Do Golf Courses Allow Ride Alongs?

This is both ‘yes’ and ‘no,’ and also ‘it depends,’ but it is more of a ‘yes.’

A ride-along is someone who serves as an escort, a person who doesn’t partake in the activities of the venue but rather, observes.

It can also be someone who comes with you to cheer you on.

They may help as caddies or simply be an observer. Some golf courses are okay with this and some are not, and for some, it depends.

Generally, the idea of a ride-along comes with liabilities to both course owners/maintainers and the players.

A golf course is like a football field or a race track: you do not allow a non-participating person into the area, there may be hindrances and casualties.

But unlike these other sports, a golf field doesn’t have a stand for spectators as it is entirely different.

This is why you have ride-alongs in golf.

For a lone, therapeutic sport such as golf, a ride-along can provide some company and make the sport livelier – especially if you’re not playing with an opponent.

Do Golf Courses Allow Ride Alongs? Are there Risks?

But as mentioned, there are risks to having a ride-along on golf courses.

Although tee boxes are efficiently spaced, it is possible for a player (especially a beginner) to shoot the ball off-course.

This can be dangerous when it makes contact with a person, causing injuries from a head bump to the loss of an eye.

Accidents are bound to happen even without ride alongs, but at least they can be handled more professionally.

The injured person may incur irreplaceable losses and the course could suffer from such events, in reputation and lawsuits.

So, for a golf course to allow ride alongs, they have to take precautions.

Rule Guide the Use

Rule 11 is one of those precautions: if a ball in motion hits a person, animal, equipment, or anything else on the course, there is no penalty and you must accept the result whether favorable or not…

Some golf courses also charge fees that serve as insurance.

Golf courses that allow ride-along usually charge a green fee or ask the person to pay half the price of the tee box, but some don’t charge anything at all.

This also serves as a waiver for the course in case of any casualties occurring during play.

Sometimes you want to take your child, friend, or partner and show them how golf is played, that fast swing of yours, and how far your shot goes.

As they can’t play, they watch and observe. It also serves as therapy, strengthening the bonds between the player and their ride-alongs.

What to Do Before Going to the Golf Course

While many golf courses allow ride alongs, it is recommended to make inquiries with the course beforehand.

Sometimes a golf course receives more players at certain times of the year than at other times.

In such cases, the golf course is less likely to allow ride alongs even if they usually do.

This reduces the likelihood of an errant shot as a ball is more likely to hit a person if there are many people around than if there are just a few of them.

Final Words on Using Ride Along on a Golf Club

Is it something you can do?

This is both ‘yes’ and ‘no,’ and also ‘it depends,’ but it is more of a ‘yes.’ A ride-along is someone who serves as an escort, a person who doesn’t partake in the activities of the venue but rather, observes.

It can also be someone who comes with you to cheer you on. They may help as caddies or simply be an observer. Some golf courses are okay with this and some are not, and for some, it depends.

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