Kids love riding in golf carts, especially on family trips to the golf course or a resort. It seems like a simple activity, but there are a few things parents should watch out for. Golf carts don’t offer the same protection as cars, and a sudden turn can be enough to make a child lose their balance. Here are some golf cart child safety tips to help you prepare before your next ride.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. Know the Readiness of Your Kids: Kids that are under six years old might not be physically developed enough to stay stable while riding a moving golf cart. You should always consider whether or not your child is ready for this experience.
2. Find Safer Seating Positions: Make sure kids are seated safely with their backs facing the front side and sit them in the right seat. Never let them ride in back-facing seats or sit on the edge of golf carts’ benches.
3. Prepare Your Kids Clothing: Dress them in the right clothes that will be comfortable and safe for this activity, such as good-fitting shoes and hats with straps.
4. Never Forget about Parking Brake: Remember to engage the parking brake and take out the key when leaving the golf cart.
The Right Age for Using Golf Carts: Information for Parents
Before taking your child for a golf cart ride, it’s worth checking a few things first. Not every cart is suitable for young passengers, and kids don’t all develop the same way. Understanding these limits is an important part of golf cart safety for children.
Why Are Golf Carts More Dangerous Than Normal Cars?
Golf carts may look harmless, but they offer far less protection than regular cars. Most have open sides and no doors to keep passengers inside. The side rails offer little protection if a child starts to slip.
Sudden acceleration can also catch young passengers off guard. A sharp turn or quick stop may cause a child to lose balance, especially if they aren’t holding on. That’s why golf cart safety tips for kids are worth learning before the first ride.
When Can a Child Ride on a Golf Cart Safely?
There isn’t one age that makes every child ready for a golf cart ride. Children under six may have trouble staying balanced when the cart turns or speeds up. Their grip may also be too weak to hold onto a rail for long.
For babies under one, a stroller is a safer option for enjoying the paths around a golf course. Older children should only ride if they can sit upright, keep their feet on the floor, and follow safety instructions. When it comes to golf cart safety for babies, it’s best to avoid taking infants on a moving cart.
Why Should Only Adult People Drive Golf Carts?
Golf carts may look easy to drive, but they still require attention and good judgment. Some models weigh close to 1,000 pounds, and even at low speeds, a sudden turn or stop can put passengers at risk. Drivers need to stay alert and react quickly when something unexpected happens.
Older kids may be eager to take the wheel, but they shouldn’t drive a golf cart with younger children on board. Never let a child sit on your lap and play with the steering wheel while the cart is moving, either. If you’re taking your kids along, these golf safety for kids tips can help you plan a safer outing.
Common Golf Cart Safety Mistakes Parents Should Avoid
Sometimes, what seems like a safe choice isn’t always the best one for your child. A seat that looks fun or a quick fix for keeping them in place can come with risks. Before your next ride, here are a few common mistakes to watch out for.
Why Are Rear-Facing Golf Cart Seats Risky for Children?
Children will enjoy sitting in the back of the golf cart since they will have an opportunity to see the landscape behind them. However, such seats might be dangerous to the riders who are young. For example, in case the golf cart accelerates or climbs a slope, the child will start sliding backwards in the free space behind the seat. In addition, low railings and inadequate footrests may cause children to slip from the seat.
Always try to choose front seats facing the direction in which the vehicle is moving.
Install Safety Belts on Your Family Golf Cart?
Traditional golf carts do not usually have belts. There might be some grab bars running down the sides of the vehicle but they will not prevent children from falling off while the cart is making a quick stop or turning sharply. In case you use a golf cart with your family, then you are probably thinking about adding safety belts.
When adding an after-market safety belt, make sure that it is designed for your golf cart and is properly fixed to a structural point of the cart. The belt needs to fit over the hip area and not compress the soft abdomen of the child.
If you’re planning a golf outing with your little one, our guide on how to play golf with a baby offers more ideas for making the experience easier for the whole family.
Teaching Children Passenger Safety Regulations for the Golf Cart
An initial safety talk can help kids learn the rules of riding. Children might be eager to start moving, so you need to keep rules clear and understandable. Demonstrate how the children need to sit, which parts of the car they should hold and how to behave inside the cart safely.
Why is the Middle Seat More Secure for Small Kids?
