Cart Guidelines for Operation
Kingswood Golf Club maintains an all-electric fleet of 60 Club Car carts, with a portion of the fleet refreshed every golf season. Carts are maintained after every round and stored nightly in a new facility dedicated exclusively to the cart program. Private carts are not permitted on the course unless approved through the Board of Directors.
Recent golf seasons have seen an increase in carts being driven in areas where they cause damage, resulting in less than favorable playing conditions and added maintenance costs. Examples include traditionally wet areas, such as the lower part of the 9th and 17th fairways, the right side of the 10th, 14th, and 15th fairways and the hill and approach on the 16th fairway. The rough on the right side of the 14th is deteriorating due to carts being driven from the tees directly down the right side of the hole rather than down the cart path.
We ask all golfers to continue to inform the Pro Shop of deteriorating course conditions due to cart usage.
Red Flag users are reminded that General Cart Etiquette applies to all cart users. A red flag allows access to fairways 1, 4, 5, and 14 in marginal conditions. Please remember that accessing these fairways should be done from the cart paths. Our goal is to provide the best possible golfing experience for all players. For some, the use of a cart is part of that goal. By adhering to the cart guidelines, we can achieve our objectives and help to control the ever-increasing cost of course maintenance.
We ask members and guests to observe the cart usage guidelines listed below:
General Cart Etiquette
- At no time should the cart be within 20 yards of the green on turf, and carts should be on paths when putting out on the greens.
- Carts should be on pathways at teeing areas.
- Avoid areas near streams or ponds that could potentially be wet.
- Stay on paths on holes that are roped off. Do not deviate around stakes.
- Avoid driving on turf that has recently been treated for disease, insect or weed control until the turf surface has dried.
- Avoid driving on turf that has been fertilized until it has been watered in.
- Avoid driving through wooded areas or on rocky ground that can damage the cart or injure golfers.
- Avoid driving in and through sand and grass bunkers.
- Carts should be operated at reasonable speeds using caution especially on hills and slopes. Avoid sharp turns and excessive application of the brakes to stop the cart. Improper cart operation may cause injury to the driver and/or passenger.
- Minimum age to operate golf carts is 18. A valid driver’s license is required.
- Carts must be returned to dedicated cart return area after play.
When “Carts on Paths Only” sign is posted
Explanation: This sign is posted when it is determined that golf course conditions do not warrant travel on turfgrass areas throughout the course. Reasons for posting this sign are:
1. Early spring thaw conditions during which the ground may be soft and unsettled from the winters frost and freezing conditions. Cart traffic in these conditions will result in damaged turn and ruts.
2. During or after prolonged periods of rainfall where it has been determined that vehicular traffic on the turf will result in damage. There are many areas on the course, particularly low, flat areas, that collect rainwater but do not drain rapidly. The native soil is predominantly clay, which absorbs and holds water resulting in soft turf surfaces that can be damaged with traffic. It is important to note that not every area of the property responds with similar conditions. Several holes can seem quite dry after prolonged rainfall events (Holes 6, 11, 11 ½, upper parts of 7 and 12, Holes 13, and 18) where other holes become quite soft and prone to damage (Left side of 1, lower part of 2 and 4, Hole 3, 5, lower part of 7, 9, 12, and 17, right side of 10, Holes 8, 14, 15, 6). In the interest of consistency, “Carts on Paths Only” will be posted throughout the course when designated as such. Please note that heavy rainfall events followed suddenly by sunny or windy drying conditions does not mean that the course will dry out in a short time period. There is also a safety factor to consider – wet turn can be slippery, especially on hilly terrain and it is easy to lose control of a cart.
3. When frost conditions are evident, any traffic on frosted turf results in the death of the turf. Any travel on the course during this period is restricted to paths.
4. When it has been determined that excessively high temperatures may cause injury to the turfgrass from cart traffic.
When “90 Degree Rule” is posted:
Explanation: This sign is posted when it has been determined that any traffic on turf grass will not adversely affect the quality of the turf or playing conditions.
Carts are to proceed on the pathways until the point where the golfers ball is reached. The cart can then depart from the path to go over to the ball. After the shot is played the cart should proceed back to the pathway and travel on the path to the next point where the ball lies, and proceed to the shot in the same manner. Impact on the turf will be minimized by following this procedure.
Red Flags Usage
The use of red flags on carts is to enable golfers who require it to have expanded access to the course.
- The fairways on holes 2,4 and 14 are roped off to carts in general. A red flag allows access to these fairways from the openings in the ropes. Remember to cross the fairways as close to 90° as possible.
- When the course is posted “Carts On Paths Only” a red flag will not be issued.
- Golfers using red flags are required to observe the General Cart Etiquette procedures described below.
- Red flags will be provided and issued by the Pro Shop on a daily basis to golfers requesting them. Personal flags shall not be used.
Red Flag users are reminded that the General Cart Etiquette section applies to all cart users. The exception is #4. A red flag allows access to fairways 2, 4 and 14 when they are roped off. Please remember that accessing these fairways should be done from the cart paths at the openings of the ropes. The opening for the 14th is not at the top of the fairway near the tee boxes.
Our goal is to provide the best possible golfing experience for all players. For some, the use of a cart is part of that goal. By adhering to the guidelines below, we can achieve our objectives and help to control the ever increasing costs of course maintenance.
Please inform the Pro Shop immediately if any problems with the operation of the cart are experienced.