Golf for exercise
 

My husband and I have never golfed. We love to walk. We have lived in 2 different golf communities but neither community will let residents walk the course at any time of the day. With free golf at TV, could we get one club such as Adjustable Telescopic Golf Club and walk as we try to get the ball in the hole? Would this upset folks? How does it work with some folks using a cart and others walking?

Thanks for any input you can give me.

You probably could pull that off, but you might want to actually try the game. I never golfed before I came to TV and find it quite amusing. Lots of good outdoor time with friendly folks that for the most part don't take the game too seriously. If you are dead set that you don't want to play golf we do have a beautiful multi-modal trail for walking if you are willing to take your chances with the golf carts zooming by. Personally I would love to see a walking trail around TV that folks could you just for walking!

We have them, they're called sidewalks.

Since you have never played golf it would be best for you and others on the golf course if you took some lessons before venturing out on the courses. There are places in TV and outside where you can take lessons. This would also expose you to the etiquette of the game.
Walkers are welcome on all the courses, however, they are mostly seen on the executive courses.
Here is a site that has alot of info on golf in TV.
Golf The Villages

On a championship course the average hole is 375 yards and is a par 4. That means you should be able to hit the ball from the tee into the cup in 4 shots. Your foursome should all complete the hole in 12 minutes. I'm a 10 handicap from the blue tees. So an average for me is a drive of 250 yards and then an approach shot of 125 yards onto the green and then two putts, that's 4 shots.

Without any playing experience, and someone who seems to be more interested in walking than playing, does that sound like something you could do with your one adjustable club?

I'm answering your question this way because you asked if anyone would be upset and the answer is yes. I just wanted to show you the errors of your way. I've been playing since 1962 and I have seen a lot of things, but never anyone walking a championship course playing with an adjustable club.

The best recommendation is to do what was suggested above. Take lessons, learn the game, go to 'good golf school' at Colony Rec Center when it's offered once a month. Go to the driving ranges and practice, practice, practice. Play the executive courses for a year, learn your irons and putting. Then when you've learned to hit your woods at the driving range, go out to one of the championship courses and play from the front tees. Set goals for yourself, initially try to break 100, then later 90, and so on.


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I would suggest you try golf on executive course first, and go with two experienced golfers, so they can show you the rules of golf, and most important, to pick up ball and move on, so you don't hold others up. Eventually you will catch on. By starting in a low rated executive (MEANING MOSTLY SHORT, AND LESS TRAPS) you can start to get the knack of it. After all, everyone has to learn some time. Yes, lessons would help to, if you get to like it.

You should definitely go to good golf school first. If the game sounds "interesting" to you then buy a starter set of clubs, balls and a bag. Then get some lessons and practice. Following this, then go and play some executive courses. The golf course is where you learn to play golf but you learn the rules of the game and how to hit the golf ball prior to getting on a golf course. Do this and you will do yourself a favor and a great service to your fellow golfers. It's a great game and it's never too late to learn to play golf.

Never heard of an Adjustable Telescopic Golf Club but you can purchase used clubs pretty cheap and get a pull cart. Don't worry too much about the rules just get out there take it easy and have a good time, you'll learn the rules as you go along. After all, you will be paying amenity fees so you can DWYL.

With all due respect - it sounds as if you are more interested in walking than golfing.

If you are thinking of taking up the game then try as many before me have suggested - take some lessons, go to a range and start out on the exec. courses.

If you really just want to walk well . . .

I have to agree with what most of the others have said reguarding setting foot on any golf course. Attend the Good Golf School first and see if it's still something you want to do then take lessons and practice at the appropriate facilities. I have an interest in golf and that's how I'm doing it.

Golf for exercise
 

Several folks have hit the nail on the head. Yes, we are more interested in walking than in the game itself. We would limit ourselves to Executive courses. The golf courses in TV look so beautiful. Being able to walk along over 30 courses would be wonderful. Someone mentioned foursomes. Are you always required to play in a foursome? That might be a problem.

I agree 10000%. Golf is not a game where you just buy a club and venture out onto a golf course. It would be best for you and all of the other golfers if you took some lessons, and learned a few rules and etiquette points before you venture out.
And, buy the way, those telescoping adjustable clubs are useless. You'll have to get yourselves a couple of beginner sets.

Most of the time the courses are crowded and you will be in a foursome. You may be paired with serious golfers or less serious golfers. But either way, they will be playing golf. Late in the day, you would have more chance of being alone, but there will still be golfers on the course who are there to play golf.

