"Evening Wave" golf prices
 

I played at Mallory Hills tonight and Tee'd off after 4 pm.

I've always understood, that if you play in the last "Wave" (for lack of a better way to describe it), you paid the posted rate (in this case, the posted rate is $17), you can play as many holes as daylight allows. Reading the 2022 Rate Sheet, it seems to say there is no "9 Hole Rate" at that time of day and it's one rate and you can play as much as you want.

I played 9 holes in 55 minutes and was going to continue and was told I had to return to the Clubhouse and pay another "9 hole rate". I was told "unlimited play" ended 2 years ago.

I was here from January - May this year and I was always told that play was unlimited after 3 pm/4 pm, depending on the clock and Daylight Savings adjustments.

I'm going to call the golf office tomorrow and inquire, but I'm curious about other folk's experience with this.

Sounds like you are correct and the other person is incorrect.

Unlimited play is available at the full evening rate as posted on the rate sheet from June 1 to December 31. If you go out during the evening, and state at the clubhouse that you only intend to play 9 holes, you will only be charged half the evening rate. At most courses, the unlimited play evening rate for a non priority resident is $20, but they will only charge $10 if you only go out for 9 holes. The unlimited rate is a great deal during the summer months when it gets dark out at 8:00 or later, typical evening thunderstorms aside.

During the months of January through May, there is no difference in AM or PM wave rates, and the evening rates (after the PM wave) are half the wave rate and includes unlimited play. Until the clocks are moved forward in March, it’s very difficult to get in more than 9 holes after the PM wave concludes. At least that’s how the rates during busy season worked this year. We should find out sometime in the next week or so what the busy season rates will be starting January 1st, 2023. Fingers crossed that non priority resident rates will remain close to the $64 charged at most courses during the 2022 busy season. Stay tuned, new rates are typically released in the middle of the month before the new rates become effective.

That is exactly how I understood the rates to work. I just checked my Debit Card Receipt from tonight and I was charged the full $17 rate (I'm an EM). (4) different people at Mallory Hills, confirmed the Starter's opinion, that I was only entitled to play 9 Holes, without paying an additional $17.

Thanks for the thoughtful response ... I love when I'm right 😂

We'll see what the say when I call the Golf Office in the morning.

From the golf rates…..

Unlimited Play will be available at the 18-hole rate during the evening wave. Play is based on availability (at the same course) and is good for the rest of the day. This includes tee times beginning at 3:00pm at Orange Blossom Hills, Southern Oaks, and Tierra Del Sol. Golf car rental is NOT unlimited.

That's exactly how I understood the rates to work. The Starter wouldn't let me play a 2nd 9 and sent me to the Pro Shop. There were THREE employees there, all of whom said that "Unlimited Play" ended 2 years ago. I know that earlier this year, I got "unlimited play" the 3 or 4 times I went out after 4 pm.

I just sent an inquiry into The Villages Golf and I'm curious what they're going to say. Given what I was told at Mallory Hills today, playing 18 Holes after 4 pm, would be more expensive than playing in the 2nd Wave ($34 vs $28).

Regardless of what's correct and what's incorrect -
try to have a little compassion for the employees who are not -allowed- to leave until the last group has returned. If a group knows they're generally slow, it'd be great if they accepted that teeing off at 4 would mean a 9-hole game. Maybe go to the executive course instead, if they absolutely must play after 4. Afternoon shift folks sometimes get stuck for up to an hour past the time they're supposed to work, just because the last group is especially slow since they know no one is behind them.

Brian, you are correct, it is clearly laid out in the rate sheet that the full evening rate includes unlimited play. Since they charged you the full evening rate, they should have given you one of the things that you stick on the windshield frame of your golf cart that shows the starter you paid for unlimited play. Their bad, not yours, $hit happens. I play a lot during the evening (not crowded, way cheaper, and a great time of the day) and have never experienced that, but as we are all too well aware, good help is difficult to find these days. If it ever happens again, ask to speak to the club pro, that should set things straight.

Hmmm, it’s been so many times I can’t remember, but the employees aren’t required to stay until the last group finishes (remember, your using your cart, not theirs). The starters typically leave, and the pro shop locks up (unless your playing Hacienda Hills were the pro shop was torn down) well before dark and the ambassadors will do a drive by and give you a last call for sand and water because they are going home. The ambassadors tell you to enjoy the rest of your round. The only requirement is that you exit the course by dusk.

The 9-hole “unlimited” play is only in effect during the high rate season, (January 1st thru May 31st). During the low rate season, (June 1st thru December 31st) if you pay for 9, you can only play 9.

I just re-read your post and the follow ups. If you paid $17.00, that means you paid for 18 which means you should’ve been allowed to play the second 9 as well as any additional you could get in.

Outside staff aren’t required to stay until everyone is off the course unless they are waiting on rental carts. Rental carts are required back 30 minutes before dusk.

That's what I thought. I was given the "Sticker" and from what I recall (I've only been TV for a year), that Sticker is mean to show the Starters that I've paid full price and can play until I can't see the ball any longer (I was in my own cart).

What baffles me, is all (4) employees had the exact same story. "The play all you want, ended 2 years ago". They were adamant about it and I didn't argue. I was particularly frustrated, because I've been playing poorly lately and have a lessoned scheduled for this morning and I wanted a chance to try a few changes on the course. I could have simply paid the extra $17, but by the time I got sent back to the Pro Shop and listened to all their explanations (apparently wrong ones), I knew I'd get stuck in the darkness, by the time I got to the 4th or 5th hole.

As you or someone else said, I find that time of day, a great time of day to play, especially when I'm playing poorly and trying to sort out my swing. I managed a 45 Hole Country Club a few years back and after working all day, would often get on the course around 5:30 - 6:00 and be able to play 18 holes in less than 2 hours (in a cart, of course). Great practice.

Everyone seems to be in agreement, that I was given wrong information. I understand how difficult it is to get help these days, but (4) employees coming up with the same (wrong) answer, is hard to digest.

I think you have it backwards. 9 hole rate is on the June to dec rates.
https://www.golfthevillages.com/images/Summer2022.pdf

Last high season, the 9 hole rate was in effect. I still work, and played a lot of golf starting at 330 or 4 - usually played 12 or 14 holes after work.

No longer termed priority. It's now"enhanced. "