by Carola
No carts? Where would I put my drink?

by Fred Hauck
You have a hit my number 1 pet peeve. If lazy overweight players need to use a cart, so be it. If courses want the extra revenue, so be it. But why can't I be given the choice to walk if I want what the game of golf is supposed to give me, exercise, competition and an afternoon walking in the great outdoors. Charge me if you must, but let me play the game as I see fit!

by Jim McTurk
I always walk my home course (in Canada), even if a ride is available. Why, not because it is faster (it isnt), but for the excercise and enjoyment.
I have also walked at Myrtle, in the winter, but I do understand the need for carts on HOT days - and there are none of these in Scotland!

by Bill
I live in Scotland, and have always walked golf courses. I had always imagined that taking carts would make the round considerably quicker. However, I've played golf in the States for over the last few years, and I have yet to experience a round quicker than I would walk. I also find it strange that some courses seem reluctant to allow walking, although the cart does hold some novelty value for me, particularly with GPS

by Jack
Keep up the good work Brandon. I thought I was the only person that prefers to walk. I play better and enjoy the game more when I walk. As an added benefit, a walking foursome plays faster than a riding foursome. This may seem hard to believe but it's true.

by Bill Robertson
Here in Aberdeen I play on the council owned courses. As a senior citizen a one year pass which permits play on six different courses costs only.. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY TWO POUNDS STERLING..This allows play at all times, everyday of the year. Buggies as we call them in this neck of the woods, are not allowed on the courses unless you have a letter from your doctor stating that you need one for medical reasons.....Bill Robertson.

by Matt Vandelac
I agree with the problems carts bring! Speaking as an operator in a resort destination, nearly 97% of our customers ride on a course we designed for walking. The game has changed! Developers making the riding only layouts have created a phenomenon that has wounded forever the game and business: Riding has produced a golfer that can take golf or leave it. The game in my opinion is not in your soul like it becomes when you walk to play. They don't play in less that ideal weather and they play less. Carts also create huge maintenance problems with signs, ropes, and compaction; all of which costs money. To me the game is about excercise and getting more in touch with the outdoors. I love the revenue carts bring, but it appears to me it comes with a huge downside.

by Anne
Didn't realize Matt even had a job.

by Bill Slimmon
Golf Carts:
Golf Carts have avarity of uses,no.1 The golf course Owner who wants to push as many players round the course in the shortist time possable, " the more carts the more money"
No. 2 The older player who loves the game but the legs are weak.
No.3Ladies who would take for ever looking for lost balls and have you ever tried getting through a game of
Ladies looking for balls?
I'm sorry to you Ladies ,but.
Bill Slimmon

by jim Ellis
There really is no comparing golf in America to Golf in Scotland - carts and downing a six pack by the 5th hole are obvious differences. Here are the other cancers on the American game - CART PATHS, cart girls, cart noise, cart path only rule, (just let me walk) slow play, water, slow caddies, 20 handicappers from the tips, 20 handicappers plumb-bobbing their 2 footer for double, $500 green fees and the over all lack of etiquette... Where's the cart girl? I need a beer!

by jim Tanner
The singular advantage of the Donald Ross and similar vintage courses is the distance from green to tee, which makes walking a viable option. The newer courses, usually designed to sell real estate, not only make walking infeasible, but also penalize the golfer with OB on nearly every hole.
Here we are blessed with a walkable course, and the majority of golfers under 70 walk and carry our own bag. We are always happy, however to have one of the group get a cart, so that we can hitch a ride from time to time.

by Andy
Brandon,
You're right about the carts. I walk whenever possible. The push for carts in American golf are purely American. They make money! Cart rentals are a big money maker for most courses. They are huge money makers for private or yearly pay to play clubs.

by Bill Baldwin
You are right, it is much better to walk than use a cart. You are also young and haven't learned what age and lousy lifestyle can do to the body. After several leg and heart surgeries, I have to ride and do my walking on a treadmill. Only time I mustered the energy to walk wias Pinehurst #2 several yrs ago. Painful and slow but totally worth it...had agreat caddie to boot. Our club in VA encourages walking (with caddies at peak), then pull cart then carts. When they get old, all ways get slower.

by Brooks Babcock
Brandon, don't stop playing golf and writing. I'm not sure how I got on your distribution list but I have truly enjoyed your insights and your writing style and I look forward to receiving your next article. Bravo.
Now, about carts. While I wholeheartedly agree with you about walking, there is a place for carts. As I got older my hip and joints just could not take the continual pounding and a cart was the only choice to keep playing. While occasionally I sneak out to play with a bag straped over my shoulder for the long term I have stay with a cart. Just my $0.02 worth.

by Hal Watson
Bravo for your comments regarding walking. For the last several months, I have had to ride because of a bum knee, and carts do serve a purpose in allowing invalids and the very elderly to continue to play, but having to ride has made me appreciate even more the 45 years I have spent walking golf courses. What we need is more courses to encourage rather than discourage walking by allowing pull carts (or "trolleys" as they say in Britain). My club resolutely refuses to allow them, on the groundless basis that it would make a rather exclusive club "look like a muni," when in fact it would make it look like Muirfield.
Keep up the good work.