Fishing for golf balls allowed?

[Opmoochler]

Yesterday, my husband looked out over the # 4 hole on Hemingway GC and saw a man with a plastic bag and ball retriever fishing for golf balls in the retention pond and along the banks under the grasses. Is this allowed? We only collect the balls that end up in our landscaping!

[MrGolf]

As with most any golf courses the answer is no. The course has no issue with you retrieving your own ball/ club that found its way into the pond. As for anything outside of that, as the commercial says the answer is a big fat No. Most courses contract with folks that do that for a living. These people pay the course/ developer for the ability to do this. I am certain if the ambassadors saw this they would take the individuals name and tell them to stop. May even take the balls away from them.

[Challenger]

As with most any golf courses the answer is no. The course has no issue with you retrieving your own ball/ club that found its way into the pond. As for anything outside of that, as the commercial says the answer is a big fat No. Most courses contract with folks that do that for a living. These people pay the course/ developer for the ability to do this. I am certain if the ambassadors saw this they would take the individuals name and tell them to stop. May even take the balls away from them.

Further , ball hawks slow down play and are generally agrevating.

[joldnol]

Doesn't sound like a ball hawk but rather someone not playing at the time. I have nothing against looking for your own ball and if there is another nearby.... bonus. We do have some here that think it's their mission to hawk every ball they see. We were behind a slow group on Southern Star Thursday and on the ninth hole the slowest player of the group went looking for his tee shot in the pond. after a couple of minutes he walked up to the green and dropped four balls to dry off. Also if your skills are as rusty as mine please don't play the back tees!

[asianthree]

If the gators in the snakes don't mind neither do I

[Barefoot]

.....on the ninth hole the slowest player of the group went looking for his tee shot in the pond. After a couple of minutes he walked up to the green and dropped four balls to dry off.
Also, it sometimes seems that the slowest golfers take several mulligans. And then it takes them forever to find all their balls. :sigh:

[JGVillages]

If you have not paid a green fee you should not be on any course during operating hours, basically dawn to dusk. You could possibly try after dusk but get your "Carry Permit" first as Gator mating season is fast approaching!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Opmoochler]

If you have not paid a green fee you should not be on any course during operating hours, basically dawn to dusk. You could possibly try after dusk but get your "Carry Permit" first as Gator mating season is fast approaching!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was toward the end of the day and was not interfering with any play. We continue to hope there are no gators in our pond - haven't seen any since our arrival in Sept. Saw our first snake yesterday, which turned out to be a big ole black racer, which I think is a cousin to the black snakes we used to have in MD. I'm not fond of snakes, but this guy seemed to be looking for gecko lunch in our landscaping. No way would I be interested in looking for balls where critters hang out!

[kcrazorbackfan]

Also, it sometimes seems that the slowest golfers take several mulligans. And then it takes them forever to find all their balls. :sigh:

And they never fix ball marks, skid marks (from the worm burners across the greens), divots on the tee boxes and fairways or rake the bunkers. Ah, the privileged/entitled.

[Miles42]

After hours who cares.

[rubicon]

Fishing for balls from a pond is a wasteful exercise. Because those Callaway critters you catch become addicted to water, once tasted, and thus have a great desire to return to water

Personal Best Regards:

[RickeyD]

Fishing for balls from a pond is a wasteful exercise. Because those Callaway critters you catch become addicted to water, once tasted, and thus have a great desire to return to water

Personal Best Regards:

Just purchased 50 of these critters for 22 bucks, Amazon 2-day. Hope you're wrong. :ohdear:

[drcar]

After hours who cares.

It's called Trespassing!

[Challenger]

It's called Trespassing!

The "who cares attitude" is most of the problem on golf courses around here

[mulligan]

I recently reached into a clump of cord grass and picked up 1 ball. When I looked at my hand, there were 4 ticks crawling on my arm. Also consider Brown Recluse, Wood, and Banana Spiders that call the tall grass home.

