[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Sounds like there are plenty of courses with relatively cheap rates in that part of Ohio. Of course, they are IN Ohio, with Ohio weather. All courses, from private to resort to public (unless government owned) will tend to have a fee that the market bears. Try joining Muirfield Village for the rates you quoted, and they probably have a waiting list. Here, the market bears higher winter rates and somewhat higher greens fees inside the bubble. Bay Hill, Doral, TPC Sawgrass and Tiburon get a LOT more. It's all relative.

There are a lot of expensive private Golf Courses in Ohio with long waiting lists.
http://www.sciotocc.com/

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Margaret McLeer

I totally agree, Residents should BE GETTING DISCOUNTED FEES on all the Championship courses during the months that the Snowbirds are here. Residents should go elsewhere and let the villages feel the loss all year. Same goes for priority fees. If you pay them, your cost to play should be greatly reduced not just $5 or $10 dollars! Problem is all residents need to speak up.

News flash for the above poster, many snowbirds (the ones that own and don't rent) are residents. They pay amenity fees and property taxes year round regardless of weather or not they are at the Villages. That helps keep everyone's costs down and allows full time residents to enjoy cheap golf during the non winter months. Suggesting "residents" should get favorable pricing versus "snowbirds" is ridiculous! Golf prices are driven by supply and demand. More people at the Villages in the winter, coupled with less t-times because the days are shorter, equals higher greenn fees.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

There are a lot of expensive private Golf Courses in Ohio with long waiting lists...

Yep. The rates quoted for Ohio are not typical of all Ohio.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by Margaret McLeer

I totally agree, Residents should BE GETTING DISCOUNTED FEES on all the Championship courses during the months that the Snowbirds are here. Residents should go elsewhere and let the villages feel the loss all year. Same goes for priority fees. If you pay them, your cost to play should be greatly reduced not just $5 or $10 dollars! Problem is all residents need to speak up.

Be careful what you ask for. Discounts in the winter will mean higher prices in the summer. Since I play much more golf in the summer, I am OK with the pricing the way it is. On the average, still a good deal on golf for the year.

[diva1]

Who cares what it is in New Jersey. They aren't competing with The Villages.

[Tom Frogge]

Thanks John! Very helpful. Do you ever take an automobile to any of TV courses?

[John_W]

Originally Posted by Tom Frogge

Thanks John! Very helpful. Do you ever take an automobile to any of TV courses?

Yes, last time I played Lopez in 2016 I drove my car and rented a cart for $10, I believe cart rental went up to $15 in 2017 unless you live in Fenney. I like taking the cart to the golf course because I never use it otherwise. Right now I haven't played since Nov 11th, so it has sat in the garage since then. I'm not really into driving carts and my wife won't ride in one at all.

[MrGolf]

It's the old law as others have mentioned. Supply and demand. As long as there is demand to play at the increased winter rates they will keep going up. If residents migrate to supporting outside courses revenues go down and changes to pricing will be made. They have a system that works and is profitable. Put a dent in the pocketbook and then lets see what happens. I for one am playing outside for the next few months especially when guests come knocking at the door to get away from the northern temperatures or lack thereof.

[JoMar]

Thank goodness those that are against free market and profits are in the minority here. Can you imagine what this place would be like if the profit motive went away?

[MrGolf]

I for one am not against profit nor free market. Also support fair pricing and fair value. Last year, expenses were reduced in the winter period while pricing went up. This year there has been another spike. I would fully support a price increase on the Executive courses to offset this but I think that would a tough pill for many who play 4-5 times per week to swallow.

[drcar]

Originally Posted by John_W

Yes, last time I played Lopez in 2016 I drove my car and rented a cart for $10, I believe cart rental went up to $15 in 2017 unless you live in Fenney. I like taking the cart to the golf course because I never use it otherwise. Right now I haven't played since Nov 11th, so it has sat in the garage since then. I'm not really into driving carts and my wife won't ride in one at all.

Cart Rentals have DROPPED in price for all villagers

[OhioBuckeye]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

It's just simple math. You save $17 per round during the 4 winter months, $12 during the 3 fall months, and $7 for the 5 summer months. This works out to a weighted average of $11.58 per round through the year. A single priority membership at all 12 courses is $790, so the break even point is 68 rounds/ year. If you play 200 rounds, you save $1526 after paying the priority fee. If both you and your spouse play, the savings is much greater. Simple.

Now, if you go hunting (and driving), there are some bargains out there, and some reasonable courses as well, but you sacrifice convenience. For a top notch course, you will pay far more. People will complain about course conditions, but they aren't all that different outside the bubble, and the differences probably won't matter in the end to anyone but a 5 handicap or less. I played 3 rounds at Innisbrook last month and was not impressed. The main condition problem here is the wrong type of sand, especially in fairway bunkers. Personally, I prefer to support the community I live in, but to each his own.

If you're happy with the deal of joining, go for it. But the few times I played with some members like Bonifay I paid $55. & the member I played with paid about $45. to me that $10. isn't a deal where you're paying for a $790. membership. Like I said maybe I just don't get it! Enjoy the courses & have fun wherever you play. Thanks for the reply & God Bless!

[Brownmoose13]

Where in Ohio do you or did you live and play golf?
Chuck

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by MrGolf

I for one am not against profit nor free market. Also support fair pricing and fair value. Last year, expenses were reduced in the winter period while pricing went up. This year there has been another spike. I would fully support a price increase on the Executive courses to offset this but I think that would a tough pill for many who play 4-5 times per week to swallow.

The post after this one is wonky....checking.1.2.3.

[mic4me]

I would support a rate difference between owners and renters/snow birds with guest cards that receive the same benefits as those of us who are paying the full monty to own/reside here.