Blog.WinGolfer.com

Everyone knows that walking is the most fundamental of all exercise programs. So it makes sense that walking a golf course with a push cart would be considered good for you. This simply has not always been the case though. Due to the start and stop that happens during the round, many have argued that walking with a push cart is not beneficial to your exercise program.

I would suggest that these people have never tried to walk eighteen holes in less than four hours. You basically are taking a 4-5 mile walk every time that you play eighteen holes. In addition, the course has many elevation changes up and down to further add benefits to the activity.

Researcher Gi Magnusson calculates that four hours of playing golf (walking) is comparable to a 45-minute fitness class.”

The health benefits of golf are also highlighted in various studies done around the world. Researchers in Sweden found that walking golf equated to 40-percent to 70-percent of the intensity of a maximum aerobic workout, assuming you are walking 18 holes. In the second study cited, cardiologist Dr. Edward A. Palank’s study showed that walking golfers reduced their levels of bad cholesterol while keeping their good cholesterol steady; the control group of riding golfers failed to show those good results.

As David Fay of the USGA has written, “We strongly believe that walking is the most enjoyable way to play golf and that the use of carts is detrimental to the game. This negative trend needs to be stopped now before it becomes accepted that riding in a cart is the way to play golf.”

Not to sound funny but walking a course gets you closer to the golf course. It is a totally different experience using a push cart across the terrain as opposed to hopping in a regular golf cart. I have found that I am able to learn more about a golf course that I have walked as opposed to those that I ride. Walking with a push cart allows you to gain an appreciation for the nuances of a golf course that just are not visible from a golf cart.

In just the last few years, golf push carts have been revitalized. The baby boomers are retiring and trying to stay in shape as well as the rest of the nation becoming more and more health conscious, using a push cart is much easier than trying to pull a cart or lug a golf bag around the golf course. The new walking golf carts are not your dad’s old aluminum tripod with the hard plastic wheels on it. Today, push carts feature tires that look more like bicycle tires that allow you to easily walk the golf course. In addition, there are many golf cart accessories that make you round more enjoyable. Attachments for a water bottle, scorecard, umbrella and even a cell phone are available to have a customized golf cart that helps you enjoy the game.

Anyone involved in the golf business knows that the past year has been one of our most challenging, despite the return of Tiger Woods. Professional golf hasn’t suffered, at least not to the extent of recreational golf as an industry has. The PGA still sells out events, drawing crowds and raking in money from television deals, product endorsements and video games. But ask the pro at your local golf course and chances are you’ll hear a different story. The club I work for is in the same boat. With the country firmly in recession and people cutting back on expenditures and luxuries, maintaining a membership at the country club, or even playing a few rounds a month at the golf course is frequently low on the list of family priorities. Which begs the question: if memberships and bookings are down significantly, how does a golf course reduce costs? Because if revenue takes a hit for an extended period of time at the same time that costs remain constant (or increase), the situation usual ends with the course shutting down.

We had an all staff meeting and implemented suggestions from every department from the green keepers to the pros and even the kitchen staff. Did you ever see the episode of Arrested Development where Lucille was shocked by being served “curly fries” at her country club? Well, don’t laugh; we downscaled our menu and added items like gourmet hamburgers and curly fires in place of the bacon wrapped fillets. We dimmed the lighting during evening hours, offered half-price green fees on Sundays, two-for-one yearly memberships, and even went so far as to buy grass seed in bulk from a discount supplier instead of the premium product our groundskeeper had used for decades. Perfect greens aren’t going to be appreciated if there’s no-one around to hit a ball, after all.

One of our biggest savings was in the golf cart pool. We have a significant investment in carts due to an older demographic and extensive grounds; we have sixty carts in service, which is probably more than a lot of courses. Servicing those carts can be an expensive proposition, but our cart wrangler/mechanic came up with the brilliant idea of buying replacement parts from an online supplier instead of our usual source. It’s shaved a considerable amount off of his maintenance budget, but an unexpected bonus has been more uptime for the carts. His online supplier always has what’s needed in stock instead of having to source it and shipments usually arrive within 24 hours. That’s one change that will remain in place even after the economy has bounced back.

Golf cannot match-up with the sports like tennis in terms of the physical exhaustion involved. Still, it can challenge the physical abilities of even the moderately healthy people due to the long distance walks involved between the shots and the holes. This is not as much a problem for the youngsters as much it is for the forty plus players. They so often feel their bodies giving up on the lengthy kilometer stretches.

If what we are writing here is getting a little embarrassing for you, you must seriously look at the option of making use of the golf carts. These are mechanical marvels that come in various shapes, sizes and can carry you and your equipments comfortably around the golf course up to any distances. Here is a short guide to assist you in finding the best one within your budget.

