Golf course player management
 

How well is play managed on TV golf courses?

How far apart are the tee times?

How long is the average round on championship courses?

How long is the average round on executive courses?

Are there "Rangers" or "Marshalls" on-course prompting people to maintain a proper pace of play?

Are the golf course staff polite and friendly?

What would you change about golf at The Villages courses if you could?

How well is play managed on TV golf courses?
Overall, pretty well

How far apart are the tee times?
10 minutes

How long is the average round on championship courses?
4.25-4.5 hours

How long is the average round on executive courses?
1.5 - 2 hours

Are there "Rangers" or "Marshalls" on-course prompting people to maintain a proper pace of play?
Ambassadors

Are the golf course staff polite and friendly?
Usually, very very polite & friendly


What would you change about golf at The Villages courses if you could?
1. I'd move the exec men's day starting times back at least 15-30 minutes in winter because it would be just a little lighter & warmer.

2. I'd like to play the championship courses men's days but you must be a priority member. So, it would be nice if after a couple days of letting the priority members sign up, then allow a day for non-priority members to fill spots available

Can a player walk on the Championship courses?

I am not certain about 'rules' on walking.
But, I don't think it's very practical on many courses.
On one of the Palmer nine's, (Cherry Hill), you would have to walk about 2 'neighborhood' blocks between holes 2 & 3 I think. And then between 7 & 8 you leave the course, walk down a multi-modal path, Through a tunnel under 1 of the gates and back to the course after another 100 yards.

Mallory's 'Amelia' 9 could be walked as could Hacienda's Palms 9, but again. Just not sure about the CC rules on all this.

With the exception of Palmer, I walk the championship courses.

Understand that the criteria for walking on championship courses is that you maintain pace of play. Personally find that easy and the only long hike would be on certain courses from the end of the front nine to the beginning of the back nine eg. at Havana from Kenya to Hemingway. Agree with aln on the courses he mentioned.

I have an idea for a new club---> The golf walkers! I NEVER rode a cart to play golf unless I was forced to. I can play FASTER walking because I can get right to my ball . Anytime any walkers want a walking partner send me a PM. This is great news.:pepper2:

I'm a walker...
 

On my home course I haven't taken a cart for years. They are free on the final day of the Men's League, but that is because they need everyone back ASAP for the banquet. I do rent one when I take my grandson because he is small for his age (8) and has little legs, but that is not as often as I'd like.

When I am playing away from my home course I usually do take a cart, but that is because the courses are hilly and there are long distances between some holes (Sugarloaf and Sunday River).

And if the cart is included in the entry fee for a tournament, I will ride. But other than that, I prefer walking. Gives one time between shots to talk to partners and look a scenery. And think about the next shot.

I use a Sun Mountain Speed Cart. What do other walkers use?

And yes, walking is as fast or faster than taking a cart. And it is better for you.

sun mountain as well

I'd give the ambassadors some clout. They need to be able to speed things up (chamionship & exec.) and enforce the raking of bunkers and fixing of ball marks not just pass out water. They also need to stop the ballhawking by players which also slows everyone's pace of play. If you don't abide by the rules you can just stay home and watch your grass grow.

I have always found most people who play golf....
 

regularly, are aware of whether they are holding up or not. I know there are some who just don't care.

Since I am a casual golfer, and probably an average player for my age (70+), i play to have fun...enjoy the company...enjoy being out doors.

I always find continual discussions about pace of play to be rather inconsistent with any of the above. The club we belonged to in SC was so into pace of play one had to let the starter know when you finished at 18....then there were the usual harangs in the monthly bulletin...the constant reminders about pace of play.....I never knew it was a timed event sport.

If that is what good golfers focus on I am glad to be in the majority being an average golfer, retired and enjoying not being timed.

BTK

Keeping up the pace of play is common courtesy as well as practicing good golf.
Having said that, I know it will never be reality on the executive courses so I elect to relax and enjoy the game.

It may very well be better for you and it is more enjoyable to walk in my opinion but it is not, nor could it ever be, faster than walking.

If you are allowed to take a cart onto the fairway you can get to your ball at 16 MPH. You walk with a bag and cart at no better than 4 MPH. Even with two people per cart it is faster to ride.

Of course it usually doesn't matter how fast you can get to your ball because you inevitably wait to hit your shot anyway so you might as well walk for the exercise.

I seriously don't think anyone would take a bet and allow me to ride and you to walk. On an open course it would be no contest. You'd lose sight of me by the second hole. But I get your point.

:bowdown::agree::agree:

Pace of Play
 

Russ is absolutely correct that everything else being equal (open course), the cart golfer can play much faster than the walker. BUT, any walker in reasonable shape who plays "ready golf", who keeps it in play and doesn't take five or six practice swings on every shot will keep up the pace of play and can meet or exceed the estimated times on the scorecards. The first couple times I play a course I love having the convenience of a cart, which allows me to look around corners and over hills that I would be playing blind if I was walking. But once I know the course, I'd much rather walk and enjoy the round.