Driving Lessons
 

Even though DH and I have been visiting TV for several years, we purchased last March and might purchase a golf cart this upcoming trip. I frequently read posts that show cart owners frustrations with less experienced drivers. It has made me wonder if anyone or any organization/agency has ever offered "driving lessons" for new residents/golf cart owners?

Sure, my friends have driven us through the mazes and roundabouts and under the tunnels and over the bridges - but why would I ever pay any attention to where I was going? I was a guest and didn't own a cart - so who cared about the route from the Village of Silver Lake to LSL or Wal-mart!

It will be nice to get the key, a pat on the back, a good luck wish and the cart path map - but I sure would enjoy a guided tour of the cart paths instead! I understand it would likely be an inconvenience for the experienced resident [something else for them to frustrate over], but if the day/time was widely advertised and the motoring newbies group was kept to less than a parade, this might turn out to be a good idea in the long term.

[gentle ribbing enjoyed - flames will make me cry, thank you]

I am not going to flame you or even gently rib you. You are justified in feeling you are going to frustrate us based on some of what you read here. Rest assured your cart driving here can be a pleasant experience. Maps are available at the sales offices and they show cart paths as well as streets. There is orientation available for cart drivers. Just operate the cart as you would a car. Observe signs, be kind to pedestrians, stay in lanes and watch out for cars. I will yield to you whenever possible as will most of us but don't count on it. Keep in the cart lane along the streets. I yield to pedestrians but am very careful to not pull out of the lane to pass them unless there is no car traffic coming behind me. Be especially careful passing pedestrians who are not walking facing the traffic. They don't have a clue. If they did they would walk facing traffic.

The cart paths south of 466 are wide but north of 466 they are narrow but striped. This will soon change as a large cart path rebuilding program is in the works.

You got some very good advice from downeaster. Get a map from the sales office or at Banner Mercantile. Some of the pro shops might have maps also. Go out for a drive and bring your map. If you are lost, just pull over onto the grass beside the cart path and open your map. Someone will stop to see if they can be of assistance. It happens all the time... :) Part of The Villages golf cart experience is driving around, maybe getting lost, and eventually finding your way back home....it actually is fun. Set aside some time and just go for a ride. We've been here over three years and still enjoy riding around looking at different villages. You'll quickly learn your way around when you do it yourself. You'll also become more orientated directionally when you drive around on your own. Bring water and a snack, also a camera....you'll see landscaping or outside details you might like to do at your own home. When we were trying to figure out what we'd like to do to our driveway and landscaping, we drove around the community. Hubby and I met lots of people who were willing to share information on work done at their homes....contractors names, approximate prices paid, time the project took, etc. One lady invited us into her home to view some work she had done in her kitchen. She was very sweet.

Villages sales office also has a very good brochure on golf cart safety.

A guided tour for newbies sounds like a great idea but, IMHO, very impractical. There are hundreds of ways to get around via cart paths and the multimodal trails. To tour these trails would take hours and hours, if not days... and electric carts would only be able to cover a small portion at a time. Best way to do it is to buy a map with the trails and study the different ways from getting from point B to point A and then try different routes to see which you prefer. Good luck!

I wouldn't worry about this.If you read various threads and listen most of the people here are really friendly.If you get lost not only will people give you directions to your destination alot will actually stop what they're doing and have you follow them.So don't be afraid to just jump in your cart and explore.It's part of the fun we're all having here..Welcome:crap2:
In no time you'll be a real pro at navigating the villages in a golf cart

You will have no trouble getting around with a sweet attitude like this. Pull over and someone will tell you how to get where you are goin'. I volunteer to ride shotgun with you any day of the week for a tour....as soon as we can get down there.

The VHA, in conjunction with the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, offers a free Golf Cart Drivers Clinic each month. I forget what day it is held on but it is usually held at The Savannah Center. Check the VHA web site for the date and go to the clinic. It is well worthwhile.

One other thing that has helped many villagers is a compass.
You will see them on lots of carts! It is easy to get turned the wrong direction and a compass really helps. They only cost a few bucks and can be found at places like wal-mart, auto zone, etc.

Finding my way around
 

When I was there for a preview, I used my iPhone GPS in the satellite view to find my way around.... Worked great. I would think a portable GPS would do the same, although, would not show the cart paths like the iPhone. Any cell phone with GPS should work.:024: