Residents at many executive courses are lined up as the starter shack closes so they can play golf. I've seen them. It doesn't appear to me that the "Starter" cared that they were going to play following the closing of the shack. Unless there has been a recent change in policy this happens on a regular basis.

There is approximately just north of an hour of daylight left for golfers as they "slip" on the course to golf.

Why in the world would they do that, when they can play for free anytime?

A heart attack on a golf course. Do you know of a better way to go?

It's only free if you are walking.........

Many times it's beginners and other times just a person or couple wanting to play a few holes to practice their golfing skills.

cart fees? they hit extra balls?

Don't most people who use carts on Exec courses pay semi-annual or annual trail fees?

At any time of day, that is extremely rude if people are waiting.

Don't mean to jump on the guy - sorry. But he did ask if there was an opening or apparent slow time during the day if he could just start playing - that doesn't sound like someone that is aware of how his just jumping in or in my opinion, breaking in line, can affect play. That's just not cool on executive courses or championship courses. Now with that said it is obvious to those of us that live here and especially those that live on courses there are times when play is done for the day at executive courses or during the summer the courses close and there is still a bit of daylight - is it cool then - well maybe but you do it at your own risk. Say on a championship course - if they were to catch you the consequences if done repeatedly could mean losing your privileges on an executive course no one there and probably doesn't matter. But let me add - lots of folks that do that think that the executive courses are practice facilities - THEY ARE NOT. I am a seasoned golfer and every time I get to a green whether championship or executive I find tons of ball marks and I fix 3 or 4 every time I get to them. Bunkers not raked - foot prints all over left by the "privileged" which is tiresome - I also rake other foot prints if I get in one. Many don't even know the proper way to fix a ball mark even when they try. Executive courses are treated poorly by the "beginners" and that's being kind. I say this in the spirit of helping the game.

There is a beginner course all that are new to the game or trying to learn how to play better should take. Read the rules of golf and especially the rules of etiquette. It will help the rest of us that play in a timely and considerate fashion.

That's all I'm trying to say.

If we live next to an Exec course, can we just walk on and play?
 

Playing late in the day, particularly during the summer and at some of the more "difficult" courses, can be a very pleasant experience...an almost empty course to play at one's leisure as the sun sets. Doesn't get much better than that imho.

And very well said. I agree with every word. And during regular play except for par fours, golf carts aren't allowed off path on executive courses except with a handicap permit, and those are sometimes abused. I know that many folks do go on the courses after they are closed and the starter has left.


I wasn't trying to be snarky either, but well just read this post above again.

I don't think after hour golf carries the same rules of etiquette. If someone is taking too long you go around them. It's not like you're going to get in 9 holes. This doesn't mean any player is excused from fixing marks or raking traps. I use to think every trap is is re raked by a tractor before play every morning---now I don't.

I very much disagree. The rules of etiquette in golf always apply.

If I am playing when our course is not crowded, I will often hit some practice shots, especially out of the sand. Of course, I carefully rake my footprints and fix all ball marks.

When I am doing this, I will NEVER hold up anyone playing behind me. I can't imagine anyone being that rude.

I very much agree.

If we live next to an Exec course, can we just walk on and play?
 

Disagree wholeheartedly.
During the daylight-savings-time months, I regularly get in 9 holes after the shacks close.

:ohdear: Like Polar Bear and VApeople, I think the rules of etiquette always apply.

Sorry
If you are going too slow I will go around you.
I won't putt out. I won't look for a ball I lost in the fairway. I don't keep score. Hell, I might even ground my club in a sand trap.

Born to be wild.

None of those violate golf etiquette. Grounding your club in a bunker is OK, as long as you rake the bunker afterwards.

This reminds me of the story of a couple who were having sex in the bunker of a private upscale golf club. They were discovered by someone who then told them to leave, especially since they were not members of the club.

As they were leaving, they asked how he knew they were not members. He said, "Because members would have raked the bunker."

Golf etiquette is very important when you are on a golf course, even if you are not playing golf.

Golf is golf....
 

but it is a special place we have here. Even if a machine/people raked the bunkers every morning when a person enters the bunker they should always rake it properly when leaving it. This helps ensure that the next person in gets a proper chance of a good lie.

Just because you and others haven't bothered to learn how to properly execute a bunker shot doesn't mean you should not be giving someone the best lie you can. It's not just etiquette...it's good manners and consideration.

Just as bad...people dragging their feet on the greens...there goes any chance of a semi-smooth surface on which to putt. If you can't lift your feet then wear smooth tennis shoes.

So it IS okay to walk on after the starter shacks close? I am getting very confused by this thread.

I don't feel like rereading everything. Is it OK to walk on after the shacks close? If you live on the course or plan on buying on a course that would be important to know. I know you can't walk on the champs. The family or the corp own the champs.

