[Indy-Guy]

If you go to golfthevillages.com and click on Golf Cart Policies below is what is stated

No more than two golf cars will be allowed when golfers share
the same reservation number and the same tee time.


When ‘special circumstances’ occur, making 3 golf cars an option,
one golf car must remain off the fairway on each hole.
No more than three golf cars will be allowed in any group.


Exception: Only executive courses that have continuous
golf car path may allow up to four golf cars in a group with two
golf cars remaining on the golf car path at all times.

I only play Championship courses so what I state refers to Championship courses only.

If a reservation is made for 3 golfers at the same time they all have the same reservation #. If another golfer joins that threesome they have a different reservation #.

Now here is where it gets dark gray. When special circumstances' occur making 3 golf cars an option one golf car must remain off the fairway on each hole.

What are special circumstances? Yes I am aware that we are all special.

My thought would be that below are two of the obvious special circumstances.

Three ladies on a reservation # and a man joins them under a different # one lady dosen't want to ride with a man they don't know.

Three golfers on same reservation 2 non smokers 1 smoker and another golfer joins them with different reservation # that golfer can take a third cart instead of riding with the smoker.

Now what member of the country club staff makes the decision as to what may determine any other special circumstance? I can answer that question no one knows.

I was told by a starter on October 31st when we showed up at the starter shack with 3 carts that tomarrow 3 carts would not be allowed on the course. I said what does the special circunstance policy mean and he said that he dosen't make that decision. I then asked him what he would do if tomarrow 3 carts showed up at the starter shack. His answer was he would sent them back to the proshop and they would that decision. I then ask him if that was his policy or was that the policy of that country club his answer was that was the policy of that counrty club. At the turn that starter started out the same thing tomarrow you won't be able to take 3 carts. I asked him what would you do if 3 carts showed up he said no matter what only 3 carts. I told him what the other starter said and he said he had never heard of such a thing.

As I see it as most of The Villages operations are ran at a high level of effeciency the championship golf operations rules seem to very at to who you are talking to and that person is very poor at making up thier on policies. One of the places they very the most is at the starter shacks. At the starter shacks they are either control freaks or only half way pay attention as to when they want you to pull up to the white stake or tee box.

The cart rules are fine with me but some clarifacation of how to handle the gray area would be nice. My guess is if you ask three people at a country club you will get three different answers.

[Andyb]

Originally Posted by N44125

How is the new mandate that only allows 2 golf carts per group working out for you?

It is necessary because too many people abuse the fairways and other parts of the course with excessive cart riding. I see people driving almost on the greens. I can understand exemptions for handicap players.

[MisterPratt]

How does a single golfer who is placed in a single cart know the driver/owner has sufficient insurance should an accident occur?

[barbnick]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

Yes, exactly. Two times I had a tee time in the past and did not get to play. I chose to return home. The time had 2 openings. I chose a time, that made a threesome. When I checked it I was directed to get into the cart of a man sitting in the driver's seat smoking a cigar. I have no problem with that in general, but I personally don't want to sit next to that in a golf cart. I was very careful to discretely tell the starter I had no objections to playing with two gentlemen, but would be more comfortable just taking my own car. Told that was impossible and was told to put my things on the cart next to the cigar smoker. I asked if perhaps one of the gentlemen could just be told to bring their clubs and put on my cart so I could decline someone asking to smoke in the cart. Answer was "no", that is up to the starter to assign how these things are settled and the twosome checked in first. So, got my bag and proceeded to the 2nd man's cart. As I approached they were having the most vulgar conversation you can imagine. I am no Victorian prude but this was just too much (discussing one man's ex-wife in really shocking terms). I quietly went back and told the starter "This is just not going to workout, is there any other option, maybe be assigned to a group going off after my time ?". Looked at his sheet and told me no openings, so my choice was to get on one the carts of the two individuals, or, go home. I went home, thought it over, and decided to go have a calm, UN-argumentative talk with the golf admin. office about how such things are regulated as to civil language and smoking, etc. At public courses I found the marshals are on top of such things, but having no course marshals here (years ago I was shocked to find they only have "ambassadors" but didn't give it much thought really), I never expected to run into such situations of having no right to ride alone due to the 2 cart rule. Also surprised to fine he who checks in first has the choice to be the driver and not have to move his/her clubs to another cart. I have only had two instances of this in all these years so, while annoying to have plans and be given the choice of riding with a smoker or a person with a habit of fowl language, I consider it fortunate. When my husband could no longer play, I found most golfers to be warm, welcoming, polite and willing to ride in my cart or theirs. However, when it changed to being able to ride alone if you wished, I was so hopeful that it would not revert to the "old" two cart rule. I realize on exec courses anyone always has the choice of renting a walking cart to avoid unpleasant circumstances such as smoking, etc. so I am not furious, or angry, just sorry to see this return because most times it is a pleasant way to meet new friends. I do think the ability to check gender of players if you pay for the one line reservation system is a great feature, but never thought it was critical until I had the two "experiences".

