I see the advertisementf for The Villages which I believe states golf is free for life in The Villages. This raises the question as to how it can be free and still pay for great maintenance and the infrastructures, (e.g. Golf Management . etc.). How are these costs recovered. If it is through the monthly fee then in fact the residents are paying for golf only through a general fee and part of an allocation of income. . Of course there is a "trail fee" which may or may not go back to general maintenance as opposed to keeping up the cart paths. If it goes to any general maintenance then it is a recovery of golf expenses
I spent a great deal of time in Corporate Pricing and never saw anything that was really free. It is a matter of where the costs are recovered. This raised the question in my mind as to how golf can be free and still pay for the expenses. I am curious as on the surface it does not match reason?
Does anyone have any thoughts.
I want to be clear that I don't begrudge the Morse's any income, etc they may receive from The Villages as it is unbelievable what they have been able to accomplish and manage. I for one thank them for the wonderful life they have provided for me and my family. In no way should this be considered a criticism of them nor any of their actions. They are wonderful people.

[Russ_Boston]

Of course it isn't truly Free! The amenities fee (currently $135 per month for a new home) pays for the executive course fees and upkeep, rec center, pools etc. Contact any sales agent for full details on what is covered by the $135.

My agent just sent me a complete list of answers to these and many other questions I had on bonds, yearly assessments, taxes, insurance etc. for a new home.

[iaudit]

In addition to the amenity fee, there is also an annual trail fee if you use a motorized golf cart that is around $170. Also, there is the much debated $8 per month fee to use a computer to schedule your tee times. This can be eliminated if you use the phone system which is no where near as easy as the online system. Other than that, golf is free.

Of course we would have bought a home here regardless if we paid for golf but it does beg the question when they advertise "free golf for life" when it appears there are fees charged through other ways. It is strange that no one raised the question as to how when you buy a house and it dosen't include some sort of coverage for golf costs/expenses that golf is alread paid for without any additional revenue from owners to cover its expenses? I saw the Golf Management offices/complex and that is what struck me regarding covering expenses. How is it paid for if all golf is free.
I would suspect that revenue from the Championship courses does not cover all expenses?
I guess when I thought about it it raised a question in my mind and I thought maybe others had an explanation that I may be missing?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by iaudit

In addition to the amenity fee, there is also an annual trail fee if you use a motorized golf cart that is around $170. Also, there is the much debated $8 per month fee to use a computer to schedule your tee times. This can be eliminated if you use the phone system which is no where near as easy as the online system. Other than that, golf is free.

6 month trail fee $105.93
Yearly trail fee $141.24
http://www.golfthevillages.com/execu...olf/faq.asp#q2

[dillywho]

Just another thought. We do get a great deal here for $130+ monthly. My son lives in Jacksonville in a new townhouse and for $176 monthly he gets a postage stamp "yard" (consists of grass and bushes between the walk & parking lot), a party room, a pool, and a small workout room, and no golf courses or rec centers, etc. Even with the trail fees and annual assessment, we've still got a great deal. He would love to pay what he does for what we have.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by REH7380

Of course we would have bought a home here regardless if we paid for golf but it does beg the question when they advertise "free golf for life" when it appears there are fees charged through other ways. It is strange that no one raised the question as to how when you buy a house and it dosen't include some sort of coverage for golf costs/expenses that golf is alread paid for without any additional revenue from owners to cover its expenses? I saw the Golf Management offices/complex and that is what struck me regarding covering expenses. How is it paid for if all golf is free.
I would suspect that revenue from the Championship courses does not cover all expenses?
I guess when I thought about it it raised a question in my mind and I thought maybe others had an explanation that I may be missing?

This whole lifestyle in The Villages is just too good to be true. AND no one in the sales department tries to "sell" it to you and it is better than you thought it would be after you start to live here, and people who live here have "been there and done that"!!! (Many are world travelers and have lived very well in their previous life) And still it is just not to be believed. I take Art Lessons and pay one dollar for the snacks and two hours of skilled instruction. There is no charge for pickleball or tennis and the pools are all beautifully pristine. We have owned here for six months and have yet to see our first bit of debris, gum wrapper, .....that to me is just unbelievable. You can join over 100 clubs, from model airplanes to model trains to cheerleading and drill team...NO kidding! Please come on down and see for yourself. It is Paradise.

I do see a lot of old people here. I hope you like old people.

a

[graciegirl]

I saw you deleted your last post. I guess I didn't give you the answer you wanted.

There is NO additional charge for any of the executive courses but if you use your own golf cart, there is a yearly charge for trail fees, already stated. There is a charge for championship courses.

Perhaps the word free is the one that is bothering you? How can we help?

[Dirigo]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I do see a lot of old people here. I hope you like old people.

I used to see old people hobbling down the isle in the grocery store and think to myself "Poor buggers, they got old". Then I had the big "C", and I thought "Lucky buggers, they got to be old".

I survived after some rather brutal treatment that left me damaged forever. But, 70% of people with my kind of cancer don't live five years. I'm still around after 12 years.

Now when I develop an age-related ailment (arthritis, glaucoma suspect) I smile and think to myself "I'm a lucky bugger, I'm getting old".

I think old people are great! I really like 'em. And I hope I can be one someday...

Hi Graciegirl.
I deleted my last note as I felt the question was going to generate more focus than it deserved. It was meant as a simple cost allocation question.
Thanks for your interest and I agree the Villages are better than anywhere else in the country.

[Dirigo]

[QUOTE=REH7380;186221]I would suspect that revenue from the Championship courses does not cover all expenses?
QUOTE]

I did read in The Complete Guide to The Villages" by Ryan Erisman that if the clubhouses are in the red, the CCDs may increase their fee to cover it, so maybe championship golf is subsidized by the CCD fee.

[rshoffer]

If you can find a better deal, take it. This didn't become the most successful recreational/retirement community in the nation by chance. There is no better deal. After 'buildout' occurs all the 'frogs' will become princes / princesses. There is no better time to get a piece of the action.

[OpusX1]

The short answer is yes golf on the executive courses is free. I say it is free because you spend no more if you golf or don't golf. You do pay to ride but you can walk free. You do pay to make an online Tee time but you can do that for no cost also. On the other hand you can say that the golfers are subsidized by the non golfers as most all of us pay nearly the same monthly amenities fee.

[ijusluvit]

Back to the original question.

Yes, assuming the rules which have been in place for many years remain, you can golf for the rest of your life for free. Period. On lovely, and often very challenging executive courses to boot! (In five years I have yet to play with a golfer who has broken par on any course here.

I don't pay any fees. I went out and bought myself a hand cart and I play almost any time I wish as a single. Even in the winter there is always room for me somewhere. I admit it will be a bit more complicated to do phone reservations when I lose my free computer tee time reservation service, but I can play golf for free if I want to. It's one of many perks of living in TV.