This is one player's experience. Do not consider it by any means to be binding in any way, shape or form...

The Executive courses are not closed as far as I know after the starter shack closes. Residents with a paid-up-to-date Executive Golf Trail fee would not owe anything to play. So I think it makes perfect sense that the Executive courses are not closed when there is still plenty of playable daylight left. If you do not have the aforesaid paid-up trail fee, I don't believe you can legitimately play after hours, because you would owe a trail fee.

The Championship courses are a different beast altogether. Nobody can just walk on and play without paying a greens fee. In the long-day seasons, you can start playing on a Championship course after the shacks close and an Ambassador, who will be on duty until dusk, will stop and write you an official 'ticket' so you can go by the clubhouse the next day and pay your greens fee. But you cannot go on the course after the shacks close and expect to play for free.

In fewer words, you don't know. honest answer

If we live next to an Exec course, can we just walk on and play?
 

My answer was already honest. I don't think it really needed clarification.

(By the way...are you really the one to advocate "fewer words"?)

yep

nope

The Championship courses are very strict about after hours use.

Shortly after moving here, one day during the summer my hubby and I decided to take an evening drive on a championship course in my golf cart, staying on the cart path of course. We wanted to get a good view of the sunset and the courses are so beautiful.

We hadn't gone 20 ft and someone in a (non ambassador) cart came racing up to us and read us the riot act. He ranted and raved and telling us he was an off duty ambassador, made it very clear that we were not welcome after hours. He was rather rude, no actually, VERY rude.

On the other hand, we live across from the Kildeer 8th green on the Evan's Prairie course. Often in the evening we see walkers, leisurely walking the cart trail or even biking. They aren't in anyone's way, but they are "breaking the rules" as we were.

You certainly won't find us reprimanding them for enjoying the evening.

But rules are rules......especially on the Championship courses.

Sounds pretty unusual for an ambassador, especially off duty. Either he feels like he personally owns the course, or he was jealous that you lived on it. After all, an off duty ambassador hardly has the same obligations as an off duty police officer.

60 plus responses from the usual Village's experts - still clear as mud. How about this idea - pick up the phone, dial 750 4558 = Tee Time office and ask the question.

I'll try to clarify. The execs are private property owned by the CDD. They make the rules. Up til now, they have chosen not to enforce the trail fees for after hours play. If and when that becomes an issue due to crowding late in the day, or complaints from homeowners along the courses, they have the ability and the right to collect trail fees, or remove after hours golfers. So far it has not been much of an issue, but that could change with the increase in population. Keep in mind that the execs are private property.

That would probably get you the "Official No," whereas it might be something that is overlooked, as in Polar Bear's experience.

OP, here's a suggestion. If you find a house you like on a golf course, go for it. If "they" ask you to leave the course after hours, you still have a house you like with a great view.

I called the office, Jody answered and you are not allowed to play the execs after hours.

Thanks for the post. It certainly matches my experiences playing after the starter goes home. If the powers to be ever feel they need to change something (which I doubt they will), I hope the change is to keep the starter there until dusk.

IMO people who have paid the trail fee and residents that walk should be allowed to play until the sun goes down.

yesterday at 4pm, after checking in at Tarpon Boil, we started to play and noticed a lady appeared on the course with
a pull cart, between a group of 4 and a twosome. she played 3 holes and saw the ambassador and back tracked walking off the course between houses. she knew she was wrong but just had to try it.

How do you know she was wrong......did you ask her? Maybe she had a call and had to go..........

I wonder why she didn't just ask to join the twosome.

A few years ago, three of us guys were ready to tee off when a young lady asked to join us. She ended up being a pretty good player.

On the last hole, she had a very tricky 4-footer that we knew would slide to the right. She said, "If I sink this putt, I will break 90, so if you help me sink it, I will give you the best sex you ever had."

Right away, one guy said she should hit it firm for the left edge and the other guy suggested she play for two inches of break and hit it soft.

Then she asked me what I thought, and I said, "It's a gimmie as far as I'm concerned."

You do it at your own risk - it's not "legal" but who's there to care. The ambassador stays 30 minutes usually after the shack closes so that's the situation - you fill in the blanks. The Villages policy is that no one is allowed on but people do it anyway. It's just not appropriate when play is still happening and the shack is open then you have to check in with the starter. Come on this isn't rocket science - there are times when you can get away with it and you won't affect play - simple as that.

Rules of etiquette apply when regular play is occurring but still you should be respectful of others and especially the course. Raking traps and fixing ball marks and it's not ok to stand on a tee with a bag of balls and start firing away at the green - either in regular hours of operation or when it's closed. The executive courses are not PRACTICE facilities that's what practice facilities are for - end of story.