Let me tell you about a place where golf carts outnumber cars, where losing 5.8 million golf balls annually is considered normal, and where your biggest daily decision might be choosing between 60 different golf courses. Welcome to The Villages, Florida… the retirement community that somehow convinced 55,000+ seniors that playing 45 rounds of golf per year in the scorching Florida sun is the definition of living your best life.
The mind-boggling scale of golf in America's friendliest hometown
When The Villages claims to be the world's largest golf community, they're not exaggerating for the Florida tourism board. We're talking about 765 total golf holes spread across 14 championship courses and 46 executive courses, with more under construction because apparently 765 holes just isn't quite enough.
To put this in perspective, the average American golfer plays about 19 rounds per year. Villages residents? They're cranking out 45.7 rounds annually, which explains why approximately 3 million rounds get played here each year. That's roughly 8,200 rounds every single day, including Christmas and during hurricanes.
The championship courses alone offer 342 holes of golf, with most facilities featuring 27-hole layouts that let you mix and match your poison. Palmer Legends, designed by Arnold Palmer himself, stretches to 7,180 yards from the tips… though let's be honest, most residents are playing from the forward tees and still having the time of their lives.
Executive courses: Where free golf dreams come true
Here's where things get interesting for your wallet. The Villages operates 46 nine-hole executive courses that are completely free for residents to walk. Yes, you read that correctly… free golf. Of course, there's a catch (there's always a catch). While walking is free, most 70+ year-olds aren't exactly keen on hoofing it in 95-degree heat, so you'll pay $4 per day for a cart or spring for the $139.96 annual trail pass.
These executive courses range from beginner-friendly layouts like El Santiago, where water hazards are about as common as snowflakes in July, to El Diablo, which apparently got its name from the number of curse words muttered on its elevated, undulating greens. The courses use a 1-4 difficulty rating system, and rounds typically wrap up in about 1.5 hours… perfect for squeezing in 18 holes before your 2 PM pickle ball match.
Understanding the pricing maze (spoiler: residents win big)
Let's talk money, because that's what really matters when you're living on a fixed income and trying to feed a golf addiction. Every Villages resident pays a $189 monthly amenity fee that automatically includes membership to all championship courses. Before you start calculating the per-round cost, remember this also includes access to pools, fitness centers, and roughly 3,000 clubs where you can learn everything from accordion playing to zombie makeup application.
For championship courses, residents pay between $36 at Orange Blossom Hills and $97 at Southern Oaks per round. Want to feel like a VIP? Add the Championship Golf Enhancement for $141.50 monthly (or $176.50 for couples who haven't figured out separate golf is happy golf). This gets you:
- Reduced green fees
- Priority tee times
- Tournament eligibility
- Cheaper handicap fees
- Bragging rights at the bar
Non-residents hoping to experience this golf utopia will need a resident friend to sponsor them, plus they'll pay $76.50 to $97 for championship courses. Executive courses run $7-11 during peak season, which is November through April when every snowbird in the Midwest descends upon Central Florida.
The tee time hunger games
Booking tee times at The Villages requires a PhD in strategic planning or at least a basic understanding of their point-based system. The algorithm rewards those who play less frequently with better access during busy periods, which is either brilliantly egalitarian or completely maddening, depending on whether you got the time you wanted.
You can submit requests 7 days out or book real-time 3 days in advance. The championship courses use a wave system with morning times from 7:28-9:28 AM and afternoon slots from 11:56 AM-1:56 PM. Pro tip: submit requests with wide time windows and use the "Any Course" option to improve your chances, especially during the January-April peak season when rounds can stretch to 5-6 hours.
Championship courses worth bragging about at happy hour
While The Villages might not host the Masters anytime soon, several championship courses deserve recognition beyond their connection to famous designers. Palmer Legends stands out not just for Arnold's signature but for its upscale dining destination that's worth visiting even if you shoot 120.
Havana Country Club earns consistent praise for its 55-foot elevation changes… a rarity in pancake-flat Florida. The Kilimanjaro/Kenya combination offers dramatic uphill and downhill shots, including a finishing hole that'll either make you feel like a hero or have you questioning your life choices.
Glenview Champions' Fox Run nine gets voted "most scenic in The Villages" by people who've apparently played all 765 holes. The Stirrup Cup nine provides strategic challenges for better players, while Nancy Lopez Legacy marks the LPGA legend's first course design… though some joke she must have designed it blindfolded given a few of the hole layouts.
Finding your perfect difficulty level
Not everyone needs to play from the tips or tackle the most challenging layouts. The Villages brilliantly offers something for every skill level:
For beginners or high handicappers:
- Nancy Lopez Legacy's Ashley Meadows
- Belle Glade's Calusa nine
- Any executive course rated 1-2
For intermediate players:
- Evans Prairie (modern design)
- Orange Blossom Hills (best value)
- Executive courses rated 3
For low handicappers:
- Palmer Legends (all 27 holes)
- Glenview Champions' Stirrup Cup
- Havana's championship combination
The golf cart phenomenon that defines The Villages
Here's where The Villages transforms from a simple retirement community into something resembling a golf cart autonomous zone. With over 100 miles of dedicated cart paths and approximately 70,000 golf carts (1.5 per household), this is a place where your golf cart isn't just transportation… it's your primary vehicle, social status symbol, and personality expression rolled into one.
