Golf Cart Accidents

Golf Cart Accidents: Statistics, Causes, Liability and Safety

Golf cart accidents can result in serious injuries and, in some cases, fatalities.

Although golf carts are widely used on golf courses in the UK, the situation is very different in the United States, where golf carts are also commonly used on public roads, in resorts and in residential communities.

This difference is important when considering golf cart accident statistics. Much of the published research comes from the US, where golf carts have a much wider range of uses. There is currently no comparable body of UK research covering golf cart injuries, accident locations and causes.

For golfers, golf clubs and golf cart operators in the UK, however, the risks remain real.

Many clubs are reticent to ask golfers to take a test but this leaves them open to claims of failure in their duty of care.

Poor driving, excessive speed, inadequate training, defective equipment, unsuitable terrain and collisions can all result in serious injury.

How common are golf cart accidents?

Golf cart accidents are considerably more common in the United States than in the UK. US figures indicate that thousands of people are treated for golf cart-related injuries each year, with children accounting for a significant proportion of those injured.

Many US golf cart accidents occur away from golf courses. Golf carts are commonly used as a form of transport in resorts, retirement communities and residential developments, as well as on public roads.

Poorly lit roads have been linked to 29% of golf cart accidents occurring at night in the US, according to figures cited by Gitnux.

The position in the UK is different. Golf carts, commonly referred to as buggies, are generally used specifically on golf courses, either by golfers or as part of the course maintenance fleet. There are relatively few UK situations where golf carts are routinely used as road transport vehicles.

According to figures cited by Gitnux, retirees living in age-restricted communities in the US account for approximately 40% of public-road golf cart accidents. US golf cart accidents also occur more frequently on public roads than on golf courses, with 45% occurring on public roads.

More than half of the US golf cart fleet is estimated to be used for non-golfing purposes.

Gitnux also reports that US emergency departments treated approximately 17,500 golf cart injuries in 2022, representing a 12% increase from the previous year.

How many golf cart injuries have there been over 16 years?

A study by Watson, Mehan, Smith and McKenzie recorded 147,696 golf cart injuries over a 16-year period in the United States. Approximately 40% of golf cart accidents resulted in the hospitalisation of occupants.

US figures cited for 2022 record 190 fatalities involving golf carts, compared with 158 in 2021.

The increase in accidents may be associated with the growth of residential golf resorts and communities, particularly those aimed at retirees. According to the figures cited in the original research, residential communities in the US have a 25% higher rate of golf cart accidents than resort areas.

There is also an important distinction between golf course and non-golf course accidents. Gitnux estimates that only around seven out of ten golf cart accidents occur on golf courses.

The large number of golf carts used in US housing developments and by people who primarily use them away from golf courses is likely to be an important factor.

There is no comparable analysis currently available for the UK covering golf cart injuries, accident locations and causes.

What percentage of golf cart accidents are rollovers?

Rollover accidents are a significant cause of serious golf cart injuries and fatalities. US statistics cited in the research indicate that rollover accidents account for approximately 40% of golf cart fatalities.

Golf carts can become unstable because of excessive speed, loss of control and changes in terrain. The risk can increase when a cart is driven downhill or across slopes and uneven ground.

According to the US figures cited, approximately 80% of golf cart rollovers occur on slopes or uneven terrain. Around 60% of recorded US golf cart accidents occur on slopes of less than five degrees.

These figures demonstrate that a slope does not have to appear particularly steep to present a risk.

Are moving objects a hazard when driving a golf cart?

Yes. Collisions with moving objects, stationary vehicles and other equipment are a significant cause of golf cart accidents.

US figures indicate that contact with moving objects or stationary vehicles, including cars, machinery and trucks, is a factor in approximately 20% to 30% of golf cart accidents.

Of those incidents, approximately 85% involve collisions with motor vehicles.

The consequences can be particularly serious because golf carts provide considerably less protection to occupants than conventional motor vehicles.

On a golf course, the risk is not limited to collisions between golf carts. Drivers must also consider golfers, pedestrians, maintenance vehicles, course machinery, trees, structures, bunkers and other hazards.

Is golf cart training really necessary?

Yes. Golf cart drivers should understand how to operate the vehicle safely before using it, particularly where the course contains slopes, uneven ground, narrow paths or other hazards.

