Hide the women and children.......

[jack_pine]

We will be there Saturday for a week for our first ever visit.

Sure I will figure this out (sans getting lost) but is it pretty clear when my cart should be driven on street and when I should get on cart path and such. I know , no sidewalks.

I read all these threads about people complaining about bad cart drivers. Don't want to be one of those but will probably make some mistakes.

Beware....................

[graciegirl]

You will do just fine Jack. We will have big banners at both squares saying WELCOME JACK.

You are about to enter a world you never thought existed.

I am SO happy for you.

[jack_pine]

Thanks GG.

Really no other thoughts?

[Nana Doey]

a lot to see in a wk!! Have fun!! Get yourself a map!!

[cybrgeezer]

You will do just fine Jack. We will have big banners at both squares saying WELCOME JACK.

Just don't have another at the airport saying HI JACK.

[2BNTV]

We will be there Saturday for a week for our first ever visit.

Sure I will figure this out (sans getting lost) but is it pretty clear when my cart should be driven on street and when I should get on cart path and such. I know , no sidewalks.

I read all these threads about people complaining about bad cart drivers. Don't want to be one of those but will probably make some mistakes.Beware....................

Unfortunately, you won't be alone.:)

Enjoy your visit. :)

Please post your thoughts and experiences on your visit.

[CarGuys]

Well I'm a Case tractor guy but Hey they joined with IH

Welcome enjoy the stay. It's a special place with wonderful people.

Herv

[Pturner]

Jack,
Not to worry. It's not as hard as it might sound from some posts. Here are some pointers:


Cart lanes along the side of the street are clearly marked.
When you get to a path (separated from the street) with a sign reading, "no cars beyond this point," it's a separated cart path. The cart lane along the street will end there. Turn off the road and follow the cart path.
It's easy to get lost at first but easy to find your way, too. All you have to do is stop and look lost. Before you can say, "where the heck am I," someone will stop and ask you what you are looking for, and give you directions. Honestly.
The separated cart paths tunnel under intersections. It can be confusing at first which way to go coming out of the tunnel. Trust the signs, even if you think at first the direction can't be right. The path will circle around and head you in the right direction.

Someone jump in if I've left out something or you can 'splain it better.


Have a wonderful time, drink some Kool Refreshing Drink of many flavors and tell us all about your trip, ok?

[Pturner]

Oh, I thought of something else. If you are in a cart lane on the street-- except once you are inside a Village (i.e., a neighborhood)-- a separated cart path will always appear before an intersection, to tunnel you under the intersection. A cart should never, ever, ever, ever be in a roundabout.

Again, this is all well marked. I hope I'm not making it sound harder than it is.

[Barefoot]

Jack,
Not to worry. It's not as hard as it might sound from some posts. Here are some pointers:


When the cart path is on the side of the street (not separated), there is a clearly marked cart lane.
When you get to a path with a sign reading, "no cars beyond this point," it's a separated cart path. Turn of the road there and follow the cart path.
It's easy to get lost at first but easy to find your way, too. All you have to do is stop and look lost. Before you can say, "where the heck am I," someone will stop and ask you what you are looking for, and give you directions. Honestly.
The separated cart paths tunnel under intersections. It can be confusing at first which way to go coming out of the tunnel. Trust the signs, even if you
think at first the direction can't be right. The path will circle around and head you in the right direction.



Someone jump in if I've left out something or you can 'splain it better.

Have a wonderful time, drink some Kool Refreshing Drink of many flavors and tell us all about your trip, ok?

If you are really confused about where the golf cart path is located, I suggest that you pull over and watch where other golf carts are going.

[Pturner]

If you are really confused about where the golf cart path is located, I suggest that you pull over and watch where other golf carts are going.

Excellent advice! She is smarter than the average, um... Bare.

[hedoman]

after the week you'll need a vacation from your vacation LOL

Weather looks great for the 10 day, warm and sunny, but bring a jacket or sweater for the cool nights

Enjoy

[Gerald]

one very good thing. You asked what the rules are. Most don't. One thing to really look out for is other drivers no matter if you are on a path or on the street. Be safe relax and enjoy slowing down. Life is always just too fast.

