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COMMON SENSE CART PATHS
by DAVID A. OATIS
Director, Northeastern Region, USGA Green Section
Reprinted from the USGA Green Section Record
1994 January/February Vol 32(1): 1-5 Printable Document
As a Green Section agronomist who sees more than 150 golf courses
each year, I believe that the vast majority of cart path projects
do not accomplish their most basic objectives, which are to minimize
wear problems and improve aesthetics. This truly is one of the most
overlooked areas in golf course maintenance.
Although there are more than a few ugly cart paths in existence,
I contend that they all have one or more of several characteristics
in common: poor design, construction, or location. Traffic from
golfers and their carts can make it impossible to grow healthy turf,
and the resulting worn turf and rutted or bare soil is unattractive
and provides a poor playing surface. Rules problems also can result.
Under the Rules of Golf, relief cannot be granted unless the area
is marked "ground under repair" or is deemed to be a part of the
road or path and is so marked. When these situations occur in high-play
areas, definition and marking complications ensue.
Aside from the remedial cultural programs that can be employed to
minimize the effects of traffic on turf, there are two basic ways
of handling traffic successfully: channel the traffic on hard, impervious
surfaces or spread it out over as large an area as possible. Although
these concepts may seem elementary, it is more complicated when
the prospect of making a transition from one method to the other
is considered.
Somewhere along the line, concentrated wear usually occurs. If a
continuous system of paths is not to be installed, or if golfers
will be allowed to venture off the paths, provisions must be made
for getting the carts on and off the paths without causing excessive
wear at those locations. The paths themselves must be wide enough
and durable enough to withstand traffic and retain definition without
being a burden to the maintenance staff and the budget. They also
must be designed in such a way as to be easily used by the golfers,
but they must not be so obtrusive as to affect playability adversely.
The project is getting a bit more complicated now, isn't it?
Some of the most intelligent people in the world play golf, yet
when these same people drive golf carts, intelligence often is conspicuous
by its absence. Simply put: golfers sometimes commit incredibly
foolish acts of thoughtlessness when they are behind the wheel of
a golf cart. Generally they are concentrating on their game, trying
to locate their golf ball, or talking to other golfers when operating
golf carts. Little thought is given to how their carts should be
operated. Since it is not like driving an automobile, where the
threat of personal danger tends to keep one's thoughts more focused
on driving, many golfers don't think much about obeying golf course
traffic rules. Thus, traffic patterns and cart path usage should
be kept as simple as possible.
The nature of the clientele at a course also must be considered.
Golfers at some courses respond favorably to direction and make
a concerted effort to operate carts safely and in a non-destructive
manner. On the other hand, golfers at some courses are practically
impossible to control. For courses with a difficult clientele, directional
accessories (signs, stakes, ropes, barriers, etc.) should be sturdy
and resistant to damage. They also should be more obvious. For instance,
a single stake with an arrow or simple message may be sufficient
to direct carts to enter or exit a path at a course with conscientious
golfers. But even sturdy stakes and nylon rope may not be entirely
effective at courses where golfers are less mindful. All directional
accessories should be easy to move so that traffic patterns can
be adjusted frequently.
It also may be possible to locate cart paths farther from play at
courses where golfers are more cooperative. Although it may slow
play slightly, keeping paths farther from play can reduce their
impact on play and course aesthetics. Entry and exit opportunities
should be provided only where appropriate.
It is essential to avoid safety problems regardless of the nature
of the golfers. Serious accidents can result in disability or death,
and expensive lawsuits are a possibility that must be planned for.
Where possible, avoid dangerous design features such as steep slopes
and sharp, improperly banked turns. For particularly difficult projects
it is wise to involve a qualified engineer in the design phase and
to research local construction codes. It is also a good idea to
discuss proposed cart path projects with your insurance agent. Golfers
are out for fun and competition; while safety may not be uppermost
in their thoughts, liability and safety should be uppermost in yours.
Whether or not there are immediate plans to install a system of
tee-to-green cart paths, a comprehensive plan to do so should be
developed. A qualified golf course architect can be an invaluable
aid in planning a cart path system. Such a plan can be implemented
over a period of years to spread disruption and cost and reduce
the possibility of waste. Installing a system of paths in piecemeal
fashion without a sound plan is likely to create as many problems
as it corrects.
