[Swampy]

Hi All: I've been reading these posts for about two years and in July I'm finally closing on a new build in Fernandina where I will be a FROG. However, I'm still not clear on the best way for me to get into the golfing program in TV. None of my current friends in TV are as avid golfers as I am, and I'm going to have to develop a full circle of golfing buddies when I come down. I understand there are the green fees, the trail fee, the slightly reduced green fees with the different number of priority course memberships, and the need to make tee times. But I still have some other questions. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I'm a life-time golfer (66 years-old) whose skills have lately eroded playing about once a week to a 12 handicap. My goal is to get back down to a single number and I'm feeling confident that with the time I'll be able to give my game that will happen. I expect I will play at least 3 days per week on a championship course and two or more days on a 9 hole (more championship if financially feasible). I also love the competition of golf, and I'm looking for the friendship and friendly competitiveness that I'm used to. In my sporting life we play for small amounts of money just to get the juices flowing, and even a one dollar bet has meaning.
My conflict is how many championship memberships I should sign up for when I first come down. My guess is that I will want to play around as a single at the different courses until I find the right group that I fit with. But I suspect that I will not want to sign up for all of the priority memberships, but I'm afraid that if I fail to sign up for all the course memberships, I will miss out on something. Any suggestions?
Are there some particular courses that have a more active competitive league or group than others? Which courses have the best open men's day tournaments? Are there some courses that are known for big money games, or cutthroat massaged handicaps? Are there some courses that are commonly in worst condition than others. Your personal observations and opinions would be appreciated.

Swampy

[ivanhoe]

Yeah Swampy I'm right in that boat with you.
Wife an I bought in April 1 and are just now now finding some golf time.

Here's MHO plus some words of wisdom from local friends.

First : buy trail fee and use the season
The seasonal folks are away and the executive courses are wide open. The wife and I walk out on Bacall after 6:30...no res.
She plays her best and I drop from 150 and putt to practice; best practice field around.

Second : you can get a look at a Pro course for dirt...6 bucks or so at many after 4 and you've got daylight till 7:45

Third : think about which clubs to join. For me it's location and I'm not joining any without a real driving range (just my opinion)...Also use of the pool is not automatically part of your priority membership.

...and here's a bad one...

some of my nameless friends also say that they moved up to priority and are now making the resies for everybody!...food for thought.

Don't yell at me, anybody I'm new here and would just like to "work the system" so as not to embarras myself when it's time to really play.

[golf2140]

If you play three times a week the Priority golf package will pay for it self. The package includes your trail fee. I include my wife and she only plays championship a few times a year

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by ivanhoe

Yeah Swampy I'm right in that boat with you.
Wife an I bought in April 1 and are just now now finding some golf time.

Here's MHO plus some words of wisdom from local friends.

First : buy trail fee and use the season
The seasonal folks are away and the executive courses are wide open. The wife and I walk out on Bacall after 6:30...no res.
She plays her best and I drop from 150 and putt to practice; best practice field around.

Second : you can get a look at a Pro course for dirt...6 bucks or so at many after 4 and you've got daylight till 7:45

Third : think about which clubs to join. For me it's location and I'm not joining any without a real driving range (just my opinion)...Also use of the pool is not automatically part of your priority membership.

...and here's a bad one...

some of my nameless friends also say that they moved up to priority and are now making the resies for everybody!...food for thought.Don't yell at me, anybody I'm new here and would just like to "work the system" so as not to embarras myself when it's time to really play.

What are you trying to say here??

[jimmy D]

Swampy. You are moving here to have FUN so join the Priority right away. Playing the exec courses after 7 pm without checking in is a NO NO. Also there are not real good Driving Ranges in the Villages. Every Tues is Mens day at the most country clubs and you will meet guys from all over the Villages. In a month you will be full. OH BY THE WAY we have too many trying to work the system making it hard on all of us. Have a Great day and I look forward to playing with you

[golf2140]

Originally Posted by jimmy D

Swampy. You are moving here to have FUN so join the Priority right away. Playing the exec courses after 7 pm without checking in is a NO NO. Also there are not real good Driving Ranges in the Villages. Every Tues is Mens day at the most country clubs and you will meet guys from all over the Villages. In a month you will be full. OH BY THE WAY we have too many trying to work the system making it hard on all of us. Have a Great day and I look forward to playing with you

Well said !!!!!!

