Buggy
A buggy is a small, usually electric vehicle with which you move yourself and your bag around the golf course.
The buggy, also called a cart in German-speaking countries, is part of everyday life at many facilities. It saves walking and energy, especially on hilly or spacious courses. You rent it at the club office, usually per round and per vehicle, which takes two people plus bags. Whether buggies are allowed is decided by each facility itself, and on wet ground there are often restrictions up to a complete ban. Some clubs require a minimum age or a driving licence to use one.
Clear driving rules apply during the round. You never drive onto the green, the apron or bunkers, and you always observe signs with restricted zones. An example: your ball lies to the right in the rough, the path runs along the left side of the hole. You park the buggy on the path, take two or three clubs with you and walk the last few metres. The 90-degree rule in force on many courses only allows you to leave the path at a right angle directly to the ball and back.
The most widespread misconception is the promised pace. A buggy does not automatically make the round faster, because the pace of play depends on the group, not on the vehicle. If you criss-cross after every shot you even lose time compared with a walker with good route planning. For golfers with limited mobility, on the other hand, the buggy is often the prerequisite for being able to play at all — many facilities then issue special permits that allow you to drive closer to the ball and the green.
FAQ
Am I allowed to drive the buggy everywhere on the course?
No, clear zones are off limits: green, apron and bunkers are always forbidden, and you must observe signs with restricted zones. Many courses apply the 90-degree rule, under which you leave the path only at a right angle directly towards the ball. On wet ground use may also be completely prohibited.
Does a buggy really make my round faster?
Not automatically. The pace of play depends on the group, not on the vehicle. If you drive back and forth all over the place in the buggy after every shot, you even lose time compared with a walker with good route planning. The buggy mainly saves energy, not necessarily minutes.
Do I need a driving licence to drive a buggy?
Each facility decides that itself. Some clubs require a minimum age or indeed a driving licence, others hand the buggy to any paying guest. It is best to ask at the club office in advance, especially when you book a green fee round at an unfamiliar course.