Standard golf carts limited to 20 mph require headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and mirrors. Drivers must be at least 14 years old, which means yes, you might get passed by a teenager while you're putting along to your tee time. Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs) that go 20-25 mph require actual driver's licenses, registration, and insurance… because apparently going 5 mph faster requires government oversight.
The infrastructure includes engineering marvels like the Water Lilly Bridge spanning the Florida Turnpike and the Chitty Chatty Bridge over SR 44. There are tunnels under major roads and designated diamond lanes for cart traffic. Just remember you can't drive on sidewalks or roads with speed limits over 35 mph, and headlights are mandatory from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise.
Navigation apps have become essential, with Villages GPS running $6.99 annually or the free official Villages app helping you navigate this cart-based society. First-timers often get hilariously lost trying to figure out which of the dozen golf courses named after Spanish words they're supposed to be playing.
Beyond the fairways: Amenities that seal the deal
Every championship course features a fully-stocked pro shop operating from the ungodly hour of 6:30 AM (because apparently some people think golf at dawn is fun) until 6 PM. The Custom Club Shop at Palmer Legends offers professional fitting services with launch monitors and regular manufacturer demo days.
But let's talk about what really matters… the food. The Villages operates 14 full-service restaurants at championship courses, ranging from Havana Country Club's hand-cut steaks to Mallory Hill's Sunday fried chicken special at $15.99. Palmer Legends positions itself as an upscale dining destination where you can celebrate breaking 100 or drown your sorrows after another triple bogey.
The practice facilities include four primary driving ranges, with two featuring aqua ranges for target practice over water… because regular driving ranges aren't challenging enough for people who lose 15,000 golf balls per day collectively. The Villages Golf Academy at Sarasota provides instruction from seven PGA/LPGA professionals, including former tour players and caddies who've seen it all.
Tournament culture and competitive senior golf
The Villages runs regular leagues that make you realize retirement doesn't mean slowing down. Men's Day (Tuesdays) and Ladies Day (Wednesdays) feature select-shot scrambles open to anyone 45 or older. The $2 entry fee might be the best entertainment value in Florida, with prizes based on participation levels.
Annual tournaments like The Villages Championship attract 100+ entries, typically scheduled from May through September to avoid the peak snowbird season. You'll need a current GHIN handicap and priority membership to participate, plus the ability to handle good-natured ribbing when you four-putt from 10 feet.
The good, the bad, and the crabgrass reality
Let's address the elephant on the driving range… The Villages golf courses aren't Augusta National. With 3 million rounds annually, these courses take a beating that would make most superintendents weep. Reviews reveal a divide between those who appreciate the value and accessibility versus those expecting country club conditions.
One 15-year regular philosophically notes the courses remain "in very good condition when you have to consider over a million rounds of golf are played on these courses each year." Translation: lower your expectations and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Common complaints include:
- Crabgrass on many holes
- Reduced maintenance budgets
- Slow play during peak season
- Wear patterns from cart traffic
- Raised fees despite lower quality
But here's the thing… where else can you play unlimited free executive golf and access 14 championship courses for less than the price of a single private club membership in Naples or Miami?
Planning your Villages golf adventure
If you're visiting or considering a move, timing is everything. Avoid January through April unless you enjoy 5-6 hour rounds and fighting for tee times like it's Black Friday at Walmart. Summer offers better pace of play, though you'll need to embrace the Florida heat and afternoon thunderstorms.
All courses remain private to residents and guests, so you'll need a resident sponsor and guest ID to play. There's no public access, period. This isn't Myrtle Beach where you can show up with cash and play wherever.
Must-play courses for first-timers include Havana for the elevation changes, Palmer Legends for the Arnold Palmer pedigree, and at least one executive course to understand why residents get addicted to quick, free rounds. Download the navigation apps before arriving unless you want to spend your first day lost in a maze of Spanish-named streets and golf courses.
The bottom line on golf in The Villages
The Villages has created something unprecedented… a complete golf ecosystem where 765 holes integrate seamlessly with daily life. It's a place where golf isn't just a hobby but a lifestyle, where your neighbors understand why you need to leave dinner early for a twilight nine, and where losing 6 million golf balls annually is considered a reasonable tax for this much fun.
The courses won't win architectural awards or host tour events, but they offer something arguably more valuable: accessible, affordable golf within a community that celebrates the game. Where else can you play 45+ rounds annually, drive your golf cart to 60 different courses, and still have time for pickle ball, happy hour, and whatever else retirement throws your way?
For golfers seeking pristine conditions and exclusivity, look elsewhere. But for those wanting unlimited golf, endless variety, and a community of like-minded enthusiasts who think 90-degree weather is "perfect golf weather," The Villages delivers on its promise. Just remember to pack extra balls… 5.8 million of them disappear here every year, and yours will likely join them in the Florida rough.
