Ben
You have your opinions, which you have every right to air on GCA.com related to golf. Whether I consider them relevant, repetitive (which is in part a description of golf – sinking a little ball in a hole 18 times) or valid, GCA.com gives us – the Members the right to express our views.
Questions asked opinions sought that is the nature of a Discussion Group. Many topics are in themselves repetitive, new members asking similar questions, existing Members offering variations on the theme, the very nature of humans willing to be open, conveying their thoughts about the game of golf.
I am sorry you and others find the subject of cart becoming boring, but then you have grown up with the humble cart, they have taken over your game on your side of the pond. The ubiquitous cart is certainly investing your golf courses, but we do not have that problem here, well not in the way you have it. There is still time to try to stop or limit their numbers on our courses. In fact, it is no so much the carts that I object to, it is the cart tracks and the terrible scars they leave on some of our courses that I would like to eradicate. For many of us it is an important issue, so it needs to be discussed. Golfers need to know about the problems rather than just accepting the easy option of doing nothing. But lets not forget that those pro the cart have the right to sing its praises if they so desire.
As for courses needing the cart, this is another of my points, building golf course on land not fit for purpose. There are many sites out there that IMHO should never have been built. The land or site is just not suitable for the game of golf. I am not saying that courses cannot be built in hot/dry climates, they have and are, but not all resort to the cart as the only way to play golf in these partly hostile regions of the world. India, Africa, North & South America, the West Indies, Australia to name but a few regions. Many have courses that are older than the cart where mere humans have played golf for years without the need for carts.
As for money, it may be the very thing that is at the heart of our problems today. As for numbers, Scotland had the most courses and clubs a 100 years ago, so I see nothing to shout about.
Is it actually possible to get to the Moon on a steam-powered vehicle – if not what sort of argument is that – a totally bankrupt one, why do you have to resort to making that kind of statement. As for Old Tom, it still surprises me what people say about him, but then most have not got a clue how many courses he designed either, which just goes to show just how much they know about him.
As to my previous comments, I have not played in North America or Australia. Nevertheless, I will also repeat myself and say that many courses existed in these countries well before the introduction of the cart. Perhaps it is more a reflection on the quality and determination of the golfers in those halcyon days (pre-cart).
One thing that you did say that “Some great courses aren't conducive to walking” which in my eyes is tantamount to blasphemy when discussing golf. For me Golf is first and foremost a Walking game, even if you ride a cart you still have to walk to your ball, over the Greens, in and out of the clubhouse and to and from your car. Without walking golf is not an outdoor activity PERIOD. That comment is also what I am fight against, its alien to my way of thinking about golf, the way my family has played the game which pre dates your War of Independence. My family golfing tradition is older than your country, perhaps that puts it in perspective for you and why I am passionate about wanting to see it continue in is full walking format.
However, back to my original questions, how would you feel if American Football, Base or Basket Ball was changed along the lines I previously mentioned? Would you try to fight it or accept it as a player?
Important issues can get boring for those who don’t see the problem but Ben as you have the right to your opinion so do I.
My comments have never been about your country, its all about golf. Many of your fellow Americans are Walkers, some have a stronger opinions and voice them from time to time. This is not about and never has been about Nations but the right to play golf in it only real form and that is Walking.
If you are physically fit but ride a cart, I wonder why you just don’t save time and money, stay at home and play Nintendo Wii Golf on a large TV screen. When it’s not your turn, you can lounge in the comfort of your own chair. No green fees, no cart rental, large stock of cold beer, minimal walking to and from the board, but then its not real golf - is it.
Ben wish you well and hope you have a little more understand of why some of us feel strongly about carts their track ways. It is a subject that will not go away.
Melvyn