I don’t play in leagues, so I don’t bother to look at slope or rating since I don’t keep an official handicap. That being said, what you stated makes absolutely no sense, I would expect the slope and ratings at the Villages courses to be substantially lower than courses up north. The courses in the Villages are way easier than the courses I play up north. The typical course up north is longer from the white t’s than the Villages courses are from the blues. The fairways up north are much narrower and less forgiving, out of bounds markers are frequently in play, forced carries are very common, the rough is typically much longer, the sand in the traps is poorer quality and very inconsistent, and the weather typically adds an additional challenge. The only things easier about northern courses are that there is more grass under your ball in the fairways and the bent grass green accept a ball better and roll more consistently than Bermuda. However, the new hybrid greens at Tierra Del Sol and Lopez are very nice and play much more like bent grass. I assume the greens at Southern Oaks are the hybrid greens?

Interesting about the sand. The starter told us they didn’t have any sand so we never looked, or it came in after we played.

And it also sounds like some people are insecure about where others live, i.e., north Villages vs south Villages.

How someone could be insecure about where someone else lives makes no sense...

[QUOTE=tophcfa;2030810]I don’t play in leagues, so I don’t bother to look at slope or rating since I don’t keep an official handicap. That being said, what you stated makes absolutely no sense, I would expect the slope and ratings at the Villages courses to be substantially lower than courses up north...]

Think about it; yes it does make sense.

I indicated my scores have been equal/similar here as up north. Shooting a 78 on a course with a 123 slope (up north or anywhere) will give you a single digit handicap or close to it. Shoot that same score on TV courses from the white tees, around 110 slope, and you get a considerably higher handicap. The ratings are out of kilter here.

Southern Oaks
 

I'll say this much: It ain't ready for prime time and not deserving of the higher green fees ($3 dollars more) charged to play there.

Wasn’t aware the green fees charged are a premium versus other courses. Probably just taking advantage of the “new course” demand and will be the same as other courses when the much higher winter rates are announced in about a month.

The winter rates typically go up $3 from the previous winter rate. Not much higher.

Anyone know if you there is anywhere you can park a car at the course?

Then don’t play there. Simple decision, isn’t it?

There are a lot of people that are going to still play there even with the wannabe pro’s rendering their negative decisions.

One and done.

Watch out!
 

If I ever play the course, I will notify the proper authorities about my wide slicing. Also I will be careful when driving northbound on the turnpike...:1rotfl:

In California we rated our course after major renovations. 500 rounds from each tee box and rated each hole based on those scores and USGA rated the Slope and total handicap for the course based on all those score cards.

First time on the course, shot 3 over. Is a very nice course. It’s going to be immature, it’s new. The turnpike doesn’t bother me, but a sudden conversation in my backswing can be annoying.

The rough is impressive, finding a ball is like a hole in one, just luck. Sadly it does slow down play, for those looking for their ball. You almost have to step on it to find it. Lost one ball, partner lost 4.

Course Is a work in progress, that will be appreciated by many, hated by a few.

I've always thought what makes a course "interesting" or "memorable" is if you can remember each of the holes after you play. Although Southern Oaks is new, convenient, and beautiful, the holes are a lot alike, becoming a blur after 18 of them.