What does the term "wave" mean?
 

Could you please explain the "wave" start system?

According to Yahoo answers, "A wave start is where everybody starts on the #1 tee and/or #10 tee in groups or "waves" of 4 or less. The PGA Tournaments utilize the wave start system." Of course this assumes that you're not talking about fans in the stands (usually the 18th hole or in baseball) that stand and sit in a tidal wave formation!
http://encode.ru/images/smilies/spanish_wave.gif

Lopez, Glenview, Palmer, Cane Garden, Mallory, Havana, Evans and Bonifay are all 27 hole courses and have starters at each nine. To have all the courses filled with golfers they have identical teetimes at each nine. So you can see in about two hours when you've finished your front nine, you've got to cross over. For example, the second wave at most courses is 11:56 to 1:56, that's when they slot the teetimes. After 1:56 there is no teetimes so that you can crossover without waiting.

Yesterday I played Cane Garden and had a 12:12 teetime. We played faster than normal as a threesome and finished our front nine just before 2pm. We actually had to wait ten minutes before starting our tenth hole because a 1:56 teetime was just getting off. After that it was clear sailing. So when you want a teetime, use the wave as the available times. Putting in for a 10am or 11am teetime will do you no good.

Now that summer is here with longer sunlight we have three waves, although many in the third wave won't finish 18 holes. In fact soon they will offer a discount rate of $6 for 5pm and later times. You'll see a crowd at the starter shacks a little before 5:00, they are people waiting on the clock.

Split tees is what I used to call 'em
 

I had never heard of the "the wave' until coming to The Villages. Most courses I played had 18 holes so we call it split tees when half of the field teed off from hole #1 and half from the hole #10. This is how Orange Blossom and Tierra Del Sol work here in TV as they only have 18 holes (except for Sunday where they have straight tee times, but that is another story :)).

TV's 27 hole courses are really 3 18 hole combinations, so a third of "the field" will start on each nine.

Course 1: a -> b
Course 2: b -> c
Course 3: c -> a

From page 12 of Golfing in The Villages

Wave: The method we use to schedule available tee times on the
Championship Golf Courses the vast majority of the time. Waves
refer to the time tee times are available. The “morning wave”
begins at 7:28 and ends at 9:28. The “afternoon wave” begins at
11:56 and ends at 1:56. There are no tee times between the waves
or after the “afternoon wave.” Therefore, if you request a tee
time between 9:30 and 11:50, you’ll never ever receive a tee time.
Waves are sometimes referred to as “double tee starts” or “cross-overs" at other golf courses outside The Villages.

Thanks so much.

How to Wave 8 steps - Have you ever had an awkward moment when you are waving hello or goodbye to someone, but your hand has a mind of its own? Embarrassed by your floppy and sloppy waves? These tips will ensure that you will start waving with confidence!

1. Consider the circumstances of the wave. If you are waving to someone in a formal setting, you do not want to be overzealous with your gestures

2. Are you trying to wave someone down? This requires a larger wave. Consider the raised arm wave (above the head.)


3. A casual greeting does not require too much movement. A small fingertip wave will suffice for someone who is near. This is sometimes considered effeminate. Men may consider the still wave (hand raised, no flapping.)

4. After you have identified what wave is appropriate, you can commence with the waving.

5. Make sure to smile. Smiling is a key, unless, of course, you are in a situation (such as a funeral) where a grin is inappropriate. Consider a nod of the head to accompany your wave.

6. Do not let your fingers or hand overdo the wave. Repeat the motion 2-4 times and stop.

7. Avoid awkward twitching, jerking, flapping, and bobbing.

8. Do not exceed the wave for longer than a couple seconds, unless you are getting someone's attention. Even then, take brief pauses in between each wave so as not to overdo it.

Now if you want to start the princess wave (AKA beauty queen wave), that's a whole different process.