The trail fee is for the wear and tear golf carts cause to the paths and, on par 4 holes, the fairway (or even on par 3s with the RA sleeve). The cart paths on the courses deteriorate and need to be repaired/replaced. The trail fee provides funds to address these needs and results in less money from the amenities fees to be directed toward that cost. It is well within the province of the golf administration to determine that only two people may ride in a golf cart on our courses. You may not agree with that policy, but that is the rule. It has nothing to do with your comfort squeezing three people into a cart.
There were options, although they may have not been attractive to you. One golfer could have rented a pull cart so there were only two people in the cart. Then, the tee time wouldn't have been wasted. Or one person could have walked while leaving the bag on the cart. Or they could have alternated walking so one person didn't have to do it all. Leaving without playing was only one of the options available.
I guarantee you that these rules resulted from some taking advantage in the past. The "spectator" that plays a few holes when out of sight of the starter or ambassador. The threesome in one cart that slows play by driving all over the course to each ball, rather than having two carts.
Sorry that your outing was derailed. Next time you'll know.
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