"Carts due in by 8pm!"

[jholz]

The simple solution to all of this is to walk and carry. Golf carts are for the weak and legitimately infirm.

 

Although, I have had my car locked in the parking lot a time or two in my day. Had to walk home and retrieve the car in the morning.

 

These are the sacrifices we make to play this game.

[bcjim]

38 minutes ago, jholz said:

The simple solution to all of this is to walk and carry. Golf carts are for the weak and legitimately infirm.

 

Although, I have had my car locked in the parking lot a time or two in my day. Had to walk home and retrieve the car in the morning.

 

These are the sacrifices we make to play this game.

Absolutely! This also improve pace of play as it will eliminate all the current old people AND a lot of the future seniors whose backs will be trashed by 50 if not sooner.   Great Idea!

 

[jerebear21]

My two playing partner on Tuesday and thursdays are 64 and 73 respectively. I’m 20 years younger than them and I can tell you their pace of play of walking is 1.20-1.30. Some of the best golfers I know are old guys walking. Most of the worst are the cart guys who think they’re better than they really are. They swing big and so are their scores. 

[jerebear21]

Per 9*

[jerebear21]

Also if you look at some of the recent studies though it should be common sense. The more you walk the healthier your life will be in your older years. Walking will only prolong your life force and golf prowess. 

[Barnacle]

1 hour ago, jerebear21 said:

 

Highly doubt anyone paying twilight should expect to finish their round before sunset.  That’s why it’s discounted.  Even a 4pm tee time shouldn’t expect to finish.  

Sunset in Northern Nevada and Northern California is 8:30 and it doesn't get dark enough to not see your ball until after 9:00 PM in the summer. Don't assume everyone lives where you live. I have never not finished a late afternoon round in summer. Hell, I walked 18 last week tee'd off at 5 and was finished by 8. 

[jerebear21]

13 minutes ago, Barnacle said:

Sunset in Northern Nevada and Northern California is 8:30 and it doesn't get dark enough to not see your ball until after 9:00 PM in the summer. Don't assume everyone lives where you live. I have never not finished a late afternoon round in summer. Hell, I walked 18 last week tee'd off at 5 and was finished by 8. 

you’re the one that’s assuming. Majority of cart golfers are the reason why golf rounds take so long. So respectfully disagree. Most golfers taking a cart out at 4pm shouldn’t expect to finish in a timely manner. If you’re in such a rush go play pickle ball or something. 

[bcjim]

4 hours ago, jerebear21 said:

Also if you look at some of the recent studies though it should be common sense. The more you walk the healthier your life will be in your older years. Walking will only prolong your life force and golf prowess. 

LOL.

Walking in your older years (not carrying)? Sure, great active lifestyle choice.

 

Walking in your older years (carrying)? Better off gargling trans fats and smoking unfiltered Camels. 

 

 

 

 

[jerebear21]

6 minutes ago, bcjim said:

LOL.

Walking in your older years (not carrying)? Sure, great active lifestyle choice.

 

Walking in your older years (carrying)? Better off gargling trans fats and smoking unfiltered Camels. 

 

 

 

 

they invented the push cart and electric push cart. It’s 2023. Not 1923. There’s also caddies available if you belong in a private walking clubs. Just like in 1923. 

[Typhoon1992]

5 hours ago, caniac6 said:

You mentioned making the turn in 45 minutes. Is this a par 3 course?

No, I said “when we don’t see anyone making the turn for 45 minutes…”. Meaning…

that there is a 45 minutes gap between the group that just went through and the next group to go through.

[deadsolid...shank]

23 hours ago, Gsea said:

we must work at the same course 🙂

You too!?  You’d think we’d all know each other!😀

[deadsolid...shank]

80* here today. First real warm day and I close. We’ll have to have the ranger go out and bring people in tonight. 

[SnowbirdTom]

10 hours ago, deadsolid...shank said:

80* here today. First real warm day and I close. We’ll have to have the ranger go out and bring people in tonight. 

My first day back rangering is next Monday.  I dread the thought after playing a couple days there recently while pushing a cart.  Should have put the seat on, so bloody slow.

[bobfoster]

I'm giggling, because I really like the silliness of this conversation. C'mon guys, this is golf, not rocket science.

[Hot Rod 71]

Working at a golf course will really change your perspective on this topic. I've been at one for 16 years now, part-time. When you think you've seen it all......you haven't.

 

To address a few recent comments in this thread....

 

If you enter the golf shop at 430 pm and the "carts are due in by 8:00 pm" sign is posted, you have a choice: 1) You can accept the return time and pay the twilight rate; 2) play 9 and be done way before 8:00 pm; or 3) you can leave.

