Michael Herrmann

How the golf cart destroyed American golf culture: Disclaimer: I play in carts sometimes. This isn’t “You suck if you play in a golf cart”. Public golf culture in the USA has a lot of problems. And imo the golf cart was what changed the game. In the UK and Australia, golf is seen as a healthy social hobby. It’s a nature walk while hitting a golf ball and then a beer with friends afterwards. In America, it’s mocked. A lazy man’s game. Driving around getting smashed. It’s slow and often tense. It’s like sitting in traffic. How did the golf cart hurt the game? Takes away the health benefits Horrible for the turf Makes expensive and ugly cart paths mandatory Allows for more drinking, most don’t want to get drunk while walking Takes away the natural high Allows for bad golf course design Almost all of the great private golf clubs in the USA are walking only or highly encourage walking. This isn’t a coincidence. Golf is simply a walking game. It’s better for all involved. (With exemption for the handicapped.) As American golf evolves, thankfully we are seeing a move back to walking courses. The Park in Florida mandates walking in the mornings. Bandon Dunes and Sand Valley are walking only. And golfers are buying in! I learned playing cart golf as an adult. Walking 18 holes seemed like a chore. But once you start walking, you get it. And it becomes easier and easier and then becomes what you crave. The walk. Yes in Texas or Florida summers, carts will be used. Yes at mountain and some desert courses they are needed. But for a normal parkland course, we need to eschew the cart. It’s better for the game and for everyone who plays it. For all the cart golfers, give it a try if your course is walkable. It’s better in all ways.