the next 20 years, than people who live in Aspen, CO.

People who live in The Villages are more likely to have heart disease within the next 20 years than people who live in Seattle, WA.

Interesting, but wondering from where did you get this information you call facts? And why are Villagers more likely to get seriously ill sooner than other people?

[Taltarzac725]

Interesting, but wondering from where did you get this information you call facts? And why are Villagers more likely to get seriously ill sooner than other people?

Probably because people in the Villages are older than those in the given places.


Unfortunately while I was going to the dog park from around 2007 to 2023 I frequently heard of dogs being hit by golf carts or cars and usually killed or maimed for life. One very sweet dog was grazed by golf cart and ceased to be friendly. The owners would have to sit with that one while her "brother" played with the other dogs . I do think this accident broke the very affectionate dog's back legs. Both of them.

[ThirdOfFive]

Sounds like a bad day for the OP. We all have 'em from time to time, and there is no answering for the kinds of people we might inadvertently encounter in the course of a day. Just getting older and coming to TV does not change a _______ (insert proper derogatory term here) into a kindly old grandparent type.

I'd also add that often, we see what we expect (or sometimes even want) to see. Every coin has two sides.

Finally, re friendliness: On Wednesday afternoon I was evening out the air in the tires on my wife's car with a hand pump (I'm cheap, and figured that a $30 hand pump and maybe 20 minutes of work not only beats buying an electrical pump but also crisscrossing The Villages looking for a convenience store that has an an air hose that a) is free, and b) actually works.). Anyway as I was pumping away a guy in a pickup pulls up with one of those battery-powered tire pumps, and offered to help. He had the job done in maybe 10 minutes, all tires exactly the same poundage. Turned out he is from New York (yanno, the place where all those self-centered egotists are supposed to live).

I'd say that in my experience, 95% if not more of my encounters with folks here in TV are positive, often VERY positive.

[gwenhwalker@yahoo.com]

Off leash is only allowed in dog park but not illegal. Intentionally aiming to hit dogs and humans is illegal anywhere.

[MikeN]

Many years ago I was in a similar situation. I calmed it down by taking my cellphone out and began recording what was happening. Sorry you had to endure such aggressive behavior

[phojo]

Some people are just ********.

[CybrSage]

Many years ago I was in a similar situation. I calmed it down by taking my cellphone out and began recording what was happening. Sorry you had to endure such aggressive behavior

As did the golfers from the shrieking leash law violator.

[CybrSage]

Why didn’t you call The Villages Watch and have them tell them to stop golfing in the dog park? I would NEVER engage in an argument. Too many crazies out there and not just in TV

Because they would have told him to leave due to no leash.

[SHIBUMI]

LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE.

Was his illegal act worse than yours? When someone is more dangerous than you the smart money just walks away. Who or what he was makes no matter.

There are dog parks and driving ranges. Walk away, life goes on. There is no argument for either side in this matter. When you let your dog run free you probably don't pick up his poop either.

Again, no right and wrong here. Stupid is as stupid does, regardless of residency!:cryin2:


This is where Villagers go to vent, right? Here's my vent.

I'm walking my dog through the big open space under the high wires, next to the Mulberry dog park, way up North. This is the only area big enough that people routinely let their dog run off their leash, and my dog likes to find a stick for me to throw. Yes, it's technically illegal. But so is using the area as your free driving range. Today, there are three guys saving themselves a whole $5 by using the space to shoot golf balls -- despite the nice range at Nancy Lopez, less than half a mile away at the other end of the MMP. I don't know why people wealthy enough to retire to Florida care about saving $5 on something so stupid. I don't even care if they do it at the dog park. Just don't aim your damned golf ball at my dog because you're annoyed at having to wait a whole minute for us to clear the area!

