The Villages Golf Tee Time System -Did You Know
 

It recently came to my attention that The Villages Golf Administration provides special privileges to groups of 32 or more members. This highly unadvertised practice enables groups of that size or larger to pre-establish regular recurring Tee Times at various Villages courses. At least two courses, OBH and Lopez Legacy, and possibly more, prebook these groups on a regular weekly basis to the detriment of Priority Members who compete for Tee Times through TV Tee Time System. These privileged groups include both Priority and Non-Priority Golfers.

Paying an annual Priority Membership Fee ($777) is supposed to provide certain privileges such as having priority for booking over groups that include non-Priority members. All groups in addition are supposed to be prioritized for booking purposes based on total group playing points that have been accumulated during the past 7 days. By pre booking groups of 32 or more players irrespective of these rules, Golf Administration has established a prejudicial procedure in violation of the benefits upon which they sell Priority Memberships.

After referring this issue to Golf Administration, I was essentially told, sorry, that's the way it is. It seems that they don't care if they violate the very precepts under which they sell Priority memberships to the detriment of all of us Priority members who play by the rules. If enough of you express your concerns about this to Golf Administration, perhaps they will be obliged to review and eliminate this practice that clearly violates the terms under which Priority Memberships are sold.

The situation if much worse than you say, in my opinion.

These groups are a disaster for everyone involved, starters, staff, ambassadors and other players. They switch groups around at the last minute, they end up with more or few players and in many cases, play like snails.

There's not a country club in the USA, where you can book a group of 32 players, in prime time, in prime season. It's simply not possible. Guys who are members of private clubs will attest to the fact, they aren't allowed to book large groups of players during prime time or prime season.

The stupid part of this program, is it hurts golf course operations and puts an unnecessary burden on the staff. Every Starter I've talked with, despises dealing with these large group. I have no clue why it's allow, they'd be no problem filling these Tee Times with players who book through the system like they're supposed to.

I'm behind you 1000%, but like other things in TV ... "that's how we do it and we don't care what you think or what's right".

Just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

32 is too many, that’s a mini outing every week.

I would be okay if it was limited to 8, all had to have priority enhancement and the 8 who signed up, have to play. BUT, there needs to be the capability to swap out players (priority players) - so the tee sheet is accurate.

Contact Info for Golf Administration?
 

That is false advertising for the Priority Menbership that I purchased and open for possible Class Action process. How do I contact GOLF ADMINISTRATION as you indicated?

Call Kevin pro at OBH and tds. 352 750 4600 . He’s the one I talked with. I’m sure he can direct you

The problem I see is if it's on a regular weekly reoccurring basis.

I can see giving a group that size a once or twice a year privilege but every week is ridiculous.

What would happen if you had 25 groups of 32 or more getting weekly reoccurring tee times?

That's what would have to happen for them to change it, overwhelm them with 25 different groups of 32.

I'm in, let me know what they say!

That explains the difficulty getting both the first few t times of the afternoon wave on the 27 hole courses as well as the first few t times after 2 PM on the 18 hole courses. Sucks for all residents, priority members or not.

Golden Rule - “He who has the gold rules.”

Gosh, this reads to me like the OP is complaining about Men’s Day and Ladies’ Day!

I will be calling.

Absolutely NOT!

Perhaps not so unfair…
 

It seems as if this practice also protects long term residents from losing established routines.

Having a neighborhood or local group allows for a stronger community. Whether the group plays 1 or 2 times a month, or weekly, what a great way to meet and maintain connections with your neighbors.

Anyone can start a group, therefore, if this practice bothers you, start a group, establish a routine, meet more than 1 - 3 other people who share your interests.

I'm gonna have to find a group of 31 that needs a 32nd now.....

This has been going on for more than 20 years. These groups support golf in TV all year long and all players must be priority. In peak season TV gives the leader around 4 courses to chose from. You'll never get TV to stop this.Get a group of 32 and you can join the fun.

OK. I'm gonna go out and find 26 people who want to play golf with me each week. Great idea!

Not true. Per the Villages Golf Pro, all players are NOT Priority!

lol, those pesky facts.

I bet it doesn't matter how many points you have also, what a great way to circumvent the points system.

Again I have no problem with a few times a year but every week is crazy.

Yes they are... To book as a priority group ALL golfers in the group must be priority members...

I'm in a Wednesday Championship Course group. They typically have 3-4 foursomes.

Since I'm not a priority member (not worth the $$$ since I'm still a part timer), they never put my name in the group tee-time request, because doing so would bump them down to a regular request.

Once the tee-time list comes out (Sunday morning), I check the groups and if there's a threesome, I add my name to that group. Most weeks, I can add my name. Occasionally, I get shut out.

But I'm not going to demand that the rest of the group lose their priority status when booking times just to make sure I'm included...

does this extend to the executive courses?

My educated guess is no. The Developer owns the Championship Courses but not the Executive courses although the Developer has both built.

You need to go back and read the initial post. You're comparing apples & oranges.

The Groups of 32 or more, are different than booking 3 or 4 foursome. They are super-priority reservations that work completely differently than someone booking less than 32 people.

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The "Priority Membership" is now the "Enhanced Membership". Neat semantics.

The Villages Championship golf courses generate approximately $300,000/day in Greens Fees alone during peak season.