It sounds to me that your intent is to primarily walk with golf activity secondary. Truthfully, I would re-think using the golf courses as walking paths with a little club swinging added. Remember that you will have to stop and wait on each tee for the group in front to finish the hole. even if you're not playing the hole. It is not proper to go walking up while others are playing.

There are multimodal paths throughout TV that have beautiful landscaping and views that would serve your need to walk for exercise much better. The path along 466A between Buena Vista and Morse comes to mind.

I assume that means "do what you like". If that's what you are saying, it is just completely wrong. People venturing onto a golf course to play golf need to learn to respect and take care of the golf course. They also need to be considerate of other golfers. Most people who are unfamiliar with the game don't even understand that they are doing anything wrong when people get offended or they are scolded for not replacing a divot, raking a bunker or fixing a ball mark.
There is nothing worse on a golf course than the beginner who has no idea what they are doing and have the attitude that they paid their fee they can do whatever they please.
As someone mentioned, attend the Good Golf School and learn a little bit about what you're getting into.
Honestly, I think that if you are interested in playing golf learn about the game. If you are interested in walking go to a walking trail. Golf courses were not designed to be walking trails.

Lots of people like to walk more than play. They say that golf is just a long walk in the woods! You're not required to play in a foursome but you also can't stop slots in your tee time from filling up so you may have to play with others. A good idea would be for you to find two others that are interested in walking and golf/walk with them. The rules aren't as strict as in other places and the executive courses are even less strict than the championship courses. You'll learn the rules as you go. The important thing is to have some fun and get exercise.

Sounds like a solution would be to make a foursome with two of you friends. Let them play golf, and if you only want to walk, just do it. Just remember your pace is set by the slowest golfer. But if you are just out for enjoyment, what's the rush?

I agree!

This is very poor advice.

Good advice! 10000% correct!

Mark Twain once said "golf is a good walk ruined". What he was saying in a Twain way was golf can be can be frustrating sometimes. There is nothing wrong with playing golf and walking and it is good exercise. Walking is how golf was meant to be played many people believe. But learning golf etiquette and how to BEGIN to hold a golf club and hit a golf ball should start with good golf school and some lessons. You will enjoy golf more and your fellow golfers will enjoy their round of golf more too.

What?

I think as a courtesy, that your pace is set by keeping your pace with the group in front and not holding up the group in the back.

It's just like driving in traffic, you should pay a little attention to those in front and those behind and everything will go much smoother.

Not being a golfer other than taking golf in college many years ago, maybe it came across wrong. I meant to say that you would have to stay with your foursome. The golfers set the pace in your foursome. Interesting to hear all the comments. My wife's childhood neighbor moved to The Villages years ago, one of her incentives to move. He told me that he and a friend start out as two and if another pair comes along they may form a foursome. Or they let the faster ones pass them. Seemed very laid back.

Read all the posts. :swear: All the more reason not t become a golfer.:a20:

All players are required to have asset of clubs. Having only one club does not make a set. Check with any course and they will let you know the rules.

You might want to enjoy walking the courses very, very early in the morning or very, very late at night. As you can see from these posts if you're not golfing, you're not welcome on the course paths. The problem is if you're out there walking and I am ready to tee off I have to conscious of your presence and not hitting you and that could back things up big time. There are multi-modal trails that are used by walkers, but can be hazardous with golf carts zipping by. Try a few different things when you arrive and you will find the right fit for you. That is the beauty of TV - it can pretty much accomodate everyone and every need.

This is from the Good Golf Guide:
• No jogging, biking, walking, fishing,
etc. is allowed on the courses.

There is nothing in the guide about early morning or late night use of the courses.

http://www.golfthevillages.com/golf-...fGuide1.13.pdf

The rush is that the golfers playing behind these people do not want to spend their day watching them walk around. They want to play golf. And that goes for the hundred or so people behind them as well.

What a coincidence. I am a golfer and have played at the professional level. In addition, I taught golf at a college for fifteen years.

If everyone did as your friend does things would be great on the golf course. I'm sure that that is something that you learned in your college golf course and it is a lesson that every golfer should learn. This is a great example of why people shouldn't simply venture out on to a golf course without getting some kind of instruction. From what I hear of the, the good golf school is a great idea.

Do you live in TV? Have you visited TV?

What does that have to do with anything?