[Walter123]

I recently reached into a clump of cord grass and picked up 1 ball. When I looked at my hand, there were 4 ticks crawling on my arm. Also consider Brown Recluse, Wood, and Banana Spiders that call the tall grass home.

So, so true! I often see people wading through the weeds seemingly unaware of what lurks below the weed line. Besides critters there are many poisonous, prickly weeds including Florida Nettles.

[kcrazorbackfan]

After hours who cares.

They can do whatever they want to "after hours"; on a course, it probably borders on trespassing (and stealing balls from the course), although nothing would ever be done to them as this is Florida's Friendliest Hometown and you can see on the online news everyday about people getting probation for a lot worse things.

If it's during the regular hours of play, I can see this happening - a cheapskate is looking for a $.25 Topflite and a golfer hits a wayward shot and :boom:, the ball nails him. The cheapskate sues the golfer (for not being good enough to control his shots) and probably sues the course (for letting aforementioned wayward shot golfer on the course). Hey, there are 22 million people in the State of Florida; probably at least 1% of them would try that.

[Jim 9922]

Fishing for balls from a pond is a wasteful exercise. Because those Callaway critters you catch become addicted to water, once tasted, and thus have a great desire to return to water
:


I always thought that they are better balls because the bad shot has already been hit out of them.:a040:

[TomOB]

After hours who cares.

You are not allowed to trespass on the course after hours. I wouldn't recommend it by my house. My friends Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson don't like trespassers.

[memason]

They can do whatever they want to "after hours"; on a course, it probably borders on trespassing (and stealing balls from the course), although nothing would ever be done to them as this is Florida's Friendliest Hometown and you can see on the online news everyday about people getting probation for a lot worse things.

If it's during the regular hours of play, I can see this happening - a cheapskate is looking for a $.25 Topflite and a golfer hits a wayward shot and :boom:, the ball nails him. The cheapskate sues the golfer (for not being good enough to control his shots) and probably sues the course (for letting aforementioned wayward shot golfer on the course). Hey, there are 22 million people in the State of Florida; probably at least 1% of them would try that.

never mind

[joldnol]

You are not allowed to trespass on the course after hours. I wouldn't recommend it by my house. My friends Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson don't like trespassers.

So your going to shoot someone not on your property?

[drcar]

I recently reached into a clump of cord grass and picked up 1 ball. When I looked at my hand, there were 4 ticks crawling on my arm. Also consider Brown Recluse, Wood, and Banana Spiders that call the tall grass home.

You failed to mention the cotton mouth snakes, rattle snakes, or if reach into the water the gators. All for a golf ball!!! But this discussion like most them on here never stay on subject. Golf Ball HAWKING is not allowed during hours or after hours. :boom:

[Chi-Town]

You are not allowed to trespass on the course after hours. I wouldn't recommend it by my house. My friends Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson don't like trespassers.
Gives new meaning to shooting a round.

[Jima64]

So your going to shoot someone not on your property?

Can you imagine explaining tomthe police why younshot someone walking near your property!:a040:

[village dreamer]

so what kind of bait do you guys use fishing for golf balls????

[Topspinmo]

I see rules broken all the time, but I keep my nose in my own business. :boxing2:That's why I have such a pretty nose:)! I leave up to those responsible for enforcing the rules. My watch is over. So I relax to more important things in life.:popcorn:

[rubicon]

But what if the person fishing for golf balls lives on a golf course? And what if that person shared his/her good fortunate with neighbors and members of his/her foursome?

I m not one inclined to shag after golf balls but I do not impose on those who feel differently. It is what it is

[DeanFL]

Can't see why more people don't hunt stray balls. For those that do, may want to keep this link:

[justjim]

I don't care for "things" that slow up play but "ball hawking" I dislike the most because it is the most selfish and unnecessary thing you can do that slows up play on a golf course.

[Barefoot]

But what if the person fishing for golf balls lives on a golf course?

Rubicon, we back on a golf course. I don't think that gives me a right to anything but a nice view.
In my humble opinion, unless I have a game booked, I think I'd be trespassing to be on the golf course.

