[Rainger99]

I just checked the price for the best public courses in Georgia and in Alabama - two nearby states.

In Georgia, the course is The Lakes at Laura S. Walker. During the week, the standard rate is $15 for 18 holes ($12 for 62 and older) plus $20 for a cart. On weekends, it is $20 for 18 holes. There are specials right now that you can play for $22.99 for 18 holes including a cart!

The best course in Alabama is Ol' Colony Golf Complex. The green fees for Monday to Thursday are $65 with a cart – $40 walking. Weekends the price is $75 with a cart - $50 walking. And for golfers over 62, the price (Monday to Friday is $55 with a cart and $35 walking).

They aren’t accessible for golf cart from The Villages but they were the highest rated public courses in Georgia and Alabama. I saw an article from Golf Digest which ranked the top 75 public courses in Florida. None of the Championship courses were listed.

[kkingston57]

Played Glenview today and course was in fabulous condition. On that course price is fair($50 with a priority membership) Other courses not worth the money. Only wish owners could get other courses up to these conditions. Hacienda and Orange Blossom need a good bulldozer and completely re sod both.

[laboutj]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

Comparing TV championship courses to Orlando specials weekday deals isn't quite fair, as the Orlando courses are also bringing in 200$+ on weekends. So they are making plenty of money. So unless you do the calculations for the average price per round all month, you aren't getting a comparable price. TV courses prices are flat no matter what day of the week you play. . (I may be incorrect, but the difference is not like weekday / weekend in Orlando) So everyone is kind of like comparing where and when they golf occasionally to where they want to play daily. .

stupid human brain biases. . . .

I'm not sure which courses in Orlando are $200+ on a weekend (Waldorf Astoria, Bay Hill?), I've certainly never played them.

Throw out Orlando and compare something close by: Harbor Hills. Conditioning is comparable if not a little better than Bonifay, Evans Prairie, Havana or Belle Glade. For Villagers prices including a cart are around $45 during the week, slightly higher on the weekends. To me that is apples to apples except for the convenience of using your own cart. Some call that a convenience, to me it's less wear and tear and gas used to use someone else's cart.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I just checked the price for the best public courses in Georgia and in Alabama - two nearby states.

In Georgia, the course is The Lakes at Laura S. Walker. During the week, the standard rate is $15 for 18 holes ($12 for 62 and older) plus $20 for a cart. On weekends, it is $20 for 18 holes. There are specials right now that you can play for $22.99 for 18 holes including a cart!

The best course in Alabama is Ol' Colony Golf Complex. The green fees for Monday to Thursday are $65 with a cart – $40 walking. Weekends the price is $75 with a cart - $50 walking. And for golfers over 62, the price (Monday to Friday is $55 with a cart and $35 walking).

They aren’t accessible for golf cart from The Villages but they were the highest rated public courses in Georgia and Alabama. I saw an article from Golf Digest which ranked the top 75 public courses in Florida. None of the Championship courses were listed.

To be on the Golf Digest list, you need to put forth and effort (i.e. let Golf Digest know you want to be on their list) and have “raters” (basically people who play all these courses and rate them) come and play the courses - and you need a lot of raters.

What is the advantage to TV by being on the list? Will houses sell faster or for more money?

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I just checked the price for the best public courses in Georgia and in Alabama - two nearby states.

In Georgia, the course is The Lakes at Laura S. Walker. During the week, the standard rate is $15 for 18 holes ($12 for 62 and older) plus $20 for a cart. On weekends, it is $20 for 18 holes. There are specials right now that you can play for $22.99 for 18 holes including a cart!

The best course in Alabama is Ol' Colony Golf Complex. The green fees for Monday to Thursday are $65 with a cart – $40 walking. Weekends the price is $75 with a cart - $50 walking. And for golfers over 62, the price (Monday to Friday is $55 with a cart and $35 walking).

They aren’t accessible for golf cart from The Villages but they were the highest rated public courses in Georgia and Alabama. I saw an article from Golf Digest which ranked the top 75 public courses in Florida. None of the Championship courses were listed.

