Stream Holes #9 & #18
We are happy to announce that at long last the stream on Hole #9 and Hole #18 is up and running again now that the electrical supply repair has been completed. You will now see a nice stream of water flowing in front of each green. Golfers remember that the stream in front of #9 & #18 is a Yellow Penalty Area, so if your ball enters the stream, you must drop your ball behind the stream keeping the spot the ball crossed the penalty area line and the flag in a straight line, going back on that line as far as you want, adding one penalty stroke to your score.
If your ball enters the pond to the left side of the green on #18 or the stream to the left and right of #9 green, these are Red Lateral Penalty Areas so you can drop 2 club lengths from the point of entry or you can use the Ball Drop area on #18 above the pond, adding one penalty stroke to your score. Let us know if you have any questions.
Women’s 18-Hole Invitational in June!
The 2025 Women’s 18-Hole Invitational is June 18, 19, 20 – the golf course and some practice areas will be CLOSED at certain times – see schedule below and please plan accordingly – Thank you for your cooperation!
Wednesday, June 18
Women’s 18-Hole Association Invitational Horserace 3:30 p.m. – Last Tee Time on the 18-Hole Course 12 p.m.
Thursday, June 19
Women’s 18-Hole Association Invitational Round 1
18-Hole Course closed all day – Practice Putting Green closed until 1 p.m.
Driving Range closed until 10 a.m.
Friday, June 20
Women’s 18-Hole Association Invitational Round 2
18-Hole Course closed until 3 p.m.
Driving Range closed until 10 a.m.
June Golf Schedule
Wednesday, June 11 – Twilight Nine & Dine 4 p.m. Front-9 Shotgun – 1st Tee closed 2 p.m. – Back-9 Open All day
Saturday, June 14 – Men’s Club Summer Open 8am Shotgun – Open Shotgun 1pm
Wednesday, June 19 – Women’s 18-Hole Association Invitational Horserace 3:30 p.m. – Last Tee Time 1 p.m.
Thursday, June 20 – Women’s 18-Hole Association Invitational – 18-Hole Course closed all day – Range closed until 10 a.m.
Friday, June 21 – Women’s 18-Hole Association Invitational – 18-Hole Course closed until 3 p.m. – Range closed until 10 a.m.
Friday, June 27 – Twilight Mixer – 9-Hole 4:30 p.m. Shotgun + Dinner – Last available 18-Hole Tee Time 12 p.m.
Sunday, June 29 – 8 a.m. Open Shotgun – 1pm Alano Charity Tournament 18-Hole Course closed at 1 p.m.
Pedestrians on the Golf Course
Monday walkers…the following Mondays in May will have golf play prohibiting walking at regular times: Monday, June 2 – the course closed for walkers from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday, July 21 – the course closed for walkers from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
4th Of July Celebration—To celebrate Independence Day 2025, along with the fabulous party at the Clubhouse, we will be hosting a golf Putting Contest as well as Closest to the Hole contests for those that play golf that day.
There will be a four-hole putting contest on the practice green with complimentary prizes for the winners donated by the Pro Shop. The putting contest will run from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
There will also be Closest to the Hole contests on Holes #4 & #11 for Members & Guests who play golf that day with complimentary prizes donated by the Pro Shop.
Junior Camps are back—sign up now! Back by popular demand we will be hosting Junior Camps again this summer. Here are the July dates and times for the junior camps.
July 14-17 Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
July 21-24 Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Cost is $380 per Junior per camp…Call the Pro Shop at (408)-274-3220 extension #1 to sign up.
New Demos available now in the Pro Shop!
New Cobra DS Adapt Drivers-Fairways-Hybrids—used by Max Homa, Rickie Fowler and Lexi Thompson
New PING G440 Drivers-Fairways-Hybrids—used by Viktor Hovland, Tony Finau and Sahith Theegala
New Callaway Elye Drivers-Fairways-Hybrids—used by Xander Schauffele, John Rahm and Rose Zhang
New Taylor Made Qi35 Drivers-Fairways-Hybrid—used by Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Colin Morikawa
Take your game to the next level with new 2025 technology to maximize your distance and accuracy!
Tips from the Pro—Tips for Playing the New Bunker Sand from the Greenside Bunkers
As the new bunker sand will take time to settle to its preferred payable depth, the sand will seem a bit deeper and thicker than you might be used to. Here are some tips for playing out of thicker and deeper sand around the greens:
1. You do not want the leading edge of the club to enter the sand first as that will cause the club to dig too deep into the sand and you will have trouble getting the ball out. So, open the clubface by rotating the grip on your hand clockwise until the clubface lays flat – imagine being able to stand a glass of wine on the clubface. Open the club face much more than you are used to. Also, as you swing back rotate the club open even more by rotating your hands to the right on the backswing. This will ensure that the sole of the club touches the sand first at impact and the club should bounce and glide through that sand without digging too deep.
2. Avoid swinging too steeply as again a steep angle of attack will cause the club to dig too deep. Instead swing the club back and through on a shallower angle. On the backswing keep your wrists quiet and keep the club low to the ground. Imagine a long “U” shaped swing instead of a steep “V” shaped swing. This will shallow your divot and help lift the ball out easier.
3. Don’t dig your feet in too deep. We’ve all been told to dig our feet in the sand for stability. But in deep, thick sand, we can sometimes dig our feet in too deep which lowers our center of gravity too much causing thin and fat shots. So step into your stance and just make a couple wiggles with your feet in the sand, being mindful to not dig in too deep.
4. On longer bunker shots employ the “chunk and run” technique. Take a club with less loft like a Gap Wedge or a Pitching Wedge. Move the ball a bit more forward in your stance. Focus on a spot 3-4 Inches behind the ball instead of the standard 2-inches. Swing the club firmly into that spot and it should come out lower with more roll. There is not much follow-through needed with the chunk and run technique. 5. If your ball buries in the sand, then keep the clubface square and do not roll it open. This will allow the club to dig under the ball and lift it out. It is also helpful to increase your grip pressure when your ball is buried as it will take a bit more force to get it out. To sign up for a lesson with me, email ssteele@the-villages.com
