[westcoast]

There seems to be a lot of greens that have bare spots and
some under repair. Saddle brook green two was completely
redone not too long ago and now is closed for repair. Just wondering if this is normal for all courses
in are area or just here. I don't play companionship courses
so I don't know about those. Does anybody have a back ground
in course management and could comment on this. I guess
my question is could some of these green problems be avoided?

[JGVillages]

Originally Posted by westcoast

There seems to be a lot of greens that have bare spots and
some under repair. Saddle brook green two was completely
redone not too long ago and now is closed for repair. Just wondering if this is normal for all courses
in are area or just here. I don't play companionship courses
so I don't know about those. Does anybody have a back ground
in course management and could comment on this. I guess
my question is could some of these green problems be avoided?

I have been here for 10+ years and course conditions (I speak for Championship) have been inconsistent at best, but for the last year they have been the worst I have seen. Excuses abound for their conditioning but admission of a problem from the Golf Division does not happen. I believe the GMS is totally revenue driven and chooses to put "reasonable" course conditioning on the back burner until it hurts their pocketbook. Unfortunately "reasonable" conditions can have a wide spectrum of interpretation from golfer to golfer, resulting in a wide variety of Resident opinions on this issue.

[NativeNewYorker]

Originally Posted by westcoast

There seems to be a lot of greens that have bare spots and
some under repair. Saddle brook green two was completely
redone not too long ago and now is closed for repair. Just wondering if this is normal for all courses
in are area or just here. I don't play companionship courses
so I don't know about those. Does anybody have a back ground
in course management and could comment on this. I guess
my question is could some of these green problems be avoided?

greens are in terrible shape. Up north, this course would be considered a poor muny.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by NativeNewYorker

greens are in terrible shape. Up north, this course would be considered a poor muny.

Up north, it costs $$$$ to play.

[fred53]

If you throw enough money at the greens they would be in much better shape, but your fees would soar. Nature dealt the greens a warm fall and that didn't help. If you really are interested then call GMS and ask. If not then next time you're in the golf shop ask the manager of the course that services those exec. courses. They will also know. Going to the source beats asking online in a forum...unless you're lucky enough to have a course manager on this forum.

[fred53]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Up north, it costs $$$$ to play.

having lived in Maine for 35 years there are expensive(to me)courses and those that are reasonable for such a short season. I don't think $35 for 18holes is unreasonable...you?

[Topspinmo]

Yes, I am discussed, I three putt all the time inflating my exaggerated score. I know I can break 50 on these courses if I take enough shots over or don't count some. Now I can blame it on the greens

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by NativeNewYorker

greens are in terrible shape. Up north, this course would be considered a poor muny.

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Up north, it costs $$$$ to play.

Originally Posted by fred53

having lived in Maine for 35 years there are expensive(to me)courses and those that are reasonable for such a short season. I don't think $35 for 18holes is unreasonable...you?

Most golfers I know play three times weekly, and pay $400 - $1,000 per month.
Maybe not exorbitant, but definitely more expensive than free golf for life.
I am very impressed that The Villages provides a choice of over 35 executive golf courses.
Granted, some courses aren't in great shape, but they're FREE.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Up north, it costs $$$$ to play.

It isn't free to golf here. Kind of like the line from the sales agent, "there's no HOA fee here".

[JGVillages]

Originally Posted by fred53

If you throw enough money at the greens they would be in much better shape, but your fees would soar. Nature dealt the greens a warm fall and that didn't help. If you really are interested then call GMS and ask. If not then next time you're in the golf shop ask the manager of the course that services those exec. courses. They will also know. Going to the source beats asking online in a forum...unless you're lucky enough to have a course manager on this forum.

Been there , done that. Have contacted them off and on for 10 years and always the same excuses. Too warm/too hot/not enough rain/too much rain/etc. etc. These excuses are valid now and then but not most every year, year round.
Palmer will be closed for around 6 weeks. Most all of the championship courses are in poor to mediocre shape. The Golf Division brings in big profits for "the Family" so with proper and knowledgable Golf Course maintenance, conditions could be vastly improved without a significant cost increase.

[rjn5656]

If the family played, conditions would be better. But they don't care.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by rjn5656

If the family played, conditions would be better. But they don't care.

I suppose its fun to post something like this, for some people.
I doubt very much that it is true........................

[Mleeja]

I have a suggestion. Have each course close for two days per week. This will allow for proper maintenance to the greens and tee boxes and give the courses a chance to heal.

[Buckeye Bob]

Played Escambia on Monday and the greens were excellent; some of the best I've seen in sometime.

[rubicon]

Let me preface this with ITS HEARSAY. Let me also ask if someone out there knows if the following is gospel.

I was told (HEARSAY) that Arnold Palmer , probably via his organization, told The Villages that they were appalled at the condition of Palmer's course and if they did not fix the conditions of the course to their satisfaction they needed to remove the Palmer name.

I do know that Palmer's has been closed for some time and that they are doing extensive work even to the signage.

If it is true will fees go up? what affect this will have on all other courses here?

Those living in the villages are contract bound to paying of amenity fees and as such I am one inclined to be prudent about such application because if it is not watched closely the costs will continue upward unabated

Its clear that all the villages courses get heavy play, especially the executive courses.

Its also clear that not all villagers use all amenities.

Usage is a key ingredient and should be addressed