For this year’s Phosphate Feathery in March, we had two guys who dropped out after we learned that Streamsong prohibited carts for morning tee times before 9:30 a.m. (without a doctor’s note or ADA card) in March in an effort to protect the turf. Of the remaining 21 who attended, I’m confident that four more would have dropped out if these new rules were in place and they couldn’t take a cart for at least one round each day.
This move makes me ask: Who exactly is the target Streamsong clientele?
As I view it, the new walking only/cart rules are…
Good news for…
Caddies
Course maintenance staff
Traditionalists who believe carts “contribute to an inferior golfing experience”
Orlando and Tampa-area (e.g., World Woods) courses
Competing U.S. resorts (e.g., Sea Island, Pinehurst, etc.)
Pushcart revenue
Bad news for…
Caddies (no carts means no forecaddies)
Seniors
Golfers who only take a cart
Golfers who play 36 and walk one of the two rounds
Streamsong sales staff who book large groups
Buddy trips
Cart barn staff
Golf cart leasing agents
Streamsong revenue