Golf Cart Etiquette Every Driver Should Follow
Few things feel better than spending a day out on the golf course, driving around in a cart. You can enjoy the wide open fields and feel the slight breeze as your cart moves through the course. However, despite the large space, that doesn’t mean you can drive your cart anywhere you like. You’re sharing this space with other drivers. So, here are a few tips for golf cart etiquette that every driver should follow.
1. Stay on the Path
Most golf courses have designated paths for golf carts. These paths can take you through the course and typically offer several branching paths to get you to specific areas. This isn’t to say that you can’t ever take your cart off the path; you will often need to do so to get to your ball, but it’s common courtesy to try and stay on the path whenever possible to protect the grass and help keep the cart clean.
2. Avoid Hazards
A simple piece of golf cart etiquette that every driver should follow is keeping your distance from many of the course’s hazards. Water features and sand traps are commonplace obstructions for your golf game, and ideally, the cart shouldn’t be anywhere near them. Generally, you should remain 30 feet away from bunkers or water hazards.
3. 90-Degree Rule
The 90-degree rule is a simple but effective way to minimize damage to the grass on the golf course. The idea is that you should keep your cart on the designated path until you’re level with where you hit your ball. Once you’re in the right spot, you take a 90-degree turn to head straight toward your next shot. The less time your cart spends driving through the grass on the course, the better, and the 90-degree rule makes this feasible.
4. Keep Your Distance
Nobody likes traffic jams out on the road, and that’s also true of golf courses. You’re not the only one out on the greens today, so you may eventually encounter other drivers. A good rule of thumb is to keep your distance and give them plenty of space. Wait until the other players turn off or find a branch in the golf cart path if you need to get around them. Crowding golf carts together is just looking for trouble and can make the game less fun for everybody.
Ben Nelson Golf & Outdoor is here to help if you’re interested in buying a golf cart to take out on the links! We’re one of the top Memphis golf cart dealers, and we have new and pre-owned golf carts from the top brands and manufacturers. No matter what you need a golf cart for, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for with Ben Nelson. Feel free to contact us anytime. A member of our staff will be happy to help you find the right ride for you.