Bunker Renovation Project—The construction team will be working each week (weather permitting) Monday-Saturday.
The project is moving along nicely. The plan is to transition to Phase Three on Wednesday, January 22.
At that time holes #4, 5, 8 will re-open and Holes #6, 7 will be closed. So you will be playing 16 holes.
On Holes #1, 2, 3 the new bunkers and surrounds will reopen and will no longer be Ground Under Repair. Please try not to lock or spin your cart wheels on the newly reopened sod around the bunkers on Holes #1, 2, 3.
On Holes #4, #5, #8 the bunkers and the surrounding new sod will be roped off as Ground Under Repair. If your ball comes to rest in any of these areas, please do not play from within the marked GUR, but instead take relief at your nearest point, no nearer the hole with no penalty. We appreciate your cooperation as we need to allow the new sod to root in before we can play on it. Let us know if you have any questions.
Posting Golf Scores —Although we will not be playing a complete 18-hole round of golf, posting scores will still be required during the duration of the Bunker Project per the USGA/NCGA protocols for maintaining a valid handicap…Golfers will need to post their scores on the USGA/GHIN App/Website or via the Villages Posting Computer in the Posting Room as such:
1. Hole by Hole Posting will be required – you cannot use the Total Score Option for posting scores for the duration of the project.
2. Post your score for each of the holes played that day and leave the holes not played blank.
3. The USGA Handicap algorithm will automatically fill in the holes not played to derive an “18-Hole” score for your record.
4. The Pro Shop Staff will be more than happy to assist you with posting scores during the project. Stop by the Pro Shop if you need any assistance at all.
Winter Weather & Daily Golf Course Conditions—Remember that at this time of year, weather becomes a daily factor and the resultant golf course conditions can affect play. Some things to be aware of are potential frost delays if it’s cold, potential cart paths only status if conditions are wet and rainy, and in extreme weather or wind conditions course closure if a storm creates an unsafe atmosphere to play in (rare but not impossible).
Please call the Maintenance Hotline at 408-223-4663 each day for an update on golf course conditions
And remember that the flag at the driving range will indicate the golf course status for the day:
Green Flag = Open for Play
Yellow Flag = Frost Delay
Red Flag = Carts on Paths Only
Black Flag = Golf & Practice Facilities Closed
Roped Off Areas on Golf Course—There are several roped off areas in the fairways on the golf course due to saturated turf, specifically on Holes #1, #9, #12 & #16. The intent of the roping is to keep cart traffic off of these wet areas. These areas are not Ground Under Repair. So you must play your ball from within the roping. Please park your cart outside of the roping perimeter and play your ball as it lies, applying the 6-inch relief for Winter Rules. Please let me know if you have any questions.
2025 Golf Events Calendar—The 2025 golf calendar of events is now posted and available to view on the Website Resident Portal. Keep in mind that this is a live document and is subject to change—any necessary changes will be updated on the Resident Portal as they occur.
February Golf Schedule
Saturday, February 8 – Men’s Club President’s Tournament 8:30 a.m. Shotgun – Open Play 1 p.m. Shotgun.
Monday, February 17 – President’s Day Holiday – 7:30 a.m. Tee Times – Driving Range Open all day.
Mark Your Calendars—Remember to save the dates for this year’s major golf events. These are sure to be memorable events and lots of fun; and you do not want to miss them!
Swingers Exchange Day April 22 and September 23
Men’s Club Member-Member May 2, 3, 4
18-Hole Women’s Handicap Tournament May 8, 15, 22
18-Hole Women’s Invitational June 18, 19, 20
Men’s Evergreen Invitational July 10, 11, 12
18-Hole Women’s Member-Member August 14, 21
Men’s Club Championship September 13, 14, 20, 21
18-Hole Women’s Club Championship September 11, 18
Friday Twilight Mixers May 30, June 27, July 25, August 22, September 19
Winter Rules—From now until further notice we will play Winter Rules defined as 6-inch relief, Pick-Clean-Place, no nearer the hole everywhere including the rough.
Please Check in for Golf—Please remember to check in to the Pro Shop when you play golf. It is often difficult for the Pro Shop staff to see all the players who are teeing off on the first hole of the day. This is especially true now that we are starting play from Hole #10 during the Bunker Renovation Project. Checking in can be as simple as poking your head into the Pro Shop and saying hello. Checking in helps us immensely to know who is here in each group. And checking in especially helps mitigate billing errors. So please let us know you are here and ready to go play some golf, we always enjoy seeing you!
Tree Trimming— There is some necessary tree trimming being conducted on the golf course on Holes #6 and #7. Please be aware and safe and not enter any safety zones or roped off areas.
Tips from the Pro—Going to the beach isn’t always fun…
Greenside bunker shots can be difficult, especially if the bunkers are designed with tall lips like ours at The Villages. Now that our new bunkers will be re-opening for play, here are some tips for greenside bunker play.
1. Be aggressive…a tentative swing doesn’t work in the sand – swing as long as if you are hitting a full 8-iron.
2. Use a Sand Wedge or Lob Wedge…they are designed with lots of loft, a wider sole and more bounce; which is perfect for sand.
3. Open the clubface…you want the bounce on the sole to hit the sand first NOT the leading edge – if the new sand is a bit deep and thick, open the clubface even more – visualize being able to balance a glass of wine on your clubface.
4. The setup for a greenside bunker shot is different that for a normal shot: wide stance with a bit more knee flex / keep your hands and wrists low / position the ball forward in your stance / keep your weight in your left hip.
5. Aim and hit 1”-3” behind the ball…don’t look at the ball, look at your spot.
The greenside sand shot is the only shot in golf in which we do not hit the ball. We hit behind the ball and project the ball out with all of the sand around & under the ball. Why don’t we hit the ball first?? Because sand is light and airy and not compact like soil, so the ball does not compress and spin off the clubface in the sand like it does on the turf. Let me know how these tips work. To sign up for a lesson with me, email ssteele@the-villages.com