Figuring in some paid carts, range balls, lunches, drinks, etc. ... the number probably approaches $400,000.

Geez, I wonder what would happen if we all took a day off from golf? I bet they'd notice. ������

Tee Times
 

This "32" rule also applies to the executive courses, and that is why it is so hard to get a tee time. There are no tee times available three days in advance on any ANY executive course in The Villages due to the special groups of 32 or more. A lot of the groups have ghost golfers who do not play but their Id numbers are used to fill the 32 quota. This starts in January and runs through April now. Renters are the main problem.

Are you complaining about Mens' and Ladies' day golf? If so, they have been playing all of the 25 years I've lived here. Hasn't been a problem for any golf group I play in. If you want to play at the times these events are schedules, join the Mens' or Ladies' group.

The reason there are very few tee times available on the executive courses 3 days in advance is because the vast majority of the tee times are assigned via requests (up to 7 days in advance). Once the requests are satisfied at midnight to 12:30 AM 3 days in advance, there are few tee times available for grabbing via the reservation button. You don’t need 32 or more for a request. It isn’t clear exactly what the size distribution is of the requests. I typically see groups of 4-8 playing the executives and clearly they got the tee time via a request.

WOW!!!! Did not know this…
I propose we get 32 of us together and form a club. Each put $100 into a pot. Then out of that pot we pay someone a small stipend to reserve tee times for us. Considering the individual price for a priority membership at $777each one of us would be money ahead. At the end of the season we could take that part of money and have one hell of a big party!
So who is with me?????:crap2:

This might help…

Championships
Golf The Villages

We have created Group Days on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for you! This simply means that groups of 8 - 32 will have preference for Tee Times from 7:28 to 9:28 at Tierra Del Sol, Hacienda, Cane Garden, Mallory Hill, Evans Prairie and Belle Glade opposite the courses scheduled for Men's and Ladies' Day


EXECUTIVE Groups
Golf The Villages

Summer only
Groups MUST begin between 1:02 pm - 7:00 pm

The privileged groups don’t use the TT system to book, therefore none of the booking rules apply to them. I understand what you are saying. You’re playing by the rules. The other dude are exempt.

Has nothing to do with mens and ladies day!

Where did you come up with the $300,000 per day in greens fees during peak season for the 13 championship courses combined?

You're welcome to check my math, I did it this morning before coffee:

There are approximately 90 Tee Times per 27 Hole Golf Course in Prime Time (1st/2nd Wave). That equals 360 Players per course. There are (10) 27 Hole courses. That equals 3600 players.

Between 8 a.m. & 3:00 PM there are 57 Tee Times at the 18 hole courses. 228 Players/course/per day. That totals 684 Players

Total Play = 4300/day. I calculated the Average Greens Fee Yield = $70. Multiply 4300 players at $70 and you get $301,000.00

Not every Tee Time has a foursome and there are some 9 holers. That said, the cheapest 18 Hole Rate is OBH at $34 + the fees paid for "Enhanced Membership". The lowest rate at most course is $67 (or $49 + Enhanced Membership"). Guest & Non-Resident is substantially higher. Again, I estimated the yield at $70. It could be $62 or even $59. That doesn't change the equation very much.

How much does the "average" golfer spend when he plays golf? Some % take carts. Guests take carts. Many have a beer or lunch ... or, 12 beers and no lunch. How many people take "practice balls"? I figured about $20 a person. It could be less.

If the actually yield is only $50/Person for Greens Fees and the average player spends only $10, the daily total is still $275,000/Day. That's nearly $2,000,000 per week. I'd say that's a significant Cash Cow for the Developer.

Just to give you some basis for comparison, there were 2,562,000 rounds of golf played on The Villages 42 Executive Courses in 2022. That's 167 (9 Hole) Rounds per day. An 18 Hole Championship Course can handle upwards of 250 Players per day and a 27 Hole facility can handle over 375 per day.

I removed my comment. I was incorrect.

The 32 person rule does include the Executives. BUT
It’s Summers only and tee times from 1:02 to 7:00.

I will try to post a link to golf the villages dot com - but don’t think TOTV will allow it

Golf The Villages

Google this “Executive Course Summer Group Play”

I don't know much about the Executive Courses, I've never played one.

Just for the heck of it, I just checked the Open Tee Times for 10 different Execs, tomorrow.

There were less than 6 available spots before 4 pm, on the (10) I checked. That's mind boggling to me.

The 32 person tee times at the EXECUTIVES ARE ONLY IN THE SUMMER and afternoon tee times in the summer.

You're assuming that all the tee-times are filled. That is NOT the case on the championship courses... Not even in the busy season...

As of right now, there are 16 single spots open at Palmer tomorrow, between the hours of 8 am - 2 pm.

There are 12 single spots open at Cane Garden.

There are 28 spots available at Mallory.

There are 14 spots available at Belle Glade.

By tomorrow, there'll be nary a spot available at any of those courses.

The Monday Wednesday and Friday groups I play with ALL must be priority. The Wednesday group usually has about 48 players, taking 2 nines on 1 course.

I believe the 32+ group of golfers is for summer only and is for after 1:00PM. And it’s only for approx 2/3 of the executive courses.

Golf The Villages