[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by bbrizendine

I'll play you for a 100 a hole with 5 clubs.

Hmmm, which set of tees?








(yes, this is just a hunch)

[drcar]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I've actually played Pebble Beach when it was in terrible condition.

Sometimes it's good and sometimes not so good. It gets a tremendous amount of play and not everyone who plays it is an experienced golfer that takes care of the course. But just the traffic alone makes it a nightmare to maintain.

Well finally a factual statement "It gets a tremendous amount of play and not everyone who plays it is an experienced golfer that takes care of the course. But just the traffic alone makes it a nightmare to maintain." And do you think the amount on play here can cause the same problems. We had 3 courses do 100,000 rounds each last year. Don't you think that takes a toll. And we don't pay pebble rates! JUST SAYING

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by drcar

Well finally a factual statement "It gets a tremendous amount of play and not everyone who plays it is an experienced golfer that takes care of the course. But just the traffic alone makes it a nightmare to maintain." And do you think the amount on play here can cause the same problems. We had 3 courses do 100,000 rounds each last year. Don't you think that takes a toll. And we don't pay pebble rates! JUST SAYING

Sorry, but there are lots of muni's around that get as much, if not more, play than our courses...and are in much better shape.

Here's but just one (Arroyo del Oso) and it's in Abq. ...which is not exactly known for having excess precipitation.

Paa-Ko-Ridge Golf Course - Golf.com | GOLF.com

And although Arroyo del Oso gets more play 140,000 annual rounds for the 27 holes than any golf course in the state, you won't find many public courses in better condition tee to green.

Of those 140,000 rounds, about 85% are on the primary 18 holes...not the 'Dam Nine.'

And oh yeah, it is now all the way up to about $30 on the weekends...cart included.

There's no way around the fact that the overall poor condition of our courses, is primarily a function of how they're run and maintained...not a lack of money/water or too many rounds.

JUST SAYING.

[genecruey]

Right again you are

[genecruey]

You are so correct. Choices, we have them. They are pay to play so best ways is to not play on course that you are not satisfied with.

[Carl in Tampa]

When I saw the title I thought you were sampling some bad Southern food.

Now, I discover it is about golf and I have nothing to add.

[Grill Meister]

Yes, I agree with you. The Villages courses are not in the best of shape and I believe that some of the techniques being used are not bringing about the desired result of producing championship conditioned courses. When we moved here 12 years ago, GMS (Golf Management Systems, which runs and manages all of the courses....incidentally the executive courses are owned by the CDD in which it is located, but GMS still manages them) had hired a professional golf greens keeping company, One Source, to take care and manage all the courses. One source was doing an excellent job and the courses were great. GMS started dictating to One Source when, how and at what cost they should take care of the courses. One Source ain't here no more. GMS has now hired "lawn" companies to take care of the courses. The "lawn" companies understand mowing but not proper course management.....they aerify the fairways and greens, sand the greens, fertilize, mow and overseed. GMS is in The Villages to make profits and the lower the costs of doing business, the greater the profits, and they really don't care about immaculate, championship quality courses......They have a captive audience here, why should they? What can be done about it? Probably, not a darned thing........alas and alack.

[spotted1]

I will be moving to TV later this month. I rented for May and June. I must say that I have never played courses with worse greens and some of the "champion ship" courses had terrible fairways. Played a course in the Phoenix area today and the fairways and greens were immaculate and this is the desert. Paid $25 and included lunch.

[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by Grill Meister

...incidentally the executive courses are owned by the CDD in which it is located, but GMS still manages them)

I don't think that's true. The developer sold the amenities, which includes the executive golf courses, to the district (VCCDD and SLCDD), not to the residential CDDs where the courses are located.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

they really don't care about immaculate, championship quality courses......They have a captive audience here, why should they? What can be done about it? Probably, not a darned thing........alas and alack.

You're probably correct. I used to play a lot of pool here and a lot of the good pool players would complain about the tables. We have a resident who is an expert in pool table maintenance and offered to do professional set up on several of the rec center's table for the cost of materials only. The response from TV was that it's not worth the money because these are only recreational tables and we're not having professional tournaments here. I suspect that they have the same attitude about the golf courses. They probably figure that 95% of the people who play the executives don't know the difference and they're probably right. The regulation courses (they're really not championship courses) are a different story because they receive income directly from them. Income can be directly related to the condition.
The execs are basically paid for by a third party. Third party payment almost always leads to poor services and products.

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by spotted1

I will be moving to TV later this month. I rented for May and June. I must say that I have never played courses with worse greens and some of the "champion ship" courses had terrible fairways. Played a course in the Phoenix area today and the fairways and greens were immaculate and this is the desert. Paid $25 and included lunch.

Still moving to TV with all the bad golf courses?

[stan the man]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

Still moving to TV with all the bad golf courses?

Are you a golfer ???

[Love2Swim]

Originally Posted by xNYer

Think of Scotland. Play the course the way it lies, it isn't supposed to be easy.

I suppose that means it is desirable to have poorly maintained greens. It increases the difficulty of the game.

Thank you. Your logic aligns with mine.

[Love2Swim]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

I don't expect the courses here to match upscale resort courses, but I would expect them to be substantially above the average municipal...and they aren't.

I agree.

[Love2Swim]

Originally Posted by stan the man

The only way to change the situation in my humble opinion is by hurting them in the pocketbook.. I for one take every chance I have I give a one star rating on the courses in the villages. Trip Advisor is one example. There are numerous golf sites and places for recommendations and reviews I will and continue to. belittle the conditions of the courses here in the villages. I know some of the people that drink the Kool-Aid will not agree with me and the moderator will probably delete this post

As someone else mentioned, this problem has been going on for years. I've heard a myriad of excuses - money, lack of rain, poor maintenance companies, you name it. They just can't seem to get their act together. We've given them plenty of chances to fix things and they don't. Time to try a new approach besides complaining to the higher ups.

I see nothing wrong with telling the truth i.e. post honest reviews on Trip Advisor and golf course websites about the golf course conditions as we find them. If people are looking to buy homes here, and they start reading reviews online, or thru TOTV, they will get an honest look at what they are buying into.