 

Generally speaking, most courses have a twilight rate. This is a reduced rate because you are not guaranteed to finish all 18 holes. So to the poster who commented the afternoon rate should be discounted because players may not finish 18 holes before dark, there's your answer - it's already discounted. Again, your choice to play or not. Either accept the course rules or leave. 

 

If you pull up in the parking lot at 4:00-4:30 pm, and the carts are due in by 8:00 pm, and the parking lot is slam full of cars, you need to lower your expectations on playing 18 holes. There's nothing more annoying on a busy golf course than a "Moses" golfer who expects the seas of green to part for him so "HE" can finish his round. You know the one, he races from tee to green, stands in the fairway with hands on hips, takes numerous aggressive practice swings on the tee box, while waiting for the group in front to leave the fairway, or waiting for the green to clear.

[david.c.w]

2 hours ago, Hot Rod 71 said:

Working at a golf course will really change your perspective on this topic. I've been at one for 16 years now, part-time. When you think you've seen it all......you haven't.

 

To address a few recent comments in this thread....

 

If you enter the golf shop at 430 pm and the "carts are due in by 8:00 pm" sign is posted, you have a choice: 1) You can accept the return time and pay the twilight rate; 2) play 9 and be done way before 8:00 pm; or 3) you can leave.

 

Generally speaking, most courses have a twilight rate. This is a reduced rate because you are not guaranteed to finish all 18 holes. So to the poster who commented the afternoon rate should be discounted because players may not finish 18 holes before dark, there's your answer - it's already discounted. Again, your choice to play or not. Either accept the course rules or leave. 

 

If you pull up in the parking lot at 4:00-4:30 pm, and the carts are due in by 8:00 pm, and the parking lot is slam full of cars, you need to lower your expectations on playing 18 holes. There's nothing more annoying on a busy golf course than a "Moses" golfer who expects the seas of green to part for him so "HE" can finish his round. You know the one, he races from tee to green, stands in the fairway with hands on hips, takes numerous aggressive practice swings on the tee box, while waiting for the group in front to leave the fairway, or waiting for the green to clear.

 

I agree that if the course has a policy of a cart return time, players need to abide and respect the rule.

 

What I don't understand is why courses have this policy.  If I get seated late at a restaurant, the waiter is not going to pick up my plate with 4 bites left because he wants to go home.  Golf courses tend to forget that are in a service industry. 

[Bad9]

2 hours ago, Hot Rod 71 said:

Generally speaking, most courses have a twilight rate. This is a reduced rate because you are not guaranteed to finish all 18 holes. So to the poster who commented the afternoon rate should be discounted because players may not finish 18 holes before dark, there's your answer - it's already discounted.

 

This point clearly seems to be lost by a number of posters in this thread.

[Foxx]

It's simple. An employee is hired until dark. 

If it gets dark at 7pm, then all carts must be in at 6. To allow for cleaning, storing etc.

If it gets dark at 9pm, then carts in at 8.

 

The golfers are told this at check in.

Not rocket science!

[jerebear21]

1 hour ago, david.c.w said:

 

I agree that if the course has a policy of a cart return time, players need to abide and respect the rule.

 

What I don't understand is why courses have this policy.  If I get seated late at a restaurant, the waiter is not going to pick up my plate with 4 bites left because he wants to go home.  Golf courses tend to forget that are in a service industry. 

 

 

not all, but at certain restaurants the kitchen will be closed 30m-1 hour before the restaurant does.  You're more than welcome to hang out at the restaurant but you won't have food served. 

[FlashinLeather]

Let the people in the cart barn go home. Carry or push and stay out as late as you want. 8 p.m. is very reasonable.

[vandyfan]

Simple answer, just walk. Golf is WAY more fun that way and a much better way to enjoy golden hour than zipping through a course in a golf cart. Disclaimer: If you have a disability, that sucks, and I am sorry about that most people that I see at the golf course in carts look VERY able bodied to me and are just riding in carts because that is AMERICAN golf culture.

 

If you like riding in golf cart so you can drink beer and "relax" maybe just skip the golf and go to a bar maybe?

[dcmidnight]

18 minutes ago, jerebear21 said:

 

 

not all, but at certain restaurants the kitchen will be closed 30m-1 hour before the restaurant does.  You're more than welcome to hang out at the restaurant but you won't have food served. 

 

I helped manage a restaurant for three years. If we closed at 10 and someone came in at 945 expecting a full sit down meal with drinks - GTFO. At 945 we were pushing out the last takeout orders and the kids were cleaning the kitchen getting ready to go home.

 

Yet somehow I feel like there would be plenty of "seems fine to me" here if that situation was posed to them.

[david.c.w]

The course knows when sunset is every single day.  The cart barn should be staffed appropriately to accommodate its customers during playable daylight.  Why close at 8:00 when you have customers that can reasonably use your product until 9:00?  

