Buggies (rant alert)

[fundy]

Oh well the clocks have gone forwards and even though its not April yet, its time for seemingly half the golf club to forget how to walk and the club to cash in despite the fact the course is sodden in places and we still have several greens partially roped off. Never mind that the course is getting even more churned up as long as they're making a few more quid not to reinvest in the golf club!

(Rant over and this isnt aimed as though who need a buggy to be able to play but those who chose to, despite the damage it is likely to cause to their course!)

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Not good and seems short sighted if the course is still wet and roped off in places. Won't the buggies simply churn the grass up and leave bald spots later in the season

 

[ManinBlack]

Surely the club should ban them until conditions improve.

I cannot for the life of me understand why healthy, young able bodied people want to ride around on buggies. You get cold, held up & it ruins the social aspect of the game. I'm 70 years old, arthritic & I can't stand them.

 

[Robster59]

When I played in The States the other year I got paired on courses with other players and each time two walked and two shared a buggy. The older guys walked, the younger ones took the buggy.
I don't like them. You can't enjoy the course when you're charging around on a buggy.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Firmly believe that you shouldn't be able to go in a buggy unless for medical reasons.

 

[louise_a]

I dont know if they still do but 3 or 4 years ago a few of us North west chompers got together to take up a winter special deal at Frodsham. The deal included buggies so there were lots going out in them, while they said keep to paths and rough, the rough was so churned up I was glad it was not my club.

 

[Fish]

Firmly believe that you shouldn't be able to go in a buggy unless for medical reasons.

Do you have to produce some evidence though?

I am having the odd gout attacks, sometimes it's OK other days I get up with it and know I will be in discomfort for at least half the round, so it's just a declaration on how I feel on any given day, how that's proven when visiting a golf club?

Also, more in line with Steve's rant, aren't the buggies under the profit and distribution of the Pro, I know ours are, as such, if the greenkeeper of the morning when inspection takes place say's no buggies, then that is where the directive should come from, it should not be the club's Pro's decision to allow as it should always be in the interest of the course, not for profit!

We get emails early every morning giving us our daily course update & status, it mainly at this time of the year will say No Buggies, it rarely says carry only though.

 

[Capella]

I enjoy walking, on and off the golf course, and the long stroll you take during a round is one of the many things that makes golf attractive for me. I also find that walking keeps the muscles warm between shots. I play a lot better when I walk than when I take a buggy. But I think it is a good option for people who could not play the game otherwise. At our course, walking is strongly encouraged. The club itlself owns only 4 buggies, but there is a farmer nearby who rents buggies out privately. In comps they are only allowed with medical excemption (which really has to be produced in written form), for social golf, it is up to everyone's liking, but I never saw a young able bodied member use one. It is considered totally uncool and something for old people. I think, our juniors would rather be caught with a ball retriever in their bag than in a buggy

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Do you have to produce some evidence though?

I am having the odd gout attacks, sometimes it's OK other days I get up with it and know I will be in discomfort for at least half the round, so it's just a declaration on how I feel on any given day, how that's proven when visiting a golf club?

Also, more in line with Steve's rant, aren't the buggies under the profit and distribution of the Pro, I know ours are, as such, if the greenkeeper of the morning when inspection takes place say's no buggies, then that is where the directive should come from, it should not be the club's Pro's decision to allow as it should always be in the interest of the course, not for profit!

We get emails early every morning giving us our daily course update & status, it mainly at this time of the year will say No Buggies, it rarely says carry only though.

For us anyone that goes onto the Buggy use during comps must provide medical certifications stating that they be allowed to use a buggy during comps - for me would extend that to everyone in social play.