Lots of people walk the Executive golf courses to get exercise while they play, and use a pull cart to carry their bag of clubs. The courses have these pull carts available for those who want them.
Forget about the adjusting telescopic golf club, however. It will not work. Rules require that each golfer must have a minimal set of clubs (I'm not sure, but I think a set must include at least 5 clubs). And two golfers are not allowed to share one set of clubs. There are very good reasons for such rules.
Golf is usually played by sets of 4 players (foursomes). If you schedule a time for just the two of you, the other two slots will be filled in with people you don't know. Villagers are generally friendly, so this is generally not a problem as long as you follow proper protocols.

The suggestions are not relative to the rules in TV.

Even in the "non-snowbird" time of year when the Executive courses are not crowded, no one really appreciates a group of extremely slow golfers in front of them and the usual thing is the faster group will ask the slower ones if they can play through. Usually, it is a "Yes" and there is no problem for anyone.

If the OP and husband have never golfed and mainly just want to walk; there are miles of Multi-Modal trails used for walking, carts, and bikes. I personally would suggest that IF they do not want to learn golf.

However, if they do want to learn golf, it is a great idea to take a week's worth of lessons at Palmer or Tree Tops and also learn all the golf etiquitte and rules so everyone can enjoy the golfing experience of The Villages. Pick up a set of used clubs and very likely, they will become golfers - maybe not the best but having a great time playing in The Villages.

Just for discussion, not suggesting folks do this....
 

The OP brings up an interesting question. Why cannot a resident simply walk along? I am not suggesting anyone would want to do that, but just wondering for discussion sake, WHY NOT? They have paid their amenity. If you understand etiquette and rules as it relates to behavior on a golf course, have at it. In fact you can go walk Pelican almost any time this time of year, no one is ever there, it is the best kept secret in TV (shhhhh).

I also do not agree that there is such a thing as a minimum set of clubs. I see no reason I could not simply show up and play with a 7 iron, putter and 2 golf balls. In fact I do not really need a putter if I simply blade the 7 iron.

Sharing a set if different. There could be pace of play issues with that.

Anyway, not to be argumentative, just random thoughts while killing some time before I have to go clean up garage :icon_bored:

"why can't a resident simply walk along". Maybe because they would be taking up a tee time (important during the season) of someone who wants to play golf--- which I can assume is the purpose of a golf course. There could be a safety factor too. Walking around enjoying the beauty of the golf course and not paying attention to the golfing could result in a serious injury. Just a couple of reasons off the top of my head that you want golfers on a golf course.

In answer to your queation I would say the following. I believe that you would upst many people by doing what yuo suggest. The courses are extremely crowded especially during the season. I agree that gol courses areindeed beautiful. Possibly you couldwalk them before seven or aftereight pm. I had a friend who did that because she was not aware of the rulr. Sheeventually decided to take up golf andnow golfs twice a week. Shenever thought she would like it. I guess the reasoning is as follows: one wouid not walk on any other sports venue, so golf courses shold be creserves for golfers also. There is a track atttheHS that can be used.I also see people all over TV using thesidewalks .

Thank you
 

Thank you all for your feedback. I thought that this topic might get some folks upset. I feel everyone gave their ideas and that they were very polite. I do not reside in TV yet. We have taken the bus ride twice and will be coming for a Lifestyle visit hopefully in Dec. They haven't opened the schedule for Dec yet. I think we will start walking on the multimodal paths first. You posters have got me interested in golf now. Not high staked competitive golf, but for fun golf. Husband had back problems. This might might golf difficult for him.

Exercise the back
 

Andercat: Many of us play with a "bad back" and had to adapt our swing and expectations to accommodate the aging process. However, every back situation is a little different. There was a time when I was in a body cast for 10 weeks that I thought that I might not play golf again----point is don't immediately give up on your husband playing! Proper exercise and a reason to do the exercise can do wonders for your lifestyle and your back. Fore! :gc:

jistjim, I agree will all you have said and I am just having some fun discussing the hypothetical. To be clear in my hypothetical, the people walking along need to stay part of a golf group in their position on the course whether that group is a twosome or foursome and they should understand golf etiquette (***). IMO, if I have a club and more than 2 balls in my pants than I am a golfer.

If I decide that I will only putt on two greens all day and walk as part of the group the other holes, my hypothetical is that I have the same right to that tee time as the any resident even if play every hole...

*** - this may disqualify many of the folks already out there :evil6:

You could probably walk the Tierra del Sol course. No golfers there for a few months.