Driving Your Golf Cart Like This Isn’t Your First Time

You’re on vacation with a few couples, and everyone decides a morning at the resort golf course would be a fun group activity. If you’re new to golf, you’re already set up for a morning of exasperated looks from your fellow golfers, so no need to add to it by not knowing how to drive the golf cart, too. It’s pretty simple when you understand how it operates and where the controls are. It is also important to know golf cart etiquette and regulations on the course.

How to Operate a Golf Cart

Like a car, golf carts have keys and ignitions. Your key will have a number that corresponds with the number on the golf cart. Unlike cars, the only way you will know the cart is on will be the key position indicating it. After you turn the cart on, press on the gas pedal gently; it’s sensitive and will likely jerk to life. You’ll hear the brake pop out of the locked position when you depress the gas pedal to start. You’ll begin making smoother starts as you get used to it, but know that a little jerk is common.

Most courses use all electric golf carts these days, for their whisper quiet operation and zero carbon emission eco-friendliness. It is possible to come across a gas powered cart, though. You’ll recognize it by the engine noise. If you have a gas powered cart, be aware that you may experience a bigger jolt when you press on the gas pedal. Otherwise, the operation of electric and gas carts are the same.

To stop your cart, depress the brake firmly until you come to a stopped position, then press harder until you hear it click into the locked position. Never get out of your cart without engaging the brake in the locked position, or you may be chasing a runaway on foot – not a good look. Also, for your safety, wait until you’re at a complete standstill before engaging the brake lock.

Your cart will also go in reverse. There may be a switch or handle to change from forward to reverse, or you may control reverse with the ignition key. It’s marked “F” and “R”, or “Fwd” and “Rev”, and may be down the front side of the seat between the driver’s and the passenger’s seats. Find it before you need it. You’ll always know when you’re in reverse, because the cart will make a beeping sound when you depress the gas.

Golf Cart Safety

The undulating nature of golf course terrain makes it lovely to look at and challenging to golf on, but can also make it difficult to drive on. Golf carts easily tip over, so slow down as you are rounding a hillside or making a sharp turn.

According to Allstate esurance, turning at 11 mph can throw passengers from a golf cart; golf cart accidents account for over 10,000 emergency room visits annually; 40% of golf cart accidents involve someone falling from the vehicle; and 10% involve rollovers. With statistics like these, it’s important to adhere to safe driving rules.

Follow the rules of the course, which will be posted with signage. As with any vehicle, don’t drink and drive. This is a little ambiguous, because golf courses often sell beer from roving beverage carts, so don’t drink and drive impaired is maybe a more accurate statement. Only stop and start the vehicle when both the driver and passenger are fully in the cart. No more than two people per cart, and no joy riding or reckless driving.

Reduce your speed according to course conditions – inclines, intersections, blind corners, where pedestrians are present, among others. Look behind you when driving in reverse. Avoid sharp turns or driving straight up or down steep inclines to avoid ejecting passengers or rolling the cart. No tailgating the cart in front of you or sudden braking if a cart behind you is too close. If lightning is present, head for the clubhouse or other structural safety. Trees and your cart will not protect you from a lightning strike.

Golf Cart Etiquette

There are several golden rules of the golf course, the first of which is to never, ever drive your cart across a tee box or green. Stay behind other golfers in your group that are hitting. Some carts, perhaps your own, are equipped with stereos. Respect the play of other golfers on the course by keeping the noise down; golf is a game of concentration, so don’t be a noisy distraction to others. Don’t joy ride in your cart. You can cause damage to the turf and/or the cart with reckless behavior.

Obey the particular cart rules of the course. Sometimes there are 90 degree rules that must be adhered to in order to protect fragile areas of the course. This means you stay on the cart path until you are even with your ball, then drive straight out to it at a 90 degree angle from the path, and straight back. After rain, or when the course is soggy from accumulated rain, it’s at its most vulnerable. Drive respectfully, being sure not to tear up the wet turf.

Once you have a handle on operating the cart, and adhering to safety and etiquette standards, all you have left to think about is your swing, posture, timing, club choice, angles, distance, slope, and dealing with the rough, water hazards, sand traps, and lost balls. Enjoy!