There are lots of benefits to choosing to use a golf cart instead of walking between holes on the court. Of course, using one without irritating other golfers can be tricky. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of choosing to use a cart, and how to do it politely.

The greatest advantage of using a cart, of course, is that it eliminates the need to walk. Golf courses are often quite large. Even if you’re in good shape, it’s easy to become fatigued if you have to carry your clubs and bags all over the course. A golf cart will help you conserve your energy for your golf game, and you can carry more equipment if you use a cart.

A cart will also shield you from bad weather. For example, if it’s sweltering hot, you’ll soon become fatigued and overheated if you walk the course. But if you take a cart along with plenty of water to beat the heat, you’ll be able to keep cool in the shade. Driving a golf cart can help protect you from overheating in the summer, and can keep you from getting drenched in spring and fall rains.

However, if you don’t often use a cart, you may have trouble remembering when to move it, or realizing how to drive it effectively. That could send you running back and forth and cause you to get in other golfers’ way, making the cart more trouble than it’s worth.

Make sure you’re careful when using a cart on wet grass or when the ground is damp. If the area is muddy, you should avoid it. Many courses will ask you not to drive on the rough to minimize the impact. Remember that if your partner is in the driver’s seat and is old enough to drive the cart, you should assume he or she will be doing the driving.

Talk to your partner about who will move the cart. That keeps you from leaving it behind and having to walk back for it. Remember that you should return to the cart path when approaching the green, and bring all appropriate clubs with you when walking to it. Be willing to bring your partner a club if needed. Remember to ask him or her if a rest stop is needed when facilities are nearby.

Plan ahead about where you’ll place the cart. A good strategy is to park where it can provide shade if there are no trees or buildings nearby. If you are driving the cart and you partner’s ball is next in play, pull up around the right side of the ball with the ball placed mid-way down the cart’s length. This way, your partner will have less distance to cover.

You should never drive the cart while other golfers are hitting, and most importantly, don’t move in front of them. When you park near the green, place the cart on the side where you’ll be exiting the green. If the ball is on a steep hill, park as close as you safely can, but avoid driving on the hill; this can be hazardous.

Know how far it is to the green by reading the distances or paying attention to the location of bushes, and know how far your clubs are likely to send the ball. If you’re not sure which club you’ll need, bring more than one to avoid having to walk far to the cart again and again.

Soeren is an expert in golf carts in all shapes and forms. Cheap models, expensive models and anything in between. Read his latest review article titled: The Melex Golf Cart. Come visit the site for more cart information.