Stolen golf bag outside Palmer’s Pro Shop between 9:30 and 10 am.

[Braden]

After hitting a couple buckets of balls at driving range, I went inside pro shop to buy a visor. My clubs were securely fastened to my golf cart. I believe they were stolen while I went inside. The golf bag is quite unique with turquoise background with yellow banana pattern and a large B monogram and small plastic bananas on zippers. The clubs were Taylor Made and fairly new. The clubs did not fall off my cart! Reward 317-374-6446 or please call Sumter County Sheriff at 352-569-1600.

[Old Traveller]

Define "Securely Fastened".

[vintageogauge]

Define " I believe they were stolen"

[Babbs1957]

I guess it depends on where you parked? Not that it can't happen, but it is highly unlikely at that location a theft occurred from the golf cart parking area by the range. Many bags have fallen off of carts and the drivers never knew it. I hope this is the case and if so, you stand a chance of getting it back. If dropped not too far away, a person who finds a bag would probably tell Palmers or the nearest range or course where the bag was found. Sounds like an awesome bag, good luck.

[asianthree]

After hitting a couple buckets of balls at driving range, I went inside pro shop to buy a visor. My clubs were securely fastened to my golf cart. I believe they were stolen while I went inside. The golf bag is quite unique with turquoise background with yellow banana pattern and a large B monogram and small plastic bananas on zippers. The clubs were Taylor Made and fairly new. The clubs did not fall off my cart! Reward 317-374-6446 or please call Sumter County Sheriff at 352-569-1600.

So they cut through the Kevlar material, or the cable attached?

[BrianL99]

The golf bag is quite unique with turquoise background with yellow banana pattern and a large B monogram and small plastic bananas on zippers.

If they were indeed stolen, they weren't taken for the bag ... that bag would stand out.

[Mleeja]

You do not have an air tag hidden in the bag?

[Taltarzac725]

Good luck getting your bag back .

[tophcfa]

After hitting a couple buckets of balls at driving range, I went inside pro shop to buy a visor. My clubs were securely fastened to my golf cart. I believe they were stolen while I went inside. The golf bag is quite unique with turquoise background with yellow banana pattern and a large B monogram and small plastic bananas on zippers. The clubs were Taylor Made and fairly new. The clubs did not fall off my cart! Reward 317-374-6446 or please call Sumter County Sheriff at 352-569-1600.

That absolutely sucks, I’m very sorry to hear that! I have always assumed our clubs were safe if the cart was not parked in the parking lot commingled with automobiles in front of the clubhouse. I typically leave the keys in the ignition and my cell phone in the holder in the dash when going into the pro shop. It’s very sad if you can’t trust folks at a golf course (a gentleman’s game of honor) when your cart is parked at a spot only accessible by golf carts or walkers. I sincerely hope whoever stole your sticks is caught and brought to painful justice.

[DARFAP]

You do not have an air tag hidden in the bag?
Thieves are on to those.

[Marmaduke]

So sorry to hear that your 1st Post has to be of a crime against you, as a new villager. How long were you in the pro shop. Just curious.

[Marmaduke]

So sorry to hear that your 1st Post has to be of a crime against you, as a new villager. How long were you in the pro shop. Just curious.
Oh, excuse me, I did see, a half an hour... in the shop

[thevillages2013]

Just spitballing here but did you take your golf bag off the cart to your position on the driving range? If so, perhaps you strapped it securely to the wrong golf cart before you went inside the golf shop.

[elle123]

After hitting a couple buckets of balls at driving range, I went inside pro shop to buy a visor. My clubs were securely fastened to my golf cart. I believe they were stolen while I went inside. The golf bag is quite unique with turquoise background with yellow banana pattern and a large B monogram and small plastic bananas on zippers. The clubs were Taylor Made and fairly new. The clubs did not fall off my cart! Reward 317-374-6446 or please call Sumter County Sheriff at 352-569-1600.
I wonder if there's video cameras on the outside of the clubhouse? I think all parking lots in The Villages need them.

[Southwest737]

I don’t see this theft on the Sumter county crime map. Hmmm.

[lawgolfer]

People are no damn good!

In essence, our courses are akin to public courses at which you learn that thievery is all too common. The only reason it is not common at private clubs is that a cart boy or other member of the golf staff would be likely to notice the "addition" of a new club to the thief's bag. Certainly, your unique bag would be noticed.

A sad joke is that you should wait until Tuesday or Wednesday (assuming the bag was stolen over the weekend) to check at Play It Again Sports and the pawn shops, as it takes them a day or two to clean the clubs, decide on a price, and attach a price tag.

