[rokhopr]

we are new to the villages and new to golf - love both!

question: why is it required to get a Thevillages ID to access The Tee Time System ? seems like a nickle and dime approach to fees ($8/month) any clue as to why this is necessary ? (we have comcast for internet so dont need dial-up) - thanks for any who may know!!!

[Fourpar]

There is a history behind the $8 monthly charge that just started last summer. Won't bore you with the details, but it isn't going away.

Your Village ID number is how the system knows who you are, your priority membership status (if any), your play history, trail fee status, and your points status: all of which play in how tee times are reserved. The system is quite sophisticated, and it works well, IMHO. There are those who try to abuse it, and some succeed. But by and large it is a good system.

Having said that there are many who still resent the $8/month charge, but since it isn't going away, most of us just roll with it as the system works well.
Of course if you are over the top about the $8, you can still use the (free) phone reservation system....

Welcome aboard!

[coach]

Take the Good Golf School. It is a one day about 3 hour class on how to use the tee time system. Well worth your time.

[Fourpar]

Originally Posted by coach

Take the Good Golf School. It is a one day about 3 hour class on how to use the tee time system. Well worth your time.

It should be mandatory before anyone gets on a golf course!

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Fourpar

It should be mandatory before anyone gets on a golf course!

Not sure why you felt you needed to bold this.

I would agree that the course would be good for newbies (to golf) but I've played many times in TV without feeling the need to take a class. I found the tee time system simple and well explained on the web site. And the rest of the class is second nature to most of us who have played golf for the majority of our adult lives.

New to golf - Sure the course would be of great help.

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by Fourpar

It should be mandatory before anyone gets on a golf course!

Why?? It is self explanatory.

[katezbox]

I have to agree with Russ and Zcave -

Many folks take up golf when they come to TV - and there is so much to learn besides how to hit a good ball.

TV has a Good Golf Guide in print form and on the website. I am still working so would rather be playing golf for three hours and reading up on good golf when it is dark out!

[alemorkam]

You do not need to pay to use the Tee Time System. You can access the Tee time System via the Telephone free of charge.

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by alemorkam

You do not need to pay to use the Tee Time System. You can access the Tee time System via the Telephone free of charge.

As Fourpar said previously....

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by flowerlady1

The TT System is light years ahead of the Telephone System. Instead of complaining about the price, consider having 2 less drinks downtown each month and you'll be able to afford the $8.00 with a couple of bucks to spare.

[rokhopr]

Thanks to all for your insights!

we can certainly afford the $8/month - the point was it seemed like a nickle/dime approach to snag a few pennies for what amounts to an online application to control the 400 holes (or so) that are available. we are told the online system is much better than the VRU (phone system) - and we will likly sign up.

we have no idea how they arrived at that number ($8), but having 30 years experience in info systems cost recovery, our guess is that this system is recovering it costs 10 times over!!

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by rokhopr

we have no idea how they arrived at that number ($8), but having 30 years experience in info systems cost recovery, our guess is that this system is recovering it costs 10 times over!!

This was debated a year or so ago when they gave up the freebie if you were a Comcast subscriber. The online system is much better but I was able to use the telephone system quite well when I was visiting for a few weeks. Then again it was off-season so it was easy to get what I wanted.