Carts

     Recently I have seen more groups using too many carts.  We have twosome using 2 carts, threesome using 3 carts, foursome using 3 and 4 carts and yes fivesome using 5 carts.  When we play with more carts than is needed per group that is adding addition stress on the golf course.  The waste of gasoline and wear and tear on carts is another issue that can be discussed some other time. My biggest concern this time of year is turfgrass health.  Turfgrass wear and soil compaction are the 2 biggest issues we face with  cart use.
     Turfgrass wear by carts is influenced by speed of travel and the amount of stopping, starting, and turning.  Wear symptoms include leaf tissue matting and a subsequent exposure of underlying thatch.  With additional traffic leaf blades are bruised.  Ruptured cells eventually give turf a dark, water soaked appearance.  Wilt sets in as water is lost from the leaves causing death.
     Soil Compaction caused by carts reduces shoot growth and the recuperative potential of turfgrass.  Compaction reduces air and water porosity within the soil as well as water movement through the soil profile.  Soil compaction can impact turf growth for several weeks or months, resulting in total loss of turf cover and chronic problems with poor drainage and a invasion of weeds.
     The Maintenance staff aerates and over seeds every years to help reduce and eliminate wear and compaction.  We can't do this alone we need your help.  The membership can  help the golf course fight these problems by following the guidelines below to help reduce golf cart traffic on the golf course.  I am partial to item # 6 this is a big one and we can do better.

1. Spread cart traffic over a wider area and avoid turning and driving over the same area.
2. Vary the entrance and exit points to the fairways to spread wear out more evenly.
3. All vehicles should be 30 feet from greens and tees to avoid damaging sensitive turf areas.
4. Carts should never be taken across excessively wet areas.
5. Carts are suspended or restricted during times of excessive wet conditions.
6. Golfers should always share a cart.
7. Restrict carts to paths on all Par 3's
8. On holes where your ball lands close to the path do not exit the path. 
9. If time is not a factor and you are physically able stay on the path and walk to your ball.

     Most damage caused by golf carts can be minimized when you use common sense and observe proper course etiquette. 

5 carts 5 golfers