Do the Exec courses close at 6:54?
 

We like to play the Exec courses late in the afternoon because they are less crowded and it is cooler.

We went to Volusia just before 7:00 PM and the starter said we could not play because the last group had teed off at 6:54 and the course was closed. Have you ever heard of this?

At first we could not believe it, but then I thought maybe this policy is in effect to keep non-golfers off the course. Volusia is right next to the Sarasota practice area and it would be tempting for someone to bring a non-golfer to the practice area, hit a bucket of balls, and then let them play a few holes for free. I guess The Villages wants to prevent this.

Might be that country clubs policy(each set of exec. courses is governed by a championship course). The problem exec courses have are people from outside the villages playing, people who play late to avoid the trail fee, party people who damage the course and of course those who just want to screw around. Follow the rules and regs...it's easy.

I have played after 7 many times with no issues.

Same here. As long as your trail fees are paid, you're breaking no rules.

Yeah, so have we. That is why we were dumbfounded when the starter at Volusia told us we could not tee off after 6:54.

We are walkers, so there were no trail fees required.

Rules?
 

I have seen players walk on Executive Courses after the Starter leaves.

Why didn't you give him a few minutes to leave and go ahead and play?

(I don't golf, so I don't know how much of a forbidden act this might be.)

Also, with regard to the time, I'm sure it is within the scope of the Starter's authority to decide whether to close the course a few minutes before or after the official time.

I don't think many golfers playing the last hole or two to finish their round would agree with you.

Who's in charge?
 

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa
...Also, with regard to the time, I'm sure it is within the scope of the Starter's authority to decide whether to close the course a few minutes before or after the official time.

Of course they wouldn't. But, can you comment on the Starter's authority?

The original poster wasn't talking about people out on the course, but rather new starts.

Point taken. (Mixing threads...there is another one concerning on-course ambassador actions late in the day.)

But regarding the Exec Starter's authority. I have no idea what their official authority might be. I can only speak from experience. I have arrived more than once after 7:00 with the starters still in the shack. All they did was wish me a good round and send me off to the first tee. And rarely on such days am I the last person playing the course.

I have played golf only once in TV, on the De La Vista executive course. I went to the starter that afternoon and explained that I wanted to play a few holes when I wouldn't inconvenience anyone else with my poor game. He said to just turn up after 7pm. There were two other pairs playing while I was out there.

IMHO - there is more than we have heard to the OP story

99% of the time ambassadors are friendly, accommodating and helpful even though they put up with a lot of crap from players. It is impressive that they generally maintain their composure. There is the occasional ambassador because of ego and/or lack of knowledge leaves behind a less than pleasant experience. It is not worth the blood pressure rise to dispute these folks. Smile and move on. They likely will be gone by the next time you play.

I often play after 7:00 and have never had an issue. But a few nights ago, I was playing Sliver Lake at about 7:15 and an ambassador pulled up and asked me if I had an ID. I showed him my ID and he asked if my golf cart fee was paid. I told him it was and said, "Have a nice evening."