Cruise the golf courses without playing golf
 

For those of us who don’t golf, is there a way to drive a golf cart around the golf courses to take a look. Everyone in TV pays amenity fees to support the maintenance of these beautiful courses. Yet, those of us who don’t or can’t golf miss the beautiful views taken in by those that do.

So, can’t there be a time when non-golfers can sneak a peek at the courses. Maybe I have missed events such as this in the past as I am only now a full time resident. Of course this should be done in such a way as to minimize the inconveniences it might create for golfers and only take place a few times in the year. One event could be a caravan of carts following leaders who know the way. Some might even want to take up golf after seeing firsthand the fields of play.

This is my suggestion that I posted on the Villages survey for others and you to think about.

Drive the cart paths around the holes AFTER the course closes at night. It is still light enough to see all you wish to see.

I don't think that would work, since I believe most courses 'close'...when one can no longer see their golf ball. :shrug:

driving after hours by those unfamiliar with the cart paths could lead to some unexpected meetings. That's why it is not allowed because of the danger.
A special time is a better idea.

:what: (Sorry... what I was actually thinking , would have been removed!)

Sounds good in theory, but the practicable application might be difficult. If done at dusk, there is a safety factor. People in a "caravan" will want to stop and look or take pictures, as a result they will pull off the cart paths. Since we are talking about non-golfers, they will have no idea where they are not permitted to drive and will inevitably drive across a green, near (or into) a bunker or drown their cart in an environmental area.

As far as closing a course for this purpose, exec tee times are generally at a premium---they don't even close them as they should for proper maintenance. I think there might be a lot of unhappy golfers if they can't get a tee time because of tourists on the course

Yes, our amenity fee goes in part to maintain these courses. I'm paying for this, and although I golf, I don't play exec courses. I'm also paying to maintain pickleball and tennis courts, even though I don't play, sports pools even though I don't swim laps, and meeting rooms for the Univ. of Southern Idaho alumni club, even though I don't belong. The fee goes to support a wide variety of activities, even though no one participates in all of them.

Best suggestion, Rick, is that I am available for golf lessons. That way you can learn to play as bad as I do:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Our daughter Helene has not ever played a hole of golf, but she goes with me as an observer every time I play. She knows she must stay well back away from swings and safely away from where any ball is directed. She knows too, not to talk when someone is addressing the ball.. This is for nine hole golf with dear friends and then we go to lunch. She opts to sit safely in the cart and enjoy the ride and the views.

Perhaps you know a friend who golfs? You must bring your ID and check in too, even if just observing. There are good reasons why people can't use the golf trails as walking trails or for riding their bikes or for fun golf cart trips.. It isn't safe.

I think that it may be time for you to take some golf lessons twoplane. Why must you miss all the fun?

In the summer each executive course is given a day of rest every couple weeks when they perhaps get maintenance but that does not take the whole day. Perhaps that, with permission, would be a day that tourists would be allowed if it could be done not interfering with the workers. Take your risk if they are adjusting the sprinklers.

The other option of course would be to take an executive tee time and show up and just drive the course without golfing. This would cost you a $4 pp if you take your cart but it would be free to walk the course. Or if you have a golfing friend, spectators are allowed at no cost.

"Executive Course Spectator Policy
As approved by The District Boards, commencing May 2015 regarding the Spectator Policy on Executive Courses.
Spectators are allowed, and must follow golf course guidelines
No Charge for residents/guests with a valid resident/guest ID card
Spectator Tags will be issued; If a spectator is caught playing, they must pay the appropriate fees and golfing privileges will be suspended for 30 days.
Spectators must be at least 10 years of age with an accompanied resident/guest
Spectator golf cars must remain on the path
One (1) spectator limit per person, with a maximum of four (4) spectators per foursome not to exceed four (4) total golf carts"

None of this applies to Country Club courses, other than pay the whole fee and drive. If they have the twilight program in the summer, then the cost would be low to pay and enjoy the ride.

Good to know, I think I would just tag along with somebody who is golfing. I have a rib issue which stops me from being able to play at this time. Thankfully, TV offers so much to do I am just switching gears from my original retirement plans for now which included golf and a lot of other physical activity until when / if it heals.