 

[Slab]

Nice to read views from those considering their own experiences rather than the bigger picture but it can lead to a blinkered view if not careful

Carts are fine if the course & players use them properly

Naturally if its seen skidding around a soggy fairway or too close to a green there wont be too many fans

A cart used properly by experienced players (experienced in using a buggy I mean) really will be quicker than walking and cause no discernible damage to the course

I guess many courses were designed before cars were commonplace let alone a golf buggy, meaning the course might be unsuitable and clubs should think very carefully before introducing them, other courses will have been built with specific requirement that it can take a buggy (one I play has concrete cart path the full length of the course tee to green and green to tee, meaning even in heavy rain a buggy can still be used with the 90° rule)

If its going to cause excessive damage don't let them out, if not then let them lose even to folks who don't medically need them & I definitely cant see why you would restrict users based on not having some medical reason, its not a mobility scooter
(I imagine folks forgoing using lifts, escalators & moving walkways in airports and shopping centers because of the same moral/medical rule they have for a buggy, no I didn't think so)

 

[patricks148]

Nice to read views from those considering their own experiences rather than the bigger picture but it can lead to a blinkered view if not careful

Carts are fine if the course & players use them properly

Naturally if its seen skidding around a soggy fairway or too close to a green there wont be too many fans

A cart used properly by experienced players (experienced in using a buggy I mean) really will be quicker than walking and cause no discernible damage to the course

I guess many courses were designed before cars were commonplace let alone a golf buggy, meaning the course might be unsuitable and clubs should think very carefully before introducing them, other courses will have been built with specific requirement that it can take a buggy (one I play has concrete cart path the full length of the course tee to green and green to tee, meaning even in heavy rain a buggy can still be used with the 90° rule)

If its going to cause excessive damage don't let them out, if not then let them lose even to folks who don't medically need them & I definitely cant see why you would restrict users based on not having some medical reason, its not a mobility scooter
(I imagine folks forgoing using lifts, escalators & moving walkways in airports and shopping centers because of the same moral/medical rule they have for a buggy, no I didn't think so)

very True.

you only ever see a few guys at mine using a buggy, they do so because without one they could not play this wonderful game. they don't do too much damage at Nairn.

I rarely use one and prefer to walk, though i did use one a couple of years ago around Gullane no2 as i was knackered from over golf.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

Course near me years ago never had buggies

The owner wasnt interested in investing in them

the Pro decided to get a fleet in on lease, made a killing and kept all the cash for them

Owner got the hump sacked the pro and kept the carts lol the new pro gets 20% of the buggies profit

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Nice to read views from those considering their own experiences rather than the bigger picture but it can lead to a blinkered view if not careful

Carts are fine if the course & players use them properly

Naturally if its seen skidding around a soggy fairway or too close to a green there wont be too many fans

A cart used properly by experienced players (experienced in using a buggy I mean) really will be quicker than walking and cause no discernible damage to the course

I guess many courses were designed before cars were commonplace let alone a golf buggy, meaning the course might be unsuitable and clubs should think very carefully before introducing them, other courses will have been built with specific requirement that it can take a buggy (one I play has concrete cart path the full length of the course tee to green and green to tee, meaning even in heavy rain a buggy can still be used with the 90° rule)

If its going to cause excessive damage don't let them out, if not then let them lose even to folks who don't medically need them & I definitely cant see why you would restrict users based on not having some medical reason, its not a mobility scooter
(I imagine folks forgoing using lifts, escalators & moving walkways in airports and shopping centers because of the same moral/medical rule they have for a buggy, no I didn't think so)

Couple of things

The majority of golf courses within the U.K. weren't designed for buggies -

Those courses would have to spend a great deal amount of money to build buggy paths

Majority of Golfers I have seen don't use a buggy carefully

Saw it yesterday - two two balls - young lads in their late 20's hire buggies - we have a winter route to avoid fairways , you tell them that and what do you see up the first fairway - both going as fast as they can straight up the middle of the fairway , and that's a regular occurrence at most courses , seen it plenty of times.

I see no reason why fit healthy adults and kids have a need to go in a buggy unless the Course demands it.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

Couple of things

The majority of golf courses within the U.K. weren't designed for buggies -

Those courses would have to spend a great deal amount of money to build buggy paths

Majority of Golfers I have seen don't use a buggy carefully

Saw it yesterday - two two balls - young lads in their late 20's hire buggies - we have a winter route to avoid fairways , you tell them that and what do you see up the first fairway - both going as fast as they can straight up the middle of the fairway , and that's a regular occurrence at most courses , seen it plenty of times.

