[Doug Ralston]

I watched a man walking behind us today with an interesting piece of tech. His bag cart was running well ahead of him, obviously remotely controlled. Now you folks have probably seen this a lot, but this was the 1st I've noticed.

What do you folks who implore 'walk only' golf think of this? Is he only a 'real golfer' if he carries his bag? If he pulls a cart? Or is the remote cart ok, and the guy a 'real man' anyway?

Melvyn? You can field this one. 

Doug

[Bill_McBride]

I was playing at Army Navy in Fairfax, Virginia a few years ago with a couple of guys including a retired general who had a remote control cart.  On one hole he got really involved in a conversation, forgot to control his cart, and ran it right into a lake! 

I remember a few years back that TPC of Scottsdale had those available if you really wanted to walk.  Same green fee as with a riding cart, but at least you could walk.

[James Bennett]

They are a techno toy.

I played regularly in a four where two guys had these - full-size pro bags, latest shiny clubs, latest clothes.  It was funny watching these two buggies jousting their way down the fairway.  But the etiquette needs of these remote control units can be challenging.  The 'owner' needs to be aware of where his cart is, and where his fellow golfers are, especially when they are actually playing a shot.

One of these two has jettisoned the remote and gone to the new, high chrome, sprung-suspension bag-boy.  Oh, and a new set of clubs to match.

My Jerry Kluger bag over the shoulder is going well, with my 8-year old Pings!

James B

[Mark Pearce]

I was playing at Army Navy in Fairfax, Virginia a few years ago with a couple of guys including a retired general who had a remote control cart.  On one hole he got really involved in a conversation, forgot to control his cart, and ran it right into a lake! 

I remember a few years back that TPC of Scottsdale had those available if you really wanted to walk.  Same green fee as with a riding cart, but at least you could walk.

I played with a client on a corporate golf day who had a remote controlled trolley.  He clipped the remote control to his belt when playing a shot.  On one green he was sizing up a putt and bent down to check the line.  Now he was, shall we say, generously proportioned and his belly squeezed up againt the remote control and activated the cart.  While he lined up his putt his trolley set off into the greenside pond.  He couldn't understand why the rest of the fourball were collapsing in laughter.

Doug, if a golfer walks but uses a remote control trolley to carry his bag I think he's playing real golf.  I don't see how that is different from using a caddy to carry your bag.

[Ken Moum]

I've been using a Clubrunner for about 10 years, and on my hilly golf course, it's been a body-saver. But it's not remote-controlled. In fact there have been dozens of members who use them.

I have used a remote for a couple of rounds, and found it to be WAY too much trouble to justify it. Plus, they cost at least $500 more than mine.

This year I am down to 10 clubs and planning to carry them in my new GCA.com Mini bag.

Overall, however, walking is walking. The Clubrunner is like a caddie without talk.

Ken

[George Freeman]

I played at We-Ko-Pa this past winter on the Suguaro course, and to encourage walking they offer these power bag carts.  However, instead of a remote, the carts were simply programed to go certain distances.  You could hit a 15 yd, 30 yd, or 60 yd button; the cart would take off down the fairway and low and behold, X yds later it would be waiting for you (you could also just turn it on and walk with it, as well as adjust the speed).  Pretty nifty.  It took a little getting used to, but it's hard to beat playing golf while walking, yet not have to carry your clubs.

As Ken said, like having a caddy w/ out the yardages and green reads.

[Melvyn Morrow]

Doug

I hear you may be interested in my opinion, well that will be a first,
so not one who wants to disappoint, here goes.

I think these battery driven bag carts are hilarious, I have seen many trying to look cool whilst finding it difficult to control them. But given the choice, well there is no choice, kill the carts (unless you need the use of a cart for your mobility), walking is the only way. 

Just another toy for the BOYS, but at least they are walking and not denying me MY HUMAN RIGHT TO WALK – MY FREEDOM OF CHOICE TO WALK.

No one has the right to take that away from any Golfer - No One.
Courses that try, IMHO have no right to be called Golf Courses. 

The fun of golf is to play golf, not to play with toys.   

If you do not like it, see you at 5AM on the banks of the Thames at The Tower of London tomorrow with weapons of your choice. I would suggest a couple of 5 irons maybe ideal. As how to get there you will need to come by the river and enter through Traitors Gate (only used for all pro cart supporters) but aptly named.

I trust that is the response you are seek, Doug.

