Cart Path Only. Dreaded words for an Aging Baby Boomer.
This Hole Cart Path Only Golf Course Sign
On the leading edge of baby boomers, I am restricted to playing golf from a motorized cart because of arthritic knees. As our numbers grow I wonder if it will change the way some golf courses are managed.
The bane of my golfing existence is those dreaded words from the starters “Cart path only today!”
Many courses strictly adhere to the no power cart or cart path only rules especially following, or on rainy days. Without a power cart I am cut off from playing the course. If it is cart path only I have to cancel my booking unless I am playing with my husband who is fit enough for the two of us.
Here is our plan. I try to hit all my fairway shots close to the cart path. Is it only my perception that most courses have their cart paths along the left side of the fairways? For us right handed golfers who are in the majority, this is a challenge. If we err in our shot making it is usually a slice to the right putting us far away from the path. This is where hubby comes in. If my shot ends up on the opposite side of the fairway to the cart path he hops out to retrieve my ball closer to the path.
There is no competition in this type of golf as I am not playing from where the ball came to rest. Still it allows me to see the course and practice my shot making.
When hubby and I travelled to Mt. Tremblant to stay and play two great courses, Le Geant and Le Diable the weather Gods were not on our side and it was cart path only. Because they were booked solid rescheduling our tee time to another day was not an option. I told the marshal I wouldn’t be able to play because of bad knees and he said “Nonsense. We will flag your cart.” How very civilized was that? Other courses take note. When your cart is flagged you are allowed access anywhere on the fairways as long as you enter and exit at right angles to your ball placement.
In Ontario when it is cart path only I ask if the marshal will flag my cart and so far the answer is always a resounding “NO!” I guess those courses don’t need my green fees………….. yet. Since there are legions of boomers coming up behind me with their own mobility problems courses may want to rethink flagging carts.
Here is a little heads up along the same line. I have had the good fortune to play Wooden Sticks in Uxbridge a few times. It is a great experience as it features holes inspired by courses such as St.Andrew’s, Augusta, Oakmont, Troon and Sawgrass. When you arrive at the club house there is a valet service. Two delicious meals and power carts are included with your green fees. And if you are lucky enough that their pro Karin Mundinger is on the practice tee she will give you a tip on how to improve your shots. The course is well manicured and well marshalled. However, six of the first nine holes are cart path only! Don’t say I didn’t warn you. And no you can’t borrow my hubby.