Using golf carts around RV parks

Let's say I'm staying at a larger campground and need to go up to the camp store and grab a bag of ice (or you fill in the blank). I can hop in my 1 ton diesel truck that's loud, large, and riddled with blind spots. Or I can take my small, quiet and relatively slow golf cart. Which should I choose? Imagine answering that question while envisioning your children playing around the campground, walking the trails, riding bikes, etc. Sure, sometimes kids on golf carts and play around a little and act seemingly irresponsible. But I'll take the kid on the golf cart way ahead the guy that's been drinking all day who climb's in his truck to go fetch that bag of ice.

Of all the campgrounds we've visited (most of which allow golf carts), I've never been bothered by anyone's usage of golf carts. In my lifetime, I've actually had more close encounters of a serious nature with people on bicycles than carts.

As a kid, we used to ride our bicycles in the most irresponsible way possible. As fast as we could peddle, running into each other, jumping off of them while they're still going, etc. Let's not get upset because kids these days have access to cooler toys than we had ;-)

Should you want a golf cart and use it responsibly it's fine by me.

I'm most comfy with a bike for getting around yet to each his/her own.

Retired JSO wrote:
We traded our DP and bought a small Toy Hauler to cut down on expense and haul our new EZ-GO TXT gas golfcart and our new kayak. We stay at state parks for the most part using our golf cart to get around. It is also equipped to haul our kayak to the water.

My camping pal has a sweet set up.

rockhillmanor wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
Golf carts are fine if you really need one but to let the kids play with them or drive in a parade continuously is ridiculous and annoying. It's even hard to walk in parks with the carts running around.

X10!
Most use the carts as a babysitter for their kids.
They throw the kids on the golf carts first thing in the morning and they drive around the CG all day and night running into people walking, run into the dogs fellow campers are walking, and running up on peoples sites etc.

Do these people ruin it for the rest? Yes. The few CG's I stayed at that allowed golf carts that IS what went on ALL day and ALL night.

I now will not stay at a CG that allows golf carts.

You're never going to visit another Florida/Georgia State park? How sad. My experience is that cart use in Florida State parks has been done quite nicely with no problems that I've encountered, and I'm a frequent user of the FSP system.

noplace2 wrote:

Retired JSO wrote:

mowin wrote:

noplace2 wrote:

2oldman wrote:
If you're handicapped, probably yes.

In the absence of real physical limitations (sheer laziness doesn't count) get out and walk. Your body will thank you for it.

WOW. Not everyone has a desk job. I own a lawn care/property management business. I get PLENTY of exercise during the week. The golf cart is a welcome reprieve from walking around.

While I don't have a lawn care, this week, I split a cord of wood, mowed my yard and my moms, helped my son paint a room and many other things. All state parks in Florida and Georgia allow golf carts so we use them. If you don't like it, stay out of our state parks and enjoy your KOA ****.

I trust that both of you understand that you are far and away the exceptions to the #250+ lb slobs who walk just fine from their rigs to their golf carts so they can "walk" the dog. And an aside, you wouldn't find us anywhere near a KOA. We are firmly in the simpler is better camp.

Enjoy your experience, whatever you perceive it to be.

So once you reach 250# you're a slob now? You are now the arbiter of what others should look like? You give a whole new meaning to the term "Weight Police". I think I will just mind my own business and weight and let others do what they think is appropriate for them.

2gypsies wrote:
Golf carts are fine if you really need one but to let the kids play with them or drive in a parade continuously is ridiculous and annoying. It's even hard to walk in parks with the carts running around.

X10!
Most use the carts as a babysitter for their kids.
They throw the kids on the golf carts first thing in the morning and they drive around the CG all day and night running into people walking, run into the dogs fellow campers are walking, and running up on peoples sites etc.

Do these people ruin it for the rest? Yes. The few CG's I stayed at that allowed golf carts that IS what went on ALL day and ALL night.

I now will not stay at a CG that allows golf carts.

Just to add to some of these latest comments. Don't get a gas cart. Almost all campgrounds that allow carts DO NOT allow gas carts.

By the way. Liability insurance will run around $100/year. Most campgrounds will require that as well.

I used to have a golf cart and a toy hauler.

We used to do sporting clays shooting once or twice a month - so our golf cart had a gun rack. Made for interesting conversations when we (rarely) camped at "normal" campgrounds. (most of the time we camped right at the gun clubs). Took it to Disney one time. Saved a bit of hoofing around.

If you think you will use it, go for it. Only word of advise - if you plan on getting a gas powered golf cart (or any gas powered toys) make sure you get a toy hauler with a separate garage. You do not want to spend the night in a trailer that has a gas tank INSIDE the same area where you are sleeping - if you want to wake up in the morning. You dont need a separate garage for an electric golf cart.

You may also want to peruse the Toy Hauler section of the forums.

Golf carts are fine if you really need one but to let the kids play with them or drive in a parade continuously is ridiculous and annoying. It's even hard to walk in parks with the carts running around.

pitch wrote:
The problem is the many many many irresponsible people that turn them over to their young teens to operate. Nothing at all wrong with a sober responsible adult using them in a safe and acceptable manner.

This.
My daughter was almost hit by a teen on a golf cart at one of the Big 3 campgrounds in Myrtle Beach. So many kids driving fast on the carts. Not obeying the rules of the road. Had one cut through our site just after I had stepped inside one night. Saw a rental cart knock a stop sign down about midnight one evening. All 4 teens in the cart baled and just left the cart sit...Security seems to turn a blind eye.

Have been to other campgrounds that allow them, but are very strict. 16 or older, must have a license, etc. One strike and you are out/no cart for the rest of your stay type rules, and did not mind the carts there.