Many of you heading to the UK and Ireland are confused about the rules regarding carts or "buggies" as they're called.
I don't blame you -- we've all heard how carts are taboo over there, yet there are pockets of acceptance.
To clear this up, I created what I'm calling "The Ultimate Cart Chart."
Now, I'm not suggesting you use a cart if you can walk some the greatest walking courses in the world.
I'm merely pointing out where they're available if you want to mix it up or for those who would otherwise be physically unable to experience these awesome courses.
Indeed, most of the courses below will only provide a golf cart if you have a doctor's/medical note stating you need one. Others, as you'll see, do not allow carts for any reason.
Here are the courses that tend to be on people's hit lists:
| Golf Course | Buggies/Carts Available? | Cost | Notes |
| Ireland | |||
| Ballybunion (Old) | No | n/a | Available on Cashen Course for €35 |
| Waterville | Yes | €40-€50 | Buggy for same-day replay is €25 |
| Doonbeg | Yes, but must be accompanied by a caddie | €85 + tip | Fee includes buggy and caddie |
| Old Head | Yes | €60 | Can pair with forecaddie for €25 |
| Tralee | No, except for those with a medical certificate | €50 | Fee includes buggy and caddie |
| The European Club | Yes | €40 | Small fleet; advanced reservations recommended |
| Lahinch (Old) | No, except for those with a medical certificate | n/a | Extremely limited availabilty |
| Northern Ireland | |||
| Royal County Down | No | n/a | Club claims "the terrain" doesn't permit buggies |
| Royal Portrush (Dunluce Links) | No | n/a | Cell phones not permitted, either |
| Scotland | |||
| The Old Course at St. Andrews | No, except for those with a permanent disability and only from April to October | Caddie Fee (£30-£45 + tip) | Must be operated by an approved caddie |
| The Caslte Course at St. Andrews | No, except for seniors or those with a medical certificate and only from April to October | Caddie Fee (£30-£45 + tip) | Must be operated by an approved caddie |
| All Other Courses at St. Andrews | No, except for seniors or those with a medical certificate | £25 | Must be operated by an approved caddie |
| Carnoustie | No | n/a | n/a |
| Muirfield | No, except for those with a medical certificate | £35 | Users must sign a "Safety Policy Acknowledgement Form" |
| Kingsbarns | No, except for those with a medical certificate | £50 | Must be operated by an approved caddie |
| Royal Troon | No | n/a | n/a |
| Turnberry (Ailsa Course) | No, except for those with a medical certificate | £40 plus Caddie Fee (£40 + tip) | Must be operated by an approved caddie |
| England | |||
| Royal Birkdale | No, except for those with a medical certificate | £20 | Green fee includes soup and sandwich lunch |
| Royal St. George's | No, except for those with a medical certificate | £30 | Visitor play M-F; maximum handicap: 18 men/women |
| Royal Lytham & St. Annes | No, except for those with a medical certificate | £15 + caddie tip | Must be driven by an approved caddie |
| Royal Liverpool | No, except for those with a medical certificate | £30 | Maximum handicap: 21/32 men/women |
| Sunningdale (Old) | No, except for those with a medical certificate | £30 + caddie fee + tip | Must be driven by an approved caddie |
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it's interesting that the top courses in Ireland tend to be a little more cart friendly than those in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England.
That said, I've also know that "exceptions are made" almost everywhere...provided you have the right medical documentation and you submit a polite request months in advance of your visit.
What do you think of my chart? Should carts become more commonplace at UK and Ireland golf courses?
Please share your thoughts or read what others are saying below.
For most of my long golfing life I have been contemptuous of cart Riders as a former caddy and 10 handicapper I have extolled the virtues of walking not only for the enjoyment but also for the endorphins released now at the age of 65 in approaching five years cancer-free I can no longer walk 18 only about 9 so when I go to St Andrews to die and go to heaven I'll need a cart I'll be sending my request and doctor's note!🏌️♂️🚕
Thank you for the chart. It is very helpful. We are planning a golf trip (cruise) from Southhampton, England to Scotland, Ireland, Wales and back to Southampton in September 2020. Living in Florida (with extremely hot summers) we are spoiled using motorized carts. It is very unusual to see walkers. (Plus the pace of golf is definitely slowed with walkers) We will have to reaccess our choice of courses if we have to walk. We are in our 70's and we are not sure about walking 18 holes with the terrain such as it is in Great Britain. . . . Non of us have doctors certificates as we are not handicapped, just elderly. I guess we will have to reconsider. Plus we are used to playing 18 holes in less than 4 hours, then lunch. This may not fit into our stop in each port. I'm guessing walking will take a minimum of 6 hours??
Thank you again.
what constitutes a medical certificate?
Some courses just cannot have golf carts. There might be no paths, the turf might be too weak, or the climate just doesn't support it. Note that in many places in Europe, you can't even use a push trolley in winter, just to protect the grass. Of course, when the course and weather allows, carts should be available to those that have a medical issue. And yes, fundamentally, golf is a walking sport in Europe. The cart is the exception.
Golf should be available for everyone to enjoy. I am a reasonably healthy senior. I play golf and tennis. My issue is stenosis in my spine which limits me from standing or walking for lengthy periods, such as 4 hours on a golf course. I couldn’t finish my round at Ballybunion. My spine couldn’t take it. If I had had a cart to sit in, to take the pressure off I would have been fine. Cart path only is better than no cart. When I played the course a few years back, they didn’t even have a bench. I had to sit on the ground.
I am 76 , 11 handicap with two artificial knees and metal in both ankles and I am dismayed at some of the comments posted here that wish people like I to have to stop playing golf when these days there are environmental friendly motorised carts
I dont begrudge anyone who has an issue,physical or age, using a cart. I object to 20, 30 and forty year olds using them who have no physical problems at all but only want to have a "fast" round of golf and a few beers. I also think on many courses the walker are being punished for walking and are being pushed to keep up the play when all these carts are being used.
What a void of empathy and compassion I see in the words of those who would deny others the use of buggeys to play these great courses. Is that the spirit of golf? I think not.
As someone who played many sports at the highest level, representing my country in one of them and who played off a low 4 handicap, but who has a neurological condition called hereditary spastic Paraplegia, which is gradually prohibiting my walking and usage of the lower body, I am astounded at the ignorance and arrogance of some viewers comments, to not wanting golf carts on golf courses, for their many respective reasons. I ask each of these people to think carefully if they were condemned, through either serious injury or herediatary genetics to a limited time to be able to play the wonderful game, only if they can use a golf cart, would their biggoted opinions be the same - pathetically sad I say.
How wonderful the game of golf is. I am not able to play golf without the use of a Buggy. I have a blue Badge also a written exemption letter from my specialists. I have a heart and lung problem and cannot walk very far without resting I get very short of breath.i am able to have a buggy at my Golf Club but the last few years Buggy Bans have come in frequently. Often I am still peirmitted to use a Buggy. When trolleys are banned I fully understand I then not able to have the use of a buggy.. But what I don't agree with is when the ban is lifted and they only allow pull trolleys for everyone I am still not allowed a buggy. Surely ONE BUGGEY to approx. 25 pull trolleys isn't fair play particularly when most of f the people using the pull trolleys have managed to walk 18 holes during the trolley ban. . Whereas I am still not able to play. I fully agree we all need to do our part to help look after our courses but this seems a bit one sided.Any VIEWS ? Linda.