To answer my critics, are cart tracks a design problem for architects?

[Bill_McBride]

Bill,

As Kelly points out, while you can get around a wet course without paths (maintenance or golfers) you probably wait until it dries out a little.  Another financial factor on carts is the ability to get golfers back on the course sooner after a rain.  So, add in perhaps a half day per week of greens and cart fees you don't lose to weather, or about 3-5000 rounds as part of the financial equation (at least presuming those riding golfers wouldn't just walk instead)

I wasn't arguing with any of you guys, just saying carts are a fact of life but seeing walkers is a joy to behold.  The horse, or should I say the cart, is out of the barn.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Bill,

And I wasn' arguing with you.....

[Steve_ Shaffer]

I remember a conversation at my former club, a Palmer design, with the late Ed Seay about cart paths. He said that he designs the course first and then worries about the cart paths. Over the years, the paths have changed there somewhat due to membership concerns. I recently played there and noticed that some paths have moved into wooded areas thus avoiding bounces off the former cart path.