Golf carts, while I despise them, I must also admit

[Ravenous Bugblatter Beast]

I greatly prefer walking the golf course. Last year, I made use of a pull cart while my right shoulder was still more troublesome, but as my conditioning improved and my right shoulder regained strength, I converted over to a stand bag to carry my clubs. The course I play mostly now measures a little over 6300 yards from the white tees, which means I probably end up covering about 4 miles per round. Upon my re-entry into the game of golf, I found my conditioning had sagged and those early return rounds were fatiguing, but now playing nearly once a week, there is definite improvement in my conditioning.

It's astonishing to me though how many people use the carts, though. I have ended up playing with a few people, who were in carts, but they obviously had some limitations which made a golf cart a useful aid in their transportation of clubs and well-being. I'm sure there have been a few others in carts with less obvious physical limitations, but I know also that there have been many who were in physically good enough condition that they could have walked the course.

But you know what? In some ways, I have to thank those who take carts when they don't need to, as they are likely helping to keep the cost down for the stubborn walkers like me.

Yet sometimes I really wish the asphalt paths weren't out there. They're just so ugly-looking.

Still, I think there is no better feel than walking out to that drive you striped down the middle of the fairway, savoring each step.

[Woosey]

Carts are an odd thing.

In the UK they are very much in the minority, you don't really see them on the course, however when i played a lot in S.A EVERYONE uses a cart, but hey temperatures were hitting 32-38 degrees everyday and it was one HILLY course.

personally for me - i love walking, it builds up strength

[Bravo]

RBB:

Our course situation is a little interesting on this point...

First, I am a member of a club that was opened in 1949. About 6-7 years ago, the average age of a member was 55 and we had a huge number of members between 60-80 years old. These were all the folks who joined in the 1950's and were still alive...

Well over the past few years, they have died off at a pretty fast clip...being replaced of course with much younger new members....many of them in their early/mid 30's. Almost all of these new members walk. They haven't the slightest interest in playing out of an electric cart.

Our course is rolling and hilly - but very walkable if you are in decent condition. The distance between tees and greens is quite short and it is easy to walk and play a round in four hours or less.

So here is the totally weird rule: No pull carts are allowed. If you do not use an electric cart, you must carry your bag. Completely confounding...

We have had a rainy winter and I have used an electric cart the entire season. Last Friday, I decided to walk/carry. After nine holes, I felt good from a stamina standpoint, but my shoulders were killing me - so I took an electric cart on the back side. (Incidentally I played much much better when walking)....

I would enjoy the pullcart if they would allow it as the bag can tire out your shoulders, especially if you are pulling a long slope as you walk...

[Ravenous Bugblatter Beast]

That's weird about the pullcarts. I guess they must ban the pullcarts in hopes that it'll force more people who if they have to choose between walking or riding, will choose the cart and riding?

[Bravo]

Originally Posted by Ravenous Bugblatter Beast

That's weird about the pullcarts. I guess they must ban the pullcarts in hopes that it'll force more people who if they have to choose between walking or riding, will choose the cart and riding?

Yes you nailed it. The club and the Golf Director split the revenue from electric cart rentals so pull carts are not allowed. I guess I can understand that to some extent because they buy brand new carts every 3-4 years and use the revenue from rentals to pay for them, so it is kind of a difficult situation for them...Those who always ride demand an electric cart in good to excellent condition and will complain quickly if their cart appears shabby or worn...so they rotate out the electric carts pretty quickly - which is expensive.

On the other hand, these younger players are clearly thumbing their noses at riding...There is one group that had 3-4 foursomes playing in consecutive groups on Saturday morning and you won't see an electric cart anywhere on this stretch of holes. So I predict that in about 5-6 years, we will simply have fewer electric carts in the shed available for rental. This will make it awkward when having a large member-guest tournament though because players almost always want to ride then...

