Is sharing buggies really quicker than walking??

[Losttheplot]

Just wondering what everyone else thinks but I just don't see the point in sharing a buggy unless you both hit the fairways and play a half decent standard.
If it's a medical thing and you need a buggy then fair enough but just sharing a buggy for the sake of it when you both spray the ball all over the place is slower than you both walking.
I think it creates slow play too at that level.
(annoyed bag carrier here!

Anyone disagree??

 

[Imurg]

Hate buggies.

The day I use a buggy will be the day I give up the game. Exercise is part of the reason I play. I sit on my backside all day, don't want to do it on the golf course as well.

Played in a Company Day years ago with Directors from Panasonic and Motorola - they both used buggies, I walked.

 

[Owen_Thomas_14]

If your playing with a few friends on holiday then i think its ok as your only there for a bit of banter but if your playing your home track WALK

 

[Bigfoot]

Exercise is part of the reason I play.

Spot on, plus, when a group are walking and are followed by a few groups of buggy users and the walkers let them through - the walkers are then going to have a much slower round than usual. It will slow play for everyone. This is never quoted as a reason for slow play when the shout about it goes up.

 

[USER1999]

Currently playing in Florida. Compulsory to use buggies. Often 900 yards between holes. If you want to get round in less than 10 hours, you use a cart.

In the Uk? Ban them, except for medical reasons.

 

[Smiffy]

Currently playing in Florida. Often 900 yards between holes.

Still got that big slice then Murph?


18 holes over here, I'd never buggy. 36 on a modern, "championship" course with big walks between greens and tees? Yep, most probably.
Played Lanhydrock in Cornwall last Summer, four rounds over three days. I used a buggy each time. Lanhydrock is quite hilly in places and I wanted to stay "fresh".

 

[Macster]

My own course has just taken delivery of 2 Buggies, but I wont ever be using one there.
Only time I DO like using one is if we are playing 36 in a day on our fella's Golf weekend etc, as my knee really isnt up to walking 36.

Agree that the add to the time though, and more importantly, they take away from the game, I much prefer walking to my ball which imo, gives you time to better assess your shot ahead and a better chance of playing it well, instead of leaping out of the Buggy, taking a quick glance, grabbing whatever club and rushing the shot, as your Buggy mate watches on from very close by, impatient to perhaps get across to his ball on the other side of the fairway .

 

[Smiffy]

I love playing in buggies when you're not allowed on the fairway at all.
Stop on the cart path roughly in line with your ball, take 2 or 3 clubs over with you because you are not quite sure of the distance, finally decide which one you are going to use and lay the other two down on the ground.
Play your shot, nip back to the buggy, just about to press the "go" pedal when you realise you've left the other two clubs you took with you lying in the fairway....

Easiest to do when you take two or three wedges to that little chip shot/bunker shot around the green.

 

[HRC99]

I'll use a buggy every now and again over here. Every time abroad though.

I once walked the South Course at La Manga in about 40 degree heat. None of us could play for two days afterwards with heat stroke!

Over here, I'll use one if I fancy it. I actually quite enjoy whizzing around in one. I've played some really swift rounds with a friend of mine when there's not been too many others around. Sub 3 hours comfortably.

 

[funkyfred]

Played 27 holes at Woldingham Surrey in a society meeting a few weeks ago, the first two groups walked and I was in the first group with buggies and we never caught up the guys in front. We had to keep to the paths but as Smiffy states you play your shot belt down the path to the point level with your ball and then walk across the course with 3 or 4 clubs, play your shot and then leave your clubs on the floor.
In fact on one hole I ended up taking 5 clubs with me and decided to walk down the far side of the course as opposed to keep walking back and forth.

20 of us are off to Ashbury in devon in June where you have/need a buggy as some of the holes are 600 or 700 yards apart. But normally I prefer to walk (1) I like the exercise and (2) you get to have a chat with your playing partners.

 

[moonraker]

Played the Manor Hose yesterday part of the package was a free buggy. there was some long walks between some of the tees out of the valley,so buggy was defintly advanage, but normaly would walk,we where chatting if we played here again take a carry bag and walk the hole if you are the on the far side of the buggy.

 

[jammydodger]

Played the Manor Hose yesterday part of the package was a free buggy. there was some long walks between some of the tees out of the valley,so buggy was defintly advanage, but normaly would walk,we where chatting if we played here again take a carry bag and walk the hole if you are the on the far side of the buggy.

This is the Castle Coombe course isnt it ?

Remeber playing there one time and that walk after the 17th up the hill was just one slope too far (was using a pull trolley). I sat on the back of my partners buggy and let the trolley pull along behind me. It was a godsend

I will say though that i've never ever used a buggy and certainly have no intention to either. Played 36 holes round Bowood and my partners both used a buggy. It was the most miserable day ever , they just sped around like the banana bunch and we hardly spoke a word.

 

[drawboy]

Only shared one (or used one) a couple of times, lost more balls than soft mick. If a fourball uses them it's comical like watching the Red Arrows.

 

[CannyFifer]

Ban them

 

[Parmo]

I use them abroad and only on course where you can take them on the fairways rather than stick to the buggy paths.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We have a couple and they are usually booked in advance by some guys who have health issues and I've no problem with that. I think its hilarious (unless I'm waiting on the tee) to watch two people share the buggy and one will invariably go right and the other left. This is where the problem start. One waits for his mate to play and then drives over to his ball. If its a fourball and both buggies are doing it there can carnage behind as it stacks up.

I agree that if you're playing Florida, Spain etc then it makes perfect sense. To be fair the Ashbury does too and they have pretty good tarmac paths on all the courses. Some of them are pretty hilly and there are some long treks between holes. However for 99% of the time I'd prefer to walk, take my time and enjoy the exercise and scenery.

 

[rgs]

Walking imho is quicker. Will use buggies if playing in Florida as its too bloody hot to walk.

Went to Portugal two years ago in October with three other pals for 4 days golf--i wanted to walk all four days but was out voted as the others felt using buggies would be less tiring.

The staying on the path and taking a number of clubs across does me head in.

 

[Losttheplot]

Definately agree that unless their is a medical reason or there are holes 500yards apart then buggies should be banned. Golf abroad is another issue as sometimes it's too hot and I know of people who have had sun stroke from walking courses in Spain.

There's no better feeling than seeing a fourball of new inexperienced golfers teeing off infront of you, not hitting past the ladies tees and then sharing buggies. Also the fact they don't know slow play etticate.
Sarcasm gets me no where.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Only time I ever use a buggy is at the Ashbury Complex every year on a society weekend. Even then I find myself walking a lot of the time as my ball is never anywhere near the cart path.

Outside of that, I'm not at all convinced they're that much quicker and would rather walk anyway.