[BamaBoy451]

So, since the answer I got from our Villages Golf Gods doesn't sound legit what's really going on? How does the present drought conditions cause the concrete cart paths to weaken by people using 3 or 4 golf carts? I stared forever at the last starter to tell me this. So I'm paying trail fees and not being able to use my cart and riding with a cigar smoker, sick coughing person, intestinal gas or bad BO, or someone who decides to leave halfway thru because of the heat?

[jimhoward]

As I am sure you know, it is not related to the concrete cart paths, it is to help protect the turf.

Most of the time, they let you drive your own cart if you are on your own reservation (on the executives, its different on the championship). So you should only need to ride with a sickly, cigar smoker, with bo if that person is part of your party.

Personally, I have no problem with cigar smoke on a golf course even though I am a non-smoker. But that is just me, I know lots of people who are sensitive. I walk and carry my bag every day anyway.

I also think there are bigger threats to turf than a three-cart group. One is oversized carts and those without turf tires. A second that comes to mind is Ambassadors driving right up to greenside bunkers to throw the left-out rakes back in.

[BamaBoy451]

Originally Posted by jimhoward

As I am sure you know, it is not related to the concrete cart paths, it is to help protect the turf.

Most of the time, they let you drive your own cart if you are on your own reservation (on the executives, its different on the championship). So you should only need to ride with a sickly, cigar smoker, with bo if that person is part of your party.

Personally, I have no problem with cigar smoke on a golf course even though I am a non-smoker. But that is just me, I know lots of people who are sensitive. I walk and carry my bag every day anyway.

I also think there are bigger threats to turf than a three-cart group. One is oversized carts and those without turf tires. A second that comes to mind is Ambassadors driving right up to greenside bunkers to throw the left-out rakes back in.

The turf? How's that make sense since the executive courses are par 3's and a complete cart path the golfers aren't suppose to leave? It's the same if we had tons of rain and the turf is soaked.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by BamaBoy451

The turf? How's that make sense since the executive courses are par 3's and a complete cart path the golfers aren't suppose to leave? It's the same if we had tons of rain and the turf is soaked.

Many executive courses in TV have par 4’s.

[jimhoward]

Originally Posted by BamaBoy451

The turf? How's that make sense since the executive courses are par 3's and a complete cart path the golfers aren't suppose to leave? It's the same if we had tons of rain and the turf is soaked.

On a course with only cart-path-only par 3's, I would not think 3 carts would be an issue. Have you run into that on such courses? The executives that I play are not that way.

[TommyT]

I have seen as many as four carts in a group before several times !!

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by BamaBoy451

So, since the answer I got from our Villages Golf Gods doesn't sound legit what's really going on? How does the present drought conditions cause the concrete cart paths to weaken by people using 3 or 4 golf carts? I stared forever at the last starter to tell me this. So I'm paying trail fees and not being able to use my cart and riding with a cigar smoker, sick coughing person, intestinal gas or bad BO, or someone who decides to leave halfway thru because of the heat?

My wife and I solve that problem by renting a pullcart and walking.

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by BamaBoy451

So, since the answer I got from our Villages Golf Gods doesn't sound legit what's really going on? How does the present drought conditions cause the concrete cart paths to weaken by people using 3 or 4 golf carts? I stared forever at the last starter to tell me this. So I'm paying trail fees and not being able to use my cart and riding with a cigar smoker, sick coughing person, intestinal gas or bad BO, or someone who decides to leave halfway thru because of the heat?

After building a golf cart with everything a golfer should have on it and end up riding with people I don't know who don't as much as carry a sand bottle I bought a three wheel push cart with a seat and if needed an umbrella I use if I have to. I still pay the trail fee like a chump but I never have to deal with situations like this outside the bubble. If you notice during the rainy season they'll run their heavy mowers thru wet areas destroying the fairways but heaven forbid your cart gets one inch off the cart path. Get used to the way they do things here.

[JGibson]

I believe 4 carts can go out but only 2 can be on the fairway on Par 4's.

Also if you didn't pay your yearly trail fee you would still have to pay $5 to ride in your cart or ride in someone else's cart.

What's somewhat unfair is the trail fee covers the whole household. So you could have 6 people living in a house and they're all covered by one trail fee.

These are all high class problems so don't sweat it. (No pun)

[biker1]

The pairing up in golf carts has typically only been requested on the Executives with par 4s where the cart path doesn't fully extend from the tee box to the green. In those cases, some travel on grass cannot be avoided so they have been requesting that people pair up.

Originally Posted by JGibson

I believe 4 carts can go out but only 2 can be on the fairway on Par 4's.

Also if you didn't pay your yearly trail fee you would still have to pay $5 to ride in your cart or ride in someone else's cart.

What's somewhat unfair is the trail fee covers the whole household. So you could have 6 people living in a house and they're all covered by one trail fee.

These are all high class problems so don't sweat it. (No pun)

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by biker1

The pairing up in golf carts has typically only been requested on the Executives with par 4s where the cart path doesn't fully extend from the tee box to the green. In those cases, some travel on grass cannot be avoided so they have been requesting that people pair up.

They do that on Sandhill and the other one by Mangrove. No exceptions so don't bring a spectator.

[Mrmean58]

Originally Posted by BamaBoy451

So, since the answer I got from our Villages Golf Gods doesn't sound legit what's really going on? How does the present drought conditions cause the concrete cart paths to weaken by people using 3 or 4 golf carts? I stared forever at the last starter to tell me this. So I'm paying trail fees and not being able to use my cart and riding with a cigar smoker, sick coughing person, intestinal gas or bad BO, or someone who decides to leave halfway thru because of the heat?

I want to know how executive golf survived for 40 years requiring two carts? It's not like cigar smoking, sickly golfers with BO became a thing after COVID. Have we become a community of overly sensitive beings who carry way too much stuff in our carts and we are too lazy to move our golf bags from one cart to another? We used to pick up our neighbor or another member in our tee time on the way to the course. Now it's "I'll see you there". Then we complain about how crowded the MMPs have become. I for one would advocate to go back to require golfers in the same tee time to pair up.
And don't start with what if it's hot and I want to quit. It's been hot in Florida for thousands of years, make decision before you go.

[BrianL99]

I don't play Executive courses, so none of this stuff really effects me personally.

That said, why does The Villages even allow golf carts on Executive Golf courses? If this was ever suggested anywhere other than The Villages, the proponent would be laughed out of town.

Barring a legitimate medical handicap (old age not included), if you can't manage to walk 9 short holes, you're in no condition to play golf ... go visit a Pitch & Putt or Mini-Golf.

Doesn't the advertising call The Villages an "ACTIVE Retirement Community" ?

[Rocksnap]

Originally Posted by jimhoward

As I am sure you know, it is not related to the concrete cart paths, it is to help protect the turf.

Most of the time, they let you drive your own cart if you are on your own reservation (on the executives, its different on the championship). So you should only need to ride with a sickly, cigar smoker, with bo if that person is part of your party.

Personally, I have no problem with cigar smoke on a golf course even though I am a non-smoker. But that is just me, I know lots of people who are sensitive. I walk and carry my bag every day anyway.

I also think there are bigger threats to turf than a three-cart group. One is oversized carts and those without turf tires. A second that comes to mind is Ambassadors driving right up to greenside bunkers to throw the left-out rakes back in.

I’d be happy if all of us would keep the tires on the path, around the tee boxes and greens.
It’s a simple concept, but hard in execution.

[Rocksnap]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

My wife and I solve that problem by renting a pullcart and walking.

My wife and I solved the problem by buying some used push carts on Marketplace and walking.