The first month after we moved to The Villages, a member of my foursome left a club on the course. His ball was some distance from the green and he walked from our cart to the ball carrying two clubs. He forgot to pick up the club he did not use. Unfortunately, he didn't need that club until he had played another 9 or 10 holes. When he retraced his steps, the club was gone and every group that was following ours denied knowing anything about the club.

In our years of living in TV, there have been several thefts of golf carts and/or clubs. Each time this was reported, I noted that the cart was parked in front of the pro shop/clubhouse; in one of the parking lots behind the buildings at a square; or in a parking lot at one of our strip malls. I took this to heart and, at the course, always park on the side of the pro shop/clubhouse facing the golf course. If I have to park behind the buildings at one of the squares or, heaven forbid, at Walmart (or, in 2 months, at Costco), I installed both an ignition cut-out switch with a dedicated key and a brake lock that uses a strong Master padlock to secure the footbrake in the down/locked position.

The handful of times I have parked my cart with the clubs on the back at one of the squares, it is in a space on the square and in front of a restaurant or store. Even so, having read your tale of woe, I'm going to buy a cable lock to secure the bag to the frame of the canopy or the basket. With a visible lock on the bag and on the brake, I hope a thief would pass by my cart for easier pickings.

You are the victim and it's not your fault. In addition to your clubs and bag, I expect you've lost other items like a rangefinder; prescription sun glasses; and, perhaps, medicines (I hope that you didn't have a Rolex in a pocket of the bag)

A lot of your loss should be covered by both your cart insurance and homeowners insurance. Often, the policies will limit coverage for sporting goods and jewelry to a set amount, often $1K.

[Jazzman]

I don’t see this theft on the Sumter county crime map. Hmmm.

Your post is……….

[Ginasewell]

Don't know why people criticize authors on these posts in supposedly "Florida's Friendliest Hometown". Hope you get your clubs and bag back. It's unfortunate that one needs to steal although there are so many in need these days. Does Palmer have video cameras on the premises?

[USOTR]

Did The sheriff department check for video camera in the area? If not they need to install one

[1golfergal]

That absolutely sucks, I’m very sorry to hear that! I have always assumed our clubs were safe if the cart was not parked in the parking lot commingled with automobiles in front of the clubhouse. I typically leave the keys in the ignition and my cell phone in the holder in the dash when going into the pro shop. It’s very sad if you can’t trust folks at a golf course (a gentleman’s game of honor) when your cart is parked at a spot only accessible by golf carts or walkers. I sincerely hope whoever stole your sticks is caught and brought to painful justice.

WOW! You are very lucky then. Would NEVER leave cell phone or keys. Nope/Nada/NOWAY!

[1golfergal]

Who is going to pay for that? Asking for a friend.

[jaygardens]

i doubt that anything was stolen BUT i would check with the "office" and see if there are any cameras outside...

i

[jimhoward]

This is very disheartening to hear about.

In the many years I've been playing golf I have never had anything stolen and I have left things all over the place. I've probably left expensive wedges or putters on greens 50 times and never failed to get one back. I have found and returned an equal number. I've left golf bags overnight at the practice facility or bag drop (went to the clubhouse for food and drinks, forgot, went home). Got them back.

But here at the villages, Americas friendliest hometown, I hear about theft at the golf course. Kind of sad.

[clekr]

I've lived here for 17 years. This is not as uncommon as you might like to think. I ha e personal friends who have lost whole bags, three irons, drivers and putters over the years.
Go to Walmart and get a 6 foot cable and 4 locks key to like. Locking hoods are available in the pro shops and Golf Central. Never leave anything visible in your cart that you would upset if it were taken. Latest driver...put an old cover on it. Scott Cameron putter, get an old sock. Never leave a wallet, cell phone or range finder on the front shelf. It's unfortunate but I've all of these taken at one time or another.

[New Englander]

To the OP, I hope you get your Clubs back.

[Topspinmo]

I don’t put anything with banana sticker/picture on anything, these Savannah Bananas fans are crazier than soccer or pro darts fans.:shrug:

Sorry, for you’re lost, does palmers have cameras?

[Topspinmo]

I don’t see this theft on the Sumter county crime map. Hmmm.

Would you like to put link to crime Map so some of use can see it?

[Taltarzac725]

Would you like to put link to crime Map so some of use can see it?

Maybe it has not been reported to the police department.


