Golf Ambassadors
 

Overall, the golf ambassadors do a nice job being "Village Ambassadors" which are no more than being glorified waterboys. There is no one on the courses making sure that the pace of play is adequate, people aren't dragging their spikes on the greens, raking traps etc. Today, we had to quit after 4 holes took 1hr 15 min. That means it would have taken us almost 3 hours to finish when we should be done in half that.

The foursome in front of us were playing off the gold tees and really needed to be playing the green tees, especially the 2 women in the group. They were not playing ready golf, taking up to 10 strokes on a hole and looking for their balls in the water instead of picking up. By the third hole, there were already 2 holes open in front of them. When I casually mentioned to the ambassador that the pace was too slow, he said it's slow all over and it's a nice day anyway.

Tee times are spaced 9 minutes apart and pace of play needs to be around 9 minutes or everyone behind a slow group suffers. I really like the ambassadors but they need to be given authority to tell people to pick up the pace, rake a trap or follow whatever rules the wonderful game of golf follows.

By the way, we're pretty decent golfers and were playing the golds because of the wind!!

I would recommend that you play on the more difficult Level 4 courses. I believe they attract fewer new players so the pace of play should be better.

I have to both agree and disagree.
We were all new to golf. However, everyone should learn to pick up after double par and move on. While I am not advising rushing, to be taking 10 shots (or more) on a par 3 is ridiculous. People must learn they are not the only ones on the course.

Yes, have fun, but be cognizant of groups behind you.

Is this something unique to exec courses. I see the ambassadors speeding up play on championship courses all the time.

Your life will be much better if you learn to accept the executive courses for what they are.

Yes.

Golf Ambassadors
 

To a point, yes. But only to a point IMHO.

Even terrible beginner golfers can maintain a decent pace with minimal effort and no loss of fun.

I agree.



We will now read a bunch of posts from folks new to the game who will tell us, what's the rush, we are retired, we are no fun, etc. etc.


I do wish that our "Ambassadors" were more like the marshals or rangers we were always used to.


And there is no explaining keeping the pace of play unless you have played golf for years. And yes, we all were beginners, but I was taken well in hand and explained to how not to act on a golf course. You don't have to lose the fun to play the game in such a way that you are not slowing down the entire golf course for the entire day.

Nothing will ever change no matter how much one complains. The championship courses are a different animal. We pay for those so they keep the pace of play at a more acceptable level. So I say again......


Your life will be much better if you learn to accept the executive courses for what they are.

or........you can let it upset you and have a bad game.

If you're that bothered by the group in front going that slow talk to them directly, they may not be aware.

Rather than leave play ahead of them it's wide open

.

I agree . I would go around them and as I went by I would try to explain to them the etiquette of playing at a pace that would be fun for everyone.

FAr too many golfers that are either new, uninformed or just do not care.

The next time I see anybody in front of us playing ready golf will be the first time.

Further testimony and annoying a can be.....unrepair ball marks on the greens....and not raking the sand traps.

Ready golf.....repair ballmarks on greens....rake sand traps.....
BASICS......should be drummed with signage and articles in all the home owner papers, clubs, newspapers, closing papers, etc.

I am ready to conclude the problem is too many do not care and think that is some one elses job.

Other than those three things I enjoy being out on the course as muchas possible.

The executive courses "are what they are". The only real recourse is to avoid the courses where beginners play. Sort of like skiing: if you want to avoid new skiers, head off to the black diamond runs. The ambassadors don't seem to put golfers "on the clock" and I really don't blame them.

When is the last time anyone did not tee off on time?
This will tell you whether or not the system works with slow golfers.

Last week, Volusia, 20 mins late.

First off you should mention...
 

that you're playing an executive course and you're right we are glorified water boys, but some of us are more proactive than others...still there are a limited number of things we can do to speed up groups like that...we can't kick them off unless they're belligerent so if you ask them to speed up and they're all 80+ years of age and can't move any faster what can you do? There should not have been two holes open and many a time a player said that to me it just wasn't even close to being true. Does that make you a liar? Nope...you're just wound a bit too tight. While I hate the saying "it is what it is" it is appropriate and if you have a gripe stop whining here and complain to GMS or the championship course that the exec belongs.

Since you don't happen on this type of slow play all the time I'd reign in your indignant attitude and realize that the rules of golf do not strictly apply at courses where the USGA has no say. If you want faster play then head on over to the championship courses where the people who play for fun and socializing rarely spend any time. You'll still find folks hitting from the wrong tees, but the ambassadors will keep it moving.

Right from the horse's mouth. Thank you Fred.

So I hear many posters saying that because its free golf what do you expect. I hear posters say what you can you expect when people are old and feeble.

What nonsense and what a waste of amenities fees if the golf Administration won't take their responsibilities seriously. Perhaps there are a few cases of golfers who can't keep up but I have played with so called 80 year olds that had me running to play catch up with them, disabled ones too.

I am sick of hearing that people are playing from the wrong tees. That is not the major issue. its the manner in which they play such as their trance like address of standing over the ball until the cows come home . or of not picking up at least by the sixth stroke. I will not play more than four strokes on a executive course sometimes less and I don't take mulligans. if my game is off its off and people should not suffer because of my failing.

I am sick of the socialites on the course that only show up to talk more than play. some do not understand the etiquette of golf and feel entitled with an attitude that shows only their play and game is important and you will just have to wait for me because I'm special.