Why a Golf Cart?

The most valid reason to opt for one is that you will be able to move around the golf course quickly, easily and without any stress. Any golf player worth his time on the golf course would vouch for the fact that golf courses around the world are getting bigger and bigger. This makes it very tough for the elderly to enjoy this sport.

A golf cart is the most preferred option for the upwardly mobile people as well as who have paucity of time but still want to enjoy their favorite game. A golf cart can help them move around quickly and take their shots in no time, thus enabling them to pack a round of golf even in their always busy schedule.

Is it a Buggy or What?

Golf carts as well as buggies are available in the market in various sizes, shapes, prices and styles. If the one you are looking for is to help you move around your local courses easily, you’d better do with some good low priced, value for money deals.

In case your golf cart will be utilized to carry many people and equipments all together, there are few interesting heavyweight options also available. These can carry up to 8 people at a time. These are normally legalized golf buggies that can ply on the roads and thus can be conveniently used even by the people who stay around the golf courses.

There are electric engine, gasoline engine, normal engine and 4×4 variants available for such buggies. So, whether you intend to take on the rough terrain, move bulky equipments or simply utilize your golf cart to do sight seeing on the golf course, there is certainly one available fitting your budget as well as your needs.

The usage of golf carts or buggies is not limited to the golf course alone. If utilized innovatively, they can be put to use in many outdoor activities like visiting museums, tourist spots, around the apartment complex or even in military bases. Once you are clearly able to define your needs and budget, you can derive maximum value out of your golf cart or buggy.

Golf is a very interesting sport. It has its fair share of rabid fans and critics. Some are avowed supporters because of the supposed advantages it offers while others are assailing it for the disadvantages it entails. If you are still undecided on which side to go with, here is an interesting list of drawbacks that may cause you to make a crucial decision. Read on and be an informed individual.

The first and most obvious disadvantage in playing golf is the exorbitant fees involved. It requires that you have a very deep bank account because you need it to pay for the golf club membership, buy the expensive clubs, and pay the trainer, caddy and the use of the cart. If you are an ordinary person trying to become a master or a professional of this sport, you must have the courage to pursue your passion. You must improve your skills so that sponsors can notice you and take you under their wings. If not, you will just be left in the wayside.

Moreover, this is definitely not something for the feeble minded because it is more than just a physical game. It really requires mental concentration and careful analysis. One needs intellectual skills to evaluate whether the condition is perfect for teeing or not.

Second, playing golf does not really contribute much to one’s physical activities. When compared to other sports, it is very low impact. Hitting the balls does not burn many calories. It is also interesting to note that most golfers do not walk as they transfer from one hole to another. They prefer taking it easy and riding their golf carts. They also lose the benefit of improving their upper body strength when they allow their caddies to carry their clubs and other equipments.

If you want to lose weight, improve your flexibility or tone your body, this is not a good choice to even make the shortlist. You are better off finding another sport to be involved in.

Third, playing golf will make you an indirect destroyer of the natural flora of the environment. Have you ever seen an unruly fairway in your entire life? Of course not! The greenery is maintained so that the grasses would look and feel perfect for the select few who are playing the game. Every day, fountains are turned on using thousand of liters of water to maintain the place in its impeccable form. Sprinkling a valuable resource such as water purely for aesthetic purposes surely reeks of elitism and complete disregard for Mother Nature.

Imagine wasting hectares upon hectares of land in order to make a single course with nine holes. Now, double that figure when you see an 18-hole golf course. Do you find it practical in this day and age where an increasing number of people are homeless or living in shanties?

As you can see, playing golf is not the same as any other sport. You need to consider a lot of factors before taking the plunge so that you will not feel guilty later on.

The golf course is a place where people are supposed to have fun and enjoy the camaraderie among players of this revered sport. However, these pleasant circumstances have been marred by an increasing number of accidents and injuries all because of an almost innocuous-looking vehicle-the golf cart.

A recent study showed that the number of injuries resulting from golf cart accidents increased by more than 130% during the 1990-2006 period. In that seven-year span, it was estimated that almost 147,700 golf-cart-related injuries were treated at US hospitals. The main reason for these injuries was either falling or jumping from a moving golf cart. More than 30% of these golf cart accidents involved children, the study also showed.

Based on this study, most of the golf cart accidents could be avoided just by common sense of refraining from jumping from a cart in motion, and by closely supervising children in the golf course. Golf club authorities also offer some further advice on golf cart safety.

First is that the rules of street driving also apply when using golf carts. The cart driver must always pay attention to the path he or she is taking. A sharp turn at very high speed is an invitation to disaster as a golf cart could easily flip over and injure its passengers and driver. Drinking alcoholic beverage and driving a golf cart also do not mix.

