Ban the buggy? - Jez Ellwood column

[billyg]

Something a tad different here for fellow GMer's


What do we think?



With the caveats that people with physical disabilities/limitations get one as needed (although a modified version of the ones I see around town would suffice and are much smaller) AND that were talking about British golf only...lets have a proper vote

..all normal so far but then.....

Ive taken the slightly sadistic option of not allowing the results to be viewed until after the closing time which I set at 6pm Tuesday 8th of April so it's more like a real blind vote. You'll also need to vote to see the results at that time and you'll need to register to vote to encourage all you unregistered fence sitters in 'anonymous' land to get involved - come on -we don't bite....much.

Don't know how this will work (or indeed if it will at all) but ive not seen this option used before and it might be more interesting and we can have a little bit of speculation about the % split while the clock ticks.

To kick things off I think it will be 60% in favour and therefore 40% against although i'm obviously not revealing my voting tendencies and I hope you agree that exit poll style comments would undermine the blind vote (and no sneaky beaky pm'ing ladies and gentlemen please)


Apologies in advance if I mess it up and it all goes Pete Tong- nothing ventured and all that...

bill


p.s. the polling booths are open...... NOW

 

[TonyN]

I voted for...... haha not really. This was another page i think was possibly influenced by one of our previous posts. (see copy cats)

 

[OldWindy]

By the time buggies are banned the needy will be able to teleport from shot to shot...

 

[brendy]

I have voted, not saying which way. Buggies are different from leccy cadies in my opinion. Buggies should only be used by those who simply cannot complete 18 holes by foot, the able bodied should be ashamed of themselves especially when golf is a sport, wheres the exercise in being sat on your ass harassing those ahead on foot.
My tuppence

 

[Dodger]

Hate them,never take them ever now,used them maybe 5 times but did not like them,felt like you miss out on the on course banter with them.I also always feel I do not get the right feel for the course and tend to find as I am not walking the course I struggle with distance for shots to greens......is that just me or anyone else find that?

 

[OldWindy]

Agreed, Dodger. You might as well play a round at Urban Golf (perhaps a bit harsh but point made, I feel).

 

[theeaglehunter]

The reason I don't really like buggies is that they just seem to force you to rush everything, because you are moving to your ball so quickly it just gets you in the mind set that you have little time and I find myself rushing shots and making a mess of them.

 

[grumpyjock]

No problem with them, lets you get 36 in and still be able to do it next day as well.
Im an old boy now and need the help around the course either that or give up (no way honest) with a little dificulty in walking it has kept me in the game.
If you want to walk do it I did for 45 years.
On the course in Spain they are essential if only for the beer.

 

[pjaz]

I enjoyed this article and supported quite a lot of what Jez said. I can't think of a round of golf where I have used a buggy and it has speeded up the rate of play, in fact it seems to slow it down - especially if one hooks and one slices their drive. I now only use them when I take my boys out to play (age 9 & 4) - the 9 year old can easily walk the 18 holes but gets bored and enjoys driving the buggy (yes, i am an irresponsible parent) and the 4 year old would be whinging after 1 hole.

 

[Marko77]

In our climate unless there's medical grounds buggy's shouldn't be allowed. Problem is they are a huge cash generator for clubs now.

 

[RGuk]

I voted to keep them, but that doesn't mean I think they are a good thing full stop. There are some courses where a buggy is invaluable (big places with long walks, with properly designed tracks) and for those in need, it would be a bit harsh to ban them. We have two at our course, and they are gathering algae/dust/rust.....no-one needs or uses them. I have fond memories of sharing one around some big US style places.

 

[Parmo]

It was a great read, I beleive there are times when they are needed the same as electric trolleys, for example people of poor health and to speed play up, Jez missed out about summer heat abroad problem and how it can justify a buggy.

As we have spoken of before with trolley bans, the same people would pay for sick notes wasting doctors time just so they could use a buggy or trolley. I watched a few months back as a over weight 12 yr old walked the course with his powacaddy, I thought if he carried a smaller bag he would loose weight and get better at his game, but no, then his younger brother turned up about 8-9 with the same thing.

 

[shanker]

I can't think of a round of golf where I have used a buggy and it has speeded up the rate of play, in fact it seems to slow it down - especially if one hooks and one slices their drive.

Couldn't agree more! I used to play at a course where they were obligatory at weekends and I thought they slowed the game down for the reasons you mention. Buggies are fine for the elderly and those who want to play but can't walk 18 holes. The rest of us should WALK.

 

[theeaglehunter]

This buggy revelation regarding time has definitely come as a surprise to me, the few times I have used a buggy it has definitely speeded up my round.

 

[pjaz]

This buggy revelation regarding time has definitely come as a surprise to me, the few times I have used a buggy it has definitely speeded up my round.

The things I find that persuade me that they don't are:

1. It doesn't improve the quality of the golfer (i.e. a good player will still play well and mediocre one mediocre etc);
2. It doesn't make the people/groups in front of you play any quicker;
3. All the waiting around for the people in front of you can affect 1.
4. As others have said it doesn't give you the feel for the course.

If you play on a private course there may be less of an issue, but they are my experiences of mostly muni and P&P courses.

This is a good debate though, like last weeks on firm greens.

I wonder what Greenkeeper makes of buggies?

 

[theeaglehunter]

Pjaz, I do accept that Buggies will not make you play better (if you look at my first post on this topic you will see it says that I feel they make you worse) It's just when you are driving at about 15mph towards your ball each time, over the course of the round you are going to improve your time as opposed to walking. Also the only time I have used a buggy is on a weekday on relatively quiet courses when on holiday abroad and therfore had no problem with anyone in front as everyone else had buggys as well. But I do appreciate that if the course is busy, the groups in front will hold you up and render Buggies useless if saving time is your objective. I don't particularly like using them anyway...I don't get out on the course that much and when I do I like to enjoy it, not rush through it to get it over and done with. I do appreciate what you are saying thoguh.

 

[medwayjon]

I think that they are essential aids for the less-able golfer but also a fasion accessory for some.

There are those that are simply too lazy to walk.

Also, if it is very, very hot they are a great idea and also on long courses where there are sometimes huge walks between holes.

 

[theeaglehunter]

Best use of a buggy I ever saw was at a society day where the organiser who was injured and therfore couldn't play himself was driving around the course with a buggy full of refreshments (including alcoholic beverages ) and even bringing out food from the bar if people requested it. Was a brilliant idea, althoguh I should think it's not uncommon.

 

[Page]

when my hips and knees are nothing more than some form of man made fibre i'll be glad to ride one of these:

http://www.minihummereurope.com/

 

[Sam]

when my hips and knees are nothing more than some form of man made fibre i'll be glad to ride one of these:
http://www.minihummereurope.com/

If you let the images scroll on the first page, Page, one shot shows Ian Poulter's Bag, another Monty and yet another Gary Lineker. The first has too high an opinion; the second divides opinion and the third galvanises opinions and promotes comments such as 'stick to pinching crisps'!!