Originally Posted by bjansson (Post 2178614)

You have to consider the hazards of putting an executive course that close to the freeway. The fairways are a lot longer on an Executive course and you really have to belt that ball out there to get to the green. If that ball went awry you might hit someone on the freeway accidently. So in lieu of putting up great big nets to protect the freeway drivers the developer gets to save land and build more houses.

When they start developing the land farther away from the freeway I'm sure they will add more executive courses south of 44.

Originally Posted by Dcurrie911 (Post 2178336)

Three pitch and putt courses south of 44. These courses are the last to get booked which is a clear indicator that they are least desirable for home owners. This activity of building non-desirable pitch and putt courses south of 44 continues to put pressure on executive courses north of 44. How do we stop this bad behavior? I sent a mail to villages.com but wonder if there is a better way.

Dan

Originally Posted by PaPaLarry (Post 2178478)

Is there parking for cars at all these pitch and putt courses.?

Originally Posted by Irish4243 (Post 2178671)

They built Southern Oaks next to the turnpike. You could hit any club and hit a car on the turnpike.

Originally Posted by rsmurano (Post 2178587)

Have you actually tried to get a t time at Richmond? It’s is just as difficult to get a t time as other executive course. i know some people don’t like sarasota either because it’s pretty easy. Marsh Bend needs to get cleaned up to take some pressure off Richmond.

Originally Posted by retfc2@yahoo.com (Post 2178585)

I platy both Ex. & P/P. I enjoy both. Are you a golf elitists? There are levels of gofers, get used to it.

Originally Posted by bjansson (Post 2178614)

You have to consider the hazards of putting an executive course that close to the freeway. The fairways are a lot longer on an Executive course and you really have to belt that ball out there to get to the green. If that ball went awry you might hit someone on the freeway accidently. So in lieu of putting up great big nets to protect the freeway drivers the developer gets to save land and build more houses.

When they start developing the land farther away from the freeway I'm sure they will add more executive courses south of 44.

Originally Posted by Irish4243 (Post 2178671)

They built Southern Oaks next to the turnpike. You could hit any club and hit a car on the turnpike.

Originally Posted by bjansson (Post 2178614)

You have to consider the hazards of putting an executive course that close to the freeway. The fairways are a lot longer on an Executive course and you really have to belt that ball out there to get to the green. If that ball went awry you might hit someone on the freeway accidently. So in lieu of putting up great big nets to protect the freeway drivers the developer gets to save land and build more houses.

When they start developing the land farther away from the freeway I'm sure they will add more executive courses south of 44.

Originally Posted by Irish4243 (Post 2178671)

They built Southern Oaks next to the turnpike. You could hit any club and hit a car on the turnpike.

Originally Posted by photo1902 (Post 2178708)

Complete BS

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2178724)

They were reviewing the design of Southern Oaks, and the FLA DOT was fine with errant golf balls landing on the windshield of trucks and cars do 75 MPH.

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2178726)

This is the EXACT opposite…. More executives are close to the turnpike or highways so they dont have to put houses near there.

I bet 10% of the residents of The Villages can hit ANY club in their bag more than 200 yards.
So a 130 yard hole, you only need a 70 yard buffer to any road.

Originally Posted by jhoffha (Post 2178750)

Lets see the 'Pitch & Putts' are cheaper to create, run and smaller so more homes can be built. So what about all this is confusing. The family wants as much $$ as they can get.

Originally Posted by jhoffha (Post 2178750)

Lets see the 'Pitch & Putts' are cheaper to create, run and smaller so more homes can be built. So what about all this is confusing. The family wants as much $$ as they can get.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2178731)

Agree---and those of us who can hit it much longer are highly unlikely to hit the turnpike. Having played Southern Oaks at least 20 times, it's pretty hard to hit it out of bounds, and from there you have 150-250 yds until you could hit the roadway. Not going to happen.

Originally Posted by John Mayes (Post 2178491)

Three new championship courses, (two 18’s and one 27), six executives, one additional pitch and putt and a golf academy.

Continuing The Dream: Volume 15

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2178655)

Also, there is the obvious need for less water, which helps keep the cost of water DOWN and helps out with the resident's budget.
........I may have missed a few others ?

