[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Ignatz

Thankfully a lot of people feel differently about the value of the CW department and appreciate their efforts.

Mostly the folks who have no clue how much money is spent to support Community Watch driving around, doing whatever it is they actually do.

Do you have any idea how much the CW Budget is? I didn't think so.

(for those who care, it's approximately $12,000,000. In 2024, the AAC's portion of the CW budget increased by 49% from 2023.)

Our semi-elected officials are doing a bang up job of keeping costs under control.

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:

"Free golf for life?" - I never saw that in an advertisement. Free if you WALK all the courses.

Free walking courses along with your Lifestyle monthly non-hoa fee that goes up about $10 per year.

Squirrel... They still advertising the Brownwood movie theater?

Nothing in life is truly free... including humans.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Ignatz

Thankfully a lot of people feel differently about the value of the CW department and appreciate their efforts.

Originally Posted by GizmoWhiskers

"Free golf for life?" - I never saw that in an advertisement. Free if you WALK all the courses.

Free walking courses along with your Lifestyle monthly non-hoa fee that goes up about $10 per year.

Squirrel... They still advertising the Brownwood movie theater?

Nothing in life is truly free... including humans.

Just curious, where is the Brownwood theater mentioned in advertising?

[Wilson02852]

No, just another plan that won't work for many of the residents.

The present plan is workable, just somewhat mismanaged. The biggest problem is the developers lack of creating enough golf courses in the newest expansion areas. Easy to verify with Google maps. Just compare number of courses between 466 and 44 to all other areas.

[Bruceg0028]

All you would do is open up higher costs. Amenity fee with a reduction now would continue to rise over time and you just gave the developer permission to raise green fees over time. 3-5 years down the road it would cost more not less.

If you want to improve speed of play and course conditions is to make it a prerequisite to take a golfing 101 course to be able to make a tee time. While they offer a class it’s not required. People don't fix divots, ball marks. They drive where they shouldn’t and they have no concept of golf etiquette and ready golf. I had one round where I was waiting to hit up on number 9 and the group in front of us literally stood on the green after they were done and decided to just talk. Had no clue we were waiting for them to exit the green. Really!

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Bruceg0028

All you would do is open up higher costs. Amenity fee with a reduction now would continue to rise over time and you just gave the developer permission to raise green fees over time. 3-5 years down the road it would cost more not less.

The Developer has nothing to do with Executive courses that are owned by the CDD's nor are there any "green fees" associated with Executive courses.

Apples & oranges.

[LeRoySmith]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

One thing I’ve realized, though, is that they have the same right to be there that I have, and part of my role as a participant is to encourage them, help them, make them feel valued, and make their time here happy. I’m thinking of some musicians who were frustrating for many of us, but they came every week and loved it. Then they were dead. What if I had said something that robbed them of their pleasure? We’re all in this together.

What a refreshing take and attitude. You win my Internet admiration for the day. If all the 'experts' here could learn a little from you imagine how much better life could be. ⭐

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

Personally like the idea.Appears that recently golf maintenanc budget is not sufficient. 1st thing this would do is that courses will have the money which would allow greens to be over seeded in the winter months.

Biggest problem is that too many people over use the exec courses. Met 1 guy who plays as many as 3, 9 hole rounds almost everyday and I am sure that there are others who do the same.

Is the amount allotted for course maintenance not sufficient? Or is it more a case of money allotted for that maintenance being paid to people who really don't know what proper maintenance is? More than once I've seen fairways being mowed, where the mower might have one side on relatively firm ground but is leaving ruts in the softer ground on the other side. Ruts are harder (and assumedly more expensive) to fix than long grass. If the process of maintaining courses is itself causing more maintenance issues, then it seems that closer supervision and/or training of the people doing the maintenance might be at least a partial fix.

[Blueblaze]

Between the tee time system fee and the cart fee, I'm paying $20 for about 8 rounds of "free" golf per month. Why would I prefer to pay $80, just to get a $30 discount on my amenity fee?

I don't get it. How does that help anybody? Are we trying to give more money to the CDD to improve the courses somehow? They're in great shape by this time every year. Throwing money at them is not going to solve the tripling of rounds played for the 1st four months of the year.

I'd rather pay LESS for my "free golf" than more!

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

Bad course conditions in season are due to incompetent maintenance

And incompetent golfers…

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

The Developer has nothing to do with Executive courses that are owned by the CDD's nor are there any "green fees" associated with Executive courses.

Apples & oranges.

I bet their fingers stuck in pie somewhere?

[KenLee100]

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:

Alex, I'll take solutions for a non-existent problem for $100.
Learn how to navigate the system if you cannot get a "T" time. Invest your time in learning the system (in your control) rather than trying to upend and change the system. (not in your control)
I am in several groups and golf 4-to 5 times per week, but it's not always on my favorite course at my desired time. The system works well for the estimated 10,000 daily "T" times available. TV offers a good golf school to instruct you.
Good luck and hit 'em straight.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Bruceg0028

All you would do is open up higher costs. Amenity fee with a reduction now would continue to rise over time and you just gave the developer permission to raise green fees over time. 3-5 years down the road it would cost more not less.

If you want to improve speed of play and course conditions is to make it a prerequisite to take a golfing 101 course to be able to make a tee time. While they offer a class it’s not required. People don't fix divots, ball marks. They drive where they shouldn’t and they have no concept of golf etiquette and ready golf. I had one round where I was waiting to hit up on number 9 and the group in front of us literally stood on the green after they were done and decided to just talk. Had no clue we were waiting for them to exit the green. Really!

Having played golf for the last 56 years I categorically reject that proposal. I suppose when Stewart Cink comes to visit his mom or Patrick Reed his grandparents they can't play until they go to golf school? Ridiculous. Give the ambassadors a bit more power and enforce the existing rules of golf and etiquette.

[ficoguy]

Free golf doesn't mean it's good golf

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Having played golf for the last 56 years I categorically reject that proposal. I suppose when Stewart Cink comes to visit his mom or Patrick Reed his grandparents they can't play until they go to golf school? Ridiculous. Give the ambassadors a bit more power and enforce the existing rules of golf and etiquette.

Some would argue that Patrick Reed needs a refresher on the rules. Personally, I like the guy. I got a kick out of it, and could relate to him, when he could no longer take the slow play of the guy in his group (I think it was Brian Gay) and he walked to the green and putted out before the guy hit his approach shot. If that didn’t send the guy a message to pick up the pace, I’m not sure what would?