| golfing eagles |
04-01-2017 06:13 AM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by deano_hoosier
(Post 1380480)
Proposal to increase golf course revenue is to sell Trail Fees to Bikers so that they may ride and enjoy the many miles of golf cart paths on golf courses that they are now prohibited from using. They pay bonds on their homes to fund building the golf courses and amenity fees that help maintain these many miles of cart paths so shouldn't they be available for their use?
The proposal suggests, for discussion, that bikers be given access to golf cart paths the first 90 minutes of daylight and late afternoon openings following last tee-time reservations. Since bikers cause no damage/wear and tear to greens or tee boxes their "trail fee" would be smaller to account for the lighter use of the course facilities. Given the slight possibility of being nailed by an errant golf shot and given that most bikers wear some protective gear, they would be required to sign a waiver acknowledging the possibility of being struck and forgoing their ability to seek damages against the golfer involved. The idea could be expanded to cover walkers and Segway riders as well.
Is this a good idea?
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It's a horrible idea.
First of all, not all cart paths on golf courses are continuous.
Second, they lead to greens and tees and are not really suited to what the cyclists are looking for
Third, you now import all the problems of MMPs in terms of carts/cycle/pedestrians sharing the road right into the middle of a recreational activity
Fourth, imagine the distraction of all that traffic while teeing off or putting. What happens when a cyclist approaches a tee that golfers are hitting off of---do you think they will stop and be quiet? Actually, they might have to since the golf carts would be parked on the path near the tee.
Fifth, what about liability. Generally a golfer is responsible for any damage or injury from his/her golf ball. That is why you wait until the group ahead is out of range or completely clear of the green. Now you would have extraneous parties coming out of nowhere that would be additional targets.
As far as paying the amenity fee (bonds do not pay for golf courses), we all pay for things we don't use. We pay school taxes even though we have no kids in school. We pay for food stamps for those in need, even though we don't need them ourselves. It's called community and we are all part of it. If it makes you feel better, I read that each golf course generates enough oxygen for 2,000 people, so there is a benefit for all. But golf courses are for golfers, otherwise we should let pedestrians walk around the tennis courts, cyclists do circles around the pools, and Segways mix with line dancers at the squares. |
