Public Course Golfers: Anyone else notice very quiet courses this year?

[LeftyGomez]

It's nice to play fast, that's for sure, but it is unsettling to see a mostly empty parking lot on a sunny day in the low 70's and that's what I have seen at three different courses over the last two weeks (Boston area). Quite noticeable compared to previous years. Is there something more widespread going on?

[SloverUT]

Not here.  I've played a lot over the last two weeks and the coures I've played have been packed.  Not unbearable but still really busy.

[hacker101]

The only course in the LA area that i played was a bit empty in the AM was Dos Lagos, by mid day it was packed to the point of play stoped almost dead in it tracks.

All the other courses we have played unless you are out early AM you can forget it, add an hour to your round.

[thanw]

I get the feeling that a lot of people are not playing this year. Tons of used equipment for sale, when I call for tee times they ask when I want and it is always open for that time even on Sunday. Back in the 90s it was tough to find a tee time on weekends on the better courses and you always had to have four people or they wouldn't give you a slot. The last two times I called they didn't even ask how many I had in my party.

[David in FL]

They're all down here. I'm playing my 36th round of the year tomorrow and the courses are jammed. Can't wait until they all head back up north! Has it stopped snowing yet? ;-)

[Unkynd]

Courses in Oklahoma are packed.

[MS256]

I live about an hour from Chattanooga and the city courses there are packed enough that you have to get a tee time for the weekend a few days in advance, but the courses closer to home and futher from the city have almost no play.

It seems that the overflow that didn't get a tee time in the city are staying home instead of driving somewhere to play.

[SloverUT]

Originally Posted by MS256

I live about an hour from Chattanooga and the city courses there are packed enough that you have to get a tee time for the weekend a few days in advance, but the courses closer to home and futher from the city have almost no play.

It seems that the overflow that didn't get a tee time in the city are staying home instead of driving somewhere to play.

You'll have to let me know when you are playing Chattanooga sometime and I can drive down and get a round in with a fellow TSTer!

[That is Good]

Originally Posted by David in FL

They're all down here. I'm playing my 36th round of the year tomorrow and the courses are jammed.

Can't wait until they all head back up north! Has it stopped snowing yet?

Very Funny!

I have a snowbird friend who heads to your state in September and returns in June.

The snow has been gone for a few weeks now.

We had flurries a week & a half ago, but nothing stuck.

It's been in the 50's to the 70's for the past week and actually the 40's feel balmy here.

Our courses are getting plenty of play.

[MS256]

Originally Posted by SloverUT

You'll have to let me know when you are playing Chattanooga sometime and I can drive down and get a round in with a fellow TSTer!

Yeah, that would be fun. My son lives in Chattanooga and I ride up there to play quite a bit. We are coming to Knoxville tomorrow for his practice round at Holston Hills, but I am just the caddy for that.

[ghalfaire]

In the Phoenix area the city is considering closing one of the city courses.  Not enough business to sustain all of them and of course a lot of private owned courses around for competition.  Since business many very good courses are cutting green fees to attract business and it is hurting municipal golf's business, which has probably never paid for itself.

[MPtheKid]

Agree with OP. Most of the courses I play regularly here in CT do not seem to be as busy as they usually are during this time of year. I'm sure that will change as we roll into summer, but for now I am enjoying the fact that the public courses aren't complete zoos.

[avmcdevildog]

Courses in Oklahoma are packed.

Not down here in the south west area. Some of the courses I go to will tell me after I pay for 18 I can play all day if I want because its likely im one of 3 or 4 groups thats showing up for the entire day.

[thanw]

Originally Posted by avmcdevildog

Not down here in the south west area. Some of the courses I go to will tell me after I pay for 18 I can play all day if I want because its likely im one of 3 or 4 groups thats showing up for the entire day.

I am in central oklahoma and have not seen "packed" courses. Have to admit that I don't play weekends much anymore and the weather has been iffy. It will be interesting but my guess is there will be long lines the first few weeks in the 90s but then it will taper off. It doesn't seem like there is as much money floating around as there was in the early 1980s or late 1990s to me.

[GaijinGolfer]

Not here in Ohio.  Id say the courses are busier than they were last year.  It seems like even when I play during the day on a Wednesday the courses are still crowded and slow.

[boogielicious]

Originally Posted by David in FL

They're all down here. I'm playing my 36th round of the year tomorrow and the courses are jammed.

Can't wait until they all head back up north! Has it stopped snowing yet?

Keep them David!

It is starting to pick up here in Boston.  But the cool weather has kept the fair weather folks away.

[rehmwa]

I think around here it'll pick up once they plow the snow off the parking lot...again....and after the next May snow storm

[Unkynd]

I just called a local muni in oklahoma city for a sunday tee time. First available time was 3:30pm.