[dbussone]

Rubicon, we back on a golf course. I don't think that gives me a right to anything but a nice view.
In my humble opinion, unless I have a game booked, I think I'd be trespassing to be on the golf course.

You are one wise Canadian. I agree 100%.

[Nucky]

I am amazed that anyone would even remotely consider fetching a golf ball from a pond. When I was a caddy as a young man as soon as I picked up the bag of a golfer I knew what kind of day it was going to be dependant on the ball ball retriever being in the bag or not $$$. Isn't it sort of risk, reward? Seems absolutely foolish to me to even attempt it. Maybe I watched to much Swamp People! Choot 'Em Lizbeth!

[kcrazorbackfan]

There's probably people out there that change the grip on their ball retriever more often than they do their clubs. :1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Opmoochler]

Rubicon, we back on a golf course. I don't think that gives me a right to anything but a nice view.
In my humble opinion, unless I have a game booked, I think I'd be trespassing to be on the golf course.

That was our thought, even after hours, which is why I inquired in the first place.

[DonH57]

There's probably people out there that change the grip on their ball retriever more often than they do their clubs. :1rotfl::1rotfl:

Those grip handles can get expensive too! :1rotfl:

[Kannon451]

You are not allowed to trespass on the course after hours. I wouldn't recommend it by my house. My friends Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson don't like trespassers.

WOW! I am a gun owner, NRA member and Second Amendment supporter, but reading comments like this makes me think it may be time to repeal the Second Amendment and start collecting all guns. Starting here in The Villages.

[Nucky]

There's probably people out there that change the grip on their ball retriever more often than they do their clubs. :1rotfl::1rotfl:


We are on a much needed hot streak on TOTV. A whole lot of helpfulness and jocularity. I like it.

I understand being frugal, I even wish I was more frugal but not at the loss of life or limb. Grip on the ball retriever...I gotta write that one down...:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl: You found the people I once caddied for! :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[villagetinker]

It is mating season, and someone wants to go near the water to fetch balls.............Let them be, we will read about them in the paper, remember, I do not care how fast you are, you cannot out run a gator in the first 30 feet.
On the other hand you could keep your gun (for the gator) or phone (for the poor schnook) handy when this happens, or both if you are really coordinated.:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[skullybiker]

Wow

[Miles42]

I am thinking the man with the Smith is at sometime in the near future going away for a while. Shooting someone on a public Golf course is somewhat hard to defend I am guessing LOL. Then again it could be even TOTV has a few elderly trolls.

[rubicon]

Rubicon, we back on a golf course. I don't think that gives me a right to anything but a nice view.
In my humble opinion, unless I have a game booked, I think I'd be trespassing to be on the golf course.

Hi Barefoot: So do we and I did state that I am not much for chasing after errant golf balls which in my case is often. However, I can understand a homeowner's natural tendency to fish the pond in the back of his/her home.
Again I say golf balls exposed to water become addicted and will return to the pond for their fix.

Personal Best Regards:

[ladila2]

What a joke! Yes, I am a golfer and I don't bother retrieving golf balls that I hit into the water, reserve or personal properties. However, I do live on the golf courses and how about the Ambassadors??? Have seen them retrieving balls. I ever approached on in the past and commented on his actions. His reply, "I'm removing the temptation for golfers"! Golfers definitely slow down play with this situation. Hey, if you can't afford a golf ball or tee, look for another pastime!

[John_W]

About three weeks ago I was heading up Moyer Loop to show my wife the new dog park and wildlife observation area and in front of my car was a slow moving golf cart with no roof. It was one of those utility type carts and the driver was wearing an all black outfit on a warm day. I was eventually able to pass the cart and it turned out be a fellow in a frogman outfit and on the floor was one sack and in the back of the cart two more mesh sacks of golf balls. They were almost duffle bag size, had to be a 1000 balls at least and it was only about 1pm. He turned into the Belle Glade Country Club lot, I figured he was going into the office to pay up. I'm sure this is a good business for some, but I don't want any part of that job. The fellow was dressed like this;

http://hydroglove.com/sc_images/products/Light%20Suit%202.jpg

[bagboy]

