Championship Courses, nickle & diming of Players
 

Played Lopez on Monday. I knew the green fees had gone up $1/round, however, was surprised when told that the small warm up baskets are now costing $2. The $2 now buys you 18 golf balls rather than 12 in the past.
I might be able to understand the green fees increase (more profit) but the change in the warm up basket is just not right.........what possible cost increase could have happened to justify the increase?
I have sent an email to golf course Administration Department.

We are forgetting one thing here. We are in TV and in many cases it is similar to the ole proverbial saying...why does a dog lick em? Because he can! Lol. Why do they raise the prices of homes higher than inflation, demand, costs, or raise other prices at courses, stores, fees? Because they can!
But, we still can't fault them, if we don't like it, go somewhere else or don't participate in it. As I say, others should start what the Morses did than they can do what they like too. They took the chance and built a great place to enjoy. Who ever said it would come cheap?

warmup basket.
 

Never heard of warm up balls before. I'd pay the buck for 12 balls.
I hate to leave good shots on the practice range.

Can two guys share the 18 balls? I would do that...

Just thought I would throw this in for fun. Yes I know about warm up balls prior to playing, and chances are ya did use up your best shots than! Lol can do the the same by just swinging a club with a weight. I used to be very good and gave pointers as i worked part time at a golf store, and played in many tournaments, but I never take it seriously now. It is a hoot to watch these young 250 lbs muscle men walk up to a drive and swing so hard they could start a propeller. Than it goes maybe 250 yards at best and they beat their chest. :) I have seen females including my 5'4 115 lb niece walk up to a shot swing easy and consistent and hit it about 240.
On the course too many people watch the pros. I laugh and say after some one takes two of their best swings prior to hitting the ball, ya wasted those. Just like looking at a mark while behind a ball for aim. Most don't know why but looks good! After their practice swings, they metamorphis into this hulk where their veins are popping out of their forehead and it doesn't look anything like their practice. Try to walk up to the shot, address the ball, and swing like a easy going practice. you will play much better.
Let me know if you tried it...

Where's the fun in that??!!?? Like Lee Trevino once said...swing hard! You never know when you might hit it!! :thumbup: :D

We all ae entitled to our opinion which in fact the vlue of an opinion =0.

However, on the one hand I understand that business people will charge what the traffic will bear. However on the other hand it would seem to me that there is a somewhat altered relationship between the owner of the championship courses and residents. But the reality is residents are viewed as a captive group.

For those who have lived here for sometime going off campus from October through May is an enjoyable ritual where they are finding reasonable priced and quality golf courses that offer additional amenities

Golf in the Villages
 

I agree with the thoughts of the first posting. The Villages and the residents have a unique relationship and simply going elsewhere is not a reasonable souution to being goughed by pricing. Without the Residents there would be no Villages and without the Developer there would be no Villages. So in a sense both depend on each other. Now to my main point; Three years ago I did a survey during the month of March. The survey was to determine the prevailing green fees within a 25 mile radius. I accumulated the green fees from 23 local golf courses and found it outragous that except for Orange Blossom, the top six with the highest green fees were the Villages Championship courses. The comparison green fees were based on the "Resident" fees in the Villages. I might toss in the fact that the "outside" green fees included a golf cart whereby in the Villages needing a golf cart will cost extra. In most cases the Villages green fees and Priority fees have gone up three fold in the past 15 years. Why should a Villager be taken advantage of simply because he enjoys driving his personal golf cart to the courses. ??? Harold Schwartz where are you when we need you ?????????

after Washington D.C. area for 20 years, I still think the prices here are a steal. The quality of these courses for less than 200 dollars a round is a great deal for my taste.
:BigApplause:

Oh MY.
 

This post and thread is so unlike your usual ones that I HAVE to take it seriously.

I wonder myself why this has happened and just at the start of the season.

Please let us know what you hear back.

What is a shame
 

All of these nice convenient courses and LOTS of Villagers play off-campus to avoid the high cost...

I did receive a reply to my email to Golf Administration.
Although I don't totally agree with them............they did respond and I respect that. And they did get some feedback.
FYI


Thanks for taking the time to share your concern and allowing us to respond. Just wanted to share a couple facts with you. Our last increase to range fees was in 2006, and an increase was needed to cover increasing operational cost. We discussed our the options at length and decided to increase the individual token cost, and leave the range cards/packages status quo for the time being, therefore the avid practicer would not be affected. With the increase in the token price, we had to address the warm-up bucket, and we felt this was the best option available to us.



We respect your opinion, and while you may not agree, hopefully this will give you some additional information to consider.



Best Regards…Erik

High Cost when bumped against other courses in this area yes..... However, high cost when compared to other areas with the same amenities, no.....
I have played in Wash D.C. and Atlanta for the past 30 years and trust me, golf here with the country club environment for the cost is CHEAP, INEXPENSIVE, LOW COST AND A STEAL. If all prices for the championship courses DOUBLED, I would still be very happy with the cost of play in The Villages. If they want to give it to us for $5.00 a round, I am OK with that, but really, $50.00 dollars for a championship quality course and 18 holes, You find that high. Where are you from?

Just as an FYI - I play with 2 members of a semi-private club in So. Fl.
Right now, today in fact, I payed $75.00 for a round as a member-guest.

A bucket of balls - about 30-35 is $8.00.

Don't forget the value of the transportation time and fuel cost to the off campus courses.

Very good point IDM. I have played the Continental Country Club course south of 44 and it is only about 25 or 30 dollars and that includes the first beer and a hot dog at the end, but it is not a country club like ours in The Villages. I enjoy the course and the cost is unbelievable. Yet, it is not as nice of a day as going to Palmer or any course in The villages in your cart, food and drink at the 19th hole and back home without a car. For me, this is the best you can get.