Golf cart etiquette

[cybermuda]

Why does everyone park their golf cart facing the curb?

I should have thought it would be safer to reverse in while you have right of way and can see everything clearly, rather than going in forwards then having to reverse out into the traffic when your visibility is limited?

Is there an 'official' ruling on this, or is it just personal choice?

Thank you

[Russ_Boston]

To me it's the same as pulling in with a car instead of backing in.

It's about the math.

100% of the time when you back out of a spot you'll wait for a clearing (i.e. no cars or carts approaching).

50% of the time when you go to park somewhere you'll have a car/cart behind you who may not realize that you are pulling past the spot to back in. Haven't you seen the Seinfeld episode about this?

I think it's common sense not personal preference. I think it is simply more dangerous.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

I always try and back in when traffic permits. I have a 2 seat yamaha with the optional golf bag rack that extends off the back.
If I pull in straight it sticks out farther.

[Russ_Boston]

I always try and back in when traffic permits. I have a 2 seat yamaha with the optional golf bag rack that extends off the back.
If I pull in straight it sticks out farther.

Huh? It gets shorter when backed in?:)

I guess you mean that you'd rather have the bag rack poke people in the legs instead of the cars passing by?

Sorry to be a smartass but that's just a strange answer.

[Pturner]

Sorry to be a smartass but ...

Eeeek, We're supposed to apologize for that. :oops:

Lord, I apoligize for some of my previous and future posts.

[chuckinca]

Backing into a parking place isn't taught in driver's ed.

.

[paulandjean]

neither is driving in a roundabout

[otherbruddaDarrell]

Huh? It gets shorter when backed in?:)

I guess you mean that you'd rather have the bag rack poke people in the legs instead of the cars passing by?

Sorry to be a smartass but that's just a strange answer.

The apx.1ft that the rack sticks out is over the curb and not in an area where people would walk in to it.
I have also had many advanced driving courses in my lifetime......flightline, defensive driving/pursuit, Smith Drivers etc., I also have cdl/hazmat and motorcylce endorsements. (no tickets/accidents in 45 years)
It is always better to pull out of a parking spot instead of backing out when possible. I do not back in when there is traffic that has to stop while I do it however.
I had been taught to back in only when you could can do it in a continuous manner.....no traffic behind you or coming towards you.

[chuckinca]

Smith Driver?

(Deliver cough drops?)


.

[bluedog103]

Smith Driver?

(Deliver cough drops?)


.
Smith System is an excellent, well known driving course. Probably should be required for all drivers.

[Bogie Shooter]

Huh? It gets shorter when backed in?:)

I guess you mean that you'd rather have the bag rack poke people in the legs instead of the cars passing by?

Sorry to be a smartass but that's just a strange answer.

First off, Russ the last line of this post is way out character for you.

However, I have to agree that backing in those double seated carts with the golf bag attachment is the safest way. I have on numerous occasions driven thru LSL and had to slow or actually pull to the center to avoid hitting one that has parked nose first. As to people on the sidewalk...doubt if they are walking on that one foot next to the street unless it is closing time for the square/bars. Its a wonder more are not being hit.

[ajbrown]

However, I have to agree that backing in those double seated carts with the golf bag attachment is the safest way. I have on numerous occasions driven thru LSL and had to slow or actually pull to the center to avoid hitting one that has parked nose first. As to people on the sidewalk...doubt if they are walking on that one foot next to the street unless it is closing time for the square/bars. Its a wonder more are not being hit.

:agree:

[Dirigo]

Huh? It gets shorter when backed in?:)

I guess you mean that you'd rather have the bag rack poke people in the legs instead of the cars passing by?

Sorry to be a smartass but that's just a strange answer.

I thought the same thing when I read otherbruddaDarrell's post :agree:

Then I saw his reply and it makes sense now.

Dirigo

[Dirigo]

[QUOTE=Bogie Shooter;244736]First off, Russ the last line of this post is way out character for you.

I think the smiley face applies to the whole reply...Russ doesn't have a mean bone in his whole body, IMO.

Dirigo

[Pturner]

Russ doesn't have a mean bone in his whole body

I agree, and don't :read: anything mean into his post.

[Regor]

I really can not imagine how many banged up carts there would be if people started backing in between two other parked carts. Please don't back in if you are parking next to me!

[otherbruddaDarrell]

I really can not imagine how many banged up carts there would be if people started backing in between two other parked carts. Please don't back in if you are parking next to me!
If someone is that poor at backing a cart between two other carts I would hate to see them backing out in to the moving traffic.:22yikes:
I agree that backing in is not the best choice for a lot of people, but either way they are going to have to back up.:D

[cybermuda]

Well if it isn't an official Villages rule then I shall certainly be reversing in.

It's not difficult - like anything, one improves with practice - and if the only downside is that someone might nip in and take my parking spot then that is a small price to pay for the added safety when leaving.

I did get "ticketed" once in a Florida condo complex for reversing my car in to a parking spot. The reason given was that the exhaust would leave a black mark on the wall. Not a problem with an electric cart :-)

[uujudy]

During our first visit (2007) to TV someone 'official' told us that 4-seater golf carts should always be parked with the back toward the sidewalk. We noticed that all the 4-seaters were parked that way downtown, but this was a few years ago.