Two of the guys were courteous, waved, and quit shooting as we crossed the lawn. But the jerk directly in our path to the woods at the far end, just kept shooting. When we got close, he started obviously aiming at my dog, and nearly managed to bean him on the head (wish I could hit a chip shot like that!). So I started picking up his balls and throwing them back at him. His smart-ass response? "Thanks, I needed a caddy". Things went downhill from there, and could easily have ended in blows. We just stood there yelling at each other for a bit, while the 85-year-old fart threatened to "kick my ass". I finally turned away and walked on into the woods, leaving him calling me a coward and yelling insults at my back. I don't think I've come that close to a fist fight since 8th grade.

This is such a nice place to live the other 9 months of the year, but even up North, people just get mean this time of year. Was the guy a snowbird? We have a bunch, even up this far North, but usually not that old. I think it's just the overcrowding that turns people into such jerks in the Winter (although being a jerk may be that guy's mission in life). Still, it's enough to make me think maybe we should have chosen one of the thousands of less-popular retirement communities in Florida.

"Friendliest Home Town"? Not today.

[CybrSage]

Let's see, who's in the wrong....dog running loose, or guy intentionally taking chip shots at the dog. Okay, I'm going with the chip shots.

There are laws against dogs running free. He is clearly in the wrong

Both may be wrong, but the law breakers certainly is wrong.

[Wilson02852]

Next time bring a long iron with you. Stay at edge of his distance. Start hitting the balls further out in field. Sure the idiot will appreciate the extra distance help.

[lpkruege1]

This is where Villagers go to vent, right? Here's my vent.

I'm walking my dog through the big open space under the high wires, next to the Mulberry dog park, way up North. This is the only area big enough that people routinely let their dog run off their leash, and my dog likes to find a stick for me to throw. Yes, it's technically illegal. But so is using the area as your free driving range. Today, there are three guys saving themselves a whole $5 by using the space to shoot golf balls -- despite the nice range at Nancy Lopez, less than half a mile away at the other end of the MMP. I don't know why people wealthy enough to retire to Florida care about saving $5 on something so stupid. I don't even care if they do it at the dog park. Just don't aim your damned golf ball at my dog because you're annoyed at having to wait a whole minute for us to clear the area!

Two of the guys were courteous, waved, and quit shooting as we crossed the lawn. But the jerk directly in our path to the woods at the far end, just kept shooting. When we got close, he started obviously aiming at my dog, and nearly managed to bean him on the head (wish I could hit a chip shot like that!). So I started picking up his balls and throwing them back at him. His smart-ass response? "Thanks, I needed a caddy". Things went downhill from there, and could easily have ended in blows. We just stood there yelling at each other for a bit, while the 85-year-old fart threatened to "kick my ass". I finally turned away and walked on into the woods, leaving him calling me a coward and yelling insults at my back. I don't think I've come that close to a fist fight since 8th grade.

This is such a nice place to live the other 9 months of the year, but even up North, people just get mean this time of year. Was the guy a snowbird? We have a bunch, even up this far North, but usually not that old. I think it's just the overcrowding that turns people into such jerks in the Winter (although being a jerk may be that guy's mission in life). Still, it's enough to make me think maybe we should have chosen one of the thousands of less-popular retirement communities in Florida.

"Friendliest Home Town"? Not today.

#1 How do you know he was a snowbird?
#2 How do you know he was a Village resident?
#3 Why were either of you on private land?
#4 It sounds like there was enough blame to go around.
#5 How do you know what he could or couldn't afford?
#6 Who felt they were the more privileged in this situation? Why did you feel your privilege trumped his privilege?
To me it sounds like both of you could have handled the situation better.

[maistocars]

NextDoor is the venting app.

[Cuervo]

I don't understand the original posting; in the post he says what the golfers are doing is illegal and acknowledges what he is doing is also illegal.
That's like two crooks standing in front of a house arguing who has the right to break in.
The golfers should go to the driving range, and he should take his dog to the dog park.
Why do I get the feeling this guy does not pick up after his dog.