I just checked the price of a public course in California - not even their best public course. Pebble Beach is $575 plus $45 cart fee.

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

I just checked the price of a public course in California - not even their best public course. Pebble Beach is $575 plus $45 cart fee.

PB is a bucket list course so they can afford to charge whatever they can get.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I play the executive courses about 99% of the time. That is because
1. I am not a very good golfer.
2. I don’t want to spend 5 or more hours playing golf including travel time.
3. They are free.

I was just checking the prices at the Championship courses and they range from $50 at Orange Blossom Hills to $58 at Hacienda and the rest are $64 except for Southern Oaks which is $69.

These seem fairly high for public courses.

Executive courses are not free, we pay amenities and yearly maintenance upkeep. Agree if you walk you don’t have to pay up front, but there not free, somebody (every villager) paying.

As for championship courses advanced golfer like more of challenge and they elect to pay for it.

[MSchad]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Executive courses are not free, we pay amenities and yearly maintenance upkeep. Agree if you walk you don’t have to pay up front, but there not free, somebody (every villager) paying.

You are correct that they aren’t “free.” Our amenities fee pays for the majority of the cost to maintain and operate. Just like it pays for our pools, pickle ball courts, rec centers, etc. All the amenities we enjoy.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Executive courses are not free, we pay amenities and yearly maintenance upkeep. Agree if you walk you don’t have to pay up front, but there not free, somebody (every villager) paying.

As for championship courses advanced golfer like more of challenge and they elect to pay for it.

Originally Posted by MSchad

You are correct that they aren’t “free.” Our amenities fee pays for the majority of the cost to maintain and operate. Just like it pays for our pools, pickle ball courts, rec centers, etc. All the amenities we enjoy.

OK, OK, we get it.
Subsistute "already paid for" for "free" and you get the idea.

Executive course = no money out of pocket beyond trail fee
Championship course= greens fee out of pocket, around $50...

I think we all know that the executive courses aren't technically free.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by MSchad

You are correct that they aren’t “free.” Our amenities fee pays for the majority of the cost to maintain and operate. Just like it pays for our pools, pickle ball courts, rec centers, etc. All the amenities we enjoy.

If you check into a hotel and there is no extra charge for the beach or pool, I consider that the beach and pool are free. If you check into a hotel and there is a $50 resort fee to use the beach or pool, I consider that the beach and pool are extra. Just as in flying on a plane - if the Coca Cola is free, I consider it free. If I have to pay $3, I do not consider it free. I understand that the free coke is built into the ticket price but there is a difference between the two models. I was at a hotel once where there was a separate charge for the phone - which I didn’t even use. If the phone surcharge had been included in the price of the room, it would not have bothered me.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

Those courses up north are still in business so I assume that they are making money even with a short season and a lower price. If they can make money up north, the real question is why do the Championship courses charge so much for courses that are open the entire year. They should be raking in the money.

My suspicion is that they don't charge $35 (including cart) on a regular basis to everyone...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Executive courses are not free, we pay amenities and yearly maintenance upkeep. Agree if you walk you don’t have to pay up front, but there not free, somebody (every villager) paying.

As for championship courses advanced golfer like more of challenge and they elect to pay for it.

Really? They're not free? Gee, why hasn't anyone ever mentioned that before?

So, by your logic, the swimming pools aren't free, the rec centers aren't free, tennis/pickel ball aren't free, the walking paths aren't free... NOTHING is free!

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Really? They're not free? Gee, why hasn't anyone ever mentioned that before?

So, by your logic, the swimming pools aren't free, the rec centers aren't free, tennis/pickel ball aren't free, the walking paths aren't free... NOTHING is free!

Some can’t get pass the koolaid.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Really? They're not free? Gee, why hasn't anyone ever mentioned that before?

So, by your logic, the swimming pools aren't free, the rec centers aren't free, tennis/pickel ball aren't free, the walking paths aren't free... NOTHING is free!

Well, at least the flowers are free. Oh wait, they're not free either.
Dang.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by Laker14

Well, at least the flowers are free. Oh wait, they're not free either.
Dang.

The entertainment in the Town Squares is free!