Jackson Reid
Golf is a popular sport in Florida, with the state being home to many top-ranked golf courses and resorts. During the coronavirus pandemic, Florida was one of 36 states that allowed golf to be played, provided that social distancing measures were in place. Golf carts are also prevalent in Florida, with the state having relatively relaxed laws regarding their use. While golf carts cannot be driven on roads with speed limits exceeding 35 mph, they can be operated on roads, highways, and even sidewalks, provided that certain conditions are met.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is golf allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic? | Yes, under social distancing guidelines |
| Is golf allowed under "stay-at-home" orders? | Yes |
| Are dogs allowed on golf courses? | Only service dogs |
| Are golf carts allowed on roads? | Yes, but only to cross over to a golf course or trailer park |
| Are golf carts allowed on highways? | Yes, if the highway divides a golf course or trailer park |
| Are golf carts allowed on sidewalks? | Yes, if the sidewalk has at least 5 feet of clearance |
| Are golf carts allowed on streets? | Yes, if the speed limit is no greater than 35 mph |
| Are there any equipment requirements for golf carts? | Working lights, headlamps, tail lights, turn signals, rearview mirrors, reflex reflectors, windshields, seat belts, and parking brakes |
| Are there any speed restrictions for golf carts? | Yes, golf carts must not exceed 30 mph |
| Are there any age restrictions for driving golf carts? | Yes, individuals under 18 must have a learner's permit or license |
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What You'll Learn
Golf during the COVID-19 pandemic
Golf, like many other sports, was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the United States, about half of the nation's golf courses were shut down by state or local leaders. This included South Florida, where courses were closed for over six weeks. However, the nature of the game, played outdoors in large spaces, meant that golf was one of the few sports that could be played while social distancing.
The pandemic had a varied impact on the golf industry. While some golf courses were struggling with falling revenue before the pandemic, the sport's popularity increased during the pandemic. Golfers who hadn't played in years returned to the game, and people who had never played golf took it up. The Jupiter-based National Golf Foundation reported that rounds played in the U.S. in August increased by 20.6% over 2019, a 20-year high. This increase in golf's popularity also benefited equipment sales, with Golf Datatech reporting a 32% increase in retail sales in August year-on-year. The sport's popularity was also boosted by people relocating to Florida from the Northeast and California, seeking warmer weather and outdoor activities during the pandemic.
Despite the sport's overall popularity, some golfers struggled with closed courses and took to playing on courses that had been shut down. This phenomenon, dubbed "guerrilla golfers", saw golfers playing on courses in Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and other locations across the country.
To adapt to the pandemic, golf courses implemented new safety measures. These included suspending the use of water coolers, regularly wiping down tables and golf cart steering wheels, and allowing only one person per cart. Golfers were advised to follow health practices such as avoiding handshakes and high fives, bringing hand sanitizer, and wiping down commonly touched areas.
The pandemic also impacted disc golf, with many events postponed or cancelled. However, disc golf gained popularity as a form of outdoor recreation compatible with social distancing, and several baseball parks in the U.S. set up makeshift disc golf courses during the pandemic.
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Golf carts on roads
Golf carts are a common sight in Florida, both on and off the golf course. While they were once confined to the fairways, it has become increasingly common to see them on the roads.
Street-legal golf carts
In Florida, golf carts are considered low-speed vehicles (LSVs). LSVs are defined as any vehicle with four wheels that can travel at speeds just over 20 miles per hour, but do not exceed 25 miles per hour.
Golf carts can be operated on roads specifically created to accommodate them, with low speed limits of no greater than 30 miles per hour. They are only permitted on roads to cross when those roads intersect with a golf course or trailer park. There must be clear signs posted along the road, stating that golf carts share the roadway with other vehicles.
Golf carts are not considered street-legal vehicles on roads with a posted speed limit over 35 mph and must be operated by licensed drivers with valid insurance.
Requirements for operating a street-legal golf cart
Golf carts that are to be used on the road must meet certain equipment requirements:
- Stop lamps
- Turn signal lamps
- Headlamps
- Tail lamps
- Parking brakes
- Rearview mirrors
- Reflex reflectors
- Windshields
- Seat belts
- VINs
Registration and insurance
Golf carts that ride on public streets and are capable of traveling more than 20 mph and carry registration are considered LSVs, which means you must have insurance on them. However, even if your golf cart doesn’t fall under that category, it’s still wise to be insured to protect yourself.
In Florida, if you plan on operating a golf cart on any public road, you must register it with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. All valid registrations must include a vehicle identification number (VIN), and the cart must always display an up-to-date registration decal.
