"Carts due in by 8pm!"

[stryper]

> @Loki said:

> > @bigdane said:

> > > @jerebear21 said:

> > > at our club and most private clubs we can play till the dusk of dawn and the cart folks would still have to wait but do you really want to be that guy holding up the entire crew because you're trying to get in one more hole to post a score that wouldn't matter since you playing alone?

> > >

> > > growing the game should mean a permanent ban on carts. Especially those 6pm cart folks who wants to squeeze in all 18 at twilight rate.

> >

> > We solved all those problems at our local golf course - in an easy and practical way:

> > On the key ring for the cart key, we added a key for the cart barn. There we have numbered the place for each cart and over each space, we placed instructions of how to correctly connect the chargers.

> > Really is quite simple, isn't it?

>

> You're more trusting than the rest of us and I can see an insurance company having an issue with it.

 

Yeah, complete no on that one.

 

[golfortennis]

> @Twism86 said:

> As long as they give you a solid time and allow you to keep playing until dark, this is completely acceptable. I hate the "carts due at dusk" ambiguous kind of timing.

>

> Honestly, everyone has a home get back to, dinner to cook, family to see, etc. No need for people to work up until dark to collect a few carts. Also, golf is a walking sport so just buy a push cart and dont worry about carts. I play a lot of evening golf and finish my round well after all the staff last left and locked up the carts and clubhouse and its never an issue with your own push cart.

 

 

You know what, if "everyone has a home get back to, dinner to cook, family to see, " is your priority, then you shouldn't be working at a golf course. I hear this all the time with construction workers who leave road projects undone for weeks at a time. That is the nature of the work. It is a service industry. How many retail employees would love to have that option, yet no one says anything about a mall or other store being open until 9 or 10. Why are golf course employees so special?

[Soloman1]

Because some of them are not being paid to wait for the people who think that they're _special_ and don't have to follow the rule to bring the cart back on time?

[bvmagic]

I worked at two different golf courses in high school / college. One was private, other semi private. It never bothered me if players played till dark, we never set a time that the carts had to be in. Mainly because I was being paid hourly to sit and wait for maybe 1 or 2 groups to come in. Keep in mind this was before smartphones, so I literally sat there with nothing to do except wait. One time the head pro saw me just waiting and told me to just go hit some balls while I waited. Looking back those were some good times. It got me free golf and even range time while I was on the clock!

[Warrior42111]

> @Bluefan75 said:

> > @Twism86 said:

> > As long as they give you a solid time and allow you to keep playing until dark, this is completely acceptable. I hate the "carts due at dusk" ambiguous kind of timing.

> >

> > Honestly, everyone has a home get back to, dinner to cook, family to see, etc. No need for people to work up until dark to collect a few carts. Also, golf is a walking sport so just buy a push cart and dont worry about carts. I play a lot of evening golf and finish my round well after all the staff last left and locked up the carts and clubhouse and its never an issue with your own push cart.

>

>

> You know what, if "everyone has a home get back to, dinner to cook, family to see, " is your priority, then you shouldn't be working at a golf course. I hear this all the time with construction workers who leave road projects undone for weeks at a time. That is the nature of the work. It is a service industry. How many retail employees would love to have that option, yet no one says anything about a mall or other store being open until 9 or 10. Why are golf course employees so special?

 

It's all whether it's a set time or an ambiguous phrase as others have stated. If there's a set time I understand it and I am for it.

 

Yes, as you stated a store employee is going to work til 9 or 10 but those are set hours. The store closes a 9 and the employee is out at 930 after closing up.

 

There's also a lot of smaller factors in this. Maybe the younger employee has a parent or friend picking them up so the set time helps with that. Maybe they start their shift at a certain time and staying later will force overtime pay or make them work too many hours as a minor.

[Dpavs]

Imo, the only thing that ever needs to be set correctly are the expectations...if they are clearly defined and you honestly cannot meet them, then please do yourself and everyone else a favor and do not commit to something you know in advance you cannot or will not fulfill.

[platgof]

Carts in by 6 PM now at one course.

[bigdane]

> @stryper said:

> > @Loki said:

> > > @bigdane said:

> > > > @jerebear21 said:

> > > > at our club and most private clubs we can play till the dusk of dawn and the cart folks would still have to wait but do you really want to be that guy holding up the entire crew because you're trying to get in one more hole to post a score that wouldn't matter since you playing alone?

> > > >

> > > > growing the game should mean a permanent ban on carts. Especially those 6pm cart folks who wants to squeeze in all 18 at twilight rate.