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2178655)

Basically, you don't stop it. The idea is that residents south of 44 are going to trend toward the younger range of retired seniors - like in their 50s. These younger folks don't want to WASTE the time going to a 18 hole longer type course. They realize that the longer course is BORING and of LITTLE exercise value so they would rather play the pitch and putt, which gives them the skilled shots and clubs while eliminating the driver and the 2 or whatever iron. And they may still have time to go to a weight room or run on a track for REAL EXERCISE.
...... THERE ARE many other advantages of pitch and putt.....starting with less BACK pain and injuries, which is a BIG bugaboo for the over-50 crowd that wants to pace themselves and avoid injury so that they can still be relatively PAIN free and "running, jumping, and playing" well into their 80s and up.
.......Pitch and Putt is less expensive than the alternative and leaves money left over to buy that antique vehicle that they always desired.
........Pitch and Putt is less frustrating and can be played less competitively (if desired) vs the longer alternative.
.........Pitch and Putt leaves more time at the POOL so they can work on their TAN and show off to their northern friends.
......Pitch and Putt has fewer heart attacks during the HEAT of the summer than the alternative.
.......Pitch and Putt has less grass area, therefore NEEDS less fertilizer that can run off into the close by lakes and pollute them. Also, there is the obvious need for less water, which helps keep the cost of water DOWN and helps out with the resident's budget.
........I may have missed a few others ?

Originally Posted by Irish4243 (Post 2178671)

They built Southern Oaks next to the turnpike. You could hit any club and hit a car on the turnpike.

Originally Posted by jimkerr (Post 2178685)

Definitely not undesirable. They are always packed. The Villages is now building the things Gen X wants.

Originally Posted by MSchad (Post 2178707)

How many 9 hole executives have parking for cars, other than the ones south of 44? This is a golf cart community.

Originally Posted by rsmurano (Post 2178587)

Have you actually tried to get a t time at Richmond? It’s is just as difficult to get a t time as other executive course. i know some people don’t like sarasota either because it’s pretty easy. Marsh Bend needs to get cleaned up to take some pressure off Richmond.

Originally Posted by larcha (Post 2178645)

You make a very valid point. Pitch and putt and the putting course at the First Responders recreation center should be in a separate category. Playing there should not affect points for executive golf play. It also should not be counted as "holes of golf" when advertising the number of golf holes available in The Villages.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2178731)

Agree---and those of us who can hit it much longer are highly unlikely to hit the turnpike. Having played Southern Oaks at least 20 times, it's pretty hard to hit it out of bounds, and from there you have 150-250 yds until you could hit the roadway. Not going to happen.

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2178807)

Exactly, if you have the club head speed to hit the ball 250, you have a good swing, and the ball is in the fairway.

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2178819)

Please don't hold your breathe while you're waiting for them.

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2178807)

Exactly, if you have the club head speed to hit the ball 250, you have a good swing, and the ball is in the fairway.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2178840)

Maybe not hold your breath, but you can play Southern Oaks and look across the turnpike and see that they are under construction. Last I heard, one was due to open later this year.

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2178838)

One would think...:grumpy:

I remember playing in a charity tournament, years ago, with a former B'More Orioles outfielder. He could hit the ball 280-300, but we NEVER knew where it was going to go... :1rotfl:

It was my home course, so I knew it well. We all hit first, trying to make sure we had one "in play" before he unloaded. Sometimes he helped us, sometimes... Well we're still waiting for those balls to come back to earth...

I remember the first hole, a dogleg right, forest on the right, to a blind green. The proper shot was straight along the tree line, anywhere from 200-250 yds.

Once we had that shot, he teed it up and asked, "Anyone ever go over the trees?"

I replied, "Well, not on purpose!" He laughed and said let's give it a go!"

He launched one, over the trees, directly in line with the green. I told him, "If it clears the trees, it could be amazing!"

We drove down and there was his ball, 10 feet from the pin. Of course, we all missed the eagle putt... D'oh!

Originally Posted by larcha (Post 2178645)

You make a very valid point. Pitch and putt and the putting course at the First Responders recreation center should be in a separate category. Playing there should not affect points for executive golf play. It also should not be counted as "holes of golf" when advertising the number of golf holes available in The Villages.

Originally Posted by jabacon6669 (Post 2178874)

Sad to think that it's now all about the developer maximizing his dollar. The developer did a nice job laying out the championship courses further north, 27 holes, lined with homes. They look great. Championship courses are in short supply in the new areas. The focus has clearly changed.