Crazy Golf Course Rules
 

I just became aware of some executive golf course and recreation center rules that seem a bit over the top. I met some friends at a executive golf course, one of the couples had their 12 year old grandson along. The young man had a guest pass and planned to spend an hour or two in the recreation center while the grandparents played golf.. The rec center monitor informed them the grandson would have to be 19 to use the rec center facilities. Now the grandparents had a problem, grandson was not permitted in the rec center, and could not ride along in the grandparents golf cart as a spectatorbecause three persons to a cart isn't permitted. It gets more goofy now, If the grandparents were in separate carts, the grandson could ride along as a spectator with one of them but WOULD HAVE TO PAY A $4.00 TRAIL FEE. Why should a non playing family member have to pay a trail fee to ride along with a grandparent in the grandparent's cart?????? A trail fee for doing what ????????

First, there are many places in and outside TV that do not allow unaccompanied minors to use their facilities. There are liability concerns as well as their staff isn't supposed to be baby sitters.

I suspect the trail fee is designed to discourage people who would claim to be spectators, but would begin to play as soon as out of sight of the starter.

You struck a nerve for me too with that one Warren. I totally agree. RIPOFF!! Spectators should NOT have to pay to just ride around the course. Same thing applies for example if my wife (who doesn't play golf) just wants to take in the view and watch me golf. She wouldn't be taking up anyone's tee time, using my gas, and would get to see some of the nicest scenery in TV like the Heron course along Lake Miona, that's unavailable if you don't play golf.

What gets me is the trail fee should be for the CART, no matter if there's one or two riders. The cart is on the "trail". I play with a friend that can't walk the courses, and I like to walk. I CAN'T put my clubs on the cart and walk without paying the $4.00 Total BS. Pull carts or the new motorized remote controlled individual carts inflict more wear and tear to the grass from tee to green than a cart on concrete cart paths.

Anyone try this: Sign up as a walker (no $4.00 trail fee) and carry your clubs for the first hole and then put them on your partner's cart for the rest of the round and walk along with it?

It's a money grab. They estimate that TV books 10,000 teetimes a day. Say 6,500 of them are for the execs (only 9 vs. champ. 18 holes). Say 1,000 of those 6,500 walk. That leaves 5,500 riders. Say half of those pay the annual trail fee (probably less do) and not the daily $4.00 fee. So 2,750 X $4.00 = $11,000 a day for for TV. THAT ADDS UP TO FOUR MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. Last year it was $3.50, now $4.00 (14% increase) Bump it up to $4.50 next year (no one would probably complain much) and make 12% more. Nice little scheme.

Just my $.02.

How much wear and tear is there on the courses with 3.2 million rounds played. ALL THE MONEY GOES INTO THE TURF, PEOPLE.

It took me less than a minute to google several examples of spectator fees.

I'd say this is about average.

http://www.robson.com/assets/pdf/RRAZ_GolfFees.pdf

You can be sure the golf ambassadors know the color of your cart, how many players paid, and your time on the course to the minute. They watch your every move.

I repeat...

As a person who has played golf for forty years and at a lot of courses, I think our fees are more than reasonable and spectators fees are very common. It took me less than a minute to find several examples.

Here is one;http://www.robson.com/assets/pdf/RRAZ_GolfFees.pdf

IMHO the rules are justified and the fees reasonable.

I don't play golf. I would pay $4 to ride in somebody's golf cart to see the Heron course along Lake Miona. Sounds beautiful. I realize your wife might not want to pay that every time you play, but I don't see unreasonable fees here, as opposed to what people pay from my neck of the woods up north.

Sorry, but I see every rule mentioned to be spot on and should be strictly enforced. This is a retirement community for adults, not a day care center.

So, you recommend cheating a system that the vast majority are in favor of. As a dedicated golfer, I do not want children nor spectators on or even near the tee boxes and greens. As an avid golfer, I view golfing as a sport and not an amusement park.

Trail fees are mostly everywhere. Sometimes people who bring others, can be disturbing to the ones that are playing. I just wish, you don't try to beat the system, that is put in place for ALL the golfers in TV. Prices here are reasonable to other courses outside TV (especially the 30 or so executives) and really if you wanted to avoid the trail fee, you can purchase trail fee for a year at a reduced rate. I hope you understand. We have great facilities here in TV, for all of us to enjoy, and to me this is not a legitimate complaint. But, you still have a nice day.

