The Advantages Of Using A Golf Cart Instead Of Walking
There are many advantages to using a golf cart rather than walking between holes on the course. But, properly using one without bothering other golfers can be a challenge. Let’s examine some of the many benefits of using a cart, and how to be considerate when using one.
The most obvious benefit of using a cart is that you won’t have to walk. Courses are often large, with uneven and hilly terrain. Walkers who carry their own equipment will become fatigued quickly, even if they’re in good physical condition. With a golf cart, you can conserve your energy for your golf swing. Plus, you can carry a greater assortment of equipment on a cart than if you have to carry it by hand.
You’ll also stay sheltered from poor weather. If you walk when it’s more than 80 degrees or so outside, you’ll find that you quickly become tired and overheated in the sweltering weather. But if you take a cart along with plenty of fluids to keep you hydrated, you’ll avoid sapping your energy from excessive heat. Driving a golf cart will help you avoid heat exhaustion on the summer, and will keep you dry in the pouring 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.
Plan ahead about where you’ll place the cart. A good strategy is to park where it can provide shade if there are no trees or buildings nearby. If you are driving the cart and you partner’s ball is next in play, pull up around the right side of the ball with the ball placed mid-way down the cart’s length. This way, your partner will have less distance to cover.
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.
Estimate how far it is to the green by reading the distance or making note of landmarks, like bushes and other landscape features. Estimate how far you are likely to send the ball. If you don’t know which club you’ll need, bring more than one so you want have to walk back to the cart multiple times.
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.
Filed under Golf Lessons by on Sep 26th, 2010.
Leave a Comment