Cart paths can be a controversial topic. Installing paths made from impermeable materials such as asphalt and concrete is most common. Hard surfaces are an obvious choice because they are durable and require less maintenance than other options. From a golfer’s perspective, hard-surface cart paths can cause playability and aesthetic issues, especially when they are located in plain sight or close to the line of play. Asphalt or concrete cart paths can ricochet golf balls farther from the intended target than a more natural surface would.
On the north shore of Long Island, Nissequogue Golf Club installed interesting alternative paths that I saw during a recent USGA Course Consulting Service visit. Several holes with narrow playing corridors offer little room for cart paths, but the course needed some way to keep carts off the turf during wet weather and to limit wear in these tight spaces. While the rolling topography makes for an enjoyable walk, golf cart use is the norm there, as is the case at many golf courses. To facilitate golf carts in these long, narrow playing corridors without continuous hard-surface paths, narrow “waste bunkers” have been installed. The sand selected is comprised of particles with high angularity to bind together. The paths also include robust drainage with perforated drain pipe below the surface and small catch basins within the paths. Regular smoothing is necessary, but washouts have been minimal.
One par 3 in a tidal area that floods regularly didn’t have much room to separate the cart path and playing area, but a path was necessary because the area is low-lying. Therefore, a dark-colored angular gravel path with stone curbing was installed. The dark color blends into the landscape well, giving a natural look and and the gravel softens the impact of golf balls. Curbing on both sides of the path keeps the gravel in the desired footprint, which means minimal maintenance other than occasional smoothing. Applying a polymer binding agent has been considered but has not been necessary at this point because these materials were installed in flat or softly sloping areas.
Golf cart paths placed in confined playing corridors can have a negative impact on aesthetics and play, but they do allow for golf carts to be used throughout the season, even when the turf needs to be protected. In areas with minimal slopes, consider using alternative materials that can provide a balance between aesthetics, playability and effective traffic management.
Northeast Region Agronomists:
Darin Bevard, senior director, Championship Agronomy – dbevard@usga.org
Elliott L. Dowling, regional director, East Region – edowling@usga.org
Brian Gietka, agronomist – bgietka@usga.org
Information on the USGA’s Course Consulting Service
Contact the Green Section Staff