Golf Carts: The Movie
 Driving golf carts: is it like a comedy movie, an adventure film, or a racing flick?

For some golfers, using a golf cart is a luxury because of the cost of renting or buying one, or
because they would just rather walk and get the exercise. But for those who insist on driving golf
carts, they are an integral part of the whole golfing experience. In very hot areas, such as Arizona,
there are golf courses which even have air-conditioned golf carts to make golfing in the scorching
summer months comfortable. Using a golf cart can protect golfers from the sun, conserve their
energy, speed up a round of golf, and be a lot of fun.

What types of golf cart driving can be seen if we treat a visit to an average clubhouse as if it were
a movie shoot?

Driving stunts that might be seen in a comedy movie should “not be tried at home”, or on the golf
course. Taking chances in order to impress others or to be funny can be dangerous. According to a
study by E.G. Kelly, “Two hundred eighty orthopedic surgeons from 37 states were polled
concerning their experience with injuries directly resulting from use of a golf cart. One hundred
nineteen surgeons reported a total of 111 injuries with adverse outcomes including death, spinal
cord injury, and various chronic disabilities of an extremity. The use of a golf cart has the potential
to cause serious trauma.” Driving to be funny should be left to the stunt drivers who really are in a
comedy movie.

Some golfers may be tempted to “leave the beaten path” on a golf course and drive out into
nature, like they are the stars of an adventure film. This may happen when immature golfers are
involved, or when boredom sets in while waiting for the next hole to be available for play. The rule
of the forest: stay on the path and you won’t get in trouble.

Then, there are those who drive way too fast on the pathways between holes, which compromises
their ability to stop safely and the stability of the golf cart when on uneven terrain. There are racing
golf carts available, with all terrain tires, lift kits, and custom decals. They could be used, at normal
speeds, for a round of golf. But, whether you are driving one of these or a standard one, they
should never be raced against another golf cart on a golf course, as if they are in a racing flick.
Leave the racing stunts to the moviemakers, please!

All playing aside, the safe use of golf carts is a subject that clubhouse owners and their golf pros
take seriously. When there are incidents at a golf course like those described above, there are
several issues which may arise in their minds. Insurance companies require standards of
maintenance for golf carts as well as posting of rules for proper use by golfers renting them.
Insurance claims may be denied if these standards are not enforced. An accident at a local golf
course is likely to be talked about among citizens of the community, and could sway golfers away
from patronizing it. Also, there is the potential of a lawsuit against the golf course from a golfer
who gets hurt in a golf cart accident, whether it is the fault of the golfer or is due to a poorly
maintained golf cart or is even due to the slopes on the course itself.

When using a golf cart to speed up your game, to give yourself a break from walking the distance
of the course, or to just to keep yourself out of the hot sun, remember to drive with care, not like
you’re in a movie, both for your own safety and for the benefit of the golf course management who
work hard to make the game of golf one of the pleasures of your life.



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