I see no reason why fit healthy adults and kids have a need to go in a buggy unless the Course demands it.

do you know the full situation of the two involved though? could have hidden injuries . I myself am only 30 but last year needed 2 buggies on event days in my society as had just started suffering from plantar faciistis so wouldnt have made the round without it, fast forward 9 months walk where I can but if I feel the foot that morning ill get in a buggy.

When we have our "tour" in our society which is 4 rounds of golf in 4 days we always get buggies to make sure we are in a fit state for the next one, although I am probably the youngest in our society

 

[Slab]

Couple of things

The majority of golf courses within the U.K. weren't designed for buggies -

Those courses would have to spend a great deal amount of money to build buggy paths

Majority of Golfers I have seen don't use a buggy carefully

Saw it yesterday - two two balls - young lads in their late 20's hire buggies - we have a winter route to avoid fairways , you tell them that and what do you see up the first fairway - both going as fast as they can straight up the middle of the fairway , and that's a regular occurrence at most courses , seen it plenty of times.

I see no reason why fit healthy adults and kids have a need to go in a buggy unless the Course demands it.

Yup just what I said, if the course wasn't designed for them any club would need to think carefully before introducing them
And because buggies are the exception most players will not have the experience to use them properly (but what you saw could be muppet behaviour rather than inexperience)

Neither of the above are reasons why an appropriate course/player should not use a buggy though

Assuming a responsible driver who knows how to use one on a suitable course, what is the reason for a fit/healthy adult being denied from using one?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

do you know the full situation of the two involved though? could have hidden injuries . I myself am only 30 but last year needed 2 buggies on event days in my society as had just started suffering from plantar faciistis so wouldnt have made the round without it, fast forward 9 months walk where I can but if I feel the foot that morning ill get in a buggy.

When we have our "tour" in our society which is 4 rounds of golf in 4 days we always get buggies to make sure we are in a fit state for the next one, although I am probably the youngest in our society

Does them being Injured mean they can ignore the directions of buggy use ?

And no there was nothing wrong with any of them - they all normally walk and use trolleys or carry in comps Bar one who wasn't a member.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

Does them being Injured mean they can ignore the directions of buggy use ?

And no there was nothing wrong with any of them - they all normally walk and use trolleys or carry in comps Bar one who wasn't a member.

do you know their condition that day though? good friend of mine never gets a buggy in our comps.. until yesterday as he was in hospital sunday night with a severe kidney infection and didnt want to miss the comp but couldnt face walking.... anyone who knows him but not the situation would be like he always walks how dare he would they?

not justifying that they ignored the rules but you can never know the full reason somebody gets a buggy

ive got one in the past because ive played the day before and my knee (which i had replacement ACL surgery on when I was 23) is playing up and I dont want to hurt it again.. nobody in the world would know that from the outside looking in

 

[Imurg]

I've never used a buggy and have no wish to. If circumstances were such that the only way i could play would be to use one then I would, reluctantly.
There is a need for them but i bet the vast majority that do use them don't need to.
Part of the joy of golf is walking around taking note of surroundings and "smelling the flowers"...Which is tricky going like a bat out of hell in a buggy....

 

[Dan2501]

I enjoy using buggies, see it as a treat, but pretty much only when abroad. In Spain when it's 30 degrees and you have massive walks and changes in elevation between tees it only makes sense to use a buggy, you'd have to be nuts to be carrying. Would very rarely use one in this country though, and never when playing my home course.

 

[VILLIERSGOLDANUK]

I enjoy using buggies, see it as a treat, but pretty much only when abroad. In Spain when it's 30 degrees and you have massive walks and changes in elevation between tees it only makes sense to use a buggy, you'd have to be nuts to be carrying. Would very rarely use one in this country though, and never when playing my home course.

Same with me really! Only use a buggy abroad and that's mainly for a bit of additional shade! I always feel like i'm rushing my round too, never seem to have time to take the course in!