[Fourpar]

You'll not regret it! Perhaps we'll get paired someday. Look forward to it.
Cheers, and welcome,

[collie1228]

Suggest you thoroughly read and understand the priority membership costs and benefits on The Villages website. I put together a spreadsheet analysis of the cost benefits in 2010 and based upon average savings per round over all TV courses, it said you will save money if you join all clubs and play twice a week year round (I'd send it to you but can't find it). Obviously, playing more than twice per week increases the savings. And contrary to the comment above concerning pools, you do get pool access at the country club pools with a priority membership.

[rubicon]

There are a number of ways to calculate the cost/benefits of this program. There are also other factors to consider when deciding. I held priortyship on all courses for 6 years and concluded I wasted a lot of money.

Simply stated priority works well if the other golfers you play with are priority members and if you play almost exclusively in The Villages. If you list among the wealthier living in The Villages this discussion may be moot.

[memason]

Originally Posted by ivanhoe

Yeah Swampy I'm right in that boat with you.
Wife an I bought in April 1 and are just now now finding some golf time.

Here's MHO plus some words of wisdom from local friends.

First : buy trail fee and use the season
The seasonal folks are away and the executive courses are wide open. The wife and I walk out on Bacall after 6:30...no res.
She plays her best and I drop from 150 and putt to practice; best practice field around.

Second : you can get a look at a Pro course for dirt...6 bucks or so at many after 4 and you've got daylight till 7:45

Third : think about which clubs to join. For me it's location and I'm not joining any without a real driving range (just my opinion)...Also use of the pool is not automatically part of your priority membership.

...and here's a bad one...

some of my nameless friends also say that they moved up to priority and are now making the resies for everybody!...food for thought.

Don't yell at me, anybody I'm new here and would just like to "work the system" so as not to embarras myself when it's time to really play.

Making reservations for non-priority members does nothing to "game the system". They do NOT get the priority discount and you don't get priority tee times, if you have non-priority players in your group. It's common for one person to make the tee time for a foursome and not everyone is always priority members.

We play championship golf about 4 times per week, even in the high season and have never had any problems getting tee times. Priority member or not.

It's more cost effective to join all clubs, if you join at all. The cost to go from one to all is minimal. ...and you do get pools included automatically, as well as trail fees.

Enjoy...

[John_W]

Every situation is a little different. I don't like playing early because I enjoy reading the paper and drinking coffee in the morning, plus I hate to play when the ground is wet with dew. I don't mind the heat since i grew up in Florida, so playing after 11am during the second wave is fine for me.

The point is, from May 1st to Oct 15th after 11am there is only a $3 savings by being a Priority Member. I found buying a six month membership works just fine. It's not much, but I save a couple of hundred. I play with the same neighbor twice a week, so for a twosome it is not hard to find a teetime from the open slots. Sometimes we will put in a request and usually get both the time and course.

Sometimes we have been shut out or wanting to save money, so we'll play the executive courses. Since the 9 holes go by so fast, we found by walking the course we feel like we've done something and by walking there is no trail fees.

If money wasn't a factor then I wouldn't bother, but since it is, this is my way to navigate the system. Next winter we'll probably play off campus more and not even get a Priority Membership. This year we went off a few times and there are some really nice courses around the area.

This was all new to me when I moved here. Back in the suburbs of Baltimore I could play any 7 courses in my area for about $32 anytime of the year except on weekends, and the fairways and greens were beautiful.

[ivanhoe]

Ok OK! I should have said "navigate the system" not "work the system" don't everybody get their undies in a bunch.

Good points John_W.

Wife an I "walked out" late last night 6:30...no reservation.

It's not "cheating" the starter said "we'll get you out right now!"
Nobody around...had the field to ourselves. Getting ready to play the Pros...navigating the system to sharpen the game. Using the weather situation and the golf situation here at TV.

[weaverk65]

There are a lot of options with the priority membership...sign up for 1, 3, or all the courses. We moved here 2 years ago and got the 3 course membership. When we renew this year, we will probably stay with the 3 course membership, but will change to different courses (you get to select the ones you want). Worked out great or us since we also play the Executives.

[Swampy]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. But keep them coming if you can, because I love hearing from you fellow golfers as I spend these last two months before I move down permanently. Regarding the suggestion about doing priority for just a few of the courses as opposed to all of them, would that limit my ability to participate in one or more Village wide competitions? Isn't there a Villages Cup that plays throughout all of the championship courses? If there is, then doesn't a participate have to have a priority membership in all of the courses participating in the competition?
I'll be living in Fernandina South of 466A, so traveling to courses close to or above 466 will not be convenient, but if its to a good course with friendly competition I'd travel wherever required.

Swampy

[weaverk65]

If you play at a course that was not selected as part of your priority membership, you will just pay the regular resident fee instead of getting the priority fee.