 

For the restaurant example, kitchen closing at 9:30 is not unreasonable, but closing it at 8:30 would not make sense as there people who want to eat between 8:30 and 9:30.  There are customers that want to use a cart up until dark.  

 

I just don't understand the philosophy of limiting services to customers.

[MiniJ83]

1 hour ago, david.c.w said:

The course knows when sunset is every single day.  The cart barn should be staffed appropriately to accommodate its customers during playable daylight.  Why close at 8:00 when you have customers that can reasonably use your product until 9:00?  

 

For the restaurant example, kitchen closing at 9:30 is not unreasonable, but closing it at 8:30 would not make sense as there people who want to eat between 8:30 and 9:30.  There are customers that want to use a cart up until dark.  

 

I just don't understand the philosophy of limiting services to customers.

Because there has to be a closing time. 
Its not sun up to sun down. 
Whatever the closing time is, regardless of the reason, the course/business/restaurant is closed. 

[Warrior42111]

1 hour ago, david.c.w said:

The course knows when sunset is every single day.  The cart barn should be staffed appropriately to accommodate its customers during playable daylight.  Why close at 8:00 when you have customers that can reasonably use your product until 9:00?  

 

For the restaurant example, kitchen closing at 9:30 is not unreasonable, but closing it at 8:30 would not make sense as there people who want to eat between 8:30 and 9:30.  There are customers that want to use a cart up until dark.  

 

I just don't understand the philosophy of limiting services to customers.

I'd also ad many cart barn workers tend to be HS kids.

 

Many states have laws on total hours worked and how late they can work on school nights,

[IndyArcher]

It’s a rather simple solution: if you don’t like the policy, vote with your feet. Times are communicated. Deal with it or don’t. If courses lose all their evening business because everyone agrees with you, they’ll change their policy. If those upset are just a few late evening whiners, I’m sure they’ll survive just fine. 
 

OR… get some investment partners and start your own course and stock it with carts that have headlights and stay open as late as you want. 
 

I’m guessing that these courses are here to make money and they’ve determined that it is financially advantageous to have carts in by 8.
 

I’ve never owned a course so I’m not going to just assume they hate golfers and want to ruin their rounds! 

[dcmidnight]

2 hours ago, IndyArcher said:

It’s a rather simple solution: if you don’t like the policy, vote with your feet.

 

Excactly.

 

"The customer is always right" is one of the most overused and just plain wrong sayings in business. Sometimes the customer is just a spoiled brat who wants more and more and more.

 

Its not limiting services - its called having normal operating hours. If you dont like it go elsewhere.

[Hot Rod 71]

11 hours ago, david.c.w said:

 

I agree that if the course has a policy of a cart return time, players need to abide and respect the rule.

 

What I don't understand is why courses have this policy.  If I get seated late at a restaurant, the waiter is not going to pick up my plate with 4 bites left because he wants to go home.  Golf courses tend to forget that are in a service industry. 

The lights don’t go out at most restaurants at closing time. Imagine if a restaurant closed at 9:00pm and the lights went out at that time. How easy would it be to finish your meal and drinks in the dark? 
 

I will state again, as it has been said ad nauseam, playing golf in the dark can be dangerous and poses a liability for the golf course. Just imagine driving a cart into a bunker or water hazard because the driver can’t see where he’s going. How liable would the golf course become?

[david.c.w]

1 hour ago, Hot Rod 71 said:

The lights don’t go out at most restaurants at closing time. Imagine if a restaurant closed at 9:00pm and the lights went out at that time. How easy would it be to finish your meal and drinks in the dark? 
 

I will state again, as it has been said ad nauseam, playing golf in the dark can be dangerous and poses a liability for the golf course. Just imagine driving a cart into a bunker or water hazard because the driver can’t see where he’s going. How liable would the golf course become?

Not advocating for playing in the dark.  Advocating for playing while it is light.  Summer sunset here is after 9:00.

[Hickory4ever]

I don’t think it is unreasonable for a course to set a time to have carts in by 8:00 or whatever time they choose. The carts need to be cleaned and secured and already have long hours of operation in the summer. 
 

If you don’t like their decision, you can choose to go elsewhere that has extended hours. Or as has been mentioned, choose to walk instead. 
 

I have lived in the middle of a golf course for the past 12 years. We have 65 carts that need to be cleaned and prepared for the next day and that takes time. The same thing applies to the range. Our course expects carts in 30 minutes before sunset except on League nights which have additional staff to cover the increased demand in both the back shop and restaurant on those days. It makes economic sense. 
 

For most of the golf season, the staff leave the course more than an hour after sunset virtually every day. 

 

 

Edited April 13, 2023 by Hickory4ever