Should young and fit people drive golf carts?

Question

Are people getting lazy? I grew up carrying my clubs, it was seen as somewhat "girly" to pull them on a caddy. Now, everyone has a power caddy, or worse, they drive golf carts.

In my club members are not allowed drive golf carts, unless you have a physical defect. Would you agree with this

Answer 1

I'm 26 and play off 12.

I also play football (Soccer) 3 times a week and also tennis and I am in good physcial condition. I have a Electric Cart which accompnies me everywhere and I use this at every course.

I also use buggies sometimes, the reasons for this is:

1: I play with my father (62) and towards the end of the round he is getting tired, so enjoys the game more when not walking

2: I live in quite a hilly area (West Midlands, UK) and it can get very tiring hauling golf gear up and down a hill all day.

3: When we do have sun (V Rare I know! but it does happen) I get very hot and bothered standing around, waiting for the fourball in front to finish.

Sometimes I use buggies sometimes I don't, it depends on the course, my playing partners and the weather.

I also suffer with a weak left wrist (Broken 4 TIMES!!!!) And pulling / pushing a cart on very cold days is agony, I don't have a medical certificate for this but trust me its their.

I'll be honest, I don't care if people think I am girly, I go out to play golf to enjoy it, not to look all manly in front of total strangers, if part of this enjoyment is brought by sitting on a golf buggy then thats what i'll do.

Answer 2

I think that golf should be fun no matter if you walk or ride.  Being exhausted after a round of golf isn't very fun for me.

But I usually walk...only because it's cheaper.

Answer 3

Golf is a walking game. Period. That's why the pros walk. That's why every championship, professional and amateur insist that players walk.

The push for carts was done by golf courses as an added revenue stream. Caddies were pushed out because they were a revenue drain.

If you're not walking because you're too heavy, or out of shape or just lazy -- then you are exactly the sort of person who SHOULD be walking. Get a push cart to take the strain off your back and enjoy the hike.

If you have a serious medical issue or handicap, however, exceptions can be made.

Answer 4

Walking is an integral part of the game of golf and I prefer to walk whenever I am allowed.  Unfortunately course maintenance has gotten so expensive that a lot of courses require that you take a cart in order to generate more revenue.  I find that I tend to score better when walking as it allows a better rhythm to the overall game.

Answer 5

Everyone should walk if they can for the exercise.  I would never play golf at a course if they made me ride a cart, no way unless I became disabled and couldn't walk any longer.

Answer 6

I do believe that young people should be allowed to drive golf carts, excluding the fact that I will be 17 on March 19. If a person is fit and/or in shape then why does it matter if they walk or ride a cart if they must exercise enough and be active in other ways. I do see what you are saying about the ethics of today's youth and how much motivation they have to play the great game of golf. I don't however believe that any person should be denied the right to at least drive a golf cart if they're a club member. If that person(s) want to pay for a golf cart then they should be able to, plus the golf course would be making more money off of that anyways. Golf carts set aside I believe that if a person truly loves the game they will want to play golf just to enjoy the round they are on in the current moment. Hope this helps with your question.

Answer 7

Tradition is a big part of the game. Walk the course.

Answer 8

Bottom line: it's a walking game.

Answer 9

Whose job is it to decide who  should walk and who should ride?  I mostly walk because I think I golf better when I walk, and I like the exercise  but I also ride sometimes .  If the course tells me I can't walk I will only go there if I wish to ride.  Who cares if someone else wishes to ride or walk as long as they keep pace.

Answer 10

I agree, it is lazy. When I am just playing 9 holes, I always carry, and sometimes even on 18. If I haven't played golf in a while, I am out of shape, then I ride.

Answer 11

YES I DO!!! GOLF WAS MADE FOR WALKING, THE ONLY THING IS SOME COURSES DO NOT LET YOU WALK, OR THEY CHARGE THE SAME PRICE TO WALK AS RIDE...  SOME SAY WALKING SLOWS DOWN THE GAME BUT THEY ARE WRONG... I WOULD RATHER WALK THAN RIDE ANYTIME, OR THE BOOK WOULD BE TITLED "A GOOD RIDE SPOILED".   " HIT 'EM STRAIGHT"

Answer 12

Wow, I cant believe the answers I'm reading.  First, I love to walk.  I've walked many more rounds than not.  BUT... the game is supposed to enjoyed.  If someone, no matter how fit, wants to ride a cart, then they should get a cart.  If they are fit, they probably get their exercise in other ways. How can someone be 'lazy' and fit?