[lawgolfer]

People are no damn good!

In essence, our courses are akin to public courses at which you learn that thievery is all too common. The only reason it is not common at private clubs is that a cart boy or other member of the golf staff would be likely to notice the "addition" of a new club to the thief's bag. Certainly, your unique bag would be noticed.

A sad joke is that you should wait until Tuesday or Wednesday (assuming the bag was stolen over the weekend) to check at Play It Again Sports and the pawn shops, as it takes them a day or two to clean the clubs, decide on a price, and attach a price tag.

The first month after we moved to The Villages, a member of my foursome left a club on the course. His ball was some distance from the green and he walked from our cart to the ball carrying two clubs. He forgot to pick up the club he did not use. Unfortunately, he didn't need that club until he had played another 9 or 10 holes. When he retraced his steps, the club was gone and every group that was following ours denied knowing anything about the club.

In our years of living in TV, there have been several thefts of golf carts and/or clubs. Each time this was reported, I noted that the cart was parked in front of the pro shop/clubhouse; in one of the parking lots behind the buildings at a square; or in a parking lot at one of our strip malls. I took this to heart and, at the course, always park on the side of the pro shop/clubhouse facing the golf course. If I have to park behind the buildings at one of the squares or, heaven forbid, at Walmart (or, in 2 months, at Costco), I installed both an ignition cut-out switch with a dedicated key and a brake lock that uses a strong Master padlock to secure the footbrake in the down/locked position.

The handful of times I have parked my cart with the clubs on the back at one of the squares, it is in a space on the square and in front of a restaurant or store. Even so, having read your tale of woe, I'm going to buy a cable lock to secure the bag to the frame of the canopy or the basket. With a visible lock on the bag and on the brake, I hope a thief would pass by my cart for easier pickings.

You are the victim and it's not your fault. In addition to your clubs and bag, I expect you've lost other items like a rangefinder; prescription sun glasses; and, perhaps, medicines (I hope that you didn't have a Rolex in a pocket of the bag)

A lot of your loss should be covered by both your cart insurance and homeowners insurance. Often, the policies will limit coverage for sporting goods and jewelry to a set amount, often $1K.

[Jazzman]

Originally Posted by Southwest737

I don’t see this theft on the Sumter county crime map. Hmmm.

Your post is……….

[Ginasewell]

Don't know why people criticize authors on these posts in supposedly "Florida's Friendliest Hometown". Hope you get your clubs and bag back. It's unfortunate that one needs to steal although there are so many in need these days. Does Palmer have video cameras on the premises?

[USOTR]

Did The sheriff department check for video camera in the area? If not they need to install one

[1golfergal]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

That absolutely sucks, I’m very sorry to hear that! I have always assumed our clubs were safe if the cart was not parked in the parking lot commingled with automobiles in front of the clubhouse. I typically leave the keys in the ignition and my cell phone in the holder in the dash when going into the pro shop. It’s very sad if you can’t trust folks at a golf course (a gentleman’s game of honor) when your cart is parked at a spot only accessible by golf carts or walkers. I sincerely hope whoever stole your sticks is caught and brought to painful justice.

WOW! You are very lucky then. Would NEVER leave cell phone or keys. Nope/Nada/NOWAY!

[1golfergal]

Who is going to pay for that? Asking for a friend.

[jaygardens]

i doubt that anything was stolen BUT i would check with the "office" and see if there are any cameras outside...

i

[jimhoward]

This is very disheartening to hear about.

In the many years I've been playing golf I have never had anything stolen and I have left things all over the place. I've probably left expensive wedges or putters on greens 50 times and never failed to get one back. I have found and returned an equal number. I've left golf bags overnight at the practice facility or bag drop (went to the clubhouse for food and drinks, forgot, went home). Got them back.

But here at the villages, Americas friendliest hometown, I hear about theft at the golf course. Kind of sad.

[clekr]

I've lived here for 17 years. This is not as uncommon as you might like to think. I ha e personal friends who have lost whole bags, three irons, drivers and putters over the years.
Go to Walmart and get a 6 foot cable and 4 locks key to like. Locking hoods are available in the pro shops and Golf Central. Never leave anything visible in your cart that you would upset if it were taken. Latest driver...put an old cover on it. Scott Cameron putter, get an old sock. Never leave a wallet, cell phone or range finder on the front shelf. It's unfortunate but I've all of these taken at one time or another.

[New Englander]

To the OP, I hope you get your Clubs back.

[Topspinmo]

I don’t put anything with banana sticker/picture on anything, these Savannah Bananas fans are crazier than soccer or pro darts fans.

Sorry, for you’re lost, does palmers have cameras?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Southwest737

I don’t see this theft on the Sumter county crime map. Hmmm.

Would you like to put link to crime Map so some of use can see it?

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Would you like to put link to crime Map so some of use can see it?

Maybe it has not been reported to the police department.


Most people IMHO are good at heart. There are some truly evil ones though but many in between . Same applies to Villagers but it is a lot harder to get away with stuff in the relatively safe environment of the Villages. All the Villages gun lovers helps as well as long as there are not many mentally ill or evil people among those weapons fans.

[Tomptomp]

I was sure my clubs were stolen. Five days later they were in Eisenhower rec center. Good luck. Remain hopeful.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by jimhoward

This is very disheartening to hear about.

In the many years I've been playing golf I have never had anything stolen and I have left things all over the place. I've probably left expensive wedges or putters on greens 50 times and never failed to get one back. I have found and returned an equal number. I've left golf bags overnight at the practice facility or bag drop (went to the clubhouse for food and drinks, forgot, went home). Got them back.

But here at the villages, Americas friendliest hometown, I hear about theft at the golf course. Kind of sad.

Of course it is unfortunate…..
But how many thefts in the past were committed by folks living in America friendliest hometown?