I believe golf in TV is still a great bargain. I also still live in Northern VA (not for long I hope) and belong to a private club here. They just increased the dues by $125 a month, a special assessment of $1500, and doubled the capital improvement fund from $25 to $50 a month. Also the annual range fee price went up by 40% (no choice, you have to join this). I have to pay more in a month for golf then I will pay for a year in TV.

When confronted with this at a members meeting they brought out the cost increases they faced. Gas has doubled in the last 4 years, the cost of fertilizer, equipment, food, electric, golf carts, labor, insurance, all have gone up 10% to 60% in the past 12 months. This is a not for profit club, so those costs are passed on to the members. They even showed us where they have cut costs to limit the increases.

Even at home, every bill I open has gone up significantly. Insurance, car and home, gas, electric, water, fuel oil, food, maintenance contracts, and every other bill I get. Not a single one has gone down. My LTC insurance just increased 45%. In the past year my cost of living has gone up over 10%. Now I know the government reported inflation rate is much lower, but that is not my personal experience.

TV courses are faced with these same cost increases and if they want to stay in business they will pass those costs on to the customers.

We are facing a very high inflation rate that will hit us all over the next several years and all the costs we see have already or will go up. I believe this range ball increase the candy bar increase, are just the first of many you will see. The world economy is in trouble and we are seeing that results.

Most courses I play "up north" have signs that say "NO COOLERS". Not so in TV. No more spending $3.00 each for a beer from the course beer cart. That's got to be worth something.

Here's a thought skip the golf and go right to the 19th hole.:BigApplause:

The Ex's courses are not free if your handicap and can't walk. You have to pay the cart path fee as your unable to walk so you don't golf for free for life.

Many moved here to be able to play golf daily and the rates were enticing. It is why so many came. While you may feel inclined to pay double, most would find that difficult. Hopefully TV execs don't find your post a call to increase rates because the market might bear higher fees. They do seem to be raising the cost on housing and lots.

True. Annual cart fee for household is approx $145. RA sleeve, $5 per year. So for a total of about $150 per year above the amenities fee (required of all) you can play as many rounds of executive golf as you can book. So, if you and spouse played twice a week every week, your total cost per round comes out to less than $0.75. If you're seasonal residents, it comes out to a little more than that. Not free, but darn close.

I guess I consider it free if I don't have to dig out cash or credit card whenever I play and I don't get a monthly bill from the club with mandatory food minimums and other charges.

Executive Course golf is free as far as it is included as part of your amenity fees paid. Yes you do have to pay for a golf cart trail fee if you decide to use or need that feature...but if you want to start breaking down the cost of everything you also need clubs, balls, gas or electric to get to the course etc...sorry but Golf (by itself) on an Executive Course in TV is considered by most as being free.

That place is not the real world by no means. Apples & oranges! No comparison .

When we were discussing course conditions, there were comments about the amount of play TV courses get, especially in the high season, compared to some of the outside courses. Perhaps that contributes to higher maintenance costs which leads to higher fees. I remember reading that the championship courses have to be self-sustaining. Since we are not captive to the clubs for food/beverage, clothing and equipment and since there are no outside tournaments booked here, perhaps those other sources of income help keep costs at other courses down. :shrug:

In SoCal, an executive course like most of the ones here would cost at least $30 to play, plus a cart. Last I checked, despite it being the land of fruits and nuts, CA was part of the real world. OK, maybe that's debatable.

I am with you on this. We have lived in Germany, Wash D.C., Virginia, St Simon s, GA and Atlanta, Ga before The Villages. I am sure if you lived in Bumpus Mills Tenn, the golf would be less expensive, but for a retirement community with the amenities of this one, I am grateful for the prices we have.

Some years ago, a group of enterprising Ambassadors bought Candy at discount prices and started selling it to gofers at starter shacks. Great, we could get a between 9's snack for a half a buck and the Ambassadors made a few pennies to augment their minimal salaries. Oh no said Golf Administration, (another name for the "Family"). Can't do that. We are now taking over the concession and you must buy your candy from us.

Yesterday, I bought a candy bar at the turn at Cane Garden. The last time I bought one the price was $.75 which was about two years ago. ( I don't eat much candy) Yesterday's Reeses Pieces cost me $1.50!!!!! Yep folks, that's the new price. Now our crumby little candy bar at the turn is making it to the bottom line of the ever growing family fortune. At what level do they become ashamed of their greedy behavior. By the way, while they gouge us for candy bars, the greens were not fit for a public course in the NE, and the smell of the pond at the 3rd Tee at Allamanda was repulsive. Perhaps they are planning to use the excess profits from candy bars to address these other issues.

Makes me wonder why somebody would choose to live in such a miserable place.

Boy Howdy.

OKAY - sounds like a definite plan.

Meet ya there. And I won't be frustrated either.

:pepper2:

I always give a tip for the service when I get a soda from the starter shack.