Push Carts in High School?

[tx_basser]

After years of having my little girl (14) in golf camps and programs since she was 7, and me working with her 5 days/week the last 1.5 years, she starts the local junior mini tours this summer in preparation for HS golf team.  Previously she has been carrying the basic set Driver, 5,7,9,SW, Putter in a carry bag, but the last two months we have since add a few more to her set for a total of 10 clubs.  The last two outings she has complained the set is too heavy after we finish 9 holes, so Saturday I carried them for her the remaining 9 holes.  All I can say is WOW... I was shocked how dang heavy it was and it liked to have ruined my back by the time we returned to the clubhouse.  I checked the rules of the local junior tour this summer, and it says participants are allowed to use Push/Pull Carts, but am wondering if she will be allowed to use one on the HS golf team.. or is she out of luck.

Thanks for the feedback

[uttexas]

I don't know what the rule is, but adolescent back pain is a significant issue. I see lots of high school children with significant back pain. Wearing a heavy back pack for an extended period of time + carrying a golf bag regularly + the golf swing =recipe for back issues. With golf bags, it's not necessarily the design of the bag or straps, but the repetitive unloading/bending/twisting/loading of removing and lifting the bag throughout the round. see links http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16670549 http://www.clinchiropractic.com/article/S1479-2354%2807%2900083-1/abstract http://ajs.sagepub.com/content/31/3/438.short Carrying one's own clubs is not inherent to playing within the rules of golf, thus push/pull carts should be allowed if caddies aren't available. If the rule is that you have to carry your own clubs, the rule should be changed. Young teenage golfers usually weigh 100-130lbs. Thus, they are repeatedly lifting, bending, and twisting 10-20% of their body weight by carrying a golf bag=not healthy.

[Wheels309]

Your daughter should be able to use a push/pull cart in High School. My dad coaches high school girls golf, and many of the girls on his team use them during matches, especially 18 hole tournaments. It is allowed in Ohio, I don't know why it would not be allowed in any other state.

[awmgolfer]

You would need to check with your local league, easier to just call the coach real quick. I coach our varsity golf team and pull/push carts are allowed with no issue. When I was on our HS golf team in New York years back it was also allowed.