Age requirements
In Florida, anyone between 15 and 18 years old must have either a valid learner’s permit or a license to legally operate a golf cart on roadways, highways, and other streets. Beginning October 1, 2023, a person operating a golf cart on public roads or streets who is under 18 years of age must possess a valid learner’s driver license or a valid driver license.
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Golf carts on highways
Golf carts are generally allowed to cross highways in Florida, but only under specific conditions. Golf carts can traverse highways that bisect golf courses, trailer parks, or similar locales, provided the crossing is marked and deemed safe. They can be operated to cross any highway that intersects a road or street in areas where a golf course resides on both sides or where a trailer park is situated while divided by a street or highway.
Golf carts must adhere to specific speed limits. In Florida, golf carts must not be operated at speeds higher than 20 mph on roadways, even if signs state a higher speed limit. Some sources state that golf carts can be driven at 30 mph on roads designated for their use. However, golf carts cannot be operated on highways with speed limits greater than 30 mph.
Golf carts must meet specific criteria to be considered street-legal in Florida. They must have efficient brakes, a steering wheel, tires, a windshield, reflective warning devices, headlights, taillights, and turn signals. They must also be clearly visible and in good operating condition. Golf carts are not permitted to be driven on sidewalks unless the sidewalk is specifically designated as a golf cart path.
In terms of licensing, a driver's license is generally not required to operate a golf cart on the roads in Florida. However, certain situations require a license. Anyone between 15 and 18 years old must have a valid learner's permit or license to operate a golf cart on roadways, highways, and other streets. Drivers 18 and older must have a valid government-issued photo ID.
Golf carts do not require a title or registration for operation in Florida, but they must adhere to road rules.
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Golf carts and driver's licenses
Golf carts are becoming an increasingly popular mode of transportation in Florida. However, there are specific rules and regulations governing their use.
Firstly, the need for a driver's license to operate a golf cart is determined by how and where the golf cart is used. Standard golf carts used within the confines of golf courses or designated communities do not require the operator to hold a driver's license. In such cases, vehicles are typically restricted to speeds of less than 20 miles per hour and are intended for short distances within specific boundaries.
However, when a golf cart is modified to meet street-legal requirements as a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV), it is considered a motor vehicle and is subject to different regulations. To be street legal, a golf cart must have several features, including headlights, taillights, turn signals, a horn, mirrors, a windshield, seat belts, and sometimes an LSV sign. These modifications enhance safety on public roads. As of July 2023, anyone driving an LSV golf cart on public roads in Florida must hold a valid driver's license or learner's permit. Operators aged 18 and older must have a government-issued ID if driving in designated communities.
It is important to note that LSV golf carts are only permitted to travel on public roads with posted speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less. They are also required to be titled, registered with the DMV, and insured like regular motor vehicles. Additionally, traffic laws still apply when operating a golf cart on Florida roads, and violations such as driving under the influence or failure to yield can result in citations.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, golf was specifically allowed as an 'essential recreational activity' in Florida, with golf courses implementing social distancing measures such as allowing only one person per electric or gas-powered cart.
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Golf courses in Florida
Golf is a popular sport in Florida, and there are more than 1,250 golf courses in the state, more than any other state. Florida is often referred to as "The Sunshine State", and it is the state most commonly visited by foreign golfers seeking tropical conditions and lush fairways.
Some of the most notable golf courses in Florida include the Streamsong Golf Resort, which is home to three top-ranked courses, including Streamsong Blue, Streamsong Red, and Streamsong Black. The resort is located in Central Florida and is known for its natural beauty and harmony with its surroundings.
Another well-known golf course is the Seminole Golf Club, situated on the Atlantic side of Florida's coastline. It is considered one of the finest examples of golf course routing by critics. The Stadium course at the Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass is also famous and features a signature hole that is a favourite among golfers.
Florida also has a variety of landscapes that provide unique golfing experiences. The Panhandle region offers rolling wooded hills, while Northwest Florida is flat and dense with pineland. South Florida features flat, reclaimed swampland with old courses like La Gorce and Indian Creek, built on artificial islands in the 1920s.
During the coronavirus pandemic, golf courses in Florida were allowed to remain open under state and local executive "stay-at-home" orders, as long as golfers followed social distancing guidelines.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, golf is allowed in Florida, as long as proper social distancing is maintained. However, some counties in Florida have specified that golf courses in their county are closed, and these county orders must be followed.
Golf courses in Florida have implemented various safety measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. These include suspending the use of water coolers, regularly wiping down tables and golf cart steering wheels, and allowing only one person per cart. Golfers are encouraged to avoid handshakes and high fives, use elbow/foot bumps or club taps instead, bring hand sanitizer, and wipe down commonly touched areas.
Yes, some counties in Florida have specified that their golf courses are closed due to COVID-19. It is important to check the local county orders and guidelines before visiting a golf course in Florida.