[John Keenan]

Melvyn

I think your post has set a record for most "Smiley Faces" used in a post!! My congratulations on this

I may not always completely agree with what you post but I do enjoy reading them

Keep at it

John

[Bob_Huntley]

I do hope that those benighted purists, who frown on powered golf carts, get to an age where their arthritic bones and feeble lungs (from smoking no doubt) prevent them from carrying or pushing a tricycle.

I no longer carry,  much too uncomfortable on old injuries, so I use a Powa- Caddie. It is not remote controlled and serves a very useful purpose.

Bob

[archie_struthers]

 


Remote control carts (or powa caddies) are far more prevalent on the other side of the pond than here in the U.S.

A funny caddy story (ooops wrong thread)  playing Portstewart,  a neat northern Irish links we all had our own caddy.... who all had their own remote controlled cart for the bags....

Off we went!

Four players....four caddies  ....four remote controlled carts moving towards the green....it looked like a Panzer division on the move

and was fabulous!

[RJ_Daley]

Archie that does sound like a vision... 

At our course and within our Men's Club, I'd say 1/4 have electric bag caddies.  Some are remote, some walk alongs.  They all love them.  I think it is no different than walking with a caddie. 

Melvyn, one of our most venerable older gents had two new knees put in Oct 2006 at the age of 75.  He then was out in the woods, ON AS WALKER deer hunting the end of Nov.  He returned to play golf the following April, with an electronic remote control caddie, walking 18 from the start.  He is now 78 and going strong.  I'm sure that his new knees would not do so well with the added weight. 

My first 3 rounds these last 3days in a row were walk-carry with the new GCA.com bag.  My knees and back are hurting.  I will have to change out to the push 3 wheeler buggie for some relief.  Being 30 lbs too heavy doesn't help. 

Melvyn, wasn't there some sort of verbal command that your great grandfather could give "old Daw" to remotely control his directions, left-right-straight ahead? 

[Melvyn Morrow]

There are times when I read the posts on GCA and wonder if the average age is in the mid 80's. Well, if not mentally, certainly physically because of the need for carts and electronic aids.

If mobility is a problem in stopping people playing Golf, then I have always supported the use of all artificial aids for those that need them. 

I will always support and encourage people to play golf. It's one of the least violent sports around – well until I see a cart, tarmac cart track and electronic distance aid then I sometime go ballistic.     

Benighted Purists don't get arthritic bones and feeble lungs - because we walk the walk on the course, but age can catch up on some of us  who had a miss spent youth (knee tremblers).   

[Pete_Pittock]

Kangaroo Motorcaddies has been around a long time. I occasionally joined a group which had two players using them in the late 80s or early 90s. One day it made a 300 yd escape into a bunker.

[Bob_Huntley]

Benighted Purists don't get arthritic bones and feeble lungs - because we walk the walk on the course,

Melvyn,

With respect, what you wrote above is pure bunkum. I've walked all my life and still do. However, even though I have walked many a mile on the course does not mean that owing to rich history of sports injuries including two broken ankles, a busted knee (Rugby and Soccer), various finger breaks and dislocations(cricket), rotator cuff therapy etc., that walking is the Holy Grail of robust health. It just ain't so.

Bob

[RJ_Daley]

Melvyn, in all seriousness, is it possible that you could 'estimate' how many times your great grandfather walked AND carried his own bag of clubs?  Of course we know he always walked, as there was no other way...    But, what % of time did he actually carry his own?

I would be interested in knowing how many times any of the old legends of Old Tom's era, ever carried their own.  Afterall, they were known to carry more than 14 clubs or few as a half dozen.  Those old bags were not the featherweight material we have now.  It isn't likely though that any of the bags were less than 20-25lbs.  Repetition of carrying that much that often will take its toll.

I know those old gentlemen were tough as nails.  But, I can't imagine that they had such longevity into their elder years (+45), able to indeed play and walk, if a significant amount of their play through their mid-age years 30-40s was by them carriying their own.  Maybe that explains the bond and affection that has grown as part of the game, between player and caddie.  They saved their legs, backs and knees.   A holiday/absence from arthritis and worn joints has no golden era...

[Brent Hutto]

In all seriousness, those are old hat. There are scores of members at my club who use powered bag carts and at least a few dozen of them are remote controlled. The majority of them store the beasts at the club where the bagroom attendents will keep them charged up and have them ready to go when your usual tee time arrives. Pretty nice setup I must say although too elaborate for me.

