Miles Bennett
Golf is a popular sport in Pennsylvania, with many golf courses across the state. However, there are strict limits on golf carts, which are not typically street legal. Golf carts are generally prohibited on public roads in Pennsylvania and cannot be registered as motor vehicles. However, there are some exceptions and specific communities where golf carts are allowed or even encouraged for everyday transportation. So, while golf is certainly allowed in Pennsylvania, there are restrictions on how you can get around a golf course.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Golf in PA | Allowed |
| Golf carts on Pennsylvania highways | Not allowed |
| Golf carts in neighborhoods | Allowed if local ordinances permit it or if it's private property with the owner's consent |
| Driving a golf cart in Pennsylvania: age limit | 12 years and above |
| Golf courses in Pennsylvania | Clayton Park Golf Course, Club at the Highlands, Conocodell Golf Club, Downingtown Country Club, Lehman Golf Club, Linfield National Golf Club, Manor Golf Club, Eagles Crossing Golf Club, Five Ponds Golf Club, Four Seasons Golf Club, Foxchase Golf Club, Frosty Valley, and many more |
| Golf tournaments in Pennsylvania | 2025 US Open Championship |
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What You'll Learn
Golf carts are not permitted on highways
Golf carts are a convenient mode of transportation, especially for golfers. However, in Pennsylvania, there are specific rules and regulations regarding their use. While golf carts can be used in certain places, they are not permitted on highways.
The Quarryville Borough Police Department has stated that Pennsylvania does not allow golf carts to be titled or registered for use on Commonwealth highways. This means that golf carts cannot be legally driven on highways in Pennsylvania. The department defines a golf cart as a "self-propelled motor vehicle designed and manufactured for the transportation of persons or equipment for sporting, maintenance, or recreational purposes, not capable of exceeding 20 miles per hour."
Golf carts differ from neighborhood electric vehicles (LSVs) in that LSVs are considered four-wheeled electric vehicles with a maximum speed of 20-25 miles per hour and must comply with federal safety standards. LSVs can be titled and registered in Pennsylvania but must follow the same laws as passenger cars. On the other hand, golf carts cannot be registered or insured for highway use in Pennsylvania, and using them improperly can result in fines and violations.
While Pennsylvania law allows golf carts on certain public roads, their use is restricted to a distance of one mile and only during daylight hours. Additionally, drivers must be at least 12 years old, and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult when crossing a highway. These regulations emphasize the state's focus on uniformity in golf cart usage across Pennsylvania.
It is important for golf cart operators to be aware of these regulations and adhere to them to avoid any legal consequences. While golf carts provide convenience and ease of transportation, their use is limited to specific areas and conditions, excluding highways, to ensure safety and compliance with state laws.
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Golf carts are allowed in neighbourhoods with permission
In Pennsylvania, golf carts are generally not insured for public road use and cannot be registered or titled for highway use. However, they can be used in neighbourhoods with permission or if the area is private property with the owner's consent. Local ordinances may specifically allow their use in certain neighbourhoods.
Pennsylvania law restricts golf carts to certain public roads for no more than one mile and only during the day. Golf carts are defined as "self-propelled motor vehicles designed and manufactured for the transportation of persons or equipment for sporting, maintenance, or recreational purposes, not capable of exceeding 20 miles per hour."
Golf cart users must be at least 12 years old, and drivers under 16 cannot cross highways without adult supervision. Driving a golf cart on a public road can result in fines.
During the pandemic, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced the reopening of golf courses, private campgrounds, marinas, and guided fishing trips starting May 1, 2020, as a way to help residents de-stress and exercise while adhering to safety guidelines.
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Golf courses were reopened in May 2020
Golf courses were reopened in many places in May 2020, after the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic caused the closure of many golf courses and the suspension of tournaments and leagues.