As long as the golf cart has the appropriate front bench seat, it may prove tempting to allow the child to ride on the middle part of that seat in-between two adults. However, this does not serve as an alternative to the proper seating and restraint of the child. The adults should not depend on their bodies alone to prevent any falling of the child.
Ensure that you do not position the small passenger close to an exposed side because there is nothing that can prevent them from falling. You should always stick to the maximum number of seats that the cart manufacturer recommends. In case you have no suitable place for your child, then avoid taking him/her.
Four Safety Rules Kids Should Remember During the Ride
Children should be given instructions even before the ride begins. Talk about the following four golf cart safety rules for children every time you go riding with your kid.
1. Always keep your feet on the floor. Do not keep your feet tucked under you, stand on the seat, or let your feet dangle over the side.
2. Always use handholds. Both hands should be on the grab bars at all times during the ride.
3. Always sit back in the seat. Do not lean forward, move around, or stand up during the ride.
4. Keep yourself inside the cart. Do not try to reach out for tree branches or other things outside of the cart.
Going through the instructions before each ride will make your kid remember these safety rules. If your child cannot adhere to these rules, postpone the ride until your kid learns how to behave.
Why Shouldn’t You Hold a Child on Your Lap When the Golf Cart Is Moving?
Having a child on your lap is the most comfortable thing that you may think of; however, when there is any movement, your hands are not able to save the child from a possible fall when the cart stops abruptly or takes a turn.
Moreover, an abrupt turn will make both of you fall from your seats. It will be quite hard for you to hold your child firmly if the cart jerks abruptly. Make sure that your child is sitting in his/her special seat and you follow the instructions of the manufacturer regarding age, positioning and securing of the child.
For more ideas on enjoying the course as a family, read our guide to tips for taking kids golfing.
The Ride is on its Way: A Golf Cart Safety List for Parents
Your journey in the golf cart is safe if you do some preparations. From dressing yourself to proper driving and inspecting the cart before taking your trip, there are many little things that matter. These golf cart safety tips for parents will help you prepare your child for a more comfortable ride and avoid common risks along the way.
What should children wear before the golf cart ride?
Clothes should not be loose or big; drawstrings or any other elements that may get entangled into the parts of the cart have to be avoided. Instead of sandals that could slip from feet, closed toe shoes with appropriate grip would be a better choice; it will help your kid to maintain balance while entering/exiting the vehicle.
A hat is needed in order to protect your kid from the sun. In case of wind, a hat with a string will keep it in place, instead of blowing around and inviting your kid to stick his or her head out of the cart. Following these kids golf cart safety rules can help make family outings safer.
Safe Driving Practices All Parents Must Adhere To
Always use the parking brake and leave the keys out of the car when getting out of the driver’s seat. Keep the keys out of the reach of the children. This practice will protect the children from moving the golf cart while you are not driving.
Always slow down and turn slowly on any turn. Always drive slowly, preferably below 5 mph where possible. You should adhere to the set speed limit signs and always avoid turning on wet grass.
10 Point Safety Checklist for Parents
Take a minute to go through this checklist before starting out. These simple tasks will help you identify some possible dangers before your kid gets into the vehicle.
- Pick a responsible driver: Make sure a competent adult is driving the vehicle.
- Check if your kid is prepared: Make sure your kid can sit upright and listen to instructions.
- Check clothing and footwear: Opt for proper-fitting clothing, proper footwear, and a safe hat for your kid.
- Follow passenger capacity rules: Provide each one with their own seat; do not overpopulate the cart.
- Check the seat of your child: Provide an appropriate forward-facing seat and follow.
- Restraint check: Ensure that the seat belt offered is proper and fitted well and tied tight.
- Brakes check: Test whether the service brake and parking brake function well.
- Use approved routes: Drive along approved paths for the cart in the specific course.
- Drive safely by keeping off distractions: Keep your phone away and do not use headphones while driving.
- Park safely: Apply the parking brake, detach the key and place it out of reach of children.
Keep this golf cart safety checklist handy and review it before each family ride. A quick check can help everyone start the trip with greater peace of mind.
CONCLUSION
It will be easy for your children to create a memorable experience with their parents during a golf cart ride if you prioritize their safety. Select an appropriate seat, dress up your kids with comfort, and tell them to always sit down when the cart is in motion. Remember always to engage the parking brake and take out the key once you reach your destination. Need some inspiration for your next family golf outing? Check out our golf collection!
