From the Golf Pro 1/16

Bunker Renovation Project—The construction team will be working each week (weather permitting) Monday-Saturday. Currently Holes #4, #5 & #8 are closed. 

Holes #1, #2 & #3 are now open – The bunkers and the surrounding new sod are 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.

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.

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

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

January Golf Schedule

Monday, January 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Holiday Schedule – Open Play 7:30 a.m.

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!

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.  

Tree Trimming— There is some necessary tree trimming being conducted on the golf course on Holes #4, #5, #8. Please be aware and safe and not enter any safety zones or roped off areas.

Fall Maintenance Schedule—Fall Overseeding will continue through the end of January.

Tips from the Pro— Short but Sweet…Our Par-3 Course is a Great Test!

How often have you played our Par-3 Course? My guess is that unless you are a Shonie or an Ironman, you haven’t played the Par-3 Course very often. But if you want some solid direction on what to practice and where your strokes are coming from, go play the Par-3 Course once a week. You will then see, in real time, with real numbers, how good your golf game is from inside 100 yards. If you shoot 30 or better with lots of pars, then your 100 yards and in game is solid. But if you find yourself making 4’s, 5’s and 6’s, then you know you need to work on your 100 yards and in game; meaning wedge shots, chipping and putting. In the game of golf, everyone is enamored with distance, but really the difference between good players and average players is 100 yards and in. So, I challenge all of you that think that the Par-3 Course is too easy for you, to go play it, and see what you shoot. It is tougher than you think! If you shoot 30 or better on average, your short game is good. If you shoot 32 or higher on average, I suggest that you work on your short game or take a lesson to improve. And don’t forget to post your score!Let me know how these tips work. To sign up for a lesson with me, email ssteele@the-villages.com