Should golf courses offer pull-carts to golfers? This summer our course started offering several pull-carts to rent instead of taking a regular cart. The only people I have seen use them are women. Many women swear by them and are bummed out if the pull-carts are all taken before they arrive at the course.
I’m glad our course allows people to walk. I don’t mind carrying my bag—especially in the colder months. It helps me stay warm and loose. However, I can only carry my bag for 9 holes without straining my back. On “cart path only” days, I have tried the pull-cart. I enjoyed it for the most part, but I’m not convinced it is much easier than just carrying my own bag. It does have a nice little desktop-like area for my scorecard, sandwich and a drink. That’s probably my favorite thing about the pull-cart; I can still keep “my stuff” with me. I have to sacrifice “my stuff’ when I carry my bag.
The biggest complaint I hear (although it may sound a bit snobby) is that pull carts remind people of courses that usually rest alongside airports. Many also argue that caddies are available for those who do not want to carry their bag. Advocates of the pull-cart claim the health benefits of walking without hurting one’s back. Others think they are just down right ugly and don’t want to see them anywhere near their course.
I’m not sure what I think. Do pull-carts really look much different than golfers carrying their own bags? Are other courses offering pull-carts as an option? After all, pull-carts were good enough for the gals on the last season of the Big Break at Ka'anapali.
Clearly, courses make money from cart fees. My course offers them at a slightly reduced rate, but not enough to offer a financial incentive to golfers who choose a pull-cart over a regular cart. Our course also keeps continuity by not allowing people to bring their own carts. Do pull carts sacrifice the majestic views of our courses, or do they offer great health benefits?
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
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3 comments:
As a supportive spouse, I was somewhat surprised that there were three affirmative choices and only one negative one. Is this a Communist election? Regards, EYORE.
It's good to hear from you Eyore. I encourage you to check out the "Golf Girl's Diary" and her story on pull carts. Considering the comments posted on her story, I think my choices were perfect! Still I will work harder to avoid any commi appearances.
I was interested in your post up until the point at which you say caddies are available at your course, a point which you mention but don't follow up. Why don't you take a caddie instead of a cart, especially if you can't carry your own bag for 18? I understand you are new to the game, and might not really get it. I'm a former caddie, and I have to say few women ever seemed to take one. I've always wondered about why. Why don't you? For the most part the reason never seems to be economic in nature, at least not entirely--if your course has some, I'd assume you aren't hurting. So why don't you? To be really rude--but also to speak as caddies often do--wtf, lady?
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