This year it seems that almost none of the 4-seaters park that way anymore. The back seat and golf club rack hang out into the street, and there have been a few times I've had to hit the brakes to avoid colliding with them. Maybe we have so many visitors that the official greeters don't have time to explain golf cart parking anymore? :shrug: Or (more likely) maybe we just looked dangerous and in need of extra attention? ;)

[Russ_Boston]

What I still don't get is that a 4 seater (I did have one for a couple of weeks on a visit) is still not longer than a car. Correct?

Ok - If it is shorter than a car why does it stick out into the street anymore than a car would? Just seems like simple geometry to me.

I guess the real question is: Is this a real problem in TV? Are there lots (or any) accidents with carts backing out of a spot? If there is then I guess backing in would be safer but for now put me in the pull in/ back out camp.

[graciegirl]

Here are my observations.

When riding in a golf cart;

The people from Maine nod at you.
The people from New Jersey raise their hand slightly, no smile.
The people from DC raise their hand slightly and smile.
The people from Georgia smile and say "Hi Y'all".
The people from Ohio smile and say "Great Day!"
The people from California wave and smile.
The people from Kentucky smile, wave and say HEY THERE!
The people from Idaho smile and pat their dog.
The people from ___________ drive right by.

If you are a gentleman, you should allow a lady to pull into the parking space that she is sitting there thinking about without making a rude comment.

If you are one of the youngsters, (50-70) you should only drag race on Morse in the middle of the night.

Making obscene gestures should be saved for someone driving right at you on purpose.

Oh Rats. I am a smart ass.

[cybermuda]

Other than driving over the sidewalk, how do I get out of the parking spot without reversing if I drive straight in?

Reversing will always be more dangerous than going forward, but as you have to do it at some point when parking then it is safer to do so when you are in the road, visible to other traffic, then when you are coming out of a hidden parking spot.

My aim in starting this thread was to see if reversing in is allowed. I have no wish to try to change other people's personal preferences, and using the manoeuvre with which you feel most comfortable is probably the safest in the long run.

Happy carting.

[joannej]

This would be a good question to ask at the Golf Cart Safety course I attended with my husband when we first moved here. When I went they had a police officer rep from Sumter County and one from Lake County, Insurance reps, a golf cart dealer and a POA or VHA rep (that conducted the mtg...sorry I forgot which one ran the mtg). Really learned a lot about the Villages rules regarding driving a golf cart here. Too bad it's not mandatory for all to attend who drive a golf cart in The Villages!!! They did not talk about the safest way to part a cart; maybe they will in the future if someone brings up the topic.

[paulandjean]

pretty simple to me. If you can back in,do it. if you cannot do not.I back in whenever it feels right.

[graciegirl]

pretty simple to me. If you can back in,do it. if you cannot do not.I back in whenever it feels right.

I back up until I hear glass.

[Pturner]

I back up until I hear glass.
:1rotfl:

[annie2]

graciegirl - I think you have cabin fever. Hope you can make it to the Villages soon, cause I think your going nutty!

[graciegirl]

People say that all the time.:shrug:

[ajbrown]

What I still don't get is that a 4 seater (I did have one for a couple of weeks on a visit) is still not longer than a car. Correct?

Ok - If it is shorter than a car why does it stick out into the street anymore than a car would? Just seems like simple geometry to me.

I guess the real question is: Is this a real problem in TV? Are there lots (or any) accidents with carts backing out of a spot? If there is then I guess backing in would be safer but for now put me in the pull in/ back out camp.

To make sure we are talking about the same thing, these are parallel parking spots. My car is about 6+ feet wide. My cart is about 8 feet long. So when I pull nose in in my cart I am two feet further from the curb than my car parked in the same space.

I do not have a 4 seater, but I think they are 1 -2 feet longer than my cart, so they stick out by that much.

As far as my old 2 seater, I pull nose in and back out when when traffic allows.

Is it a big problem in TV? No way, but that is what forums are for :)

[rabonkmontage@msn.com]

Why not just parallel park the four seater like a car.

[backwbowl]

I guess I have a lot to learn about driving in flordia. My driving class is life in New York.:bowdown:

[ajbrown]

I guess I have a lot to learn about driving in flordia. My driving class is life in New York.:bowdown:

That should give you the basics. Lake Sumter on vendor night, with Rocky and the Rollers looks alot like rush hour :)

The one change I would recommend is a smile and a wave instead of some other jestures I may have used in the city ;)

[PA.Girl]

neither is driving in a roundabout

Driving in the roundabouts is risky these days. Why don't drivers know what YIELD means?

[Bogie Shooter]

Here we go again.:grumpy:

[ceejay]

Here we go again.:grumpy:

:popcorn:

[Dirigo]

The people from Maine nod at you.

:agree:Ayuh...its in our culture to be reserved.

[Dirigo]

I back up until I hear glass.

GracieG, you always make me smile :laugh: