[TheVillageChicken]

Originally Posted by rubicon

This is all about speeding up play(.) The golf industry is concerned about profits and are trying to dumb down the game so more people stick with the game. To me all these gimmicks with trying to make the game easier amounts to cheating. Its like retaining the training wheels on a bicycle...how are you ever going to learn. I am a high handicapper who understands ready golf but you take away much of the challenge and many players will lose interest.

My personal view is that making the game easier will make it more sociable and in the end defeat the goal of stepping up play.

If you designate certain courses as 6" and certain courses as 4 1/4" you will limit everyone's choices and perhaps unintentionally create a scarcity of available tee times

Finally ask yourself why did golf invent the handicap? answer to place all players on a level playing field. what else could you want? I'll bet some folks would answer self initiating drone clubs that when programed allow you to play par golf.

Here you go

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhCtkZbLpWs]Swingless Golf Club - YouTube[/ame]

[Nipper]

Originally Posted by russtcc

Seems like a few are cranky about this. I've played for golf for 48 years down to a 4 handicap in the past. I play the ball down and follow all the rules. I will play the regulation hole. But my wife who let me play all those years is a novice. I'm sure she will enjoy playing with the larger hole. I appreciate the Villages giving it a try on some of the executive courses.

If you don't like it, don't play on the courses that have it. I think there are plenty of courses to play. I'm betting a lot will find it fun. Fun is why we moved to the Villages.

Thank you. I couldn't agree more. This is not the PGA --- this is recreational golf for all skill levels. If you don't like it, play on the championship golf courses. It has nothing to do with a person's intelligence. Dumbing down?? Really?

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by TheVillageChicken

Here you go
Swingless Golf Club - YouTube

I would buy a swingless golf club just to see the look on my husband's face when I hit the ball 200 feet.
Priceless.

Now, back to the topic ....
A few larger holes on some of the easier Level 1 and 2 courses?
It's not going to cause anyone major trauma.

[jebartle]

Your kidding me!...Really!!!!!

[blueash]

Originally Posted by marlinguy

Geez, really. Raise the price and the demand diminishes! So, raise the fees across the board until enough "chaff" disappears and the play is normalized.

And while we are raising the cost to get rid of the chaff, we should start charging for tennis time and pickleball. We need to go at least $2 for a rack of billiards balls so there is not so much wear and tear on the tables. And of course put tolls booths at all the gates, or you can get a MorsePass on your cart linked to your credit card to get the number of golf carts down. The options to get the chaff people to stay in their house leaving uncrowded recreation only available to superior wheat people are endless. And of course I want Marlinguy to be the one to draw the line. I only don't understand how paying more means we get the wheat not just the wealthy. In my experience some of the nicest people, and some of the faster golfers might be priced out of the game if we raised the cost. Geez really.

[TheVillageChicken]

I think the larger holes should have a mechanism at the bottom that automatically transports the ball into the ball washer at the next tee box. This will prevent us old timers from falling into the chasm as we retrieve our balls and will also speed up play.

Now, to let everyone know that we have chosen to play the sissy pins, all balls should be pink for this option.

The holes should not be round, but rather have varied shapes such as hearts, puppy dogs, angel wings, shamrocks, and smiley faces.

To prepare for a round, there should be a sufficient number of these giant holes on the practice green. If not, the complaints department will be overwhelmed.

Now, for the greens keeper's dilemma. The first time they cut the big hole (with equipment that has yet to be invented) what do they do with the plug...there is no old hole to receive it???

Anyone who responds to the above remarks as if they were meant to be taken seriously must be a joy to be around.

[bargee]

Whats next,clowns,windmills and water fountains?

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Fourpar

Really??? ...And how about some windmills, gates, & tunnels, etc. just to make it more entertaining?

Originally Posted by bargee

Whats next,clowns,windmills and water fountains?

OK, that's two posts in favor of windmills. Anyone else?

Originally Posted by TheVillageChicken

The holes should not be round, but rather have varied shapes such as hearts, puppy dogs, angel wings, shamrocks, and smiley faces.

Pink balls and holes shaped like hearts, now you're talking!