Most people IMHO are good at heart. There are some truly evil ones though but many in between . Same applies to Villagers but it is a lot harder to get away with stuff in the relatively safe environment of the Villages. All the Villages gun lovers helps as well as long as there are not many mentally ill or evil people among those weapons fans.

[Tomptomp]

I was sure my clubs were stolen. Five days later they were in Eisenhower rec center. Good luck. Remain hopeful.

[Bogie Shooter]

This is very disheartening to hear about.

In the many years I've been playing golf I have never had anything stolen and I have left things all over the place. I've probably left expensive wedges or putters on greens 50 times and never failed to get one back. I have found and returned an equal number. I've left golf bags overnight at the practice facility or bag drop (went to the clubhouse for food and drinks, forgot, went home). Got them back.

But here at the villages, Americas friendliest hometown, I hear about theft at the golf course. Kind of sad.

Of course it is unfortunate…..
But how many thefts in the past were committed by folks living in America friendliest hometown?

[Vickisharp]

Yay. Last night the bag and clubs were found by a man and woman, and the woman called this am. Apparently, the bag and clubs were thrown in bushes too far away to have fallen off the cart. I am ever so grateful.

[GreggC69]

Hmmmm. Interesting.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Yay. Last night the bag and clubs were found by a man and woman, and the woman called this am. Apparently, the bag and clubs were thrown in bushes too far away to have fallen off the cart. I am ever so grateful.
Is this regarding the O.P.'s clubs? Different username posting so that's why I'm asking.

[Taltarzac725]

Is this regarding the O.P.'s clubs? Different username posting so that's why I'm asking.

They both have the same birthday listed.

[Topspinmo]

Yay. Last night the bag and clubs were found by a man and woman, and the woman called this am. Apparently, the bag and clubs were thrown in bushes too far away to have fallen off the cart. I am ever so grateful.

Was banana logo’s still there?

[kcrazorbackfan]

i doubt that anything was stolen BUT i would check with the "office" and see if there are any cameras outside... i

“Doubt anything was stolen”? There is stuff stolen all the time. We have air tags on the bags and cart, heavy duty security covers for the bags and an alarm system on the cart.

[BrianL99]

“Doubt anything was stolen”? There is stuff stolen all the time. We have air tags on the bags and cart, heavy duty security covers for the bags and an alarm system on the cart.

I'm sure it happens, but in 5 years in TV, I'd never seen a credible report of theft of anything, on social media or anywhere else.

In somewhere around 4000 rounds of golf, all over the world, I've never seen, heard of or experienced, a stolen piece of golf equipment.

[Rainger99]

Yay. Last night the bag and clubs were found by a man and woman, and the woman called this am. Apparently, the bag and clubs were thrown in bushes too far away to have fallen off the cart. I am ever so grateful.

How did they get your phone number? Was it on the bag?

[Rainger99]

I was sure my clubs were stolen. Five days later they were in Eisenhower rec center. Good luck. Remain hopeful.

Please elaborate. Were they in a lost and found room at Eisenhower?

Were they on the back of another golf cart?

[HIgolfers]

Please elaborate. Were they in a lost and found room at Eisenhower?

Were they on the back of another golf cart?

All lost and found stuff eventually goes to Eisenhower.

[Taltarzac725]

All lost and found stuff eventually goes to Eisenhower.

Good to know.

[Dahabs]

Good to know.

Wrong post.

[dewilson58]

People are no damn good!......................

Wow.

[Dahabs]

Yay. Last night the bag and clubs were found by a man and woman, and the woman called this am. Apparently, the bag and clubs were thrown in bushes too far away to have fallen off the cart. I am ever so grateful.

That's great!

[thevillages2013]

Yay. Last night the bag and clubs were found by a man and woman, and the woman called this am. Apparently, the bag and clubs were thrown in bushes too far away to have fallen off the cart. I am ever so grateful.

It’s a miracle! If the cart wasn’t driven between the time the driving range session ended and the clubs were missing then they couldn’t have fallen off. Why now say they were found too far away to have fallen off?

[Bassdeer]

Stop drinking at the driving range.

[dewilson58]

It’s a miracle! If the cart wasn’t driven between the time the driving range session ended and the clubs were missing then they couldn’t have fallen off. Why now say they were found too far away to have fallen off?

:popcorn:

[asianthree]

This is very disheartening to hear about.

In the many years I've been playing golf I have never had anything stolen and I have left things all over the place. I've probably left expensive wedges or putters on greens 50 times and never failed to get one back. I have found and returned an equal number. I've left golf bags overnight at the practice facility or bag drop (went to the clubhouse for food and drinks, forgot, went home). Got them back.