...

People who are not playing golf or riding with a golfer should not be allowed on the golf courses. They place themselves in danger of being struck by a golf ball and they might be disturbing to people trying to concentrate on their golf game.

I frequently see people walking their dog on a course that I play quite a bit and I always think that one of them or their dog is going to get clocked some day.

As far as amenity fees, we all pay them and we are all welcome to take advantage of the golf courses by playing them.

I agree!

Golf courses are not for Sunday strolls or otherwise. It's frustrating enough having to wait for slower groups in front.

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Yes, many of the golf courses are beautiful just to drive around.

But Golfers have to pay an additional fee, beyond the amenity fee, to drive on the cart paths. The fee is per golfer, not per cart... so each golfer in the cart pays a fee. It's $4 per person or about $140 per year.

There is some kind of rule about a non-golfer riding along with a golfer for a round. I'm not sure what it is but a stop at one of the starter shacks would clear that up.

Even when a golfer decides for some reason he can't play anymore and wants to leave the game... driving on the trail to get off the course takes some care so you don't get clobbered by a golf ball. At each tee box you ask the group there to wait till you are out of range on your drive to the next tee box, before the tee off. It's usually not a problem but you would not have time to sightsee on your way to the next tee box.

This is not an idea most golfers would be happy with.

Aviation enthusiasts are always looking for ways to have good relations with the public and share our love of aviation. We do this with events held at airports under supervision for the safety of all involved.

I would believe an event, call it what you may, at a golf course to let people see a course in person with their wife’s or significant others would be popular and successful.

We pilots give of our time and money to teach others about flying. The same could be true of a golf cart caravan through a course once every year for the non-golfers under the supervision of knowledgeable golfers.

I have been a golfer (of sorts) for more than forty years and I haven't ever seen anything remotely like this happening. I have lived on Golf Courses for most of that time too. I think it would not have popular appeal. That is just my opinion. I have never wanted to go look at an airport, or inside a surgical suite, see the top of the Hancock Building, look at hogs give birth or visit a house of ill repute. I know they are there, and I am good with no viewing.

You might prove me wrong by doing a poll on this. I am frequently wrong. However, it doesn't keep me from debating.

This is why while we like living in HOAs where there are rules, we won't live in one that has all those amenities because we know we will never use them.

However the fees in TV are amazingly low when compared to other amenity-loaded HOAs throughout Florida and others.

It is my understanding that 50% of the people living in TV don’t play golf and thus probably haven’t been on the golf courses. The courses are a major part of this community. I know that my wife & I would like to see some of the courses without having to play golf. I poll might be good or just try one event. Someday I may start to swing clubs again after I master pickleball.

"None of this applies to Country Club courses, other than pay the whole fee and drive. If they have the twilight program in the summer, then the cost would be low to pay and enjoy the ride."

I have rode as a non-playing rider on a championship course. The group was only a threesome and I rode with my buddy.

I hurt my back,,, I went with people playing. NO PROBLEM

Or read POST #8!

bump

I don't play pickleball or tennis, but I don't go on to those courts to look at them. I don't play softball, but I don't wander around the softball fields while games are in progress or otherwise.

An idea
 

My first thought was "this won't fly". However, it is a creative idea and I see no harm in giving "some version" of this idea a try at least once. Riding along with a golfer as a spectator is really a good opportunity to view our executive courses and at no cost. It's difficult to beat that option. As a matter of fact, I see this often.

Because our Championship courses are much more expansive and thus perhaps more interesting and beautiful, it might be worthwhile to pay and go along with a golfer as a spectator. Just a thought....There are many beautiful views on both TV'S executive and Championship golf courses.

That is what I have heard and would like to take my wife to see! These golf courses are not the same as viewing a pickleball/tennis court or baseball field.

I suggest that if you want to see an executive course go there late in the day an hour or so before they close. You can call or drop by the starter shack and make a tee time the day of play. Borrow a bag and some clubs and just go to the greens without teeing off and putt the ball in the hole from any distance you choose. Do this nine times and you are done. You also may take a non-player to ride with you. It will cost you the same as anyone else that doesn't have a trail pass. Go out and enjoy what your amenity fees are paying for.

