Conference 7.286::golf

Of all the golf courses Ive played in cheshire there are not that many that have 
buggys.I to by choice would much rather ride than walk but you dont get the 
oppurtunity. some clubs do have caddies which will offer to carry you bag but 
they dont usually have any offical connection with the club.Its only if there is 
quite an important local competion that there would be any chance of a cart. 
When I asked at my local club they said that they chew the course up I couldnt  
agree with them . When they use to have buggies they were allways booked out so 
there was a big demand for them. 

What about your course, do they damage the fairways ?. How much do you pay to 
hire a cart?

Kieran.

    In the UK I'd say buggys are very definately the exception. Normal golf
    clubs or public courses they just aren't available. I'd guess they're
    generally restricted to the sort of 'Golf hotel' type courses catering
    for holiday makers rather than club golfers. I've never used a buggy,
    and rarely seen one (and then its probably an elderly golfer or someone
    with a heart complaint).
    
    Caddies also are not officially organised, other than maybe at the
    bigger 'championship' courses. On a sunday morning you'll probably find
    a few schoolboys looking for pocket money.
    
    Trolleys you will find in abundance (I use one myself).
    
    It doesn't bother me what people choose to use, but if you're coming to
    the UK expecting to find buggies driving up and down golf courses, you
    might be dissappointed! 
    
    Paul

     Gimme that bus - I'm no burro !
    
    --Jack

    Walk, cart or a-horseback - do whatever you like, but please don't
    slow things down! Nothing's more annoying than being behind a foursome
    riding two to a cart, and watching them criss-crossing the fairway, as
    each guy gets out, sizes up his shot, picks out a club, takes a
    couple of practice swings, hits the shot, climbs back aboard, and rides
    over with his buddy to his buddy's ball, where the same process occurs...
    carts are touted as time-saving devices (at least by the courses that
    require that you use them), but not when they're used like that.
    
    A couple of places (e.g., Samoset in Rockland, Maine) require that you
    take a cart if you tee off before noon (or maybe it's 1:00, can't
    recall exactly), and that you don't ride on the fairways! This makes
    some sense, in that it helps reduce wear and tear on the course, but it
    does nothing to speed up play, as far as I could tell. If they cared
    that much about keeping the fairways in good condition, they wouldn't
    make you take one...
    
    
    My pet peeve about carts, though, is the noise: it really bugs me to be
    standing on the tee, trying to get relaxed and ready to make the drive,
    only to have what sounds like a Panzer division come roaring and clanking
    up to the tee behind me. Again, it's a matter of common sense and
    courtesy, two items in very short supply apparently.
    
    		Frank

	Nine out of 10 times the mandatory cart rule is only to generate
	revenue.  The 10th time is either because the distances between the 
	tees is as long as the holes or the course is just too hilly.  (On
	those courses the over weight out of shape golfers experience too
	many heart attacks and the ambulances chew up the course! ;-) )

	If you play reasonably well, you can play faster with a cart; but
	both golfers can't constantly be riding.  I hate courses that force
	you to keep carts on the path.  I use several different clubs around
	the green and always find myself carrying my 7,8,W,sw, and putter.
	(It would almost be easier to carry my bag!)

	At every course where I've had to keep carts on the path the
	time to play was significantly longer.  Those courses should also
	do things to assist you to play faster, like marking yardages on
	the cart path.

	Larry

    
      There are several pros/cons in regards to using carts.  a few
    notes back someone metioned about the "slow play" with those of
    us who prefer to use carts.  I for one have been making observations
    about the golfers at my home course that use carts.  In my views...
    it's the better golfers who take a hell of alot more time when their
    using carts.  I am an average golfer who pretty much golfs with
    the same group.  We are all 9 - 18 hanicappers and time of play
    is about 10 to 14 minutes quicker that the guys who are 1 to 9.
    
    Also, in my case it's a bad knee that forces cart use.  After walking
    18 in a tournement a few weeks ago I had to pack my knee on ice
    for about 45 minutes.
    
    An my last opinion.  If everyone treated the course with respect
    with carts there would be no or very minimal damage.  But, I guess
    that's why we all end up fixing 3 or 4 (or more) ball marks on the
    greens right?
    