[graciegirl]

Oh...you are just gonna love it. We spent the day yesterday with a brand-new-to-The Villages person, and her delight and surprise and wonder and ....amazement was like taking your child to Disney World for the first time. Today we are showing them the other half.

I just love to take someone around here for the first time.:coolsmiley:

I cannot wait to hear what you have to say, Jack.:popcorn:

[Bobbie416]

I am renting a house in The Villages for the month of February and will be driving a golf cart for the first time in my life. Thank you for all the advice. I am a little concerned about getting lost but know there are lots of friendly people who can help me. One thing a friend who lives in The Villages told me was that if I am lost, do not just stop in the golf cart lane to read my map and try to get directions. She said to pull over so others can get by. If you see me looking very confused, please stop to help. I look forward to meeting many new people that way. Is there a GPS for golf cart lanes?

[jack_pine]

Thanks all, good info.

We will see how long we are delayed, supposed to get 6-8 of the white stuff here in Chicago...........................

[swrinfla]

jack pine:

One small word. Despite Pt's fervent plea that golf carts should never, ever be in a roundabout (and, of course, I agree with her totally), you must be careful not to follow a Street Legal golf cart too closely, because he does have the right to be in the roundabout! :-( :-(

But, then, if you're following a Street Legal and you're not on a cart path, then you're in the wrong place!

Confused?

Best advice: pay 'ttention where 99.9% of the carts are, and follow them!

SWR
:beer3:

[Schaumburger]

I am renting a house in The Villages for the month of February and will be driving a golf cart for the first time in my life. Thank you for all the advice. I am a little concerned about getting lost but know there are lots of friendly people who can help me. One thing a friend who lives in The Villages told me was that if I am lost, do not just stop in the golf cart lane to read my map and try to get directions. She said to pull over so others can get by. If you see me looking very confused, please stop to help. I look forward to meeting many new people that way. Is there a GPS for golf cart lanes?

Bobbie - Last year I drove a golf cart for the first time when I rented so I know how you feel. People will stop and help if you pull over to the side and take out a golf cart map or a map of TV. TV angels of direction stopped and helped me more than once last year. When I hopefully return to TV in the summer I will need more help with directions so you are not alone in needing help. Enjoy your February rental -- wish I could be in TV next month. :wave:

[Bobbie416]

Thank you. I am really looking forward to this. Even more so now that it is so cold here and they are predicting snow.

[Pturner]

jack pine:

One small word. Despite Pt's fervent plea that golf carts should never, ever be in a roundabout (and, of course, I agree with her totally), you must be careful not to follow a Street Legal golf cart too closely, because he does have the right to be in the roundabout! :-( :-(

But, then, if you're following a Street Legal and you're not on a cart path, then you're in the wrong place!

Confused?

Best advice: pay 'ttention where 99.9% of the carts are, and follow them!

SWR
:beer3:

Steve,
Thank you. That needed saying after my fervent plea. I didn't think about Street Legals.

P

[Yorio]

There are couple of points which happened to me when I first started driving around on golf carts. Since I am so used to driving around in cars, when I make a left turn especially, for a fleeting moments, I noticed driving on regular road instead of at a cart path. Being The Villages, no one honked me from behind until moved to the cart path. When I mentioned this to my neighbor, he said that since he mostly drives around in golf carts, he unknowingly move to the golf cart area when he drives a car sometimes. The other point is when I am near the gate, I feel like going through the gate in my golf cart which is a no, no in most areas. Fortunately, I haven't done this yet.

[SALYBOW]

We will be there Saturday for a week for our first ever visit.

Sure I will figure this out (sans getting lost) but is it pretty clear when my cart should be driven on street and when I should get on cart path and such. I know , no sidewalks.

I read all these threads about people complaining about bad cart drivers. Don't want to be one of those but will probably make some mistakes.

Beware....................

When we first came down we spent a lot of time "exploring" (getting lost) on both the streets and the cart paths. In the process of doing this we were helped by so many nice people. Most of the time someone will stop to help you. People are very nice that way here. :laugh::laugh::laugh: