Golf Cart Safety - How to Prevent Injury

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.