US figures cited in the research indicate that 75% of golf cart operators involved in accidents had received no formal training, compared with 25% who had received training.

This raises an important question for golf clubs about training, competency and their duty of care.

In the early days of golf carts on UK courses, driving tests were relatively common. Today, fewer clubs appear to require formal tests or competency checks, potentially relying on the assumption that most adult golfers already hold a motor vehicle driving licence.

That assumption does not necessarily demonstrate competence to drive a golf cart.

A golf cart behaves differently from a conventional road vehicle and can present particular risks on slopes, uneven terrain, wet surfaces and narrow paths. A golfer who has never driven a golf cart before may therefore require appropriate instruction before being permitted to use one.

For golf clubs, the question is whether they have taken reasonable steps to ensure that golfers are competent to operate the vehicles they provide.

What proportion of golf cart accident victims are children?

Children account for a significant proportion of golf cart injury victims in the United States.

A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that children accounted for approximately 31.2% of golf cart injury victims. The study covered both younger children and teenagers.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has also reported that approximately 6,500 children are injured by golf carts each year in the United States.

The position is different in the UK because there are far fewer residential communities where golf carts are routinely used on public or private roads.

The age at which children can legally or practically use golf carts also varies across the US. In states including Florida, Arkansas, Colorado and Idaho, children can use golf carts from the age of 14 in certain circumstances.

The important point for golf clubs and operators is that children may be particularly vulnerable around moving golf carts. Appropriate supervision and sensible separation between vehicles and pedestrians are therefore important safety considerations.

What proportion of golf cart accidents are caused by inattention?

Driver inattention is a significant factor in US golf cart accidents.

Figures cited by Gitnux indicate that approximately 55% of US golf cart accidents stem from driver inattention.

Inattention can include failing to observe pedestrians or other vehicles, failing to recognise changes in terrain, travelling too quickly for the conditions or becoming distracted while driving.

Golf carts may appear simple to operate, but they are still motorised vehicles. Drivers need to remain alert and maintain control at all times.

Do you need a driving licence to drive a golf cart in the UK?

There is no single answer that applies to every golf course because golf club policies and the circumstances in which a golf cart is being used can differ.

Some UK golf clubs require drivers to pass a driving or proficiency test before using a golf cart. Others impose minimum age requirements or have their own competency rules.

Where golf carts cross or travel along public highways, additional legal and insurance considerations may arise. Some clubs require drivers to hold a full driving licence in those circumstances.

Golfers should therefore check the individual club's golf cart policy before driving.

A driving licence for a conventional motor vehicle does not necessarily mean that a golfer is competent to operate a golf cart safely. Golf clubs should consider whether appropriate training, supervision and competency checks are required in the circumstances.

Reckless or careless driving can also have legal consequences. The precise legal position will depend on where and how the golf cart is being operated.

Are older people more susceptible to golf cart accidents?

US research indicates that golf cart injuries among older adults have increased significantly.

According to figures cited in the research, the overall injury rate among older adults increased by 67.6% over a ten-year period.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has separately reported thousands of emergency-department-treated golf cart injuries among adults aged 65 and over.

Older golfers may face additional risks where an accident results in a fall, collision or rollover. The consequences of a serious injury can also be more significant for an older person.

This is another reason why golf clubs should take appropriate account of the ability and competency of golfers using golf carts.

What proportion of golf cart accidents involve experienced golfers?

Being an experienced golfer does not necessarily mean that someone is an experienced golf cart driver.

According to figures attributed to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, regular golfers account for approximately 40% of golf cart accidents.

Golfing experience therefore cannot, by itself, be treated as evidence that a person is competent to operate a golf cart.

A golfer may have played for many years without ever having driven a golf cart regularly. The risks of driving on a particular course can also vary considerably depending on its terrain, weather conditions and layout.

Can poor golf cart maintenance cause an accident?

Yes. Defective or poorly maintained golf carts can create a risk of serious accidents.

Figures cited by Gitnux indicate that approximately 25% of US golf cart accidents are linked to unresolved safety defects, including faulty brakes or steering.

Tyre failure is reported to account for approximately 30% of accidents involving such defects.