Since the reason for establishing cart paths in the first place
is to eliminate wear problems, it does not make sense to install
them so that the goal cannot be accomplished. Unbelievably, that
is precisely what is done at many courses. With many cart paths,
wear problems are common at entry and exit points, around the feature
areas (greens, tees, and primary landing zones), and at points where
carts frequently have to pass each other.
One key to avoiding wear around paths is to maximize the number
of entry and exit points for the carts. This may sound basic, but
it is overlooked more often than not. Forcing carts to enter and
exit in just a few restricted areas causes unmanageable wear problems.
The solution usually is to extend cart paths well out in front of
the feature area to provide 20 to 40 linear yards of potential entry
and exit points. If the location of the path is along the perimeter
of the hole, the extensions may start or end in a straight line
parallel to the line of play. Unfortunately, the presence of mounding
or bunkering (particularly in an approach) may make this difficult
or impossible. If that is the case, the cart path can be extended
beyond the obstacle, or the entry point at least can be located
in a less important play area. If the location is more towards the
center of the hole (in front of a tee), the path should end in a
wide arc.
The shading and root competition effects of trees are magnified
in high-traffic areas. Thus, entry and exit points should not be
located in heavily treed areas. Further, avoid cart path locations
that place trees between the entry and exit points and the primary
traffic flow. Trees form immovable barriers that funnel traffic
in addition to competing with turf.
It is a common practice to build wide, fan- or ball-shaped entry/exit
pads for cart paths. Often this is helpful, but rarely is it sufficient
by itself. Combining the extensions with the widened starting and
stopping points is much more effective. Regardless of which method(s)
are used, some type of barrier usually is needed to indicate where
carts should enter and exit the paths. Again, keep it as simple
as possible when selecting signs and/or barriers.
Topography must be carefully considered when the location and length
of the extensions are determined. Paths should never start or stop
on or near slopes. Aside from obvious safety concerns, the slopes
will tend to channel traffic. More friction and slippage between
tires and turf result when carts change speeds on slopes, and this
will cause even more wear damage.
The locations chosen for cart paths have a big impact on playability,
wear, and safety, but they also greatly affect aesthetics. Unfortunately,
their locations sometimes are chosen by default. That is, the path
is installed wherever the wear spots develop. This amounts to taking
the path of least resistance, and it falsely assumes that paths
should necessarily be located where the golfers currently drive
carts.
Assuming that the carts have multiple entry and exit points, getting
golfers to and from the feature areas must now be considered. Routing
a cart path to the edge of a green and off to the edge of the next
tee guarantees wear problems because it provides a very limited
number of entry and exit points for the golfers. This is made worse
by the presence of immovable obstructions between the path and green
or tee. Trees, shrubs, severe mounding, bunkers, etc. all serve
to funnel traffic.
Wherever possible, wrap paths around tees and greens so that multiple
entry and exit points are provided for the golfers. Aside from logistical
obstacles (hole design, topography, etc.), safety issues may be
the biggest limiting factor with this type of installation. Cart
paths should not be located in areas where golfers might be subject
to shots from adjacent holes. Golfer safety is of paramount importance
in cart path design.
In situations where wrap-around design is not possible, be sure
that the area between the path and feature area is as wide and unobstructed
as possible. Redesign of greenside bunkers and mounding may be necessary
to widen the passageway. Removal or relocation of trees, shrubs,
ornamental plantings, or even ball washers and trash receptacles
also may improve traffic flow. As mentioned earlier, traffic control
accessories should be designed to be effective and movable.
Nothing is more aesthetically disruptive than an exposed view of
a cart path in an otherwise natural setting. Depending on the architectural
design of the golf hole and its topography, it often is possible
to hide cart paths from view. First, identify the intended line
of play and the areas where golfers are most likely to congregate.
Tees and landing zones are obvious choices, but there may be others.
Next, consider how the existing topography might be used to obscure
the cart path or make it less obvious. Utilization of mounding or
curbing or performing re-grading work all can be effective means
of blocking the view of a path. However, mounding or use of curbing
must not be so severe as to adversely affect traffic flow.
One of the easiest ways to hide paths is to pay close attention
to the angle at which they are installed. Installation at an angle
away from the primary view can make them practically invisible.
