Cart access at a golf club is governed by several separate policies that rarely sit in the same document: what the fleet costs and how you book it, what happens when the course is restricted, whether members may bring their own vehicle, and what the club needs from you in each case. Most of the frustration people experience comes from discovering one of those policies at the worst possible moment. Here is the full list of questions, and who to put them to.
Ask the right person
Fleet booking and daily availability are pro shop questions. Everything else, restricted-day arrangements, private vehicles, storage, charging and insurance, belongs with the club secretary, general manager or golf operations manager. Putting a policy question to a busy counter on a Saturday morning tends to produce an answer that is unofficial, provisional, or simply whatever seems reasonable at the time, and it will not be recorded anywhere. Ask in advance, in writing where you can, and ask for the answer in writing too.
Questions about the club fleet
- How many golf carts are in the fleet, and how far ahead can they be booked?
- What does a round cost, and are there member, visitor or society rates?
- Can a cart be reserved in advance, or is it first come on the day?
- What happens if the fleet is fully booked but the course is open to golf carts?
- Is there a cancellation policy if the course goes to golf carts suspended after you have booked?
Questions about restricted days
This is the area that catches people out, because the restriction levels are distinct and a policy that covers one may not cover another. Path only, ninety-degree rule, golf carts suspended and fleet unavailable are four different situations. Ask specifically what happens under each, who makes the decision and when, and how you find out before you travel to the course. Many clubs post it on a website or a social feed on the morning; some expect you to telephone. Knowing which saves a wasted journey.
- Who decides, and at what time of day is the decision made?
- Where is it published, and how far in advance can you check?
- What happens to existing bookings when golf carts are suspended?
- Is there any arrangement for players who need a cart in order to play?
- If so, what does the club need from you, and how long does it take to arrange?
- Are single-rider vehicles treated differently from standard golf carts?
Questions about bringing your own cart
Clubs are usually more cautious about private vehicles than golfers expect, and for understandable reasons: their insurance position, the revenue their own fleet generates, limited storage and charging capacity, and the practical difficulty of policing condition standards on vehicles they do not own. If you are considering buying, ask these questions before you buy rather than after, because a purchase made on an assumption about club policy is an expensive way to discover the policy. Our guide to taking your own cart to the golf club covers this in depth.
- Does the club permit members' own golf carts at all, and under what conditions?
- Is written permission required, and who grants it?
- What insurance evidence does the club need, and in what form?
- Is there a trail fee or storage charge, and what does it cover?
- Where may the vehicle be stored, and is charging available?
- Are there condition, age or specification standards the vehicle must meet?
- Do course restrictions apply to private vehicles identically to fleet vehicles?
Questions that only matter once
A few are worth asking early even though they rarely come up. Whether guests and visitors may use a cart, and on what terms, matters if you regularly bring people. Whether golf carts are permitted in competitions is set by the competition rather than the club's general policy and catches people out. And if you play at more than one course, it is worth knowing that none of these answers transfer: an arrangement at your home club means nothing at a course you are visiting, and visitor policies are frequently stricter.
Frequently asked questions
Who should I ask about cart access at a golf club?+
The club secretary, general manager or golf operations manager for anything about policy, restricted days or private vehicles. The pro shop can handle fleet booking and daily availability, but cannot usually create or confirm an arrangement.
Can I take my own cart to a golf club?+
It depends on the club, and many are more cautious than golfers expect because of insurance, fleet revenue and storage. Expect to need written permission, evidence of insurance and possibly a trail or storage fee. Ask before buying, not after.
How do I find out if golf carts are allowed today?+
Most clubs decide on the morning and publish it on their website or a social feed, though some expect a telephone call. Ask your club where it publishes the decision and at what time, so you are not travelling on an assumption.
Do cart rules apply to visitors too?+
Usually, and visitor policies are frequently stricter. An arrangement at your home club does not transfer to a course you are visiting, so ask in advance if you rely on a cart to play.
Are golf carts allowed in competitions?+
That is set by the competition rather than the club's general policy, so the two can differ. Check with the organizer rather than assuming the club's day-to-day arrangement applies.
Thinking about your own cart?
Tell us the course and how you play, and we will tell you what suits it and what your club is likely to want to see. We will also say plainly if hiring is the better answer.
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Our guides are written and reviewed by the Hawke Electric Vehicles team, the people who specify, build, deliver and support the vehicles. We focus on honest, practical advice and flag where a figure depends on the build rather than guessing.
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