| Cart Rules
1. Golf carts shall not be used by a member or guest on the property of the Club without proper assignment and registration in the Pro Shop and office.
2. All golfers must schedule a tee time, and report to the Pro Shop prior to play. Those paying green and/or cart fees must obtain a duplicate receipt. One is for golfer’s records. The second is to show the cart barn if cart is required (no cart key will be given until receipt shown), and then give to the starter.
3. Obey all golf cart traffic signs. When on the roadway, traffic rules apply.
4. Always use golf cart paths where provided, especially near tees and greens. Players are required to remain on golf cart paths, without exception, on Par 3 holes.
5. Carts are not permitted in the area between the yellow posts and the front of the green. All carts are to be parked on the path adjacent to the green once the ball crosses this line.
6. Except on cart paths, do not drive a golf cart within seventy yards of a green, a tee or a bunker. Exceptions may be granted to approve members having a disability. These members must fly a blue flag, supplied by the Pro Shop. For information on rules and regulations and obtaining a blue flag, see the Golf Pro.
7. Be careful to avoid soft areas on fairways, especially after rains. Use the rough whenever possible.
8. Operation of a golf cart is at the risk of the operator. Members using a Club fleet golf cart or a private cart will be held fully responsible for any and all damages, including damages to the Club fleet golf cart, or other cart, or property, that are caused by the use or misuse of the golf cart by either the member or their guest, and the member shall be responsible to reimburse the Club for any and all damages sustained by the Club.
9. “Course Closed”, “Hole Closed” or “Ninety Degree Only” signs are to be adhered to without exception.
10. Golf carts may not leave cart paths on any par 3 holes, 3,7,9,13,15.
11. When operating a cart the driver should avoid any worn areas, ground under repair or bare areas within the rough. The driver should utilize the 90-degree rule to leave and return to the cart path. A sign at number 1 tee will indicate whether carts are allowed off the paths or required to stay on the paths.
12. No more than two riders are allowed on any club-owned cart.
13. All golf cart riders must be seated, and checked in at the Pro Shop.
14. Never drive the cart within hazard boundary lines or within about 10 yards of water hazards or bunkers, or within about 50 yards of greens (unless you're on a designated cart path, of course). These areas are especially susceptible to damage by the wheels of golf carts. Never drive onto or close to tee boxes, either, unless on the cart path.
15. Never drive the cart through mud, on or off the fairway.
16. Never drive through casual water on any part of the golf course (unless it's a little bit of water over a paved cart path). The wheels of the cart can do serious damage to the turf, including leaving ruts, in wet areas.
Now, as mentioned above, golf courses may post notices about specific golf cart rules depending on conditions at the course that day. These notices may be posted in the clubhouse; sometimes courses uses small signs they stick in the ground alongside the cart path on the route to the first tee. You should always ask when you check in what the course's standard golf cart rules are, then also be alert for any signage. What might the signage specify?
Cart Path Only
A "cart-path-only rule" is exactly what it sounds like: Keep your cart on the designated cart path at all times. Don't drive onto the grass.
Over time, golf carts speed up soil compaction, which can lead to less-than-ideal growing conditions for turf grasses. And that can lead to less-than-ideal fairways for golfers. So even when "cart path only" is not in effect, it's a good idea to keep the cart on the designated path.
But when the rule is in effect, it's a requirement.
When "cart path only" is in effect, drive the cart on the designated path until you are parallel to where your golf ball rests on the course. Stop the cart, get out, pull a couple clubs (so you'll have some options when you reach your ball), and walk out to the ball.
90-Degree Rule In Effect
The "90-degree rule" means that the golf course is allowing carts onto the grass - but only at 90-degree angles from the cart path. In other words, don't drive the golf cart up the middle of the fairway from the tee box to your golf ball. Stay on the cart path until you are parallel to your golf ball, then turn off the cart path and drive straight to the ball.
The "90-degree rule" minimizes the time a golf cart spends rolling over the grass, while still allowing convenience for golfers.
Cart Path Only on Holes X and X
A course may post signs that designate certain holes off-limits to carts, for example, "Cart path only on No. 4 and No. 16 today." In this situation, the course's regular golf cart rules apply (remember, ask when checking in), but on the specified holes you are required to keep the cart on the designed cart path. The reason is usually moisture on the specified holes - they may be too wet for carts - or ground under repair on the specified holes.
No Carts Beyond This Point
This sign is one you might see in a fairway as you close in on the green. Courses don't want golf carts near the putting green; the "no carts beyond this point" sign makes sure golfers get that message. Even if you are allowed to drive the cart on the fairway, be sure to observe these signs. When you see one, stop and return to the designated cart path before proceeding forward again.
This sign may also come in the form of an arrow pointing toward the cart path. The meaning is the same: Don't take the cart beyond this point on the fairway; go back to the cart path.
So, those are the signs golfers are most likely to see on a golf course regarding cart usage. Observe the signs - and don't forget to ask about golf cart rules when you check in.
A few more bits of golf cart etiquette:
· Always stay on designated cart paths on par-3 holes. Even if the course allows carts onto the fairways on par-4s and par-5s, stay off the grass on par-3s.
· Observe common-sense driving rules, just as do in your car on the road. Be especially careful at any cart-path intersections and in areas where bottlenecks occur (see golf cart safety for specific safety suggestions).
· If you need to drive the cart quickly around the course (maybe you left a club behind a few holes back, maybe you badly need to find a restroom, etc.), be aware of golfers you are passing by. If a golfer is about to swing or attempt a putt, slow down as you approach and stop the cart until the golfer has completed his or her stroke. Carts are noisy. Be courteous. You wouldn't want some else making noise during your back swing, don't do it to others with your cart.
· Along the same lines, many golf carts beep when they are in reverse. So if you need to put the cart in reverse, be aware of any golfers close to you and whether they are about to begin making a stroke.
· When you finish a hole, walk off the green, get into the cart and move on to the next teeing ground before marking the scorecard. In this way, you won't hold up any group behind you that is waiting for the green to clear.
· Black and white posts in the middle of the fairway are measured to the center of the green.
· Each player must have his/her own clubs.
· Appropriate attire must be worn at all times, including collared shirts.
· Please replace all divots, rake traps and repair ball marks on the greens.
· Please observe the current or posted cart rules for today.
· All food and beverages, including alcohol, must be purchased at Houston Oaks.
· No personal coolers allowed.
· You must be 18 or older to operate carts.
· The Golf Course Superintendent may close all or any part of the course for maintenance, weather conditions (inclement weather), or tournaments. The Golf Course Superintendent shall retain the right to close any part of the course at any time without notice.
· All golfers must register with the Golf Shop and arrange a starting time before beginning play on the course. No play shall start on any hole except No. 1 tee, unless otherwise approved by the Golf Professional or the Golf Shop.
· The USGA rules shall govern play except where modified by local rules.
· Foursomes’ allowed from April through September. Fivesomes’ are allowed November through March. (Under discretion of the golf shop)
Golf Carts
1. Only golf carts owned by the Club, or privately-owned golf carts approved annually by the Golf Professional, will be allowed on the grounds.
2. Minors must have a motor vehicle license to operate a golf cart.
3. Club carts are restricted to Club Property.
4. There should be no more than two (2) occupants per cart and no more than two (2) carts per foursome.
5. Members will be responsible for any and all damages to their assigned cart or their guest’s assigned cart. Damages must be reported to the Golf Shop immediately upon completion of play.
6. Failure to operate carts in accordance with the above regulations and additional posted rules and signs can result in suspension of cart privileges.
7. Please report malfunctions and needed repairs.
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