Only two carts on the fairway at any time.

[Plinker]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

So you purposely book a t time not planning to use it. That is very selfish and inconsiderate. First, it robs a fellow Villager of an opportunity to get an open t time. Second, it robs the golf course owner of the revenue that can never be recovered from that t time. Not only does that hurt the owner of the golf course, it hurts all golfers as that lost revenue opportunity can result in future greens fee price increases. Here is hoping an algorithm in the t time system catches up with that practice and locks out the associated ID #’s from booking t times.

Relax. Take a breath. The vast majority of time we are a foursome. There has been the occasional time when one of us dropped out the morning of play which happens to all groups. We have used the above strategy on rare occasions as we are full-time residents and are almost always here. I have no issue with a 4th golfer joining us but must take their own cart. We can alternate who stays on the path.

[John Mayes]

Originally Posted by Plinker

Relax. Take a breath. The vast majority of time we are a foursome. There has been the occasional time when one of us dropped out the morning of play which happens to all groups. We have used the above strategy on rare occasions as we are full-time residents and are almost always here. I have no issue with a 4th golfer joining us but must take their own cart. We can alternate who stays on the path.

You’re right, things happen and people can’t show up but on those occasional times, does someone call the course to let them know? If you know that someone isn’t going to play and you don’t let the course know, you’re possibly depriving someone else of getting a tee time.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Plinker

I play the Championship courses twice, weekly. I am in a group of four and we always submit a request for all of us even if we know one will be unable to play.
Upon checking in, we state that one decided not to play because they had an appointment they forgot about or some other excuse. That way, we never worry about potentially riding with an unpleasant individual or dealing with a starter on a power trip.

And THAT is EXPLICITLY against the rules:

From District.gov

System “Abuse”

The Villages Tee Time System, as is the game of golf, is built around the integrity of the individual; it is the only game where players call penalties on themselves. Our tee time system is a fair and equitable system for assigning tee times to residents of The Villages. It does, to some extent, rely on each resident using the system in a fair and equitable manner. However, from time to time, we encounter activity that appears to be to the contrary. Some individuals attempt to circumvent the integrity of the system. Whether or not these actions are intentional, it is our responsibility to protect the privileges of all residents by appropriately dealing with the matter. If we encounter such activity associated with a resident’s golfer ID#, the resident will be notified of our concern, and appropriate action taken (see the District’s golf penalty policy at www.DistrictGov.com), up to and including the suspension of system use and golfing privileges. We, as well as our fellow residents, appreciate everyone’s fair play.

Multiple tee time cancellations using “ghost golfers” :

“Ghost Golfer” refers to a golfer ID# which is used to obtain tee times, but is subsequently cancelled, either always or a majority of the time. This type of “system abuse” will cause the golfer ID# to be de-activated in the system for a period of time. Additionally, the individual making the request, and the golfer who replaces the ghost golfer, may also be subject to de-activation.

So, you may wish to reconsider your groups "policy" of booking 4 slots for 3 golfers.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Plinker

Relax. Take a breath. The vast majority of time we are a foursome. There has been the occasional time when one of us dropped out the morning of play which happens to all groups. We have used the above strategy on rare occasions as we are full-time residents and are almost always here. I have no issue with a 4th golfer joining us but must take their own cart. We can alternate who stays on the path.

Again, you don't get to make up your own rules.

