Golf Operations

DRIVING

CART DECISIONS

By Brett Gilmore • Head Golf Professional

Oro Valley (Ariz.) Country Club

BRETT GILMORE, HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL at Oro Valley (Ariz.) Country Club since March 2021, has been in the golf industry for more than 20 years. When it comes to committi ng on a major expenditure like golf carts, he carefully weighs all opti ons.

Club + Resort Business: When considering a new fl eet of golf carts, where do you begin?

Brett Gilmore: I look at our current lease. If it’s coming to an end and I have enjoyed the partnership with that company, I look to get a new one going.

C+RB: Both gas and electric have advantages/disadvantages. How do you decide between the two?

Gilmore: For us, it’s electric. Electric, in my mind, does provide a bett er experience when playing and our course is not too hilly where gas carts would be needed.

C+RB: What percentage of golfers walk vs. ride at your club?

Gilmore: 30% walk and 70% ride.

C+RB: Do you off er caddies?

Gilmore: No, we do not have any at our facility.

“USB ports are a nice touch, since more and more golfers are bringing speakers and phones on the course. But most important to me is sand-bottle holders and coolers. Being in Arizona, the coolers are a necessity.”

C+RB: Do you allow push carts?

Gilmore: We do. Most members have their own.

C+RB: How do you calculate the correct number of golf carts to have on hand? Is there a formula?

Gilmore: The PGA recommends 80 carts for an 18-hole facility. We do not have that many, as we have a lot of members who have their own private carts. Our cart barn is also smaller in size, so we get as many carts as possible that fi t, to give us fl exibility.

C+RB: What “extras” do you consider important (GPS/ navigati on screen, on-board USB ports for charging devices, sand-bott le holder, on-cart coolers, etc.)?

Gilmore: USB ports are a nice touch, since more and more golfers are bringing speakers and phones on the course. But most important to me is sand-bott le holders and coolers. Being in Arizona, the coolers are a necessity.

C+RB: Do you off er golfers an on-board opportunity to order drinks and food?

Gilmore: We do not have GPS and do not have that capability.

C+RB: Do you uti lize soft ware that tracks usage and paths taken by golfers?

Gilmore: We do. Our carts have geofencing capability. It helps a lot to protect the course from cart traffi c in areas that shouldn’t have any.

C+RB: What advice would you give a colleague who’s looking to replace an enti re fl eet of golf carts?

Gilmore: Look at the manufacturer’s warranty closely and if you could aff ord it, the maintenance plans they off er. Having the regular service from the company helps to extend the life of the carts.