For those whose life is only about golf....you might be right. If you moved here because of golf and had an expectation that can't be met....now what do you do? I lived in PA where we had some great conditions....they were a different grass, they were only played on regularly 8 months a year and didn't approach the number of rounds that get played here. I assume you have an intimate knowledge on what it takes to maintain a golf course and have extensive experience in this area, otherwise your comments and judgement is personal opinion only. Those that are enjoying the golf here have their opinions also but your insinuation that they are wearing rose colored glasses because they disagree with you is both rude and insulting. JMO

Thank you!
Steve

:bigbow:

I played Mallory today. Greens were in wonderful condition.

I agree completely. It seems that many , in their previous lives, were poor, controlling managers that couldn't stand the thought of an employee complaining about the way things were being run. Its a shame that some would try to protect the way courses are being presented, when clearly they are in poor shape, and absolutely cant stand the thought that many customers would dare complain on their perceived watch. Why would you protect something that clearly is a problem?

Its no sillier than hearing that when paying customers go home for the summer everything will be better.

Good to hear

This thread has devolved from discussing the condition of the executive courses to discussing the posters themselves. Please return to the topic of the course conditions. Posts directed at members will be deleted.

Moderator

Golfed at water oaks today, just off 466 and 27. Greens, fairways and teeboxes were in excellent shape. Some of the fairways were over 200 yds of rich , green grass. They were actually watering them as we played them. What a awesome experience, I just cant help but wonder why many of the executives, championships in the villages lack this attention. Hope this doesn't offend anyone but I was truly impressed by this course.

I agree with the original poster. Many of the people I golf with have expressed dissatisfaction with the general condition of the "championship" golf courses. There always seems to be 2 or 3 that are in good condition, some that are in horrible condition, and the rest are fair to mediocre. I spoke with one of the golf course managers and he blamed it on the maintenance companies. Some are better than others, and if you have a contract with a company that does a poor job, it takes awhile to fire the company, get a new one, then get on the right track to improving the conditions again. Its too bad The Villages doesn't have their own maintenance company that could keep the courses up to good standards. In the long run, it would probably be cheaper than hiring it out to third parties. If you are considering moving to the Villages, be forewarned that many of the people who post on TOTV will bash anyone who expresses an opinion that The Villages needs improvement in any way. They seem to take it personally if you don't like the way the Villages does things, or you comment about the poor conditions of the golf courses, overcrowding at aerobic classes, parking problems at Fenney, or whatever. Nothing in life is ever perfect, and there is always room for improvement, including The Villages.

I play championship courses 3+ times a week, and I have been here since 2007. I have never seen the courses in worse shape tee to green. When I bought here the courses were maintained quite well, and in the winter they over seeded tee to green. Bunkers were maintained daily, and the courses really enjoyable to play. This winter (and last) they by and large resemble a $25Muni. Its a shame and not in keeping with the whole "Villages Persona".

Hacienda Hills is in great shape.

Golf Course Conditions
 

I play mostly Exec courses but in the past three years I can see both Exec and Champ courses being in stressed. I think the fairway grass is cut to often and to short. I can rarely use my wedge around the green. Most of the time I putt from 5 or more yards off the green.
I do remember when rye grass was put down in the fairway for the winter months. Now only Tee boxes. Was there a $$ reason for stopping the winter rye process. Please give the fairway at least 1 1/2 inches at cut height.

I only will say that we pay a premium price to play the championship courses and the conditions do not match the price in most cases , and we provide our own carts

Well-stated! Slow down the growth and maintain what we have.

:loco:

My wife and I had the same opinion, in general most courses were in mediocre shape at best, with some exceptions (the courses at Havana, Churchill Greens come to mind). In the end we were playing 50/50 Villages and off campus. Most of the people we were paired up with had similar comments about the conditions.

We have been coming for short visits for 12 years and don't remember the conditions being as bad ever. This was our first long term stay and were looking forward to it, but were disappointed with the conditions and plan to look at other communities before making a decision on where to put down our retirement roots.

One of our friends who is a year round Villager did mention his understanding is there are multiple companies hired to maintain the courses, and a new one was brought in this year. Could this explain why the conditions vary so widely at different courses?

Do they charge extra to use their carts after paying +$60. for a round?

Totally agree!

Good point. The cost of the cart plus maintenance is a huge factor to consider, especially when we are playing on some courses that are not in good shape. There are always a few courses that are decent, but with the large numbers of people playing golf, it is not always possible to get tee times at the good courses, especially in the high season, or if you are playing in a large group. Many of us who moved here for the golf, are either playing outside the Villages, or just not playing, because of the course conditions. If you are thinking of moving here, and golf is your primary reason, I would think twice.

Been here over 7 years and agree that Championship courses have fallen into a state of total disappointment.
Take note that so far, and 2 years out, there is one Championship course south of 44.
Disappointing for us that bought here, but politics, taxes and greed will take the Villages down a dark road.
Beware, this developer is as greedy as they get!!