John W, usually a golf course (s) will contract ball retrieving out to an experienced company. In return, the company either pays for the golf balls retrieved, provide packaged "used" golf balls to be sold in the pro shop, provide driving range balls, or a combination of the three.
These companies use experienced divers. I talked to several over the years in Myrtle Beach, and to a man they said nothing bothers them or scares them with the exception of snapping turtles. Snakes and alligators do not bother the divers. Turtles will lock onto anything they can get ahold of and never let go. Many divers wear gloves with metal reinforced fingers. And they carry a knife to separate the head of the turtle from their body. All that said, I'm with you...not a job I would do.

[Dave@TV]

And they never fix ball marks, skid marks (from the worm burners across the greens), divots on the tee boxes and fairways or rake the bunkers. Ah, the privileged/entitled.

The people who do what you say are not privileged or entitled, they are self-centered lazy morons.

[DonH57]

About three weeks ago I was heading up Moyer Loop to show my wife the new dog park and wildlife observation area and in front of my car was a slow moving golf cart with no roof. It was one of those utility type carts and the driver was wearing an all black outfit on a warm day. I was eventually able to pass the cart and it turned out be a fellow in a frogman outfit and on the floor was one sack and in the back of the cart two more mesh sacks of golf balls. They were almost duffle bag size, had to be a 1000 balls at least and it was only about 1pm. He turned into the Belle Glade Country Club lot, I figured he was going into the office to pay up. I'm sure this is a good business for some, but I don't want any part of that job. The fellow was dressed like this;

http://hydroglove.com/sc_images/products/Light%20Suit%202.jpg

My golfing buddies have seen and talked to one of these guys with the scuba suit after he came up out of a pond off bogart course I believe. We asked him about the gators and he said he's been nipped at a few times. He said when he one a good swift kick they back away. I personally wouldn't want golf balls that bad enough but I guess there is some coin to it?

[RayAmb]

Come to Osprey Course. The ambassador can be found collecting balls. I have the pictures and this is not an isolated incident. But then they will tell neighbors to stop walking on the cart path. OUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD GASTOPO! Neighborhood friendly ----- not so much.

[CWGUY]

Come to Osprey Course. The ambassador can be found collecting balls. I have the pictures and this is not an isolated incident. But then they will tell neighbors to stop walking on the cart path. OUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD GASTOPO! Neighborhood friendly ----- not so much.

I am :shocked: you are taking pictures of him and calling him the "Gastopo".chilout

[looneycat]

Come to Osprey Course. The ambassador can be found collecting balls. I have the pictures and this is not an isolated incident. But then they will tell neighbors to stop walking on the cart path. OUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD GASTOPO! Neighborhood friendly ----- not so much.

walking the cart paths on a golf course if not playing is downright dangerous and interferes with play AND is totally unrelated to your first complaint. you should hear the crap they take from your friendly neighbors !

[Shimpy]

[QUOTE=DonH57;1201797]My golfing buddies have seen and talked to one of these guys with the scuba suit after he came up out of a pond off bogart course I believe. We asked him about the gators and he said he's been nipped at a few times. He said when he one a good swift kick they back away. I personally wouldn't want golf balls that bad enough but I guess there is some coin to it?[/QUOTE

The father of one of my best friends in high school had a business of retrieving golf balls in the Coral Gables area of Florida. He had his 2 sons and a couple others do the diving. He told me you usually can't see anything in the murky water and have to go along the bottom feeling for balls. I went into his garage one day when they were sorting balls and they had baskets of balls from floor to ceiling. I don't know how they separated them, by brand or condition? They shipped them all over the country.

[tomwed]

If I remember correctly, you need a license to fish for golf balls. I must warn you that after 3 years of fishing for golf ball, not one bite.

[Topspinmo]

walking the cart paths on a golf course if not playing is downright dangerous and interferes with play AND is totally unrelated to your first complaint. you should hear the crap they take from your friendly neighbors !