[zonerboy]

If you don't like a restaurant (too expensive, too slow, too noisy, poor food, etc.) then don't eat there.

If you don't like a game, don't play it.

If you don't like six inch cups on certain executive courses (too easy, not "real" golf, whatever), then play on courses with regulation cups.

Good Grief! Don't let the control freaks rule the Universe!

By the way, slow play is not a matter of poor putting. It's a matter of hitting a bad tee shot, then spending ten minutes looking for your one dollar ball.

[TheVillageChicken]

Originally Posted by zonerboy

If you don't like a restaurant (too expensive, too slow, too noisy, poor food, etc.) then don't eat there.

If you don't like a game, don't play it.

If you don't like six inch cups on certain executive courses (too easy, not "real" golf, whatever), then play on courses with regulation cups.

Good Grief! Don't let the control freaks rule the Universe!

By the way, slow play is not a matter of poor putting. It's a matter of hitting a bad tee shot, then spending ten minutes looking for your one dollar ball.

How about the folks who stand paralyzed at address until they have had every negative thought possible about the shot?

[Dafoe]

Originally Posted by Happy Villager 1

Very good response! Short and to the point and exactly how I feel.

I also agree! If they want to create an easy playing area, why not create miniature golf rather than enlarging the holes!!

[Dafoe]

Originally Posted by indydealmaker

this seems like just another effort at dumbing down america! If it is difficult, just lower the bar. It is now politically correct to be incompetent.

i totally agree!

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by Happy Villager 1

Todd Basso, golf operations manager for The Villages, announced he
has ordered some 6 inch diameter cups to be used on selected executive
courses this summer on a trial basis. This was in yesterday's Daily Sun
article written by Steve Trivett.
I was waiting to see if someone else on TOTV was going to post comments
and am curious what people feel about it. Personally I am not in favor of
it. I am also wondering how it will work. The article stated it is more of an
experiment and will be rotated around the executive courses and they will
cut two holes on the greens - one a regulation hole and one a 6 inch hole.
You play the hole you want to play.
I guess I'm thick but how can you have two holes? What if I want to play
the regulation hole and the 6 inch hole is in my line?
Thoughts anyone?

If the golf division has the mindset to lower the skill level of golf to appease the least skilled golfers why not have four holes in each green. the regulation hole, the proposed 6 inch hole, and another hole at 8 inches and the fourth at 10 inches. The Villages already has the perception that we are a bunch of old people just one step from nursing home care. I personally would be embarrassed to tell any outsiders that we have "extras big golf holes"...

[rustyp]

The diameter of a golf ball today is 39.5% of the hole. If the hole were 6 inches the ball would be 28.0% of the whole - NOT FAIR. I say lets go to 6 sets of tees. Never mind - let's just start the hole by placing the ball on the green but to be fair, at the farthest point from the hole.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by Happy Villager 1

Todd Basso, golf operations manager for The Villages, announced he
has ordered some 6 inch diameter cups to be used on selected executive
courses this summer on a trial basis. This was in yesterday's Daily Sun
article written by Steve Trivett.
I was waiting to see if someone else on TOTV was going to post comments
and am curious what people feel about it. Personally I am not in favor of
it. I am also wondering how it will work. The article stated it is more of an
experiment and will be rotated around the executive courses and they will
cut two holes on the greens - one a regulation hole and one a 6 inch hole.
You play the hole you want to play.
I guess I'm thick but how can you have two holes? What if I want to play
the regulation hole and the 6 inch hole is in my line?
Thoughts anyone?

My question is revelent to your words. You state Todd Basso, "golf operations manager for the Villages" has ordered etc ........ We the residents actually are the owners of nearly all of the executive golf courses, so why is Todd Basso the golf operation manager the private company "GOLF MANAGMENT SOLUTIONS" the company owned by Ken Creely making decisions for courses you and I own???? I am opposed to any decision like this that degrades the ancient rules of golf. This is really a stupid idea. My solution for the person who likes the 6 inch hole idea, is simple, any ball that is within 1 inch of going in the hole can be determined to be "in the hole".