    Bob Montville

    
    Personally I love to walk. There are times however that I will take
    a cart.
    	. Playing at the course's at DisneyWorld. They have these 10'
    	  hazards with 4 legs and long tail.
    	. When the course requires it.
    
    Most of the people I've seen who ride are the ones that need NEED to
    walk.
    
    When I do take a cart my play is usually faster. I also like the
    versitility of walking. I can usually walk in a straight line from where
    I am to where my ball is. Can't do that with a cart. Also don't have to
    worry about the NO-CARTS area around the green. Or forgetting a club and
    having to either do with what I'm carrying or run back to the cart and
    grab the club I need.
    
    Mike

    
    I don't like using a cart, I seem to play much worse.  When walking
    if I hit a bad shot I have time to calm down before I get to
    the ball. :-)
    
    I do take carts when I play with people such as my Grandfather who is
    not capable of playing without one, he can't walk that far.  I also 
    feel I actually play faster without a cart.  Each person in the group
    goes to his shot, you don't spend time driving from ball to ball. I
    have played in 4somes with 2 other people in a cart and we did not slow
    them down, the only time they really had to wait was if there were 
    long approach shots to the green, other than that they generally are
    driving all over the place.
    
    I also enjoy walking just to enjoy being in the out of doors.
    
    --Bob
    

    
    
    Well Im that big out of shape fat guy you see on the course..
    
    But Im the one pulling my cart around. This year I was concerned 
    
    about the money I spend golfing 3-4 times a week. I decided then to
    
    walk all leagues nights (90% of the time I actually did) and (75% of
    
    the other time I also did) But like some else said earlier it's 
    
    kinda a cath-22 , I definetly need the exercise but on the back 9
    
    at Gardner 15,16,17,18 I'm totally out of breath and need to rest for a
    
    minute or so before I can swing properly. At Juniper (League) It's
    
    a pretty easy course to walk and I'm saving a bundle and don't for
    
    get the enviroment those awful gas carts smoking all over the place.
    
    well I just guess I'll now forever walk as long as I can make it...
    
    
    
    but I do think caddies would be the greatest.....
    
    I use to caddie at Worcester CC. and I had a great time and
    
    made some good money also .....
    
    
    anyone know of many other courses that have regular caddies (not just
    for tourneys)
    
    Bill
    

	I walk and use a pull-cart, most of the time.  Occasionally, usually 
in tournaments, I ride in a cart.  But no matter what, I don't knock anyone 
who prefers to ride in a cart.  That's why the carts are there.  There are 
those golfers, who probably wouldn't be golfing, if it weren't for riding 
carts.  The only problems I have with riding carts are, courses that use them 
and tell you to stay on the tar cart paths.  Most courses only have these 
paths on one side of the fairway, which tends to make you walk almost as much 
as if you didn't ride in the first place.  And the other problem I have with 
them, is really with some of the golfers who use them.  Those who will ride to 
one golfers ball, wait for him to hit, then both ride to the other ball, and 
wait for him to hit.  When what they should do is drop off the guy who's ball 
is closest and the other guy drive to his/her ball, as long as it is not 
dangerous to do so, and prepare to hit, so play can move along faster.

Beak

    Re: .10 - Right on the button !
    
    -Jack
    

    I prefer to walk if it is flat and ride if mountainous. I have
    noticed that the majority of the time, I play better when walking.
    I just wish that when people are using carts they would remember
    to treat the course with respect and not as an off-road race.
    
    Mad Hacker
    

    
    I had rather walk.  Helps me keep my mind on the game.
    

    I've only ever ridden in a cart two or three times. As Paul said
    earlier, we don't get much opportunity over in the UK. I guess what
    you've never had you never miss. 
    
    
    I like to follow Jesus' example and walk. When did you ever see him 
    cross water in a golf cart ??....8^)
    
    
    Phil.

    One of our European "noters" asked about buggy prices.  Normally $7-$10
    for each person.  Slightly higher at more expensive resorts.
    
    Time of play carts vs walking - not much time saved by carts. 
    Sometimes slower.  Depends on the course and the players.  This
    business of the better players taking more time is, in general, not
    true.
    
    Personally, I wish that there were no such things as carts/buggys. 
    But, they are money makers for the clubs.
    
    Closs