Unfortunately if there weren't controls on golf course riders the same people whose grand-kids are hanging all over their carts on the streets would be doing it on the golf course.

My wife's brother was recently here and loved riding around in the golf cart on the exec courses a couple of times. I walked and pulled my cart while he rode with my wife and paid the $4 trail fee (they give you a spectator band for the golf cart) Two hours worth of entertainment for him for $4 seems pretty reasonable.

Walking means having you clubs with you which helps maintain the pace of play.

Golf course maintenance plus the administrative cost for the system is expensive. I know very few courses allow private carts without trail fees.
The cost of amenities in TV are IMO very reasonable if not a bargain, but there is no free lunch.

:wave:

:gc::agree:

Warren Keifer: as you found out you are wasting your time and breath sharing any frustrations you experience here in The Villages.

Would seem to me that the term "spectator" really shouldn't apply to a 12 year old visiting Grandchild. ( You might think differently if this was your Grandchild) Speaks more to the mentality (or lack of same) of the supposed adults making rules like this. At one time I was told my 20 something Daughter was not allowed at a community Pool with her guest pass unless she was accompanied by an adult.

It isn't just here. It is on golf courses everywhere. He could have gone with them in the cart if they wanted to pay four dollars for him to be a spectator. That is for anyone who is a spectator. That is accepted golf practice at any golf course I have ever been. He is old enough to play golf, if they wanted to pay for him to play.

Your daughter at 20 could use the family pool. Children at family pools must be accompanied by an adult and people under 30 aren't allowed at adult pools.

Rules are rules and that is why people like my wife prefer living in TV. In fact she would not have moved to florida but for TV because Florida has uneven spot where zoning, etc are not enforced so you never know what is going to be built next door to you. At least in TV you have greater predictability factor.

It seems like the rules are pretty simple...anyone under the age of 19 has to be accompanied by an adult to certain facilities and if you’re riding in a cart, then you pay a trail fee. And for those who don’t agree, how complicated do you want the rules to be? At what age is a drop-off or free ride-along ok? This isn’t just about ONE 12-year old kid who couldn’t be dropped off at a Rec Center by himself or ride along for free on the golf course. It’s about the tens of thousands of residents, many of whom would like to drop off their young visitors at a Rec Center or take them on the golf courses as spectators. Think about it. :loco:

The so called spectator fees I agree with you about that,even though it has always been that way..., but to leave a minor alone with no adult supervision anywhere is wrong...There is way to many children running around with no adult in golf carts , bicycles, skate boards etc....If they cause an injury to someone would you be willing to accept responsibility or point the finger to someone else ?

And I have to wonder...what was the kid suppose to do to entertain himself for two hours in a Rec Center?

Please don't let your grandchildren run loose in TV. I moved here to escape all that and would be beside myself if they were unsupervised at a rec center.
And yes, you pay the $4.00 fee if you are riding along - had to do it myself when we first arrived and I didn't play golf, but wanted to experience the course. It is what it is and when my 29 year old son visits and goes to play golf with dad he pays to ride eventhough I am not there and we paid for a couple.

Kids need supervision
 

I understand your disappointment, however I side with most replies. A 12 year old should not be left in a rec center for 2 hours by himself. What would he do?? Play pool with the adults? Play pickleball with the adults?? It's an adult facility. I would think he would be uncomfortable there alone. As for the trail fee, it's only $4.00. Granted TV makes a ton of money on cart fees but really can't complain as it is a reasonable fee. Perhaps he could have gone to the rec center with an adult and had some fun. I hope he enjoyed his stay. With an adult present, there is a lot for him to do....a game of basketball, a game of pool with grandma and Grampa, a swim in the family pool.

Fees for spectators on golf courses are common as was pointed out on earlier posts. Others have also pointed out quite nicely that the facilities at TV are not meant to be baby sitting services.

My question is, BEFORE "you" (I use this term generally and am not singling out the OP) signed on the "bottom line" to purchase a home in TV, did "you" read and understand all of the information which points to the rules and requirements for living here? If yes, then complaining about the rules won't get much sympathy. If "you" did not read and understand the rules, then accept that "you" did not accept "your" responsibility to do so and I would propose that NO sympathy is deserved.