> > >

> > > We solved all those problems at our local golf course - in an easy and practical way:

> > > On the key ring for the cart key, we added a key for the cart barn. There we have numbered the place for each cart and over each space, we placed instructions of how to correctly connect the chargers.

> > > Really is quite simple, isn't it?

> >

> > You're more trusting than the rest of us and I can see an insurance company having an issue with it.

>

> Yeah, complete no on that one.

>

 

It works for us - and we have no issues with either theft nor insurance company complaints, but that is, of course, individual for areas and countries.

 

[BGM_Golf_Insight]

It is more of a safety issue than anything. Courses are not lit at night and paths can be hard to see in the dark. So if you are on the 12th or 13th hole and you've got to drive back in the dark that could be a real safety issue as you're probably the farthest away from the cart barn.

[highscoreinky]

Most of the courses I played in Naples, Fl. the 2nd week of September have policies that the carts are due in by 7:00. Never had a problem getting them in on time as the courses were almost empty late in the afternoon when I played.

[platgof]

Carts in by 4 pm at Cole park, so don't complain.

[slimreaper30]

i usually never had a problem getting the carts back in time

[bogeypro]

> @a_crook said:

> > @Roody said:

> > Why should the pro shop staff have to wait around all evening for you to bring the cart in whenever you please?

> Uh, because it's your job and you're in a service industry?

> That's part of the job. Golfers want to play as long as they can, and should be able to. Grow the game.

>

>

 

My usual group of playing partners are all golf pros at various courses in my area. People with this ^^ attitude abuse it. These folks can't leave until all carts are in and ready to go for tomorrow. This includes the ones that idiots leave on the course, get muddy, leave their trash, beer cans, clubs, personal items, etc in . These have to be ready to go for the next day - washed, charged, cleaned up, repaired, replace divot sand, etc...

 

These service individuals have lives too. Be considerate and not entitled. These are the people that grow the game by taking care of us..... your mentality doesn't encourage these people to stay in the industry.

[smashdn]

Anything that I as the golfer can do that the course workers then don't have to do saves them time and expense. I like to think, "If they don't have to straighten the driving range up and pick up the baskets maybe those guys can go do something else productive." They can maybe do the nice-to-have stuff.

 

Clean the range vs. add soap to the ball washers. I really wish they would refresh the ball washers at the place I frequent.

[needmorebacon]

I was pretty frustrated yesterday when I went to play and the course closed at 4pm.

 

Last decent day of weather and closed an hour and a half before dark.

[golfer929]

This is a great thread that I am just now looking back on. If a course lays out their policy to you beforehand, that's what it is and they did their job. It's a 2 way street. Any course (Or business) worth their salt values their employees over their customers. I can guarantee you that everyone in this thread who works for any sort of business has seen a line in there employee handbook or whatever else about how much that business "Values their staff/employees/etc.". The golf course in this case is just walking the walk compared to your place of work that just gives that empty promise all of us have heard before. There is no reason for you to be out there in near pitch-black trying to get in another hole. For those of you saying "Well, they are going to lose out on my revenue!!", let me tell you this gents, its not a very big concern about your $30 cart fee that they are losing twice a month. There are bigger fish to fry. The growing the game argument isn't relevant either. Growing the game is about getting new people into golf and sticking with golf. You all already play golf and will just find another course to play at.  Have fun while you're out there, get the carts in at a reasonable time, and tip the bag room boys when you finish up!

Edited November 23, 2020 by golfer929

[Members Only]

On 6/26/2019 at 5:16 AM, kevina001 said:

Other than bad greens, the worst feature a golf course can have is a policy demanding the carts are returned well before dark. I play most of my golf in the evenings, and the long daylight hours of the summertime are great for that. Hate when my time on the course is limited by these awful policies. Carts should be due in when it gets too dark to play.

 

I've found that the Myrtle Beach area is the biggest offender of this. I've been to courses there where they kick you off the course by 6pm or so....in the late spring/summer! Anyone else ever encounter this nonsense?

Now that it's winter time, here in the SWEST it's like 4:45 and you are toast!

[lefthack]

My new club is a bit different than I am used to, but I could certainly get used to it. 

 

The clubhouse isn't always open, but the power and pull carts are outside. There is a self check in envelope to pay either before or after your round. Total honor system that seems to work for them. 

 

My only issue is there are only a few functional power carts, so I am going to try and help get more going if I can.

 

I will have my own cart soon and once I join I can store it there.