Golf clubs and golf cart operators should therefore have appropriate inspection and maintenance procedures in place. Brakes, steering, tyres and other safety-critical components should be checked regularly and defective vehicles should not be used until the problem has been addressed.

Maintenance is particularly important where golf carts are used repeatedly by different drivers who may not report developing faults.

What causes most golf cart injuries?

Golf cart injuries can occur in a number of ways, including collisions, rollovers, ejection from the vehicle and falls.

US figures cited by Gitnux indicate that approximately 60% of golf cart-related deaths occur following ejection from the vehicle, while around 40% of injuries involve falling from a golf cart.

The research does not provide a breakdown of whether the person falling was seated inside the cart or was being carried elsewhere on the vehicle.

One continuing problem is passengers attempting to ride on the rear of golf carts or otherwise travelling in positions that were not designed to carry passengers.

Golf cart manufacturers have sought to reduce opportunities for unsafe passenger behaviour through vehicle design, but the problem remains.

Passengers should remain seated in designated seats and should never attempt to ride on the rear of a golf cart unless the vehicle has been specifically designed and approved for that purpose.

What are the main risk factors for golf cart accidents?

The main risk factors identified in the US research cited in this article include:

• Alcohol, which was a factor in approximately 50% of fatal golf cart accidents.

• Rear-facing seats, which have a greater risk of occupant ejection than forward-facing seats.

• The absence of seat belts, cited as a primary reason for injury in approximately 70% of cases.

• Steep slopes, which contributed to approximately 15% of golf-course-specific accidents.

• Overcrowding, which was a factor in approximately 18% of falls from carts.

• Under-inflated tyres, which increased the risk of rollover by approximately 12%.

• Lack of prior driver training.

• Wet surfaces and other adverse weather conditions.

These figures are based on US research and should not automatically be applied to UK golf courses.

The UK golf course environment is different. Golf carts, or buggies, are generally restricted to course use and are governed by individual club rules.

There are also relatively few UK courses with full-length cart paths. Many courses allow carts onto the course using partial path networks and, in some circumstances, fairway driving.

The different way in which golf carts are used in the UK is therefore important when assessing the relevance of US accident statistics.

What is the duty of care of a golf club following a golf cart accident?

A golf club has a duty to take reasonable care of people who are lawfully on its premises. The precise nature and extent of that duty will depend on the circumstances of the particular accident.

Where a golf club provides golf carts for use by golfers, issues can arise around the condition of the vehicles, the competence of drivers, the adequacy of instructions and warnings, and the management of risks presented by the course.

A golf cart accident may therefore raise questions about whether reasonable steps were taken to protect golfers and other people on the course.

The circumstances of every accident will be different. A golf club is not automatically liable simply because an accident has occurred, but the conduct of the club, its employees and the driver may all be relevant when establishing liability.

Example 1: Golf course golf cart accident in San Antonio

In one US case, a golfer was operating his golf cart on a golf course when his cart was struck by another golf cart driven by a golf course employee.

The collision caused injuries that significantly affected the golfer's daily life.

The case illustrates the importance of a golf course operator's duty of care towards its guests. Where an employee is operating a golf cart in the course of their work, the way in which the vehicle is being driven can become an important issue when determining liability.

In Texas, premises liability law can make property owners and operators responsible for injuries occurring on their property where negligence is established.

The position is not identical in the UK, but the broader principle that operators owe duties to lawful visitors is relevant when considering golf course accidents.

In the US case, the golf course employee's reckless operation of the golf cart was alleged to constitute negligence, resulting in potential liability for the employer.

Example 2: Serious golf cart accident in the UK

A serious UK golf cart accident demonstrates just how significant the consequences of an apparently minor incident can be.

A golfer was taking part in a four-ball match when one of his playing partners chose to drive a golf cart. The driver appears to have lost control and struck the golfer.

Initially, the golfer believed that he was not seriously injured. He withdrew from the match and drove home.

After arriving home, he began to feel unwell and paramedics were called.

He was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with a bleed on the brain. He suffered major cognitive and executive deficits and was left in a low state of consciousness. He was immobile, incontinent and had very limited speech and swallowing function.

The injured golfer subsequently brought a claim against the golf club, which had a block insurance policy covering golf cart drivers.

