How different would golf look today in the USA if carts had never been invented?

[RoyalMustang]

On 4/1/2023 at 1:05 PM, caniac6 said:

There would be a lot more 9 hole rounds, and, possibly, more 9 hole courses.

 

we need more of these! I have a twilight membership at a local course and walk 9 after work several times a week. Nobody is out there though as they don't have a 9-hole rate. Good for me, bad for the course. I can cruise through the 3490 yard front 9 in 80 minutes.

 

Sure, they have a twilight walk-up rate but it is only 25% off. They would bring in a lot of extra revenue if they did 9 holes after 5pm for $35. 

 

9-hole rates are almost non-existent these days; it doesn't make any sense. 9 holes is much more accessable for most people (and is a great option to walk for those who can't walk 18). 

[klebs01]

9 hours ago, RoyalMustang said:

 

we need more of these! I have a twilight membership at a local course and walk 9 after work several times a week. Nobody is out there though as they don't have a 9-hole rate. Good for me, bad for the course. I can cruise through the 3490 yard front 9 in 80 minutes.

 

Sure, they have a twilight walk-up rate but it is only 25% off. They would bring in a lot of extra revenue if they did 9 holes after 5pm for $35. 

 

9-hole rates are almost non-existent these days; it doesn't make any sense. 9 holes is much more accessable for most people (and is a great option to walk for those who can't walk 18). 

I'm not sure I’ve seen a course without a 9 hole rate outside a couple destination courses like whistling straights. 

[golfday]

We can take a look at our friends in GB&I for an idea. They hardly use carts, many courses only allow them for people with physical issues, and golf is still going strong over there. They do have some advantages to a lot of the US though - flatter and cooler. I think the big difference you'd see is where and why golf courses were built. 

 

Designs would be tighter, less hilly, less courses in very hot places (esp. desert courses). But it does not mean there would be no golf in hot places, there are plenty of southern/hot weather courses that pre-date the golf cart. 

 

Caddies would be more common. Golfers may be in better shape.

 

Courses would be less profitable due to lack of cart sales, bev sales, and everything else that the cart allows. That probably means a lot fewer get build, and the ones that do might be more rural or suburban, but they also might be cheaper and more accessible as there wouldn't be an emphasis on making a round of golf into a big excursion. 

[SouthBayGolfer]

Personally speaking I drink more typically when I have a cart. 

[Golfcrzy]

Let’s see what ChatGPT has to offer to the conversation 😂:

 

Title: The Emergence of Golf Carts in America: Transforming the Game, Economy, and Diverging from International Norms

Golf carts first gained popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, having been invented in the late 1930s. As they became de rigueur, the landscape of golf in America transformed, impacting not just the courses but the entire golfing experience, the golf cart industry, and the sport's economics.

 

The adoption of golf carts enabled the development of larger, more spread-out courses, emphasizing power and distance, in contrast to the more compact, walkable courses found internationally. American players focused on maximizing their driving distance, leading to a distinct style of play compared to their international counterparts. Consequently, golf equipment manufacturers concentrated on producing clubs and balls that catered to this power-oriented approach.

 

The widespread use of golf carts in America made the sport more accessible to those with mobility issues, increasing golf's overall appeal. However, this trend also led to the over-reliance on carts, creating a significant difference between golf in America and in countries where walking the course is more common.

 

Golf carts fostered the growth of a sizable industry dedicated to manufacturing, maintaining, and renting carts, both within and outside the golf sector. This industry contributes significantly to the economy by providing jobs and generating revenue.

Without golf carts, the number of golfers might have been lower due to decreased accessibility for those with mobility issues or preferences for a less physically demanding experience.

 

Additionally, younger players might have been deterred by the prospect of walking the course.

 

Internationally, golfers often experience a stronger connection to the course, leading to a greater emphasis on strategy and shot selection. The absence of carts fosters a more eco-friendly environment and enhances the sport's focus on physical fitness.

 

In conclusion, the popularization of golf carts in the 1950s and 1960s significantly influenced the development of golf in America, affecting course design, playing style, and the golf cart industry's economics. Without golf carts, American golf might have evolved more similarly to international golf, with a greater focus on strategy, accuracy, and eco-friendliness, but potentially fewer golfers overall.

 

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Not a bad report after a couple of prompts, seeing what others have contributed here!