Golf Cart Safety

Ever think you could get hurt driving a golf cart? Me either, but here’s a true story of how Paul fractured his foot doing just that.

Golf Cart Safety WarningThis is a Public Service Announcement to prevent injuries while riding in a golf cart. This really happened on a golf course.

(To protect the individual I’m referencing, I have substituted the name to prevent further embarassment to this individual.)

About a week ago Paul was playing in a Tsunami Relief Golf Scramble. It was hosted by Presidents George Bush (Herbert Walker) and Bill Clinton. To jump right into the story, Paul and his group had just finished their 7th hole and were off to a great start on their round.

Paul was driving his golf cart up to the number 8 tee and like many other golfers had his left leg hanging out of the side of the cart. Paul was having a good time with his playing partners and the team was playing quite well through seven holes.

As his cart was getting close to the number 8 tee, Paul was engaged in a converstation with his riding mate. Since Paul wasn’t paying attention, he didn’t notice that his cart was hugging the edge of the cartpath. Now, the eighth tee is an elevated tee with railroad ties supporting it, so you can imagine what happens next. Their cart, which is going full speed, rubs the curb with its front tires and Paul’s foot gets caught against the railroad ties. The speed of the cart combined with his foot being caught propel Paul spinning and flailing out of the cart.

Immediately, Paul grabs his ankle and is hurt. Paul can hardly stand, but doesn’t want to suffer the embarassment of having to get driven off the course, so he chooses to tough it out and continue. Luckily, the beercart girl is near by, so Paul buys two beers, one to drink (take the edge off) and one to ice down his foot, as there is immediate swelling.

Paul is able to stand, but has a hard time putting much weight on his left foot. There’s no quit in Paul, so he decides he is able to hit shots within 150 yards of the green, but can’t hit the tee ball. Paul was able to contribute a few made putts and some close approach shots for the rest of the round and they complete their round at -6 in the middle of the pack.

Paul is now nursing a fractured foot and has visited an orthopedic surgeon who said he won’t need surgery. But needless to say, he won’t be golfing anytime soon and he will definitely be keeping all of his extremities inside a moving golf cart.

Photo Credit: © Josh Premuda/The Sand Trap.

2 thoughts on “Golf Cart Safety”

  1. that just happened to me..6 weeks in a boot with a fractured ankle and ligament damage
    i am on workmans comp since i am the golf coach and i was at work..i was on the cart path and theis tree root sticking up about 4-5 inches , caught me by surprise..the surprise and pain are what got me and i quit immediately went in and called an ambulance

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