Additionally, the cart driver should check the golf course rules on golf cart use. Before driving onto the golf course, the driver should ensure that the golf cart is allowed in a particular area. Golf course conditions could change from day to day, and as a result, golf cart restrictions could be adapted to the new course conditions.

There are general rules to follow though when driving onto the fairway which will contribute in avoiding golf cart accidents. One of these rules is to never to take the golf cart within hazard boundary lines. Driving the golf cart within 50 yards of the greens or within about 10 yards of bunkers and water hazards is likewise prohibited. Golf cart wheels are likely to damage these particular areas. Places close to tee boxes are also restricted to golf carts which should likewise be never driven through mud and on some fairways. In particular, when driving to a par 3 hole, the golf cart is restricted to the cart path even if such vehicle is allowed on fairways of par 4 and par 5 holes.

Specific cart signs posted in the golf course should be followed. The “cart path only” sign indicate that the vehicle should be driven only at the cart path at all times; no driving on the grass. Sometimes this “cart path only” rule may not be in effect, but it is also advisable to always avoid driving onto the grass. Soil compaction that usually results in adverse growing conditions for turf grasses is caused by constant golf cart traffic. Although not a likely trigger for golf cart accidents, this soil compaction can eventually result in fairways not too ideal for playing.

It used to be that most golfers would rather walk for their round from the tees to the fairways in order to benefit from the full physical exercise that could be derived from playing this royal and ancient game. In fact, despite the long history of golf, the first golf cart was introduced only in the late 1940s to enable players with disabilities to have mobility around a golf course.

But with more and more people attracted to playing golf, the use of golf carts have likewise increased. These motorized vehicles for the links and fairways allowed for faster games and convenient transport and holding of golf clubs. According to the National Golf Foundation, motorized golf carts are now used in about two-thirds of all 18-hole rounds.

This increased presence of motorized carts plying the golf course has led to concerns on golf cart safety. As in other motor vehicles, improper operation of golf carts can result in accidents and serious injuries, in addition to causing damage to the golf course.

The Golf Course Superintendent Association of America (GCSAA) suggests several rules for the safe use of golf carts. One GCSAA suggestion is very simple: operate golf carts only from the driver’s side. No joyriding or showing off as such attitude is not only unsafe but also violates the etiquette in a golf course.

A further advice is to limit passengers to the seating capacity of the golf cart. Most of these vehicles do not have seat belts, so it has to be ensured that the passengers are fully seated and securely aboard before the driver starts the golf cart.

To further enhance golf cart safety, driver and passengers should keep their entire body inside the vehicle when it’s already moving. A hanging foot shod in a cleated shoe, for example, could easily catch the ground and result in a sprained ankle or broken foot. Limbs extended outside the golf cart could also get snagged by tree branches.

A safe golf cart driver should go slowly through turns and be always on the watch for any oncoming traffic, whether pedestrian or another vehicle. Extra caution should be exercised when driving a golf cart up and down slopes, where the vehicle needs to be driven straight and slow. Same applies when going in reverse, driving on loose surfaces, wet turf or rough terrain.

Golf cart safety precautions extend up to the time the vehicle comes to a complete stop. The brakes have to be set and the key removed when the cart is no longer in use. The golf cart should never be driven by somebody impaired by alcoholic drinks or drugs.

Golf carts should be driven only in areas where the vehicles are allowed. Areas restricted to golf carts are indicated by golf course signs which should be obeyed at all times. Golf carts can seriously damage the golf course which would consequently jeopardize the game not only of the carts’ users but those of other golf club members and guests as well.

So, you love playing golf and getting out in the fresh air but hate the walking between holes then perhaps golf carts are for you. What a great way to get around the course. Just throw your golf bag in, jump on and off you go. You can even take passengers if you wish.

These golf carts are so much fun let alone convenient. Not only convenient for the avid golfer but since their production many years ago they have been used by many companies as runabouts for their employees to get from one end of the production site to the other. Some people have them at home on their estates to get around as they are so efficient and versatile to use.

Most people don’t realize the benefits of golf carts as they only think of them as a travel means on the gold course. And for sure they are great for that purpose. Did you know you can get them in electric, gas and also a manual push pull version. So the choice is yours. They also come in a few different designs and sizes for your convenience.

Some people even like the idea of having one different and unique such as a customized version. Many companies will be happy to customize one for you to look like your favorite car. Imagine being out on the golf course in your favorite little sports car style buggy. You will be the envy of everyone around!

Now that you know the options that you have with golf carts there is nothing stopping you finding the one best to suit your needs. Start by checking out the web and finding reputable manufacturers of golf carts and seeing what they have to offer you. Usually you can find what you want at very affordable prices when shopping this way compared to the usual way.