Cart rules

The Golf Committee recently approved standard cart rules for all riders at Bretton Woods. Over time, the rules had been forgotten, neglected, or ignored, and it was time for an update.

Carts can cause a lot of stress to turfgrass. The constant traffic of tires across the grass causes wear. The weight of carts causes soil compaction. Driving on drought stressed turf can cause the grass to die. Driving across waterlogged areas can create ruts in the soil and injure the turf. Even though it may seem spread out over a large area, in many places, most carts take the same tracks. And even one or two areas of damage can detract from an entire hole. The rules that were approved are a way to protect sensitive turf and improve the playing conditions for everyone.

We do not need to reprint the entire list of rules. But a few highlights are key. First, the rules are not something that the Grounds department advocates just for our sake. The rules help keep the playing conditions the best that they can be, for everyone. We can repair damage, but with the list of other things we must get accomplished, problems created by carts driving where they should not, is a task piled on top.

Secondly, yes, we drive our carts and machines all over the place, sometimes in direct violation of the cart rules. We do not do this just for fun. Our carts and machines are designed for this (as golf carts are designed for golf courses), but the work we are doing requires us to drive to those places. We do it as little as possible, with as little disturbance as possible. But it cannot be entirely avoided.

Lastly, if it is too wet, carts are confined to the cart paths and blue handicap flags may not be allowed. We decide on each day’s cart restrictions EACH day. We do not plan that a certain day will be cart path only. We do not assume rain is coming and restrict carts from the first tee time. If carts are limited it is because we checked that day and concluded that carts on the grass would be detrimental to the overall conditions. If a thunderstorm rolls in late, carts may be restricted from then on. If a storm came through overnight, the morning may be cart path only, but possibly by the afternoon we may be ready to scatter. It is a fluid decision based on many, many factors: previous weather (was it wet or dry before the storm?), time of year (is the Bermuda grass actively growing?), current weather (hot? windy?), what kind of storm (how much rain? how quickly did it come? how long did it last?), timing of the storm (early in the evening or just before the first tee time?), plus more. The decision is not made lightly.

The cart rules are to protect the main investment of the club: the golf course. Please read and obey these updated rules. Thank you.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not climb up the steep face of the bunkers.

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Bunker etiquette

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org