The golf cart rental company also held a separate block insurance policy with another insurer covering use of the same cart.

This created an issue between the insurers as to which policy was the principal policy that should respond to the claim.

As might be expected, the insurers initially sought to place responsibility on each other.

The position was further complicated because the golf cart driver also had a household contents policy providing public liability cover.

The parties eventually agreed to meet to discuss settlement. A settlement of damages and legal costs just short of eight figures was reached and subsequently approved by the court.

The case demonstrates how a seemingly straightforward golf cart accident can develop into a highly complex personal injury and insurance claim.

Example 3  Another UK golf cart accident

A UK politician was in a golf cart playing a round of golf. He was being driven by a Personal Protection Officer who drove too fast, lost control, missed a bridge and crashed the cart into a deep stream. There were only minor injuries to both occupants but the Officer’s firearm was lost in the stream and despite an intensive search never located.

The Officer was removed from protection duties.

Should golf cart users be insured?

Golf cart users should understand what insurance cover is available before using a golf cart.

The UK claim described above demonstrates why insurance arrangements can become important following a serious accident. 

Where a golf club, golf cart rental company and individual driver each have potentially relevant insurance policies, disputes can arise over which policy should respond.

Golfers should therefore understand the insurance arrangements applying to the golf cart they are using and comply with the golf club's rules and requirements.

Golf clubs and golf cart operators should also ensure that the scope of their insurance cover is appropriate for the way in which their vehicles are being used.

The precise insurance position will depend on the circumstances and the wording of the relevant policies.

What are the best golf cart safety tips?

Golf carts are motorised vehicles and should be treated with appropriate care. They may be an effective and convenient way of getting around a golf course, but they can also present a serious risk to drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other golfers.

The following golf cart safety measures should be considered:

• Wear a seat belt where one is fitted.

• Do not drive if you do not have the required licence or have not passed any proficiency test required by the golf club.

• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Do not overload the golf cart.

• Do not carry more passengers than the cart is designed to accommodate.

• Do not drive off-road if the golf cart is not designed for off-road use.

• Drive at a safe speed and maintain control of the vehicle.

• Take extra care in wet or poor weather conditions.

• Avoid steep slopes and areas where the terrain is unsuitable for the vehicle.

• Do not drive on surfaces that are unsuitable for the golf cart.

• Check the brakes and other safety-critical controls before starting a journey.

• Stay on designated cart paths where the golf club requires this.

• Do not drive on tees, approaches or greens where this is prohibited.

• Make sure that other golfers and pedestrians are aware of your presence.

• Follow the golf club's golf cart policy and any instructions given by course staff.

What should you do after a golf cart accident?

If you are involved in a golf cart accident, your first priority should be obtaining appropriate medical attention, particularly where there has been a collision, fall, rollover or impact to the head.

Some serious injuries may not be immediately obvious. The UK case in Example 2 above is a good example of how a golfer who initially believed he was uninjured was subsequently diagnosed with a serious brain injury.

The accident should also be reported to the golf club or course operator.

Where appropriate, details should be recorded, including the circumstances of the accident, the condition of the golf cart, the weather and course conditions, the identity of any witnesses and the details of any other people or vehicles involved.

Photographs of any accident location, vehicle and relevant hazards may also be important.

If the accident has caused a serious injury, or there is a question about who was responsible, legal advice should be obtained as soon as possible.

Conclusion: Golf cart accidents should not be taken lightly

Although many of the US statistics cannot be compared to the UK, the basic principles remain true.

Golf carts are a familiar part of modern golf over the world, but they should not be regarded as risk-free vehicles.

The US statistics demonstrate the scale of golf cart injuries and the range of factors that can contribute to accidents, including driver inattention, lack of training, excessive speed, poor maintenance, unsuitable terrain, collisions and passenger behaviour.

The UK presents a different environment because golf carts are generally used on golf courses rather than as everyday road transport. There is also a lack of comparable UK-wide research into golf cart accidents.

That does not mean that the risks can be ignored.

For golf clubs, the important issues include appropriate vehicle maintenance, sensible operating policies, driver competence, adequate insurance and the protection of golfers and other visitors.

For golfers, the message is equally straightforward: a golf cart is a motorised vehicle and should be driven with the appropriate level of care.

Drive safely!