But here at the villages, Americas friendliest hometown, I hear about theft at the golf course. Kind of sad.

50 times you have forgotten a club on the course? Not once in more than 50 years has any of our eleven golfing family left a club.

Easy system always leave extra clubs on edge of green in direct line of cart or bag. Our second lesson after golf etiquette from my dad at age 6.

[Rainger99]

Yay. Last night the bag and clubs were found by a man and woman, and the woman called this am. Apparently, the bag and clubs were thrown in bushes too far away to have fallen off the cart. I am ever so grateful.

How far was the bag and clubs from where the cart was parked while you were in the golf shop?

Was anything missing?

It seems odd that someone would steal a bag and clubs and then just throw them in the bushes.

[mikeltry]

How far was the bag and clubs from where the cart was parked while you were in the golf shop?

Was anything missing?

It seems odd that someone would steal a bag and clubs and then just throw them in the bushes.
Not that strange. Having spent a career in law enforcement one sees many things that don't make sense. Maybe the person or persons weren't interested in the clubs or the bag but maybe in the pockets of the bag ie money or jewelry.

[kingofbeer]

That absolutely sucks, I’m very sorry to hear that! I have always assumed our clubs were safe if the cart was not parked in the parking lot commingled with automobiles in front of the clubhouse. I typically leave the keys in the ignition and my cell phone in the holder in the dash when going into the pro shop. It’s very sad if you can’t trust folks at a golf course (a gentleman’s game of honor) when your cart is parked at a spot only accessible by golf carts or walkers. I sincerely hope whoever stole your sticks is caught and brought to painful justice.
Leave your keys and cell phone. This is the epitome of laziness IMHO.

[kingofbeer]

After hitting a couple buckets of balls at driving range, I went inside pro shop to buy a visor. My clubs were securely fastened to my golf cart. I believe they were stolen while I went inside. The golf bag is quite unique with turquoise background with yellow banana pattern and a large B monogram and small plastic bananas on zippers. The clubs were Taylor Made and fairly new. The clubs did not fall off my cart! Reward 317-374-6446 or please call Sumter County Sheriff at 352-569-1600.
Seems normal to me. I have seen guys leave a full bag and go and have dinner in one of the squares. This is the epitome of laziness IMHO.

[kingofbeer]

Yay. Last night the bag and clubs were found by a man and woman, and the woman called this am. Apparently, the bag and clubs were thrown in bushes too far away to have fallen off the cart. I am ever so grateful.
They did it for spite.

[kingofbeer]

How far was the bag and clubs from where the cart was parked while you were in the golf shop?

Was anything missing?

It seems odd that someone would steal a bag and clubs and then just throw them in the bushes.
maybe you had a bad day at the range and tossed away your clubs.

[Guinness835]

Not that strange. Having spent a career in law enforcement one sees many things that don't make sense. Maybe the person or persons weren't interested in the clubs or the bag but maybe in the pockets of the bag ie money or jewelry.

Second this. I have 30 years in law enforcement and people often leave money, watches, phones etc… in golf bags. Probably just looking for quick items and not interested/knowledgeable in dealing with clubs

[jarodrig]

How much was the reward ?

[Bogie Shooter]

All lost and found stuff eventually goes to Eisenhower.

Clarification, not true.
https://www.districtgov.org/images/Lost-and-Found-Guidelines.pdf

[dewilson58]

Second this. I have 30 years in law enforcement and people often leave money, watches, phones etc… in golf bags. Probably just looking for quick items and not interested/knowledgeable in dealing with clubs

A couple years ago, a lady lost thousands and thousands of dollars of jewelry out of her golf bag while parked at Mallory.

(may have lost something, but not buying the value put on the jewelry)

:beer3:

[Rainger99]

Clarification, not true.
https://www.districtgov.org/images/Lost-and-Found-Guidelines.pdf

It says “After the end of each month all remaining items
will be donated to a local charitable organization
as designated by the District.”

I would hope they would keep it for at least 30 days. The way it is written, something could arrive on July 28 and be donated on August 1.

[lawgolfer]

I'm sure it happens, but in 5 years in TV, I'd never seen a credible report of theft of anything, on social media or anywhere else.

In somewhere around 4000 rounds of golf, all over the world, I've never seen, heard of or experienced, a stolen piece of golf equipment.

You've lead a blessed life. You might have a different view had you played some of the courses I have over the past 60 years.