[phizzy30]

I used to work at my father's golf course about 12 years ago to learn the business.  I had to start off in the cart barn and pro shop and did maintenance for a bit.  We would have to stay as late as 8pm during the summer in order to clean up and put away the carts coming in.  Pro shop closed at 6pm.  I understand from the viewpoint of both sides.  As a paying customer, I wanted to stay out on the course as long as I could to get in as many holes as possible.  However, after working cart barn, I could see why the kids would hurry up clean the carts and put them away.  You truly need to work both sides in order to see the whole picture. 

[phizzy30]

Just now, phizzy30 said:

I used to work at my father's golf course about 12 years ago to learn the business.  I had to start off in the cart barn and pro shop and did maintenance for a bit.  We would have to stay as late as 8pm during the summer in order to clean up and put away the carts coming in.  Pro shop closed at 6pm.  I understand from the viewpoint of both sides.  As a paying customer, I wanted to stay out on the course as long as I could to get in as many holes as possible.  However, after working cart barn, I could see why the kids would hurry up clean the carts and put them away.  You truly need to be on both sides of the fence in order to see the whole picture. 

 

[pktaske]

18 hours ago, golfer929 said:

This is a great thread that I am just now looking back on. If a course lays out their policy to you beforehand, that's what it is and they did their job. It's a 2 way street. Any course (Or business) worth their salt values their employees over their customers. I can guarantee you that everyone in this thread who works for any sort of business has seen a line in there employee handbook or whatever else about how much that business "Values their staff/employees/etc.". The golf course in this case is just walking the walk compared to your place of work that just gives that empty promise all of us have heard before. There is no reason for you to be out there in near pitch-black trying to get in another hole. For those of you saying "Well, they are going to lose out on my revenue!!", let me tell you this gents, its not a very big concern about your $30 cart fee that they are losing twice a month. There are bigger fish to fry. The growing the game argument isn't relevant either. Growing the game is about getting new people into golf and sticking with golf. You all already play golf and will just find another course to play at.  Have fun while you're out there, get the carts in at a reasonable time, and tip the bag room boys when you finish up!

Not.

[llewol007]

Because courses are supposed to wait for players that play until it is basically dark right?

[Jimjam651]

I made it four pages in before getting fed up of the whining & skipped to the last page to see what the bump was!

 

Its a bit rubbish if you've got to get your buggy back by a certain time but if that's the rules then tough cookies

 

 

[golfer929]

15 hours ago, pktaske said:

Not.

Thanks for the real in-depth response! I totally understand now. Glad we were able to reach a mutual understanding

[pktaske]

On 11/24/2020 at 9:54 AM, golfer929 said:

Thanks for the real in-depth response! I totally understand now. Glad we were able to reach a mutual understanding

It means I basically disagreed with almost all of your post but was engaged in minding a dozen bone-in veal chops on the grill. My bad.

 

 

 

[MiniJ83]

Carts are due back at whatever time the course states. I wouldn’t stay in any other business past posted closing time, why would a golf course be any different?

[ecrugger]

On 11/29/2020 at 11:39 AM, MiniJ83 said:

Carts are due back at whatever time the course states. I wouldn’t stay in any other business past posted closing time, why would a golf course be any different?

But, I see it like this:  Telling guys who are teeing off at 4:30 that the carts need to be turned it by 7:30 (and sunset is 8:25), is like going to a movie at 9 pm and getting told that the theater closes at 10.  

I've worked the cart barn at a TPC course.  Never would I have even given consideration to the idea of telling the golfers they needed to be in before sunset for my own convenience.  Yeah, I would have loved ending some shifts earlier, but we were always scheduled to work until at least 30 minutes past dark, so that we had no pretensions of getting out of the barn early.

[Gsea]

1 hour ago, ecrugger said:

But, I see it like this:  Telling guys who are teeing off at 4:30 that the carts need to be turned it by 7:30 (and sunset is 8:25), is like going to a movie at 9 pm and getting told that the theater closes at 10.  

I've worked the cart barn at a TPC course.  Never would I have even given consideration to the idea of telling the golfers they needed to be in before sunset for my own convenience.  Yeah, I would have loved ending some shifts earlier, but we were always scheduled to work until at least 30 minutes past dark, so that we had no pretensions of getting out of the barn early.

lol . U don't decide the course does. Tee off early or deal with it.

[ecrugger]

2 minutes ago, Gsea said:

lol . U don't decide the course does. Tee off early or deal with it.

 

I don't disagree with you.  I just think it's piss poor management by the course.

[jackmfarrow]

Love golden hour golf and understand the frustration. Agree that a pull cart (and perhaps a LED ball) are the best answer to maximize allowable time.