Personally, I like the pre-pandemic rule that was posted at some, but not all starter shacks---Destin always had that sign. It read: "If you are the person that refuses to double up in a cart, then you are the person who stays on the cart path the ENTIRE round"

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by N44125

How is the new mandate that only allows 2 golf carts per group working out for you?

No problem. Did like driving my own cart as it sped up play, but do understand that more carts= more wear and tear on the golf course.

[MSchad]

Originally Posted by NoMo50

This is not new, as stated earlier. Fortunately, I have not encountered one of the power hungry starters yet. But, if I did, I would demand a $4.00 + tax refund for my trail fee. You pay the trail fee to be able to take YOUR cart on the course. Let's open up a whole new argument!

Wrong NoMo….. you pay a trail fee to be able to use “A CART” whether it be yours, your neighbors, a loner or a rental, A Cart.

[villager7591]

If the executive course has a par 4, and all 4 players take their own cart, how can there only be 2 carts on the fairway ?

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by villager7591

If the executive course has a par 4, and all 4 players take their own cart, how can there only be 2 carts on the fairway ?

Two of them stay on the path or stay in the rough.

[cindyandrich]

Originally Posted by N44125

How is the new mandate that only allows 2 golf carts per group working out for you?

Executive courses are cart path only (except for handicap); so it shouldn't matter how many golf carts go out on a course with no par fours. They just be on the pavement and not affecting the course conditions.

[sloanst]

Not bad. We played Palmer yesterday with 3 carts. The player(s) with their ball closest to the rough stayed off the fairway. Sometimes that would change and it can be a little like herding cats but the ambassadors didn't have a problem with how we conducted ourselves.

[HORNET]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

Yes, exactly. Two times I had a tee time in the past and did not get to play. I chose to return home. The time had 2 openings. I chose a time, that made a threesome. When I checked it I was directed to get into the cart of a man sitting in the driver's seat smoking a cigar. I have no problem with that in general, but I personally don't want to sit next to that in a golf cart. I was very careful to discretely tell the starter I had no objections to playing with two gentlemen, but would be more comfortable just taking my own car. Told that was impossible and was told to put my things on the cart next to the cigar smoker. I asked if perhaps one of the gentlemen could just be told to bring their clubs and put on my cart so I could decline someone asking to smoke in the cart. Answer was "no", that is up to the starter to assign how these things are settled and the twosome checked in first. So, got my bag and proceeded to the 2nd man's cart. As I approached they were having the most vulgar conversation you can imagine. I am no Victorian prude but this was just too much (discussing one man's ex-wife in really shocking terms). I quietly went back and told the starter "This is just not going to workout, is there any other option, maybe be assigned to a group going off after my time ?". Looked at his sheet and told me no openings, so my choice was to get on one the carts of the two individuals, or, go home. I went home, thought it over, and decided to go have a calm, UN-argumentative talk with the golf admin. office about how such things are regulated as to civil language and smoking, etc. At public courses I found the marshals are on top of such things, but having no course marshals here (years ago I was shocked to find they only have "ambassadors" but didn't give it much thought really), I never expected to run into such situations of having no right to ride alone due to the 2 cart rule. Also surprised to fine he who checks in first has the choice to be the driver and not have to move his/her clubs to another cart. I have only had two instances of this in all these years so, while annoying to have plans and be given the choice of riding with a smoker or a person with a habit of fowl language, I consider it fortunate. When my husband could no longer play, I found most golfers to be warm, welcoming, polite and willing to ride in my cart or theirs. However, when it changed to being able to ride alone if you wished, I was so hopeful that it would not revert to the "old" two cart rule. I realize on exec courses anyone always has the choice of renting a walking cart to avoid unpleasant circumstances such as smoking, etc. so I am not furious, or angry, just sorry to see this return because most times it is a pleasant way to meet new friends. I do think the ability to check gender of players if you pay for the one line reservation system is a great feature, but never thought it was critical until I had the two "experiences".

Back when I just got here, Starters would make you take on a rider with you. There were Golfers that would show up to the starter shacks and that they needed a ride. I refused to take on a Golfer that smoked, I refused to let him on my cart mostly for liability reasons, starter told me that I couldn’t play. I left and went to the GMS office, told them my story, they called the starter shack and never had that problem again.