It seems to me that your question has been answered, but if you choose not to believe them, call the golf division and talk to someone there who knows the fee structures and what GHIN membership costs without enhancement membership and what it costs with enhanced membership. The difference could be that the GHIN system charges a certain amount and The Villages discounts it $5 if one buys the enhanced membership.

I was not aware of that bennie. I would not have expected the prices to beat Amazon's. I would have figured it was a few % off a grossly overpriced product, which is pretty much my experience with pro shop clothing and golf bags.

GHIN system charge?
 

I don't understand any of this. The GHIN system, which is a global handicap system, is not owned or operated by The Villages. Are you sure that the folks at GHIN haven't raised their price for the coming year? And I guess to keep my handicap in place regardless of where I play, Pebble Beach? Innisbrook? Augusta National? I would just pay GHIN the $5. But you state that you didn't take The Villages enhanced membership for the coming year because you just don't play enough on the Championship courses here in TV. That being the case, are you sure you need to pay for a GHIN handicap? I no longer golf at my private club where an established handicap is mandatory, so I dropped my GHIN subscription. And unless I play in a "sanctioned" event here in TV, like ladies or mens day, I don't need an established handicap. If the OP really thinks he needs an established handicap just pay the $5.

You’re asking the wrong people, unless someone on this forum works for the Golf Division AND can give an accurate response! You need to call Golf Admin.

I believe the # is available on GolfTheVillages.com.

One element I can comment on factually, it is cheaper to renew your GHIN from when renewal starts in mid-November thru the 1st week of January than for the rest of the year. Exception is after July 1st it is half price.

I will add one final point … Enhanced Members also pay cheaper Greens fees & get priority in getting tee times. That’s part of the benefit of being an Enhanced Member. So it is a likely follow-on that they also get their GHIN for a reduced rate.

So, the argument is over the cost of a 2 for 1 happy hour beer......?

First of all, what a bunch of nonsense over $5. But to call it "stealing" is laughable.

Want a possible explanation? When you renew you GHIN, staff members have to write down your number, take you money, give you a receipt, and eventually transmit that info to the GHIN powers that be. Time is money. If TV chooses to discount that for priority members by $5, it is their choice, just as I choose to continue to use the term "priority member" as opposed to the new (probably) politically correct term of "enhanced".

Sometimes we need to offer cheese to go with someone's whine.

Please don't trivialize 2 for 1 happy hour beer in this manner.

You're getting screwed. If you have a GHIN in NC you don't need another one in the Villages.

It's simply a matter of principle. Too bad most people on this forum are not bright lights and seem to think it's about money. I do things like this occasionally just to see how many dimwits really live here. Answer: LOTS!

Now that's really one of the more illogical responses, even for here

It’s the same number, it needs to be associated with the golf assoc of Fla, as well.

It something the villages requires to play in tournaments and men’s day.

You have to pay twice.

Well, you've gone a long way towards demonstrating that.