On relatively flat terrain, this may have little impact on the cost
of installation and requires only careful planning. This method
also is effective when paths cross areas in play or are routed up
steep slopes. Routing the path across the slope and tilting it inward
is an especially good ploy.
Winding cart paths tend to look more natural, but the turns should
be banked and gentle. Since golfers are not paying close attention
to where they are driving, sharp bends are one of the fist areas
where golfers will have a difficult time keeping carts on the path.
Locating a path in a dense grove of trees may do a good job of hiding
it, but entry and exit areas should be free of trees.
Any number of different materials can be used to build cart paths,
and they can be organized into the two basic categories -loose and
stable. Concrete and asphalt are the most commonly used stable materials
and typically require much less long-term maintenance. Due to differing
tastes, budgetary constraints, and potential effects on play, courses
often use less stable materials such as gravel, rock or brick dust,
decomposed granite, crushed shells, pine straw, wood-chips, mulch,
etc. Unfortunately, the less-stable materials are subject to a number
of problems, most of which are related to unwanted movement. For
instance, most are subject to erosion, which can be especially troublesome
with paths located on slopes. Many tend to be dusty when dry, and
muddy and prone to splashing when wet. Woodchips may stick to golf
spikes, and the dustier materials may be tracked onto turf areas
by both foot and cart traffic. Carts and turf maintenance equipment
may dislodge coarser materials (stones especially), which may present
a hazard or cause costly damage to mowing equipment.
In addition, path definition problems tend to arise when less-stable
materials are used. Installation of forms is suggested, and provisions
should be made in the budget to permit the necessary maintenance,
which may be substantial.
Curbing is essential around feature areas to prevent paths from
growing wider. Golfers have a subconscious urge to pull carts off
the paths by just a foot or so unless they are physically prevented
from doing so. Regardless of the material utilized, the curbing
should be installed with the soil and turf flush with the top of
the curb. This makes trimming easier. Materials that can be used
for curbing vary widely and include, but are not limited to, the
following: steel, concrete or concrete fabricated products, asphalt,
Belgian block, landscape timbers, and railroad ties. Just be sure
to install curbing only in areas where the carts are not to be given
options for exiting or entering the path. Provisions for disabled
golfers also should be given full consideration.
Adequate width is an essential component of a successful cart path
project, and a common failing is to install paths that are less
than eight feet wide. Narrow paths are more difficult for golfers
and maintenance equipment to negotiate, hence this recommendation.
Installing paths less than eight feet wide leads to wear along the
edges and more rapid deterioration of the path. Paths must be even
wider in areas where carts congregate or pass one another and in
areas heavily used by the maintenance staff. Widths in these areas
should be 12 feet or more.
Cart paths can have a significant effect on surface drainage. Installed
above grade, paths can block surface drainage and cause water to
collect in adjacent turf areas. Installed below grade, the paths
may remain wet. They can be used in a positive way to intercept
water and channel it to appropriate collection points. Drainage
swales can be designed into cart paths. Keep in mind that there
may be environmental factors to consider, the most important being
the potential impact on course runoff into streams or other water
bodies.
Cart path installation can be expensive and disruptive, and since
most golfers find them distasteful, there is a strong tendency to
do the bare minimum. The shortest routings possible are often chosen,
and widths are made as narrow as possible. This is a false economy.
Cart path systems can be installed in phases to spread the cost
over a period of time, but the urge to skimp on design and materials
should be avoided at all costs. When considering a cart path project,
it is imperative to start with a good plan and to make a firm commitment
to quality. The common excuses of "it's the best we could do," "you
should have seen it before," or "it's all we could afford" don't
wash. Poorly planned and installed cart paths are a waste of money
because they are no more attractive or useful than the bare, eroded
soil they replace. Cart paths are a long-term investment, so take
the time and effort to design and install them properly.
A Checklist for Developing a Cart Path System
- Have applicable safety guidelines been met?
- Have multiple entry/exit points been created for carts?
- Have multiple entry/exit points been created for golfers?
- Are the paths of adequate width?
- Has curbing been installed where appropriate?
- Has disabled golfer access been included in the design?
- Has surface drainage been considered?
- Has environmental consideration been given to storm water
disposal?
- Have stable materials been chosen for paths subject to erosion?
- Will the new paths be clearly and cleanly defined?
- Have tree root interference problems been avoided in high-traffic
areas?
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