There are a number of reasons why you might want to use a golf cart instead of walking between holes on the course. But, you can easily bother other golfers if you don’t use the cart properly. Let’s discuss some of the benefits of using a cart instead of walking, and how to operate one considerately.

The greatest advantage of using a cart, of course, is that it eliminates the need to walk. Golf courses are often quite large. Even if you’re in good shape, it’s easy to become fatigued if you have to carry your clubs and bags all over the course. A golf cart will help you conserve your energy for your golf game, and you can carry more equipment if you use a cart.

You’ll also stay sheltered from poor weather. If you walk when it’s more than 80 degrees or so outside, you’ll find that you quickly become tired and overheated in the sweltering weather. But if you take a cart along with plenty of fluids to keep you hydrated, you’ll avoid sapping your energy from excessive heat. Driving a golf cart will help you avoid heat exhaustion on the summer, and will keep you dry in the pouring spring and fall rains.

However, if you don’t often use a cart, you may have trouble remembering when to move it, or realizing how to drive it effectively. That could send you running back and forth and cause you to get in other golfers’ way, making the cart more trouble than it’s worth.

Take extra care when driving the cart on wet grass or damp ground, and make sure to avoid muddy areas. Many courses prohibit driving on the rough to minimize the impact on the course. If your partner is old enough to drive the cart and is sitting in the driver’s seat, assume that he or she will do the driving.

Discuss ahead of time who will move the cart. This way, you won’t forget about it and have to walk back for it. Be sure to get back on the cart path as you approach the green, and always remember to bring the appropriate clubs with you. Be willing to bring your partner’s clubs if needed. When you see facilities nearby, make sure to ask your partner to take a rest stop if necessary.

Plan ahead about where you’ll place the cart. A good strategy is to park where it can provide shade if there are no trees or buildings nearby. If you are driving the cart and you partner’s ball is next in play, pull up around the right side of the ball with the ball placed mid-way down the cart’s length. This way, your partner will have less distance to cover.

Never drive your cart while other players are hitting, and make sure not to move in front of them. When parking near the green, park the cart on the side where you’ll walk off the green. When the ball is on the side or top of a hill, park nearby, but don’t drive on the hill, as this can be dangerous.

Know how far it is to the green by reading the distances or paying attention to the location of bushes, and know how far your clubs are likely to send the ball. If you’re not sure which club you’ll need, bring more than one to avoid having to walk far to the cart again and again.