Cruise the golf courses without playing golf
 

For those of us who don’t golf, is there a way to drive a golf cart around the golf courses to take a look. Everyone in TV pays amenity fees to support the maintenance of these beautiful courses. Yet, those of us who don’t or can’t golf miss the beautiful views taken in by those that do.

So, can’t there be a time when non-golfers can sneak a peek at the courses. Maybe I have missed events such as this in the past as I am only now a full time resident. Of course this should be done in such a way as to minimize the inconveniences it might create for golfers and only take place a few times in the year. One event could be a caravan of carts following leaders who know the way. Some might even want to take up golf after seeing firsthand the fields of play.

This is my suggestion that I posted on the Villages survey for others and you to think about.

Drive the cart paths around the holes AFTER the course closes at night. It is still light enough to see all you wish to see.

I don't think that would work, since I believe most courses 'close'...when one can no longer see their golf ball. :shrug:

driving after hours by those unfamiliar with the cart paths could lead to some unexpected meetings. That's why it is not allowed because of the danger.
A special time is a better idea.

:what: (Sorry... what I was actually thinking , would have been removed!)

Sounds good in theory, but the practicable application might be difficult. If done at dusk, there is a safety factor. People in a "caravan" will want to stop and look or take pictures, as a result they will pull off the cart paths. Since we are talking about non-golfers, they will have no idea where they are not permitted to drive and will inevitably drive across a green, near (or into) a bunker or drown their cart in an environmental area.

As far as closing a course for this purpose, exec tee times are generally at a premium---they don't even close them as they should for proper maintenance. I think there might be a lot of unhappy golfers if they can't get a tee time because of tourists on the course

Yes, our amenity fee goes in part to maintain these courses. I'm paying for this, and although I golf, I don't play exec courses. I'm also paying to maintain pickleball and tennis courts, even though I don't play, sports pools even though I don't swim laps, and meeting rooms for the Univ. of Southern Idaho alumni club, even though I don't belong. The fee goes to support a wide variety of activities, even though no one participates in all of them.

Best suggestion, Rick, is that I am available for golf lessons. That way you can learn to play as bad as I do:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Our daughter Helene has not ever played a hole of golf, but she goes with me as an observer every time I play. She knows she must stay well back away from swings and safely away from where any ball is directed. She knows too, not to talk when someone is addressing the ball.. This is for nine hole golf with dear friends and then we go to lunch. She opts to sit safely in the cart and enjoy the ride and the views.

Perhaps you know a friend who golfs? You must bring your ID and check in too, even if just observing. There are good reasons why people can't use the golf trails as walking trails or for riding their bikes or for fun golf cart trips.. It isn't safe.

I think that it may be time for you to take some golf lessons twoplane. Why must you miss all the fun?

In the summer each executive course is given a day of rest every couple weeks when they perhaps get maintenance but that does not take the whole day. Perhaps that, with permission, would be a day that tourists would be allowed if it could be done not interfering with the workers. Take your risk if they are adjusting the sprinklers.

The other option of course would be to take an executive tee time and show up and just drive the course without golfing. This would cost you a $4 pp if you take your cart but it would be free to walk the course. Or if you have a golfing friend, spectators are allowed at no cost.

"Executive Course Spectator Policy
As approved by The District Boards, commencing May 2015 regarding the Spectator Policy on Executive Courses.
Spectators are allowed, and must follow golf course guidelines
No Charge for residents/guests with a valid resident/guest ID card
Spectator Tags will be issued; If a spectator is caught playing, they must pay the appropriate fees and golfing privileges will be suspended for 30 days.
Spectators must be at least 10 years of age with an accompanied resident/guest
Spectator golf cars must remain on the path
One (1) spectator limit per person, with a maximum of four (4) spectators per foursome not to exceed four (4) total golf carts"

None of this applies to Country Club courses, other than pay the whole fee and drive. If they have the twilight program in the summer, then the cost would be low to pay and enjoy the ride.

Good to know, I think I would just tag along with somebody who is golfing. I have a rib issue which stops me from being able to play at this time. Thankfully, TV offers so much to do I am just switching gears from my original retirement plans for now which included golf and a lot of other physical activity until when / if it heals.

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People who are not playing golf or riding with a golfer should not be allowed on the golf courses. They place themselves in danger of being struck by a golf ball and they might be disturbing to people trying to concentrate on their golf game.

I frequently see people walking their dog on a course that I play quite a bit and I always think that one of them or their dog is going to get clocked some day.

As far as amenity fees, we all pay them and we are all welcome to take advantage of the golf courses by playing them.

I agree!

Golf courses are not for Sunday strolls or otherwise. It's frustrating enough having to wait for slower groups in front.

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Yes, many of the golf courses are beautiful just to drive around.

But Golfers have to pay an additional fee, beyond the amenity fee, to drive on the cart paths. The fee is per golfer, not per cart... so each golfer in the cart pays a fee. It's $4 per person or about $140 per year.

There is some kind of rule about a non-golfer riding along with a golfer for a round. I'm not sure what it is but a stop at one of the starter shacks would clear that up.

Even when a golfer decides for some reason he can't play anymore and wants to leave the game... driving on the trail to get off the course takes some care so you don't get clobbered by a golf ball. At each tee box you ask the group there to wait till you are out of range on your drive to the next tee box, before the tee off. It's usually not a problem but you would not have time to sightsee on your way to the next tee box.

This is not an idea most golfers would be happy with.