[Taltarzac725]

I don't understand the original posting; in the post he says what the golfers are doing is illegal and acknowledges what he is doing is also illegal.
That's like two crooks standing in front of a house arguing who has the right to break in.
The golfers should go to the driving range, and he should take his dog to the dog park.
Why do I get the feeling this guy does not pick up after his dog.

Trying to hit a dog with a golf ball is very different than letting your dog run free in large stretch of grass covered land. This is near high towers. It is probably not a good idea to hit golf balls near tall utility towers.

The Villages has been shutting down various makeshift dog parks around the Villages. They will probably do something about this one as well.

[fdpaq0580]

There are no golf holes here where the man wrote someone was using that large open area as a golf range.


But people with big dogs running around near the towers is a common sight.

People running stop signs are a common sight, too. Don't make it right. Just sayin'.

[HORNET]

“ technically illegal “ WOW !

[Cooperthecat]

"Friendliest Hometown" is from an unbiased survey conducted by the Morse family. So, it must be accurate.
As others have said, walking a dog into golfers practicing at the power lines was asking for trouble. It's not their right to practice there and the dog owner set out to make that point. I assume the golfers wouldn't want to walk all over the place to retrieve their balls and so they were probably hitting them into the same general area. Walking a dog into that general area was to show the golfers It's not their property. Neither party was in the right but the dog owner wants to be the victim in their story. Using an innocent dog to make their point and taking a swipe at the population of The Villages isn't going win their argument in my opinion.

I reserve the right to change my mind as new data comes in.

[fdpaq0580]

Security needs to enforce The Villages rules and regs. Both walking a dog off leash and golfing in a non golfing area..
If rules and regs where enforced, this incident would of never happen.

There is truth in that.

[Taltarzac725]

People running stop signs are a common sight, too. Don't make it right. Just sayin'.

The power company has clout with the developers. I do not think they want people hitting golf balls into their towers.


Lots of vehicles here in the Villages disobey traffic laws. Most of the cars as well as the golf carts are going well over the speed limit.

[fdpaq0580]

I'm heading out there this morning to do some skeet shooting......

Is that a type of gun? Or is it a bird? Are they good to eat? Inquiring minds want to know!

[Velvet]

I don’t know the area but from the description it sounds like neither should have been there. But both felt entitled to. Hmmm.

[fdpaq0580]

Let's see, who's in the wrong....dog running loose, or guy intentionally taking chip shots at the dog. Okay, I'm going with the chip shots.

You have no proof the "chip shots" were "intentionally " to hurt the dog. Only the dog owners biased opinion.

[fdpaq0580]

I don't live in the northern area you speak of, but I'm familiar with the area from playing golf up there. I think there's enough room for a golfer hitting pitch shots and a dog walker that both could keep a distance that keeps both safe. Sounds like to me, & maybe I'm wrong but you wlked toward the area he was chipping or pitching and got close enough to get hit. I would not have hit balls once you arrived in the zone that my ball would reach, but lets get real. walk a different direction.

WAY to sensible. You're no fun. Pick a side and start throwing pies.

[Velvet]

Well, I suppose if the dog was behind the golfer and he suddenly turned around and started chipping at the dog… I’ve been hit by a few chip shots by beginners (absolutely not intentional) at the chipping area and they don’t actually hurt that much, btw.

[fdpaq0580]

i would have stepped on his balls.

ouch! 😵😵*💫🤬

[fdpaq0580]

Get used to it. This is the Most Entitled Hometown.

Most entitled hometown? Possibly.

Get used to it? Never? Time to pop that pimple.

[fdpaq0580]

No leash + bad golfer = assault or battery.

Perfect!

[Two Bills]

And Confucius said, "Two Wongs, don't make a Wight." :shrug:

[fdpaq0580]

And Confucius said, "Two Wongs, don't make a Wight." :shrug:

That's amazing! Elmer Fudd said the exact same thing!
😱