[grayesun]

Well, it seems golf in the Villages keeps evolving in the wrong direction! Greens fees keep going up, and tee time availability keeps going down. Some (it seems like a lot) of us like to play afternoon golf, after 3PM, get in 9 holes before sunset and it's getting more difficult every year. We're now down to a total of 2 Championship courses that offer after 3:00 tee times. The last few times we've played after 3:00 the course was packed, busy season ramping up, lots of beginner golfers, extremely slow play...result: almost impossible to do a 2 hour round of 9 holes. Suggestion: Maybe opening a few more Championship courses to allow more after 3:00 tee times to reduce the burden on OBH & TDS as our Villages population swells to winter levels. Note: We went out the other day just before 3:00 and still barely finished 9 holes before dark; we spoke to the ambassador about "pace of play", and he just shrugged it off, saying the course was full, not much he could do about it. The market is there (here) to sell more product (tee times), why not sell to it?

[drcar]

Originally Posted by grayesun

Well, it seems golf in the Villages keeps evolving in the wrong direction! Greens fees keep going up, and tee time availability keeps going down. Some (it seems like a lot) of us like to play afternoon golf, after 3PM, get in 9 holes before sunset and it's getting more difficult every year. We're now down to a total of 2 Championship courses that offer after 3:00 tee times. The last few times we've played after 3:00 the course was packed, busy season ramping up, lots of beginner golfers, extremely slow play...result: almost impossible to do a 2 hour round of 9 holes. Suggestion: Maybe opening a few more Championship courses to allow more after 3:00 tee times to reduce the burden on OBH & TDS as our Villages population swells to winter levels. Note: We went out the other day just before 3:00 and still barely finished 9 holes before dark; we spoke to the ambassador about "pace of play", and he just shrugged it off, saying the course was full, not much he could do about it. The market is there (here) to sell more product (tee times), why not sell to it?

Well to your point, the next championship course will open next fall with another planned. The 27 hole courses do not have a third wave because there is no time time to schedule the tee times, BUT they do try to get people in the best they can do. And the new prices are out, they are the SAME as the rates last winter.

[stanley]

Minimum time you will be able to get out after the PM turn (2nd wave) is 3:30, depending how many afternoon 9 holers that don't do the turn. Also the wave always goes out before anyone else, even the turn, that's just the way it is. You pretty much answered to your own rant if you reread it.

[justjim]

USGA encourages 9 holes of golf and the executive courses work well but for those of us who want to play just nine on a Championship course it’s sort of a hassle. It’s probably about the $$$$ and that folks is what “makes the world go around”. That said, if money can be made “they” will figure out a way to do it.

[drcar]

Originally Posted by justjim

USGA encourages 9 holes of golf and the executive courses work well but for those of us who want to play just nine on a Championship course it’s sort of a hassle. It’s probably about the $$$$ and that folks is what “makes the world go around”. That said, if money can be made “they” will figure out a way to do it.

you can play nine holes everyday any time on a Championship course until January 1.

[grayesun]

Originally Posted by stanley

Minimum time you will be able to get out after the PM turn (2nd wave) is 3:30, depending how many afternoon 9 holers that don't do the turn. Also the wave always goes out before anyone else, even the turn, that's just the way it is. You pretty much answered to your own rant if you reread it.

There are plenty of afternoon wave slots available on many courses, indicating there should be plenty of openings after 3:00PM, because of these openings mean no group is making the turn (for back 9 play). I've gone out a few times in the last couple weeks between 3 and 3:20. I'm currently sitting on 3:08 & 3:15 tee times for Friday & Sunday, so, your first statement is incorrect.

[grayesun]

Originally Posted by drcar

you can play nine holes everyday any time on a Championship course until January 1.

After 3:00, only OBH and TDS offer 9 hole play, that's my issue.

[grayesun]

Originally Posted by drcar

Well to your point, the next championship course will open next fall with another planned. The 27 hole courses do not have a third wave because there is no time time to schedule the tee times, BUT they do try to get people in the best they can do. And the new prices are out, they are the SAME as the rates last winter.

Thanks for your info on the new winter rates, hadn't seen them yet. If they're not going up, that's great...they're already far too high in the winter (and just high in the summer), driving many Village golfers "off campus" to get much more reasonable rates. We played Mission Inn a few weeks ago for less than 1/2 what the Villages is getting right now. No time to schedule a third wave (9 holes) is problematic, when so many PM wave slots go un-booked. Perhaps the tee time system needs to address the availability of evening (after 3) 9 hole slots when PM slots go un-booked. On more than 2 courses too, obviously OBH & TDS are already dealing with this situation.

[stanley]

Originally Posted by grayesun

your first statement is incorrect.

No it's not. If the afternoon wave is full and all 18 holes, 3:30 is the earliest the starter will, should let you out

[grayesun]

Originally Posted by stanley

No it's not. If the afternoon wave is full and all 18 holes, 3:30 is the earliest the starter will, should let you out

In theory I see your point of a PM wave conflict, with groups making the turn. Nevertheless, we've gone off between 3 and 3:20 PM exactly as scheduled, on time as booked on-line many times over the last couple months. We've yet to be held up by any group making the turn. Do I need to show you my reservation form for this Friday and Sunday. Takeaway: The afternoon wave is rarely filled, so evening play shouldn't be unavailable on most courses.

[drcar]

Originally Posted by grayesun

Thanks for your info on the new winter rates, hadn't seen them yet. If they're not going up, that's great...they're already far too high in the winter (and just high in the summer), driving many Village golfers "off campus" to get much more reasonable rates. We played Mission Inn a few weeks ago for less than 1/2 what the Villages is getting right now. No time to schedule a third wave (9 holes) is problematic, when so many PM wave slots go un-booked. Perhaps the tee time system needs to address the availability of evening (after 3) 9 hole slots when PM slots go un-booked. On more than 2 courses too, obviously OBH & TDS are already dealing with this situation.

OBH & TDS are 18 hole courses they do no run the wave, They can do it because they run straight tee times. There is no third wave on 27 hole courses. As to your point of the rates, the villages course are FULL. many people do not want to hear that BUT several courses are going to do close or over 100,00 rounds for the year, They know what they are doing.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by grayesun

Well, it seems golf in the Villages keeps evolving in the wrong direction! Greens fees keep going up, and tee time availability keeps going down.

Economics 101 would tell me the rates are not high enough.

[stanley]

Originally Posted by drcar

OBH & TDS are 18 hole courses they do no run the wave, They can do it because they run straight tee times. There is no third wave on 27 hole courses. As to your point of the rates, the villages course are FULL. many people do not want to hear that BUT several courses are going to do close or over 100,00 rounds for the year, They know what they are doing.

Thank you

[stanley]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Economics 101 would tell me the rates are not high enough.

Wait until the "trickle down economics" of the minimum wage going up! Man the bitching then!

[DrBrutyle109]

But the prices are through MAY NOT APRIL