Safety protocols were put into effect during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to keep golf courses open for play. Pool noodles in the hole, rakes removed from bunkers and the option for people to ride separately in carts are all examples. While most of those policies have been phased out, the desire for single-rider carts seems to persist in some areas. During a recent course visit, I witnessed nine consecutive foursomes of single-rider carts. For those counting at home, that is twice the number of golf carts needed to accommodate demand, twice the electricity or fuel for these golf carts, and twice the cart traffic throughout the golf course. Golf rounds have increased year over year and as we head into winter dormancy the potential for cart damage when the grass isn’t growing has never been higher.
What can be done? Here are a few options that can help keep traffic under control at your course:
1. Establish a policy of two riders per cart when possible. This should be a simple fix but is complicated by private golf cart use and COVID-19 safety concerns.
2. Double the cart fee for single-rider carts. This is a reasonable policy since single-rider cart usage increases the number of carts needed and increases damage to the course. Some golf courses are calling this a “convenience fee.” Basically, if you want the whole cart to yourself, you pay for that convenience.
3. Establish geo-fence parameters around greens, tees, bunkers and native areas that golf carts cannot enter. This may require golf cart fleet upgrades for GPS tracking, but that upgrade offers multiple benefits:
A. Golfers can view hole maps and distance information
B. The facility can monitor pace of play more easily
C. Sensitive areas are protected from cart traffic
D. Cart-path-only policies are easy to enforce when the golf course is susceptible to damage
E. Digital systems in carts also offer the opportunity to communicate with players during their round and provide
timely safety information – e.g., a warning about lightning in the area
4. Do not charge a fee to walk. Walking offers numerous benefits to both the golfer and the golf course. Walking shouldn’t be discouraged with “trail fees” or cart fees that are wrapped into the price of a round.
The increased traffic on golf courses that has come with the COVID-19 pandemic has positive and negative impacts. The increased revenue is certainly welcome, but the traffic damage on courses has been noticeable. The strategies above may help your facility offset the demand for single-rider golf carts and reduce wear and tear on the golf course.
Southeast Region Agronomists:
Chris Hartwiger, director, USGA Course Consulting Service – chartwiger@usga.org
Steve Kammerer, Ph.D., senior consulting agronomist – skammerer@usga.org
Jordan Booth, agronomist – jbooth@usga.org