The Benefits of Using a Golf Cart
There are a number of reasons why you might want to use a golf cart instead of walking between holes on the course. But, you can easily bother other golfers if you don’t use the cart properly. Let’s discuss some of the benefits of using a cart instead of walking, and how to operate one considerately.
The most obvious advantage of using a cart is that you won’t have to walk. Courses can be very large, and walkers who have to carry their golf bags will soon become tired, even if they’re in good shape. A golf cart prevents this. In addition, you can carry more with you if you choose to use a cart.
A cart will also shield you from bad weather. For example, if it’s sweltering hot, you’ll soon become fatigued and overheated if you walk the course. But if you take a cart along with plenty of water to beat the heat, you’ll be able to keep cool in the shade. Driving a golf cart can help protect you from overheating in the summer, and can keep you from getting drenched in spring and fall rains.
It’s important to remember that if you don’t use a cart regularly, you might not know when you need to move it, or how to drive it the right way. You might end up running back and forth, which is likely to be a nuisance to other golfers. If you don’t know what you’re doing, using a cart may cause more trouble than good.
Be extra careful when driving on wet grass or soggy ground. If the ground is overly saturated or muddy, avoid the area. Be aware that most courses will not allow you to drive on the rough; this minimizes the wear and tear on the course. If your partner is old enough to drive and is in the driver’s seat, you should assume he or she will drive.
Talk to your partner about who will move the cart. That keeps you from leaving it behind and having to walk back for it. Remember that you should return to the cart path when approaching the green, and bring all appropriate clubs with you when walking to it. Be willing to bring your partner a club if needed. Remember to ask him or her if a rest stop is needed when facilities are nearby.
Decide ahead of time where you are going to put the cart, and park it where it can provide shade if there is no other source available. If you are driving and your partner’s ball is next up, pull up along the right side of the ball. Make sure the ball is located midway down the length of the cart so that your partner will have less distance to walk.
Never drive your cart while other players are hitting, and make sure not to move in front of them. When parking near the green, park the cart on the side where you’ll walk off the green. When the ball is on the side or top of a hill, park nearby, but don’t drive on the hill, as this can be dangerous.
Know how far it is to the green by reading the distances or paying attention to the location of bushes, and know how far your clubs are likely to send the ball. If you’re not sure which club you’ll need, bring more than one to avoid having to walk far to the cart again and again.
Soeren is an expert in golf carts in all shapes and forms. Cheap models, expensive models and anything in between. Read his latest review article titled: The Melex Golf Cart. Come visit the site for more cart information.
