[BrianL99]

I would usually comment on a thread like this, but Mr. GolfingEagles seems to have it covered fairly well and he's much more diplomatic than I.

I'll just add this:

I put together a complete proposal, including CSI ratings, performance/conditioning bonuses for contractors, a low-cost methodology to implement the ratings/CSI, using the existing Tee Time system ... etc, etc. etc. It would have been funded by a $1-$2 increase in trail fees.

I pitched it to the District and Mitch Leninger.

It's most likely in the circular file at this point.

[robsherry]

Originally Posted by UpNorth

Years ago, one of The Villages' advertising pitches was "Free Golf For Life". I'm sure that may have convinced many of you to buy into the community. But perhaps that could be the reason for lack of tee times during the high season, and poor executive golf course conditions. So, let's take a look at this alternative idea - open for discussion:

Executive golf costs (let's say) $10 per round. This would likely reduce the amount of marginal and casual social golfers who only play because it is "free". This would make more tee times available during the high season. And if you book your tee time and don't show up, it still costs you $10. No refunds unless you show up for a credit.

To compensate for the above, the amenity fee gets reduced for all. How much? Maybe $30- $40 per month? Don't know. But it would certainly appreciated by golfers and non-golfers alike.

In addition, the $10 per round fee covers the so-called "trail fee". You can walk the course or drive your cart on the paths at no extra charge.

Perhaps the fees collected could provide superior course conditions. Plenty of room for improvement.

A good booking website is all you need to manage the payment system. GolfNow has been doing it for years.

The $10 fee and amenity fee reduction above are just guesses on my part. Someone would need to balance the figures. But perhaps this would provide a better experience for Executive Golf, for golfers and non-golfers alike.

"Free Golf For Life"? Or better Executive Golf? Open for discussion:

How about $5?

[eastmand411]

Originally Posted by UpNorth

Years ago, one of The Villages' advertising pitches was "Free Golf For Life". I'm sure that may have convinced many of you to buy into the community. But perhaps that could be the reason for lack of tee times during the high season, and poor executive golf course conditions. So, let's take a look at this alternative idea - open for discussion:

Executive golf costs (let's say) $10 per round. This would likely reduce the amount of marginal and casual social golfers who only play because it is "free". This would make more tee times available during the high season. And if you book your tee time and don't show up, it still costs you $10. No refunds unless you show up for a credit.

To compensate for the above, the amenity fee gets reduced for all. How much? Maybe $30- $40 per month? Don't know. But it would certainly appreciated by golfers and non-golfers alike.

In addition, the $10 per round fee covers the so-called "trail fee". You can walk the course or drive your cart on the paths at no extra charge.

Perhaps the fees collected could provide superior course conditions. Plenty of room for improvement.

A good booking website is all you need to manage the payment system. GolfNow has been doing it for years.

The $10 fee and amenity fee reduction above are just guesses on my part. Someone would need to balance the figures. But perhaps this would provide a better experience for Executive Golf, for golfers and non-golfers alike.

"Free Golf For Life"? Or better Executive Golf? Open for discussion:

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Honestly, I don't think he is far off. Novice golfers do in fact hurt the course because they are not familiar with filling divots, fixing ball marks on the green, and moreover, when they do hit the green, they are too excited than to worry about fixing a ball mark. I'd rather the Ambassador monitor the play, educate people to help them learn, and if there are repeat offenders, the Ambassador write's them up and they get more points for the week, limiting their ability to play. We do need to do better, but instead of shutting ideas down immediately, let's find solutions...

[seecapecod]

Originally Posted by UpNorth

Years ago, one of The Villages' advertising pitches was "Free Golf For Life". I'm sure that may have convinced many of you to buy into the community. But perhaps that could be the reason for lack of tee times during the high season, and poor executive golf course conditions. So, let's take a look at this alternative idea - open for discussion:

Executive golf costs (let's say) $10 per round. This would likely reduce the amount of marginal and casual social golfers who only play because it is "free". This would make more tee times available during the high season. And if you book your tee time and don't show up, it still costs you $10. No refunds unless you show up for a credit.

To compensate for the above, the amenity fee gets reduced for all. How much? Maybe $30- $40 per month? Don't know. But it would certainly appreciated by golfers and non-golfers alike.

In addition, the $10 per round fee covers the so-called "trail fee". You can walk the course or drive your cart on the paths at no extra charge.

Perhaps the fees collected could provide superior course conditions. Plenty of room for improvement.

A good booking website is all you need to manage the payment system. GolfNow has been doing it for years.

The $10 fee and amenity fee reduction above are just guesses on my part. Someone would need to balance the figures. But perhaps this would provide a better experience for Executive Golf, for golfers and non-golfers alike.

"Free Golf For Life"? Or better Executive Golf? Open for discussion:

But your “marginal and casual” golfers (your #1 reason for a $10 charge) still love to play golf- for fun, for sport and for the challenge. My apologies for not playing up to your level. In my view, those with better games challenge themselves on traditional 18 hole courses.

[BlueStarAirlines]

Originally Posted by UpNorth

Years ago, one of The Villages' advertising pitches was "Free Golf For Life". I'm sure that may have convinced many of you to buy into the community.

Like everything, there is nothing "free for life". We have trail fees. A lifetime subscription often has maintenance fees or some other mechanism to continue to feed the beast.

[Shelbyh]

Originally Posted by UpNorth

Years ago, one of The Villages' advertising pitches was "Free Golf For Life". I'm sure that may have convinced many of you to buy into the community. But perhaps that could be the reason for lack of tee times during the high season, and poor executive golf course conditions. So, let's take a look at this alternative idea - open for discussion:

Executive golf costs (let's say) $10 per round. This would likely reduce the amount of marginal and casual social golfers who only play because it is "free". This would make more tee times available during the high season. And if you book your tee time and don't show up, it still costs you $10. No refunds unless you show up for a credit.