HI, I've lived in the Villages for 11 years. I totally agree that the courses need a lot more maintenance. The management company earns big dollars from the Championship courses and yet they put the care of the courses up for bid to the lowest priced company. What's wrong with giving the maintenance company a list of demands to keep up the quality of the courses or pay a penalty for there poor performance. May times in my lifetime I made the mistake of going with the cheapest price and not paid enough attention to the quality and longevity of the work done. I paid for it later. I think more golfers should let the Country Club Administrators no how unhappy they are about conditions. Speak up every time you play and let them know how you feel. If enough of us complain it will influence there decision making. Remember a lot of new sales are based on the current course conditions. If prospective buyers see that residents are unhappy it will hurt their sales. They won't like that!!!

Golf Course Conditions
 

I've been a Village Resident for 11 years and have only played the Exec. courses. I must agree with those who have expressed the opinion that the condition of many courses has declined. Have you played Silver Lake recently? Don't!

We play outside every week, with a wide selection of courses with better conditions and less expensive. Even when we pay some of the courses with the same cost of
"The Villages", the conditions don't even come close. It is like playing some of the courses back north, with nice fairways, wonderful holes, great greens and challenging holes. They are always welcoming us with great fees and extra's like range balls, discounts on after golf in their restaurants.

Have to agree that the Championship courses are not in good shape. The fairways are like hitting off of rocks on many fairways on both the Championship and Executive courses. If they put the extra money that they are charging now into the courses, hopefully that would help.

I absolutely agree. Ive played courses outside the Villages and they are not only cheaper but in much better shape so no excuses for our courses, its just neglect. Another complaint I'm hearing a lot and agree with is the amount of traffic coming in from Fenney with no signs of relief just a continuation of homes being built. What happens when the condos are built? The bubble is becoming a big ballon ready to explode. All about money, that's pretty obvious and not what Mr. Moorse intended.

I do play the Executive courses and many are in horrible shape. I also live on an Executive course and it is very disheartening to view a golf course that has turned from lush green to bare dirt.

I agree that the championship courses are in pretty poor shape. Very little grass on many tee boxes. Also, they need to enforce golf carts not going past the stakes. Many people almost drive on the greens. This causes undue wear and tear. Repair your ball marks on the greens. If you are good enough to hit the green then fix your mark and one other. Take care of the golf courses. The grounds keepers can’t do it all!!

Couldn't agree with you more!!! Been living here for 6 years now. Moved here to golf. All the championship courses south of 466 have gotten worse, condition-wise, each year I've been here. I don't know who calls the shots on course maintenance, and am sure it is all about money, but they need to realize that people will stop playing those courses if they don't improve. I would be more than willing to pay a higher rate to play a course WITH GRASS! Even the worst public courses in Michigan are in better condition than these courses! And the executive courses are even worse, but that is another subject!

you either: 1) work at one of the courses; 2) don't golf here: or 3) are related to the developer. The courses are in horrific shape!

if there are spots on the greens then they are NOT in "great shape"! how much grass is in the fairways?

even if true, why aren't Palmer, Bonifay, Evans Prairie, Belle Glade, Havana in "very good condition"? it's called water and fertilizer! that is all these places need!

I agree, let the fairways grow a little. I find myself hoping my drives roll into the rough so that there is actually some grass under my ball for the next shot. Golfers are supposed to be rewarded for hitting fairways and penalized for going in the rough. Not vice-versa.

Well if you don't golf here you WON'T get it! A lot of us moved here for the golf. And at that time there were less than 85,000 residents. Now there are over 125,000 and no more extra courses. And the courses are in very bad condition, so why wouldn't all of us who moved here for the golf be very bitter!

if you don't golf you won't understand.....the developer has a captured market. And they could make all of the golfing community happier (note, I say happier, as golf is not the only reason people move here). For serious golfers there is nothing worse than playing course on bare dirt, which is what most of the championship courses have turned in to!

almost all of the executives look like that! and always have. the worst part of it is that we residents "own" the executives and that is what we get!!!!!???? it's one thing to complain about the championship courses, that we have no say in, but the executives? embarrassing, total waste of amenity fees. I wish they would close 1/3 of all the executive courses and then spend that money on the ones that remain open. maybe they would be playable then? "free golf for life".....yes, if you have a desire to play a goat patch!

we aren't talking about the hospital, or any other misc crap. when we are talking about the championship courses, they are OWNED by the developer. so they are fair game for complaints to be registered towards! as far as executive courses, those are paid for by our amenity fees - so our CDD supervisors and PWAC decide how much money they get. this IS all about money, it takes money to water and fertilize. that is all grass needs to grow!

I played Belle Glade last week. No complaints.

Palmer good shape this morning.