What are golfers doing today, Oct 15, 2020, about the pandemic?

[jeffwarne]

It’s all about profit for some courses, willing to pass the risk on to their customers.  Everyone votes with their business.  As long as customers are willing to risk it, some courses will force them to double up on carts.

Actually it's about survival.  If your a public course struggling to keep in business and you only own 60 carts and you give a cart to everybody in a foursome, you will run out of carts in 2 hours assuming 8 minute tee times.   Public courses would love to space out the tee times but they can't because they must drive revenue. 


On a busy day, most courses turn their carts over at least once and sometimes more than that. For a lot of public and semi-private courses, it's not that they don't want to be safe, it's simply that they want to continue to exist! 


I'm sure some will argue, just increase your fleet size, but that shows a lack of understanding of costs related to fleet management, gas/electric, and storage costs.  Renting carts temporarily is also not cost effective.

to say nothing of doubling the damage, wear and tear on the golf course.

[John Kavanaugh]

I wouldn't say double the damage. Single carts do far less turning as each golfer goes straight to their ball. A detailed study may show that they actually do less damage.

[jeffwarne]

I wouldn't say double the damage. Single carts do far less turning as each golfer goes straight to their ball. A detailed study may show that they actually do less damage.

yeah you're right-not double the damage-less back and forth and the cart weighs less with one rider
Probably just 90% more
Good catch.


No doubt the best part is they get done faster so they have more time to drive to their workouts.

[Daryl David]

I wouldn't say double the damage. Single carts do far less turning as each golfer goes straight to their ball. A detailed study may show that they actually do less damage.

yeah you're right-not double the damage-less back and forth and the cart weighs less with one rider
Probably just 90% more
Good catch.


No doubt the best part is they get done faster so they have more time to drive to their workouts.

John might be right!  There is a very well known club in the CA desert that has allowed single rider carts for years. Their rationale (besides speed of play) is that there is no more wear and tear on the course precisely along the lines of JK’s theory.


The super at my club in the North is scratching his head trying to figure out how after a summer of record rounds in single carts, the course is still in fine shape. I doubt we will go back to pairing up even if there is an end to Covid. Of course the story is different for a public course with a limited cart fleet.

[Jeff Schley]

My club here in the desert is all single riders with only rare exception as everyone has their own carts. Quick and other than helping someone look for their ball there is very little turning.

[jeffwarne]

I guess it just depends upon one's definition of "great shape"
seeing twice as many cart tracks all over a golf course is at best a bad aesthetic, at worst more compaction(won't always show as a problem in a few months)
But as always JK(and you) COULD be right.


With Covid limiting bag carrying in NY, while other area clubs opted to have 4 carts and 2 caddies(generally with caddies riding on the back) or 2 carts carrying the bags while the players walked...
We opted for caddies pushing one cart and pulling another, and many players chose to carry or push/pull themselves-all carrying their own rake.
Caddies did better than ever $$wise as many(about half) groups only took one caddie, and the historically poorer paying players opted not to take a caddie. The additional rounds played and a few caddies who did not return due to Covid made it all work out nicely without mandatory caddies-a practice I have long wanted to get rid of. Who knew Covid would accelerate such a practice?
Caddies make more $, members who don't want caddies don't have to take one, and slightly less personnel to manage.
The reality is nearly all did take caddies, but why force them on a player(the ONLY mandatory caddie rule is that if taking a cart, they do have to take a caddie-to avoid trying to substitute one for the other)
win-win-win


As always, we allowed carts only for medical or over age 65 -and we did use single rider carts for those who took them.
Surprisingly, play was faster than ever, and cart use declined.




I think quite a few caddie dependent members learned a bit about self reliance during the period caddies weren't allowed-that and less one-on-one caddy conversations kept things moving.

[Tim Martin]

Although I walked most of the rounds I played there were hot and humid days when I rode. I understand and respect all the arguments from the club standpoint but strictly as a consumer I like the single rider experience hands down over doubling up. I liken it to having your own row on a plane in that it’s a no brainer if you get the opportunity.

[Ira Fishman]

To answer the OP, I do what I do every day which is to review, enhance, and implement our Covid 19 Protocols so that NFL Players are as safe as possible given the extremely challenging circumstances.


Ira

[John Kavanaugh]

To answer the OP, I do what I do every day which is to review, enhance, and implement our Covid 19 Protocols so that NFL Players are as safe as possible given the extremely challenging circumstances.


Ira

Thank you for your service.

[Marty Bonnar]

To answer the OP, I do what I do every day which is to review, enhance, and implement our Covid 19 Protocols so that NFL Players are as safe as possible given the extremely challenging circumstances.


Ira

Thank you for your service.

Yes, can everyone just please stay the hell away from Chicago. We might be in with a shout this year.
F.

[Ira Fishman]

To answer the OP, I do what I do every day which is to review, enhance, and implement our Covid 19 Protocols so that NFL Players are as safe as possible given the extremely challenging circumstances.


Ira

Thank you for your service.

Yes, can everyone just please stay the hell away from Chicago. We might be in with a shout this year.
F.

Marty,


Long, long before I worked in football, I was in the stands in New Orleans to see our 85 Bears win the SB. If I am still in football the next time they make it, there will be two tickets for you.


Ira

[Mark Pritchett]

Super Bowl Shuffle! 

[William_G]

I wouldn't say double the damage. Single carts do far less turning as each golfer goes straight to their ball. A detailed study may show that they actually do less damage.

-doubtful, yet if tons of paths then possibly, but we watch 4 carts driving on the turf for the last 6 months, the course has been abused daily

[/size]-personally walking to and from my office as there is nothing to rush about[size=78%]


-our AirBnb is killing it


-overall playing a little more golf


-first flight last week, planes empty, fly again next week

[Dave Doxey]

I did not intend to open the “carts are bad” topic.  I was a walker exclusively until age and health made it impossible.  For many golfers, carts are the only way that they can continue enjoying the game.


I understand the cost issue of single riders.  That was my point.   Some courses put customer’s health at risk by forcing double carts to save a little money.


An interesting question that I posed regards the potential market for smaller, lighter, single rider carts.  Lower costs and less potential course damage. Creative research and design might even eliminate the need for full-course cart paths.