The first time I played with someone with a remote-controlled powered bag cart must have been at least seven years or so ago at the rather modest public course where I started playing golf. Pretty common around these parts where the terrain is relatively flat and it get hotter 'n hell in the summer. Especially popular with those over 50 or so.

[Kyle Harris]

Doug

I hear you may be interested in my opinion, well that will be a first,
so not one who wants to disappoint, here goes.

I think these battery driven bag carts are hilarious, I have seen many trying to look cool whilst finding it difficult to control them. But given the choice, well there is no choice, kill the carts (unless you need the use of a cart for your mobility), walking is the only way. 

Just another toy for the BOYS, but at least they are walking and not denying me MY HUMAN RIGHT TO WALK – MY FREEDOM OF CHOICE TO WALK.

No one has the right to take that away from any Golfer - No One.
Courses that try, IMHO have no right to be called Golf Courses. 

The fun of golf is to play golf, not to play with toys.   

If you do not like it, see you at 5AM on the banks of the Thames at The Tower of London tomorrow with weapons of your choice. I would suggest a couple of 5 irons maybe ideal. As how to get there you will need to come by the river and enter through Traitors Gate (only used for all pro cart supporters) but aptly named.

I trust that is the response you are seek, Doug.

At the PSU Golf Courses, here in America, the majority of usage for the battery powered trolleys were by women who would walk 18 holes in 3.5 hours starting around 8AM.

[Marty Bonnar]

I think that invitation to duel may well be a GCA first. Tickets available on Ticketmaster. Call 0800-921-1299

As a middle-aged, rapidly-entering-elderly-curmudgeonliness, Scot, I tend to agree and sympathise with Melvyn, but also appreciate the fine argument as presented by dearest Sir Boab.

I ADORE carrying my bag. The hypnotically rythymical rattle of the clubs. The springy bounce of the bag on the shoulder. It makes me feel good. It re-unites me with the spirit of golf. It feels true. It is deeply elemental and more than a little spiritual. It reminds me of the history of the game. Heck, let's be truthful, it's about the only exercise I get apart from wandering around the Coastal Path looking for defects.

BUT

When I see freekin' nine-year-old boys at my home course using power carts (and there's loads of the spoilt little brats!), I am deeply saddened.

Lardiness should be the preserve of the over 40 (and the bald drummers of the world!)

FBD.

[Melvyn Morrow]

Bob

With respect, should you be playing Golf with your history of injuries? 

Perhaps you should take up more walking as it maybe beneficial to
your health not to mention your skeletal frame.

Bunkum, well that’s your opinion. Been through Boxing, Swimming, Rugby, Soccer, 100 & 200M Sprints, Long Jump, and Cricket to mention just a few but never suffered your problems – Accident Prone Perhaps? Shouldn’t you be seriously considering an alternative way of relaxing. 

Just perhaps in your case walking might be the Holy Grail, as robust sport isn’t working out for you. 

As for Old Tom, I can't tell you how many games he played, so can't estimate your answer. 

Kyle , My wife has told me not to mention batteries and women in the same breath, as its not the done thing, apparently.

[Bob_Huntley]

Bob

With respect, should you be playing Golf with your history of injuries? 

WHY ON EARTH NOT?

you should take up more walking as it maybe beneficial to
your health not to mention your skeletal frame.

YOU HAVE NO IDEA OF THE STRUCTURE OF MY SKELETAL FRAME AND NOT A CLUE AS TO MY PHYSICAL WELLBEING.

Bunkum, well that’s your opinion. Been through Boxing, Swimming, Rugby, Soccer, 100 & 200M Sprints, Long Jump, and Cricket to mention just a few but never suffered your problems – Accident Prone Perhaps? Shouldn’t you be seriously considering an alternative way of relaxing. 

