That must have been a fancy neighborhood. Was it a public course?

Yes, it was a public course. The Links at Monarch Beach. Formerly owned by the St. Regis, now owned by the Waldorf-Astoria firm.

Prices seem to have gone down. According to their website, it costs $148 per player (cart included) for this Wednesday at 7:30 am.

Ya, those are weekday fees. Weekends are $200-$250 depending on season. Nice place, beautiful views, ocean front on a couple holes, but still - just grass with 18 holes in it.

I play the championship courses 3 times a week and yes, it's a little pricey but until someone tells me of a better deal somewhere else, I'm staying here in golf cart land.

I can't really afford Champ courses. Last one was a month and a half ago at southern oaks. $73 in the mid morning.

I lived just a few miles from Monarch and Laguna. Glad they are more affordable. Maui and Kauai are in the $350 range I remember with cart and clubs.

I could easily afford to play the Championship courses here in The Villages, but I don't. Way overpriced and boring for the money in my opinion. They should give you a $20 discount for using your own cart instead of one they would have to supply. Even then I would likely play outside The Villages. More interesting choices for the money.

Carts are money makers for courses...

Championship
 

Yes, for the quality you get and the fact that we provide our own golf carts. Overpriced.

What are the interesting choices that are nearby?

My husband is a priority member and plays the Championship courses 2 to 3 times per week year round. He likes the convenience of using his cart and being able to play in 4 to 4.5 hours. He rarely plays outside of TV but does go to Mission Hills and the Disney courses. He feels the price to play is fine.

They are too high for the quality of the courses, and you bring your own cart. But, they are priced about where demand equals supply, so for the Developer they are priced correctly. I am non-priority as I only play 1x per week. The last round at Hacienda was $68. And I figure the value of my cart at $20 (what most courses I know charge for 1/2 of a cart). So I was playing a $88 round. For $88 I expect a course to be in much better shape. When I am up north a $88 round would be a rarity, most courses are in the $35 - $55 including a cart. An $88 round would be on prestigious course with fast greens and championship level design. I have not been in the Villages very long (6 yrs) but the price has gone up substantially. When I started the prices were more like $50 to $55 (and I brought my own cart). But as mentioned, the courses seem to be getting this from enough people.

A top tier, private club, will spend $90,000 to 100,000 PER HOLE for maintenance every year.
Golf course maintenance metrics: It’s time to retire cost-per-hole - GCMOnline.com

So let’s say The Villages spends HALF that, $50,000, on each of the 333 championship holes - that’s $16.6 million.
Who’s paying for that? Who will be the first to complain when a championship course is converted to condos, because they can’t afford the maintenance?

I guarantee, those private clubs, spending $100,000 do not have near the number of rounds on each hole, that are played here.

Your perception is based upon your income level, your spending to value sensitivity, and your historical references. The public courses up north are 75-100 per person in the summer time. . they are free in the winter time, though there are mostly covered with snow

don't expect everyone to have the same set of bias components. If you aren't very good as stated, then just stick with executives and be happy. . .

Oh, and the problem with gold is that the pros on TV makes it look way too easy. . I can't read a f****** green to save my life, but i still try as I used to be a competitive (used to be!) athlete in several sports. . .