My original response to this thread was made with reference to the southwest U.S.A. I am sure there are regional and even local differences. Obviously, the cultural practices in the UK are different as well.
Mark Smolens,
I am not offended at the least by what you believe and say. My experience is obviously different than yours. I do believe that people are entitled to their opinions, but at the same time, I think some opinions are much better than others.
Bill McBride,
Unless you are arguing that riders relative to walkers are slower over their shots, how do you make sense of what you state? I am sure you have heard of the accordion effect in roads and highways. Perhaps riders are inefficient in their use of carts because they're going to have to wait for their next shot anyways.
I will wager your favorite drink on the following: a match at whatever stakes, doesn't matter who are partners, you, Eric Smith, my son, and me in any riding configuration you like (2 to 4 carts) first off at the Dunes; the same next day except we walk, carrying, pulling, or pushing. Which do you think would be faster? With most people I play with, slow and fast players, riding would probably cut at least a half an hour.
It goes without saying that if the group in front of you is on a five hour round and you can't get around them, it probably doesn't matter if you're riding or walking. But if that group is finishing in three hours, very few walkers I know can keep up. I've never played with a group (foursome) of walkers in the U.S. which could finish comfortably in 3.5 hours. I've done it many times with riders. At a high volume private club in north Texas, there are big $$$ wolf games played by fivesomes starting late weekday mornings which typically play in well under four hours. As they should, the walkers give way when these riders approach.
John Shimp,
Do you think that clubs put in cart paths and operate a fleet to generate a loss? In many parts of the U.S., could a club operate without having carts for its members or customers to use? Do cart paths serve other purposes than just getting "lazy" golfers on their motorized carts from point A to point B?
As to your expectations of daily maintenance practices, in today's economy, I am thankful when the greens are mowed. BTW, assuming that walkers and riders are equally prone to hitting "sorry shots", what do you think is the probability that a divot is going to be sanded by a walker who carries no sand as opposed to rider who does? Or are you suggesting that riders are less consciencious than walkers?
Jason M,
I walked Jack Rabbit on an early morning in June a few years ago and I was drenched in sweat within a couple of holes. My friend Scott Smith at Northgate walked nearly always year round and he said that one gets used to the humid heat. I am glad to hear that your club allows pull carts. I am surprised. I've heard that Lakewood in Dallas is also doing it. I talked to the membership director a couple of weeks ago at Great Southwest GC in Grand Prairie about walking and pull carts, and she said no to both (riding carts are required during weekend and holiday mornings, pull carts are never allowed- "too muni"). Needless to say, I remain a free agent.