Ready golf doesn't mean six inch holes or what tee you play from. it means practicing good etiquette, being ready and positioned always to strike the ball and being within the moment to say I am allowed 9 minutes per hole and if I see I'm on my 8th strike for a par 3 hole I might want to pick up and move on

Simply stated most golfers understand the need for etiquette and ready play while a few are very selfish that or cognitively unaware.

We deserve better and its starts with a commitment from the Golf Administration

You're fighting a losing battle.

Have a nice day.

It isn't the Ambassadors not doing what they are told. It is the policy of the folks who make the policy to not get into any ****ing contests.


Thus the saving chairs, thus the rascals who keep doing water aerobics in the pools, etc. etc. "They" insist on not being heavy handed with us older people who should know HOW to act. They wouldn't couldn't win anyway. Too many people are always going to do what they damn well please.


AND....It well may be a good policy. It sure has been successful so far. We are the fastest growing community of this kind in the country.


I think it is because the Morses grew up in the center of the country. We are raised differently.


I would rather walk off the golf course than tell someone the etiquette of golf. You can't make a New Yorker out of an Ohio person. One is raised to speak up and the other is not.

More people walking off (whether you're from NY or Ohio) will surely speed up play.

Do you think you were you detained due to slow play?
Where I come from in South Jersey, "We're running 20 minutes late" for a tee off time; is on time.
I guess back home we're more easy going than the rest of the country.

Hi Tom,

As you said before, when was the last time you tee'd off late in The Villages?

99% of the time I tee off early or at least on time.

Live, Laugh, Play.........

Yes, it was due to slow play. The person in the starter shack indicated that and you could see several groups of novice golfers. The bizarre pin placement on the first hole didn't help. I went there knowing it could be slow so it was not a big deal.

Not really. It's like a Kanga line---you can only go as fast as the slowest foursome--and THEY'RE not the ones who will walk off

Doesn't matter who walks off. It will open up a slot and, increase the speed of play for anyone behind them.

In a perfect world no one would be waiting but we do not live in a perfect world.
Given the demographics of The Villages slow play is to be expected. That is obvious to even the most casual observer.

Now that the younger birds are arriving, there will be more of this subject. We were all young once and we will all be old. And when I'm 85, what's behind me will not be important.

Boy I'm sure glad I dont golf

Agree with ugotme
 

Whether executive course or not, golf etiquette and the pick up rule should be observed. We all understand that this is not championship golf and there will be some wait time. However, hitting 3 or 4 balls, taking 10-12 shots, giving golf lessons on the course, having chit chat by the green while people are behind you and ready to hit is really a bit too much.

So far only I person said they teed off late. I can't recall the last time I teed off late. I can recall many times being told you should try to get here 15 minutes early. In fact, down here, being 10 minutes early is 5 minutes late.

Tee'd off 15 minutes early on Pelican yesterday and completed the round in under 90 minutes! Oh, didn't lose any balls!

Not if the group(s) behind the open slot don't play any faster, they will just have more open holes ahead of them

Could you imagine
 

For all of the "follow the rules people" out there. You are allowed 5 minutes to look for your lost ball.

That's not for me.
I buy mine at yard sales for about 10 cents each. If I can't walk up to the ball, I just drop another. I hate looking for balls, especially someone else's.

When I play pelican with my pals, it doesn't matter what you shoot as much as it does that you didn't loose a ball. You can be doing great and than comes 9. By the way,,,they trimmed up Pelican, gave it a haircut and it looks great, like a different course.

I am glad to hear that Pelican is looking better. I haven't played there in a bit and the last time out it was looking a bit shaggy and hole 7 was closed. Thanks for the update.

Pelican is a "4". I don't believe you will find many novice golfers on it. When I play there, the pace of play is always good.

Slow play is mainly due to ,for lack of a better word, "inconsiderate" or "uneducated folks. You see as long as you are keeping up with the group in front of you things will be fine. Things that can help speed up play are ..leaving the greens when you're done...carry your clubs in your hand to the cart..don't put them away until you reach the next tee box. This is also the time you can mark your score card and discuss amongst your playing partners where you're going for dinner. Make sure you park your cart behind the green and walk off the green towards your cart. Parking your cart halfway between tee & green then going back for it after you finish the hole slows play considerably. Also as stated previously in this & many similar threads pick up after double par.:gc:

:agree:

I'm a novice learning golf. I sincerely hope I do not inconvenience experienced golfers. I love the ambassadors on the courses I have played. I find them to be very helpful when asked and encouraging. One gave my husband a coupon for the pro shop just for repairing the marks on the green ( yours plus one more is what I learned in the good golf school). Here's what I do to try to respect others. We play late in the day when the course is less crowded. If I get slow, I skip my tee shot and just drop my ball where my husbands tee shot lands. He is teaching me, but limits the "tips" to one per hole. I pick up my ball if I reach 6 strokes. I play only the executive courses rated 1 or 2 for difficulty. I watch the people behind me and if they are moving faster, I skip a hole. I carry my chipper and putter as I approach the green and always park the cart past the green. Again, I hope I don't inconvenience anyone. I love playing -and find its beautiful on our courses here! More advice?

Golf Ambassadors
 

My advice...Keep up the good work, DG!! :)