[justjim]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I spent my life in the golf business and playing golf. I no longer play because of some physical issues.
I remember hearing on a television program about the Villages that only about 35% of the residents play golf. That was surprising to me because the place is really sold as a golf community. There are something like 40 nine hole par 3 courses and ten regulation courses. Every ad that you see shows people playing golf and offers "Free Golf for Life".
I had friends who moved here because of the free golf.

Although have no valid data to prove it, IMHO I think 35% is high. From just casual observation of being here 6 years and in three different Villages, I know a lot of people don't play. And that may be a good thing if you play!

[tucson]

[QUOTE=justjim;659808]Although have no valid data to prove it, IMHO I think 35% is high. From just casual observation of being here 6 years and in three different Villages, I know a lot of people don't play. And that may be a good thing if you play! [/ A friend of mine who's a realtor w/TV told me it's approx. 30% that golf here.

[John_W]

I grew up in St. Petersburg, and seeing golf courses was common. About 1962 when I was 12 years old I started watching golf on TV, especially Arnold Palmer. I got Arnie's autograph soon after when he made an appearance in St. Pete. I got a set of youth clubs and my father would drop me off every Saturday at the Vinoy Hotel in downtown St. Pete. They had a par 3 that I could play all day for $3.00, I would meet another kid every week. After a year I started going to the driving range every week getting use to my woods and long irons.

My father soon became interested in golf and we joined the Sunset Country Club just north of downtown St. Pete. It was about 1965 and we only had to pay $275 a year for family membership and we could play as much as we wanted. Today Sunset is a private golf course owned by a large hotel for it's guests.

I played every week until I was about 1969 and I joined the Army. I didn't play golf again until 2009. I had a 40 year layoff, I would watch the PGA on TV but didn't feel inclined to play or have the time. In 2006 I had to get a stent for my heart and so I began walking and riding my bike. Soon after I started lifting weights and in 2009 I took up golf again. I had to make up for 35 years of smoking.

Had the Villages not had golf accessible I wouldn't of moved here. My parents had retired in Spring Hill, Florida to a U.S. Homes community called Timber Pines. It completely walled in with security gates and has about 2,000 homes and 3 golf courses. We would of probably retired there, especially since home prices were comparable to say Stone Crest. A masonry rancher with two car garage could be had for $135K and a villas less than $100K. The place was built between 1983 and 1999 and so only resales are available.

So far we're happy here, were always making improvements to our homes since I don't foresee us moving again. I do wish the green fees weren't so high, possibly making them $32 winter and summer would be nice, that's what I paid up in Baltimore for most courses. Paying $49 now for a course that will be $19 in two weeks seems wacky. Anyway, my neighbor and I have been walking the executives for most of the winter or going off campus and come May 1st we'll be back out on the championship courses. I broke 80 from the blue tees twice last year, so I want to build on that and make shooting in the 70's a regular thing. I also play neighborhood softball every Saturday, so that was a contributing factor as well, since I'm definitely on this health kick that I am trying to do.

[gomoho]

John W - nice story - thank you for sharing it.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by ncr2482

Both of us play golf and most of our friends play golf - I guess we are friends because we all enjoy golf. My husband and I play the championship courses at least three times a week, he twice a week with his friends, I play twice a week with my friends and we get together as couples to play on Sunday. We have become friendly with the people who do the same acitivities we do...pickleball, golf and I bowl. You do not need to be good to bowl in a league. Many of the leagues are non-sanctioned leagues, you establish an average and weekly matches are "handicapped" . I think the Fiesta Bowl has a bad bowlers league one morning a week. Give the bowling alleys a call and see

Many people in our neighbor don't golf and will never golf. You do not have to play golf to enjoy living here.

That is very encouraging. Thank you.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Good to know there are folks who don't play golf here in TV and we don't have to take up golf to feel a part of this community. Actually, I love to bowl but I'm so bad. Wish I could get better so I could bowl on a league.

Neither of us play golf although we do have a nice golf course and country club in our Vermont town; one of our neighbors plays all summer long.

However, after renting on the Nancy Lopez Golf Course, we would like to "if we can" find a home on a golf course.........just to have the nice views and privacy out back. Lots of choices.

But, never say never. When we were there, hubby and our son did the practice session and hit a few balls around............the courses are beautiful no matter which village one drives through............

Last Sunday we watched our first Masters Golf Tournament on T.V. right to the end.........and enjoyed it......even with all the rain they played through. It was snowy and rainy here as well. Again, once we are settled, I think hubby could try it out. But, he'd much prefer the Deep Sea Fishing Club.........I know that for a fact.

We have relatives in Arizona who live on a golf course and rarely play golf, although they hit a few balls in N.J.

[Villages PL]

I have lived in the Villages since 1999 and have never played golf. As a boy I worked as a caddy and played for free once a week. I guess that was enough for me because I no longer feel the need to play.

[JourneyOfLife]

Golf courses are expensive to build and operate.

Has anyone computed (or estimated) the cost per home (percent of home purchase Bond payment and other ongoing yearly fees/expense) of the TV golf courses over a 20 year period?

[Villages PL]

If i'm not mistaken, it's either a state or county law that developers have to set asside a certain amount of land for recreational purposes, based on the number of living units. Otherwise, some developers would build nothing but homes and the burden would be on the county to provide parks and recreation. There's a formula for this and it's all figured into the overall plan for the community.

Therefore, when you're building a community as big as The Villages, it makes sense to incorporate golf courses. It's the only thing that makes sense. You can only put in so many tennis courts, bocce courts etc. and then it helps to have something else that yields a return (think trail fee).

[OnTrack]

Originally Posted by JourneyOfLife

Golf courses are expensive to build and operate.

Has anyone computed (or estimated) the cost per home (percent of home purchase Bond payment and other ongoing yearly fees/expense) of the TV golf courses over a 20 year period?

More importantly I would think, have you thought about what TV would look/be like...without the golf courses?

The primary reason we moved here, was because of the excellent choices in championship and executive courses.

Trying to get a tee time in the winter, pretty much dispels any notion that golf is not an important...if not THE most important....aspect of this community.

.

[OnTrack]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Hubby and I took a couple of golf lessons and we are not sold on the game. Seems the lifestyle in TV lends itself to include golf but hopefully that isn't the case. What percentage of full time residents play golf?

Maybe this invention would spark your interest in golf?

The No Swing...Swing(poke here)


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