To compensate for the above, the amenity fee gets reduced for all. How much? Maybe $30- $40 per month? Don't know. But it would certainly appreciated by golfers and non-golfers alike.

In addition, the $10 per round fee covers the so-called "trail fee". You can walk the course or drive your cart on the paths at no extra charge.

Perhaps the fees collected could provide superior course conditions. Plenty of room for improvement.

A good booking website is all you need to manage the payment system. GolfNow has been doing it for years.

The $10 fee and amenity fee reduction above are just guesses on my part. Someone would need to balance the figures. But perhaps this would provide a better experience for Executive Golf, for golfers and non-golfers alike.

"Free Golf For Life"? Or better Executive Golf? Open for discussion:

That would be a hard sell to anyone that lives here including me and I don’t golf.

[LuLinn]

Nope

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

What is your handicap? If I break 100 on a championship course I am elated. And if I play an 18 holes of executive golf, I am excited if I shoot my age!

It used to be +1, now it's a bit higher. But that wasn't my point. Golf is not a game of excluding beginners and poor players. No good player makes fun of someone who is not as good, which is why I called out the concept of restricting "lesser" players or trying to drive them away all together. If a new player is damaging the course and not repairing it, they probably are ignorant of rules and etiquette. The solution is to educate them, not exclude them. There are plenty of experienced golfers who seem to be allergic to rakes and sand bottles---if I had my way, I would deal with them more harshly than beginners since they know better. I'm not a big fan of "good golf school for everyone", since I don't think Stewart Cink or Patrick Reed need attend before they play here. But I would make it mandatory for beginners and those that flaunt the rules. The very fact that someone suggests that we make a system that excludes beginners shows that person is far from a great golfer themselves.

End of rant.

[merrymini]

I live on a championship course. Some of these people look like beginners and they pay to play on a championship course.People come on my property, hit my house, do not fix divets, and to top it all off, play pretty lousy golf. I watch them do it. There is no delusion as good as self delusion.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by eastmand411

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Honestly, I don't think he is far off. Novice golfers do in fact hurt the course because they are not familiar with filling divots, fixing ball marks on the green, and moreover, when they do hit the green, they are too excited than to worry about fixing a ball mark. I'd rather the Ambassador monitor the play, educate people to help them learn, and if there are repeat offenders, the Ambassador write's them up and they get more points for the week, limiting their ability to play. We do need to do better, but instead of shutting ideas down immediately, let's find solutions...

Sorry have played with residents who have played for most of their lives, on more than one occasion, watched them trounce though sand traps, dig in hit the ball, and walk out. Never picking up a rake.
If you ask, their response is “gives the staff something to do other than put the pins in the wrong place.”, or that’s why I pay greens fee. Clearly they know golf etiquette, just choose not to follow.

[Mulliganguy]

How about “Leave well enough alone”!!

[villager7591]

If I play 5-6 times a week, $200/month. Maybe if groceries weren't so expensive...

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by merrymini

I live on a championship course. Some of these people look like beginners and they pay to play on a championship course.People come on my property, hit my house, do not fix divets, and to top it all off, play pretty lousy golf. I watch them do it. There is no delusion as good as self delusion.

I live on a championship course as well, and everything you posted is true. I once watched someone take 6 shots to get out of the bunker behind my house, walking the entire length of the bunker, exiting on the far side tripping over a rake on the way out. I couldn't help myself---I ran out there, raked the trap, and yelled "you're welcome" to that clown. No acknowledgement whatsoever. He probably believed he "paid me" to rake his traps for him. This is an example of someone I would send straight to good golf school .

Another unusual thing happened the week prior to Debby. On two occasions there was a group behind us, all men, playing from the nine holes from the yellow tees. It was obvious they lacked some golfing skill, but why pay to play what is essentially an exec course? Nevertheless, they kept up with us and did not back the course up behind them. I do think we'll see more of that in coming weeks with all the course closures.

Point is, you might be a lousy golfer, but you can follow the proper etiquette and keep up with the group ahead

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by villager7591

If I play 5-6 times a week, $200/month. Maybe if groceries weren't so expensive...

I think that post lacks a frame of reference.

[nn0wheremann]

Originally Posted by UpNorth

Years ago, one of The Villages' advertising pitches was "Free Golf For Life". I'm sure that may have convinced many of you to buy into the community. But perhaps that could be the reason for lack of tee times during the high season, and poor executive golf course conditions. So, let's take a look at this alternative idea - open for discussion:

Executive golf costs (let's say) $10 per round. This would likely reduce the amount of marginal and casual social golfers who only play because it is "free". This would make more tee times available during the high season. And if you book your tee time and don't show up, it still costs you $10. No refunds unless you show up for a credit.

To compensate for the above, the amenity fee gets reduced for all. How much? Maybe $30- $40 per month? Don't know. But it would certainly appreciated by golfers and non-golfers alike.

In addition, the $10 per round fee covers the so-called "trail fee". You can walk the course or drive your cart on the paths at no extra charge.

Perhaps the fees collected could provide superior course conditions. Plenty of room for improvement.

A good booking website is all you need to manage the payment system. GolfNow has been doing it for years.

The $10 fee and amenity fee reduction above are just guesses on my part. Someone would need to balance the figures. But perhaps this would provide a better experience for Executive Golf, for golfers and non-golfers alike.

"Free Golf For Life"? Or better Executive Golf? Open for discussion:

$80 or $100 a month greens fee and I get $10 back? No thanks. $140+ for “trail fees” is more than I want to pay already.
If you call the amenities fees what they are, a parks and recreation property tax, then this place is already inching its way up to Illinois tax rates already.