I'd also like to point out that if anyone has changed their minds about the appropriateness of the rules and requirements to live at TV, it is a free world and you can exercise your right, sell your home and move out of TV. I for one appreciate and support the rules/requirements, live by them, and yes, I do get "put off" by those who seem to feel that there should be exceptions to the rules. Exceptions are slippery slopes...."just saying"...... :024:

I hear what you are saying TrayderJoe, but the OP, I hope, was simply expressing his friend's frustration at the situation. When the rules hit home they are a little tougher to swallow - believe me I am personally challenged daily by the rules and have learned to choose my battles. So you might ask "then why did you move into a community with
the rules you don't like" and I would answer "cause rules never stopped baby boomers from doing whatever". Good or bad that is my generation and hopefully we'll all live happily ever after!:crap2::crap2:

Thanks Gomoho. I hope the OP was doing so as well, and this is certainly a free world (I support the posters right to free speech), but this is a forum and intent is not always clear by written word. People agreeing with and against the poster (myself included) will "put in their two cents". I am a member of the baby boomers as well, and I would not particularly agree with your general classification of baby boomers, but if it is your opinion, I would never say you are wrong.

It’s true...we are the Woodstock Generation. It's kind of funny (and a little bit sad) when you think about it.

Warren I appreciate your frustration. However, the trail fee policy is in line with two other Clubs we belonged where we could use our private cart and pay a trail fee. The trail fee in TV is low cost-----paid $560.00 yearly trail fee at our last Club and when our son came to visit and play golf I paid for him to ride in our golf cart. If someone wanted to ride as a spectator they paid same as a golfer. It may be easier to understand why a 12 year old would need supervision in an adult environment. In short, TV'S policies are in line with the industry standards. The only golfing policy that I find unusual is the lenient policy of allowing golfers to wear,blue jeans while golfing on TV courses. At most Clubs they send you home or offer to sell you appropriate golf trousers/shorts at Country Club prices!!

:bigbow:

If a child over 12 plays golf, then you are charged for golf green fees. They must have a valid ID.

These posts find fault with how our courses are run and this is just the standard way of doing business at every golf course I have golfed on in the 40 years I have played golf , not just here. No one is being picked on with these rules.

In fact when I read these posts I realize just how little people who move here and begin to play golf for the first time HERE realize what a bargain golf is on the executive courses in the villages.

Outside in most other golf courses,there are many more rules. You are expected to wear a collared shirt, no jeans, ladies must be suitably attired and no short shorts, etc, etc, and those will be asked to leave if they do not keep the pace of play, hit into the group ahead, etc. etc. or don't act like a gentlemen or lady.

:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popc orn::popcorn::popcorn:Time for the Popcorn, Bill!!!!!!!!!!!

totally agree
 

You hit the nail on the head. I also don't want children on the golf course. Last evening we were out on El Diablo getting ready to tee off when a gentleman and small child went breezing by on their bikes being noisy. I duffed my shot and swore under my breath. Why were they on the golf course in the first place?

a mulligan would be appropriate in this case.

no this isn't over the top. It makes perfectly good sense. Seems to me like someone needs to read the rules..... Trail fees are just that -" trail fees." they are in place for persons using the trails regardless of their age. Why is any of this questionable???? Lastly, a 12 year old child should not be dropped off at any rec center or anywhere without adult supervision......

Hate to say it...err...no I don't :) ...but nothing in your OP sounds out of line to me. Just reasonable rules considering the nature of TV.

It is not my intent to be tacky, but since grandchildren are allowed here (by the rules in place) a limited number of days each year, why not do your golfing another time and entertain him yourselves? You could take him to Johnny Rockets for lunch, the movies, golf cart riding with you doing the driving since he is not old enough (14) to drive, outside TV for minature golf, Silver Springs, etc. Spend your time with him....he'll grow up soon enough.

Breaking rules and/or expecting exceptions to them is not setting a good example for him. Life is full of rules and kids need to learn to accept and abide by them at an early age. Nobody at any age should be allowed to pick and choose which rules/laws to abide by.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Places I play in So. Fla. charge someone (usually) $10.00 for a person to just ride along in a cart.

Right, wrong or indifferent, that's the way it is!

I agree, if someone doesn't like the rules there's not a requirement to play the course or use the facilities.

:BigApplause: