gepilling

Does anyone know if one is allowed to ride a bike on public golf course paths? You know, the ones that go from hole to hole that the golf carts drive on. The idea just hit me, it would be great if I could since there are a number of golf courses near where I live.

trl19

No, it is not acceptable. Does not matter if the course is open or closed ~ don't do it. Sometimes, they will tolerate cross country skiers in the winter because their is no threat of them destroying the greens, but many times that isn't even allowed.

Find a bike path - us cyclists wouldn't want golfers and golf carts in our bike lanes either

CommuterRun

That would depend on decisions made by the management of each course, but I think it would most likely not be allowed.

scattered73

A freind and I rode one of the golf courses one late evening staying on the paved path. Police cruiser cuts accross the greens to tell us that bikes were not allowed on the course, go figure.

thompsonpost

Golf courses are usually private property. Riding them without permission is trespassing, and is generally unacceptable. Stick to the MUP.

chambers

If you go over a hill or around a curve in the path and take a golf ball to the face who do you think is going to pay if it? You could be looking at broken facial bones possible damage to your bike and whatever injuries you might get when you crash after getting hit by the ball. You are going to be looking at $10,000 from the ambulance and emergency room charges just to get started. With facial injuries you could also be looking at more money for surgery.

BlazingPedals

Even publicly-owned golf courses are closed to the general public. Unless you're proposing to pay the fee and not pass the players in front of you, stay off!

CB HI

With mandatory bike lane use laws, I actually would like it if golfers and their carts took up all the bike lanes, thus providing me with the legal excuse to take the lane.

gepilling

I know that's the best option... the reason I asked was because golf courses are unfortunately much more plentiful near me than parks and/or bike paths. But I guess it's best to avoid the golf courses. Thanks.

Panthers007

I'll bet they laughed their as*es off back at the Dunkin' Donuts. And then went back and did it again. Oh where are The Three Stooges when you need 'em?

CommuterRun

I imagine scattered meant they cut across the fairways. I doubt they drove a car across a green, but that is not to say it didn't happen. I've seen people do dumber stuff on a golf course. Having to fix the indentations in a green is no fun after a pair of jerks decided that was a better place to have sex than the hotel. Driving a car across a fairway is no big deal as long as they don't spin the tires. Golf carts drive on fairways all the time, and I drive a farm tractor across fairways almost every day.

urban_assault

Riding through a golf course is a no-no but I did do it once.

I was trying to get home before a thunderstorm started, so I cut through the Bobby Jones GC in Atlanta to
get to the neighborhood on the other side of the course. I stayed on the cart path. As I got close to leaving the course, I
hear yelling behind me. I look back and see two guys in a golf cart closing in fast.

I made it to the other side, turned and yelled "Sorry!" to the guys. The passenger hops out and gives me the finger as I
pedaled away down the road.

Yeah, I'm a badass.

Scene of the crime

Panthers007

But we know what to do with all the land-mines that were left in Southeast Asia! "Fore! <KABOOOOM!!!>"

And face facts: Most people who don't make the 4% top-end money - they hate those who do - and the symbols thereof. That includes the police. So given the fact they are driving an Emergency-Vehicle for a complaint about a bike on Ritchey Rich's Playground - they would take the opportunity presented. V'Room! V'Roooom!! <dirt-clods flying>

JanMM

Video???

JanMM

Video?

JanMM

If Phil Liggett were describing the action on the cart paths and referred to '..the GC boys..', he'd be talking about '...the Golf Course boys..'.

urban_assault

I wish I had one. This was years ago.

urban_assault

I'd love to hear Phil Liggett doing something like that.

stapfam

We have an offroad trail called the South Downs Way over here. It is an old established right of way and it runs through two Golf courses. These sections of the trail are dangerous. Golf balls flying all over the place and although I have not heard of bikers being hit- Several walkers a year have very narrow escapes.

The Clubs had in the past tried to close the trail but as it had been there for several thousand years- The trail takes precedence. But the golf courses are on Private land and unless you are a Club member - then you are not allowed on them. And that includes the paths that are on the clubs Private land.

But if you feel like being a target for the Golfers- then take your chance. And you had better ride fast and not near the golfers. You may miss the balls- but a 9 iron in the spokes will stop you very quickly.

BA Commuter

I really don't think you needed to ask us.

Ride on!

Nermal

Really, stapfam? I thought those paths in England had priority over private land.

coldfeet

I think he meant that the trails that are official right of way, like the South Downs Way, do take precedence. But those sections of the golf courses which are on private land, are a no-no.

CCrew

Sorry the first thing that came to mind....

You're hittin it pretty darned hard if you're putting dents in the ground!

neilfein

I stay away from golf courses, but I ended up on one by accident a few months ago - my wife and I were riding the NJ East Coast Greenway between Trenton and Princeton, and found ourselves on a paved golf course path at one point. That's the actual off-road route. Go figure.

Rumpled

Yeah, if you're denting a fairway going at it - good on ya!
My running club was going acriss Big Canyon (super exclusive) some years ago, dude about to tee off yelled that it would suck if one of us got hit in the head from 200 yards away. I stopped and pointed out to him that of he could do that, he would be on the tour.- and the tour was in Augusta that weekend. My friends laughed, his buddies laughed, and he was left there with his club in his hand, rather limply.
But yeah, golfers don't like anyone around.