Some of the older 9 hole courses have MMP path running along the side and through courses. They are NOT the paths that go from one hole to the other. But, Separate loop intertwined around and through some courses. Mira Masa? and Chula Vista come to mind?

[ronsroni]

I watched an older gent wading thru the muck and mire at El Santiago on several occasions. He was not bothering a soul.
Imagine my horror when he came out of the pond, which was mid-thigh high and his legs were COVERED IN OPEN SORES!
Now, it was brutally apparent to me that he had a vascular issue as the discoloration of his lower legs screamed it at me.
I wonder if the pond killed him by seeping bacteria into his open sores OR if he killed the fish and turtles there from HIS bacteria.
I have not seen him in months.
Golf balls be damned.
It is GROSS.
NOMESAYIN??

[Barefoot]

I watched an older gent wading thru the muck and mire at El Santiago on several occasions. He was not bothering a soul.
Imagine my horror when he came out of the pond, which was mid-thigh high and his legs were COVERED IN OPEN SORES!
Now, it was brutally apparent to me that he had a vascular issue as the discoloration of his lower legs screamed it at me.
I wonder if the pond killed him by seeping bacteria into his open sores OR if he killed the fish and turtles there from HIS bacteria.
I have not seen him in months. Golf balls be damned. It is GROSS. NOMESAYIN?
You are right, it's gross. :yuck:

[ColdNoMore]

There is really no reason to ball hawk in water hazards around here.

Just wait for the next sinkhole to drain it and make sure you're the first there. :eek:

:pepper2:





(Sorry, I just couldn't resist. :D )

[spring_chicken]

There is really no reason to ball hawk in water hazards around here.

Just wait for the next sinkhole to drain it and make sure you're the first there. :eek:

:pepper2:





(Sorry, I just couldn't resist. :D )

Stop spreading rumors! Bad things never happen here!
:evil6: :evil6:

[Barefoot]

There is really no reason to ball hawk in water hazards around here. Just wait for the next sinkhole to drain it and make sure you're the first there. (Sorry, I just couldn't resist. )

There are tons of balls in a retention pond when it suddenly empties! However, if you ball hawk in an empty retention pond, you will have to contend with the Pelicans lined up to eat the dead fish. As long as there are no hungry gators, you're good.

[outlaw]

Fishing for golf balls is allowed after dark on overcast nights.

[batman911]

Golf courses are not public parks. Trespassing is a crime. I see these late afternoon ball grabbers driving their carts on the green aprons and edges all the time. There are also those who will wait for the employees to depart and then try to get in a few "free" holes before dark. They have no respect for the course or the law. If the shoe fits, wear it.

[Polar Bear]

Golf courses are not public parks. Trespassing is a crime. I see these late afternoon ball grabbers driving their carts on the green aprons and edges all the time. There are also those who will wait for the employees to depart and then try to get in a few "free" holes before dark...
Agree except for one thing...for a resident with paid up trail fees, there is nothing wrong with a few holes on an executive course after the shacks close.

[Nucky]

I see rules broken all the time, but I keep my nose in my own business. :boxing2:That's why I have such a pretty nose:)! I leave up to those responsible for enforcing the rules. My watch is over. So I relax to more important things in life.:popcorn:

This sounds like a high school discussion. Topspinmo said it best, My Watch Is Over! Words to live by! :agree::bigbow:

[karostay]

After hours who cares.

:bigbow::bigbow::bigbow:

[rubicon]

If it is "verboten" to The Villages for any reason(s) they would have posted a notice right at every pond.

[ColdNoMore]

If it is "verboten" to The Villages for any reason(s) they would have posted a notice right at every pond.

While that would be very hard to do given the number of water hazards on all 600+ holes here.

It IS however, spelled out in this.

http://www.golfthevillages.com/golf-in-the-villages/GoodGolfGuide.pdf


For your own safety from snakes and alligators — No “ball hawking.”



Although a lot of guys I play with always ignore this, I also follow this rule even if it is a new $4.00 ball

Never play or retrieve a ball from a resident’s yard.