[ezra76]

I played from a cart 1 time last year on the back nine as another single who had a cart caught up to me. Never again. I have to have my bag right beside me. Part of my preshot routine is the hit the grooves with the wirebrush I have hanging on it to make sure they're clean. Besides that, I wanted a different club on several occasions due to the lie, now the cart is 20 yards away.

[DaveE]

Originally Posted by Bravo

Yes you nailed it. The club and the Golf Director split the revenue from electric cart rentals so pull carts are not allowed. I guess I can understand that to some extent because they buy brand new carts every 3-4 years and use the revenue from rentals to pay for them, so it is kind of a difficult situation for them...Those who always ride demand an electric cart in good to excellent condition and will complain quickly if their cart appears shabby or worn...so they rotate out the electric carts pretty quickly - which is expensive.

I guess our club needs to get with it. We not only allow pull carts but have about a half dozen that people can use for free if they want to walk.

We have quite a few older members too and most own their own carts. Since we're semi-private we allow green fee play and that's where the cart revenue comes from.

I rode for years thinking it was easier on my back only to discover that walking makes my back feel better. I do use a push cart though. I'm still not sure how it'll be this summer trying to walk when it's 100F but we'll see.

[Bravo]

Originally Posted by DaveE

I rode for years thinking it was easier on my back only to discover that walking makes my back feel better. .

Same with me...bizarre but true...

[Scotty01292]

I always carry my clubs and I have NEVER seen a cart on a british course. I was in Florida, paying for a round of golf just before teeing off and we asked if we could carry/pull our clubs round instead of using the cart and the starter laughed at us.

[DaveE]

Originally Posted by Bravo

Same with me...bizarre but true...

The back doctor I went to explained it. Walking increases blood flow to your lower back, reducing pain much like heat would. Also, riding in a cart ends up screwing your back up everytime you hit a bump or start or stop too fast.

It sucks you can't use push/pull carts because it doesn't help your back a bit to carry.

My only concern now is summer. We've had some very warm weather already so I know I can walk in the low 90s but I don't know about 100.

[SiberianDVM]

I prefer walking and using my electric bag cart. No strain, no pain.

There are some courses here that do require riding cart rental, but I do not play them. Some other courses restrict the times that you may walk.

Dumb, in my opinion. Golf was meant to be played on foot.

Except in Georgia in August and September. It's too hot to play at all then. I find my temper fraying if I have to wait 15 seconds to play my next shot, and I'm afraid that I may go to prison for attacking the slowpokes in front of me, so when the temp is above 95F, I just stay home or go to the range.

[Ravenous Bugblatter Beast]

Hey Doc, have you ever considered training one of your dogs to be a caddy? Think about it. If Siberian Huskies could pull sleds, there's got to be a dog capable of pulling some sort of trolley and bag contraption.

[chollyred]

Many of the courses near me require the use of carts due to hills and long distances between greens and tees.

Probably a good thing since I'm so out of shape. There is one course nearby that allows walking. I can do okay on the front, but the back kills me, particularly the 17th and 18th holes. The last time I walked the back, both legs cramped so badly that I thought they were going to have to call 911. (may have had something to do with the 95° temperature and a few too many beers )

[Witmaster]

I love walking the course. Whether I am carrying or using my pull-cart. I always enjoy the game more than on days when I'm sitting in a cart.

Walking to each shot gives me an opportunity to calculate out my next shot. Think about my next club. Strategize the next shot. Every time I ride in a cart I find myself bullshitting with my partner and then scrambeling for clubs as we drive up on my ball.

The only advantage I get out of riding in a cart is the ability to carry more beer on the course. I usually don't have a problem walking though as the cart-chicks know to drive by my position every 20 minutes or so to check up on me

[Rynamite]

I enjoy walking. I like walking in the grass... and you get to enjoy the day more. It's also a great workout. Carrying your clubs and walking really tires you out.

The only reason, like others have stated, that I like a cart is for the cupholder for my beer. If it's a scramble it's nice to have your nice cold beers in there while you laugh with your buddies.