In Stockton, CA, Van Buskirk was a public course alongside a Section 8 housing project. There was a period of time in the 1970's when several denizens of the project committed armed robberies of players on the course. The local joke was for one player to ask another if he wanted a 7 iron or a Winchester for the next shot.

The last known players who were robbed on the course were a 64 year old couple in 1994. Eventually, the city of Stockton closed the course. One appropriate proposal was to turn it into a public campground for Stockton's homeless, of which it has a plethora. Another proposal was to make it a public park--which would serve the same purpose.

It's been the same at the Gleneagles course in San Francisco. This course borders the infamous Geneva Ave. public housing project. In one incident in 1995, three teenagers robbed a foursome at gunpoint, firing 3 shots into the ground to get the players full attention. Since that incident, I never played the course without having a gun in my bag.

The course, which is a genuine gem the city owns and leases to an operator, may not have long to worry about it as the city has cut off the public water supply.

[jimhoward]

50 times you have forgotten a club on the course? Not once in more than 50 years has any of our eleven golfing family left a club.

Easy system always leave extra clubs on edge of green in direct line of cart or bag. Our second lesson after golf etiquette from my dad at age 6.

You are far better than me. I know about the trick leaving clubs in line with the cart. But have left them anyway. Maybe once every 10 or 20 rounds (I was up to 200 rounds/year a few years ago, before coming here, now I barely play). I usually walk and carry my bag, so its even more embarrassing.

[hawthorg]

Hence the word "hidden"

[Old Traveller]

Years ago in Detroit we use to carry pistols in our golf bags at the municipal golf courses. The savages use to come down the embankments during rush hour on the freeways.

I did ask earlier how the poster secured his golf clubs at Palmer. I was interested if I had to up my game. Do I really have to carry again in the Villages????

[mrpete2]

If you don't have anything positive to say, DO NOT POST. We don't need the negativity.

[Bogie Shooter]

Years ago in Detroit we use to carry pistols in our golf bags at the municipal golf courses. The savages use to come down the embankments during rush hour on the freeways.

I did ask earlier how the poster secured his golf clubs at Palmer. I was interested if I had to up my game. Do I really have to carry again in the Villages????

Sure more guns will solve everything.

[asianthree]

Years ago in Detroit we use to carry pistols in our golf bags at the municipal golf courses. The savages use to come down the embankments during rush hour on the freeways.

I did ask earlier how the poster secured his golf clubs at Palmer. I was interested if I had to up my game. Do I really have to carry again in the Villages????

No gun required, you need to invest $35 on Kevlar cover, with cable, and a lock. I also asked how bag was secured, and OP has been very vague about security of bag, and where exactly the bag was found from the cart and pro shop. Am confused since two posters are responding. One starting date 2024 the other 2012, each only one post.

[Rainger99]

Not that strange. Having spent a career in law enforcement one sees many things that don't make sense. Maybe the person or persons weren't interested in the clubs or the bag but maybe in the pockets of the bag ie money or jewelry.

Wouldn't taking clubs off the back of a cart (and throwing them in the bushes) seem more suspicious than casually walking up to a cart and just checking the pouches for cash and jewelry?

[ElDiabloJoe]

Second this. I have 30 years in law enforcement and people often leave money, watches, phones etc… in golf bags. Probably just looking for quick items and not interested/knowledgeable in dealing with clubs
I have the same 30 years. Another possibility is someone the OP ****ed off this round or a previous round. Maybe played too slowly for the suspect, or hit into them, or blocked the cart path while on the green. After a couple at the 19th hole, the suspect saw his cart and bags and said to themselves, "F this guy!" Snatched the clubs walked a bit toward some bushes and threw them into the shrubbery. Kind of a personalized FAFO lesson.

One thing's for certain, after a full career one learns that people do all kinds of stuff for all kinds of reasons whether justified or not, imaginary slights or not, just evil, or not, for spite or not, etc.

Sure more guns will solve everything.
No, but they can solve YOUR problem by saving YOUR derriere. The old adage is absolutely true, it is much better to have a gun and not need it, than to need it and not have a gun. Kinda goes hand-in-hand with the adage representing a mindset that it is better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6. Of course, if one doesn't agree with that mindset, it is okay to go ahead and get "Victim" tattooed on one's forehead to facilitate further criminal activities.

In life, we are all victims (or certainly can be). The goal is to be harder to victimize than the next guy. If the next guy flat out volunteers (by behavior or mindset) to be victimized in the place of me or my loved ones, that is entirely up to them.