2022 has been a busy year for golf with reports showing strong numbers of people playing the sport, well up on participation pre pandemic. Visitors have returned to our shores and the big golfing venues had extremely busy, and lucrative, seasons.
More people playing golf is fantastic news, but it does mean more traffic across our golf courses. Over a busy summer and then a wet autumn in 2022, the golf courses of the UK have taken something of a pounding. Many could do with a bit of TLC over the winter months so they’re in better shape for the start of next season.
They’re not going to get a complete break of course. Many of us rightly want to keep playing and we should be able to. We saw the mental and physical health benefits golf delivered through the pandemic and it’s important people continue to get the exercise and the social interaction the sport provides as we go into another winter.
What can we do then to help our embattled greenkeepers and overstrained golf courses? We could start by not being selfish and trudging out over muddied, frozen fairways behind overloaded trolleys that churn up soft ground, cause compaction on cold ground and generally leave all-too-obvious trails of destruction across our beloved golf courses.
If you want to be a responsible golfer this winter, and you’re physically capable of it, you shouldn’t use a trolley. If you carry your clubs, your impact of playing in winter conditions will be significantly reduced and the golf course will benefit because of that. Even bone-dry links courses could do with a little rest this winter but our inland tracks in particular, need a breather. For those golfers not able to carry, they should still play using a trolley (when permissible according to a club’s policies on frost damage.) But those who can carry, should do so.
There’s been a massive increase in trolley usage in recent years. Once the preserve of the older golfer, electric trolleys are now used by a huge % of players, from the junior ranks upwards.
(Image credit: Kevin Murray)
The major trolley manufacturers have reported record sales over the last couple of years as increasing numbers recognise the benefits of trolley usage.
In spring/summer weathers, they’re brilliant – taking the strain, allowing you to better focus on your game. They allow you to take a larger bag and more equipment. Many modern electric trolleys come with built in GPS systems and are impressively compact when folded down.
The electric…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Golf Monthly RSS Feed…