The championship courses are not supported by your amenity fees. They are owned and operated by the developer.

NO!!!!

I second that "NO!!!!"

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Allowing non golfing people to wander on the courses is a very bad idea. During my 6 yrs playing in TV, I have had several instances of clueless people wandering across my shot path, or walking toward the tee . On one occasion in early evening I saw two people walking on a green and taking pictures during active play. No should be " Absolute" . Have also seen residents and others taking golf course cart paths as shortcuts to their home or other destinations. In some cases they were doing this in reverse direction of golfer traffic.

Once something like this gets started, people begin skirting the rules and begin to get sloppy about following the established procedures.
Kind of like minor exceptions to "deed restrictions" Another "slippery slope"

I've used google earth to get an aerial view of a course I haven't played before to get a general idea what the course holds in the way of each hole's hazards. Yeah, I'm weird! At least I don't have to worry about getting hit with a golf ball this way!

Again, aircraft owners would not encourage the general public to wander around ramp areas with engines starting and aircraft taxiing. A special event with the public under supervision and learning about how we operate is how we do it.

I am suggesting that non-golfers be given an opportunity to enjoy seeing the courses without having to play golf. A once or twice a year event doesn’t seen too much to ask. Plus, more of the general public would become aware of the issues golfers have with untrained people on the course.

I suppose I could take up the suggestion to just take a time with my wife to just putt some of the courses. However, I would rather be in an organized group that is lead around the course.

I caddied for my dad and took many golf lessons at our local country club when I was young. I haven’t played a hole since my college years as all of my spare change went to pay for aircraft expenses.

Response is totally consistent with your original post. Being a pilot and former plane owner myself, I agree with your description of how most airports handle similar "public days"
Problem is some of the other posts offered in this thread show no understanding of the issues on an active golf course.

I do not live on a golf course but have a beautiful view of the course from across the street. I hear my neighbors talk about people who ride on the course after hours and how it infringes on their peace and enjoyment of their backyard at night. I agree. As of this moment if you have not paid then you don't belong out there. At our age it is time to go with the flow and respect others and not time to reinvent the wheel. If there is another community that allows this I could not find it with Google.

I agree with Challenger.



Golf is more than a game and more than a place where the game is played. It has always been a culture onto itself. In my view and experience it has been largely peopled with ladies and gentlemen who dress according to the rules, and play by them too. Public municipal courses have allowed anyone interested, to join the game, but so far golf is still a quieter, more dignified game than tennis and attracts a certain bunch of people who must have patience with themselves and others. It is a very hard game that looks easy and this place is filled with it's advocates. Non golfers have not been allowed to tromp around golf courses. They get in the way, slow down play and put themselves in danger. Golf wouldn't like to shut itself down to allow the visitors. You play by golf's rules. Golf is a strict task master.

Join, so golf can own your soul too.

I think the little signs at some courses sum it up, "Golf Traffic Only". The courses get a lot of use and more traffic will only make maintenance more difficult. Championship courses do not have cart paths on many holes. People unfamiliar with the course would be driving around in circles. I can see it now, a resident drives to the top of a hill for the view not realizing there is a sand trap there, now we will have tow trucks on the courses. Years ago I was an ambassador at Glenview. Golfers were playing golf right up to dark. More than once I came across people wandering on the course. And dog walkers. My favorite was a couple, in a fairway, parked, drinking wine, telling me they were waiting for the sunset. Golfers were waiting to tee off!

As I understand it the executive courses are run by the district, the championship by the developer. If you don't pay admission (green fees), it would be like expecting to go to the movies for free because it is what is provided for your entertainment.

Please, please, give up on this idea.

Then golf will die! Too bad.

Two plane.

Not hardly.

As the aircraft owner’s population has declined, so has that of people playing golf. We flying enthusiasts have learned that we must promote aviation to survive. Golfers need to also look to doing things differently for their survival.

Can rules changes save golf from decline?

Please note that I am talking about a once or twice a year event under supervision and guidance. I am sure people would be willing to pay the standard fees for a chance to do something special.