Here at Fairway Golf Tours, we’re passionate about enjoying a day on the green at some of the best courses our beautiful country has to offer. In our opinion, there’s nothing better than getting to kick back with a great, relaxing game of golf – especially when teeing off in such beautiful surroundings. Navigating such expansive fairways is made much easier with the help of a buggy – however, when driving your golf cart there are certain safety tips to keep in mind. After all, there’s nothing worse than spoiling your day with an unnecessary accident that could have been avoided.
Our Best Tips for Driving a Golf Cart Safely
Our team is experienced when it comes to navigating all kinds of courses – so over the years we’ve come to know a thing or two about golf cart safety. Even though these vehicles don’t travel very fast, it’s crucial to drive safely to avoid any potential injuries from occurring. Here are some of our golf cart safety tips to prevent you from tipping over. These will help you to avoid accidents and serious injury.
Drive Responsibly
The biggest reason why so many injuries occur on the fairway is due to a lack of respect for safety rules. Many people treat carts like toys and drive recklessly, ignoring the fact that they could get hurt if something goes wrong. You must wear a seat belt if your buggy has them installed, and be courteous to other drivers.
Observe Speed Limits
Golf carts aren’t racing cars, and you should never push them past the necessary speed. Just like driving on the road, it’s crucial to observe speed limits (most Australian states have a limit of 20km/h when driving a buggy). H3: You’ll Need a Driver’s License Anyone licensed over the age of 18 can operate a buggy without supervision – however, in most states you’ll also need a Class C car license to do this.
Stay Focused
It’s dangerous to drive while distracted, and you should always keep your eyes on the road ahead and concentrate on what you’re doing. Texting is now the most common form of distraction – but you might also be distracted by other passengers, adjusting the vehicle’s controls, reaching for objects or eating while driving.
Avoid Sharp Turns
Slow down as early as possible and don’t turn corners too sharply. Try not to rush – as a sudden, unexpected turn can lead to your cart tipping over or having passengers fall out. As a courtesy to others on the fairway, it’s also important to indicate and use hand signals for upcoming turns, as your indicator may go unnoticed. Best to cover your bases. Also remember to check your blind spots, and be careful and check your mirrors when reversing. When you come to a stop or pull up to the next hole, always remember to use your parking brake so the buggy doesn’t roll away.
Keep Arms and Legs Inside
Don’t start the buggy until all passengers are safely inside and buckled in. Everyone must be seated with all arms and legs kept inside. While the buggy’s in motion, don’t allow anyone to stand up or hang off the back of the vehicle. When people wave their arms out the side, you may not be able to control the movement of the vehicle. This can cause it to lose balance and tip over. Make sure your buggy is stable without carrying too much weight. You may find you have to adjust your balance and lean forward to keep your balance.
Don’t Squeeze in Extra Passengers
Safety rules dictate that you can only carry a certain number of passengers in your cart. Don’t try to squeeze any more people in than what your buggy is designed to hold. It’s also important not to let passengers sit on your lap. Having too many people in the buggy makes it easier for them to fall out. It also adds more weight to the cart, which makes it difficult to manoeuvre and increases the likelihood of it tipping over.
Don’t Drink and Drive
As your buggy is smaller than your standard vehicle, you might be tempted to have a drink while driving. However, it’s still not safe to drive while you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drinking and driving isn’t just dangerous for you and your passengers, but also for pedestrians and other drivers on the course. When you drink, you’ll be slower to react, have trouble with coordination, experience problems with your eyesight and find it harder to concentrate on what you’re doing. All of these things are quite risky when driving a motor vehicle.
Avoid Driving in Bad Weather
Buggies aren’t designed to be driven in bad weather, as it can be hard to see objects and obstacles in the rain. Even if you have a windshield, this won’t provide clearer visibility and your eyesight will still be distorted. Carts can also be prone to lightning strikes. Driving through the rain may cause you to slip and slide (especially on hills, slopes and corners), which can cause serious injury to yourself and your passengers.
Your Next Adventure Awaits
Following these tips will help to ensure your next trip out onto the green will be a safe one without incident. Fancy playing a round of golf in the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley or the Gold Coast? To book your next tour, get in touch with us at Fairway Golf Tours today. Want to know more about our packages? Enquire with us or give us a call on ph 0407 205 761. You can also email us at rlalani@fairwaygolftours.com.au