What's up with cart fees, even if you're a member?

[Happy Dragon]

Obviously it's a consistent revenue generator for the course but I like to take the one-time-hit and be done with it. Plus, it eliminates the element of going out late and practicing with a shag bag. In my opinion, this is the most productive way to practice.

Is the cart fee a semi-private phenomenon or are fully private courses doing the same thing?

[Cussin hacker]

It covers electricity or fuel cost for the carts. Most courses I know of charge a cart fee to members. Not sure about fully private courses though.

[clearwaterms]

its more then just fuel costs - its lease costs / maintenance costs / etc.

From what I understand, golf carts are VERY fuel efficient. My dad works at a golf course and he says they only have to fill the carts once a week.

[alf174]

Unfair for walking members to be charged because they are not using the carts, so the fee is broken out separately; can be one-time annual charge or each time you use it.

[goblue107501]

The private/semi-private courses that I have seen will fall into several categories. One course might charges a cart fee each time you play, the membership dues are usually lower here. The majority of the private courses around my area, the cart is included in the membership fees. Some courses have an additional fee that you can pay up front. Then there are a few courses that provide storage for you and you can use your own cart at the course. At those places you buy your own cart and pay the course a storage fee and electric fee and that is it.

I think a lot of it depends on the area and the courses that compete.

[Fourputt]

If you aren't paying a cart fee, then it has to be included in the normal dues. The expense of buying and maintaining the carts has to be covered somehow.

[CG031]

Many country clubs (fully private) that I have friends who are members and everytime they take a cart they get hit 25 dollars for a cart fee. Kind of sucks, which is why everytime I play there with one of my friends at their club, all the members are walking!

[uttexas]

Private courses should be employing more caddies, not buying more carts.

[kafka01]

Private courses should be employing more caddies, not buying more carts.

If the caddie would be the same price than the cart i would be happy to take a caddie most of the time i use a cart. Probably would even save me a bunch of ProV1´s, too.

But unfortunately, at all the clubs i played so far, none had caddie service...

[iacas]

I have one course that charges $16 for carts because it's quite walkable.

The other course doesn't really allow walking, so cart fees are included in the membership price.

Pretty standard as far as I can tell.

[billysandy]

£20 ($33) for hire at my course. Absolute scam.

[Shindig]

Private courses should be employing more caddies, not buying more carts.

The problem, at least in the states, is that if you have caddies, you have to pay them. I know that sounds stupid, but I don't mean you have to pay them to carry a bag - although you probably should do that, too. You have to pay them if all they're doing is sitting around. You probably have to provide benefits.

IIRC, there was some ruling a few years ago declaring that caddies were employees of the club, and were subject to various labor laws - making it impractical. Carts don't have this problem.

[flanagan]

Obviously it's a consistent revenue generator for the course but I like to take the one-time-hit and be done with it. Plus, it eliminates the element of going out late and practicing with a shag bag. In my opinion, this is the most productive way to practice.

So, if you don't like the way it is done at your course, I'm sure the owners would discuss it with you.

[Dub]

I've been a member of 4 courses. Each of them would allow discounts if you paid your membership dues on an annual basis vs. a monthly cycle.

At each of them, this covered everything but cart rental....you paid for these each time you rented them....anywhere from $12-$16 per 18 holes.

The new thing that I'm seeing is courses adding on a "trail fee" every time. My current course charges between $2-$3 per 18 for this. It applies to everyone, members, non-members, walkers and riders.

[sooperstring]

My home course (fully private) charges $20 per cart per 18. That doesn't bother me - I walk most of the time, and don't mind paying the fee if the alternative is that I am forced to subsidize the non-walkers with my membership fee.

The thing that bothers me is forced carts before 1 PM on weekends. The myth that walking is inherently slower than carts is bonkers, especially because half the time there is an enforced cart-path only rule, which takes longer than if I were on foot. Forcing people to take a cart AND charging seems sketchy.

[daviddunn]

My home course is semi-private, and has the option of a monthly cart plan for $74/mo or a feet of $16 per cart rental. Needless to say, I pay the $74/mo, and use the cart even if I'm playing a quick 5 holes after work.