I DARESAY IT DEPENDS ON THE CALIBRE OR QUALITY OF THE COMPETITION. I WON THE RAF LORD WAKEFIELD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP IN 1948 AND WAS EVENTUALLY BEATEN BY CHARLIE TUCKER, THE OLYMPIC REPRESENTATIVE FOR GB IN THE 1948 OLYMPIC GAMES IN LONDON. AS FOR RUGBY I PLAYED PROVINCIAL GAMES IN RHODESIA AND SOUTH AFRICA AGAINST THE LIKES OF RYK VAN SCHOOR, WHO DECIMATED SCOTLAND IN A 44 TO 0 ROUT AT MURRAYFIELD IN 1951.
I PLAYED ON  A NORTHERN RHODESIAN SIDE AT SOCCER THAT BEAT THE BELGIAN CONGO IN A CONCAF TOURNEY IN 1960. PLAYED A BIT OF WATER POLO. DIDNT RUN IN TRACK MEETS AS I FOUND THAT IF THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL CONTACT, THERE WASN'T MUCH FUN IN THE EVENT.

Just perhaps in your case walking might be the Holy Grail, as robust sport isn’t working out for you. 

As for Old Tom, I can't tell you how many games he played, so can't estimate your answer. 

Kyle , My wife has told me not to mention batteries and women in the same breath, as its not the done thing, apparently.


MELVYN, BEFORE YOU TRY TO DENIGRATE AN OLD MAN YOU SHOULD GET A BIT OF BACKGROUND ON YOUR TARGET.

[Jay Flemma]

My mom had one.  They are for people with bad backs.  They move too slowly for my liking.

[RJ_Daley]

Sir Boab, I'm cutting and printing that one!   

Steve the Marine will be rolling on the floor!   

[Adrian_Stiff]

Doug

I hear you may be interested in my opinion, well that will be a first,
so not one who wants to disappoint, here goes.

I think these battery driven bag carts are hilarious, I have seen many trying to look cool whilst finding it difficult to control them. But given the choice, well there is no choice, kill the carts (unless you need the use of a cart for your mobility), walking is the only way. 

Just another toy for the BOYS, but at least they are walking and not denying me MY HUMAN RIGHT TO WALK – MY FREEDOM OF CHOICE TO WALK.

No one has the right to take that away from any Golfer - No One.
Courses that try, IMHO have no right to be called Golf Courses. 

The fun of golf is to play golf, not to play with toys.   

If you do not like it, see you at 5AM on the banks of the Thames at The Tower of London tomorrow with weapons of your choice. I would suggest a couple of 5 irons maybe ideal. As how to get there you will need to come by the river and enter through Traitors Gate (only used for all pro cart supporters) but aptly named.

I trust that is the response you are seek, Doug.

Melvyn -What about people with slight disabilities? I cant walk 18 holes, I had a road accident, but I can walk 9 and its a big ambition to walk 18 again, I try and walk 2 miles every day, A buggy allows me to play golf, in time maybe with a remote control cart maybe I can play golf and walk. I am not alone, lots of people cant walk 18 carrying. Carts, buggys are needed.

[Melvyn Morrow]

Bob

Good for you. You have lived your life the way you wanted to.
You wanted and played contact sports ‘DIDNT RUN IN TRACK
MEETS AS I FOUND THAT IF THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL
CONTACT, THERE WASN'T MUCH FUN IN THE EVENT.
So I wonder why you play golf, it’s a no contact sport?

I have not called your comments/statement Pure Bunkum.
You have the right to your opinions and to convey them –
but, so do I.

Also from the start of my connection with GCA I have always
made it clear that I wanted to encourage all to play golf. Also
if mobility is a problem, then ALL aids should be used for those
who need them.

As for DENIGRATE AN OLD MAN, that is not my way nor is it
my intention. Nor would I dismiss your comments out of hand.

Adrian

I am sorry to hear about your problems, but I would again direct
you to most of my posts and comments ‘if mobility is a problem,
then ALL aids should be used for those who need them’.

If we minimise the use of carts perhaps, just perhaps we could
have grass tracks that blend into the course for those few that
need carts.

[Doug Ralston]

There are times when I read the posts on GCA and wonder if the average age is in the mid 80's. Well, if not mentally, certainly physically because of the need for carts and electronic aids.

If mobility is a problem in stopping people playing Golf, then I have always supported the use of all artificial aids for those that need them. 

I will always support and encourage people to play golf. It's one of the least violent sports around – well until I see a cart, tarmac cart track and electronic distance aid then I sometime go ballistic.     

Benighted Purists don't get arthritic bones and feeble lungs - because we walk the walk on the course, but age can catch up on some of us  who had a miss spent youth (knee tremblers).   

Couldn't resist the one about 'miss' spent youth, Melvyn. That certainly is what happened to my health! 

Doug

PS: I hate the way those GBs 'across the pond' destroy our American language.

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