In the US, the state of Texas reopened its city-owned disc golf courses on June 1, 2020, after Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order No. GA-23. The state of Vermont also reopened its disc golf courses on May 22, 2020, with restrictions in place, including limiting guests to groups of four people or fewer. In Washington state, several golf courses, including Blue Boy, Kenwanda, Cedarcrest, and the Everett Golf & Country Club, reopened on May 5, 2020, with some restrictions, such as limiting games to twosomes or foursomes.
In the UK, golf courses in England and Wales reopened in May 2020. Golf clubs in Wales were allowed to reopen starting May 18, 2020, with guidance suggesting that golfers had to be 'local' to the course they were playing at. Several golf clubs in Wales reopened before the May 18 date, with restrictions in place, such as limiting golfers to a maximum of two people from the same household. In England, golf courses also reopened around the same time, with similar restrictions in place.
While golf courses were reopened in many places in May 2020, it is important to note that local regulations and restrictions may have varied, and some areas may have chosen to keep golf courses closed or implement phased reopenings with specific guidelines.
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Oakmont Country Club bans former US Open champion
Golf is a popular sport in Pennsylvania, with several golf clubs and courses located across the state. However, one former US Open champion has recently found himself on the wrong side of a golf club's rules. Wyndham Clark, the 2023 US Open champion, has been banned from the prestigious Oakmont Country Club in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, following an incident of vandalism on the club's property.
The ban was imposed after Clark was found to have damaged a century-old locker at the club during this year's US Open tournament. Photographs emerged showing the extent of the damage inflicted on the locker, sparking outrage among golf fans and club members alike. In the wake of the incident, Oakmont Country Club released a statement outlining Clark's punishment and the conditions for his reinstatement.
In a letter to its members, the club's president, John Lynch, wrote: "Following multiple discussions with the USGA and the OCC board, a decision has been made that Mr. Clark will no longer be permitted on OCC property." The letter also outlined specific conditions for Clark's reinstatement, including "full repayment for damages, a meaningful contribution to a charity of the board's choosing, and the successful completion of counselling and/or anger management sessions."
The ban is a significant blow to Clark, as Oakmont is set to host the US Open again in 2033, and his exemption for winning the tournament in 2023 would have allowed him to compete. Additionally, this incident is not the first time Clark has been involved in a temper-related incident. At the US PGA Championship in May, he threw his driver at a sign during a fit of rage.
While Clark has offered to pay for the repairs to the locker and expressed regret for his actions, the damage to his reputation and relationships within the golf community may take longer to repair. The incident has sparked discussions about the importance of anger management in high-pressure sports and the potential impact on athletes' careers.
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Youth on Course Club Directory offers golf for under 12s
Golf carts are a common vehicle used to reach certain places in Pennsylvania. However, there is misleading information about where, when, and by whom they may be driven. Golf carts cannot be registered or titled for use on Pennsylvania highways. You must be at least 12 years old to drive a golf cart on a public road in Pennsylvania, and at least 16 to cross a highway unaccompanied. Local ordinances or private property ownership may permit golf cart use in some neighbourhoods.
The Youth on Course Club Directory offers young people access to life-changing opportunities through golf. Members can play rounds of golf for $5 or less at thousands of golf courses in the United States, Canada, and Australia. In Pennsylvania, the Golf Association of Philadelphia offers Youth on Course rates at several golf clubs, including:
- Clayton Park Golf Course in Glen Mills, PA.
- The Club at the Highlands in Archbald, PA.
- Conocodell Golf Club in Fayetteville, PA.
- Downingtown Country Club in Downingtown, PA.
- Lehman Golf Club in Fayetteville, PA.
- Linfield National Golf Club in Linfield, PA.
- Manor Golf Club in Sinking Spring, PA.
Youth on Course members under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a paying adult at most of these clubs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, golf is allowed in Pennsylvania. There are many golf clubs and courses in the state, including in Philadelphia, Glen Mills, Archbald, Downingtown, Carlisle, and more. In 2020, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced the reopening of golf courses, private campgrounds, marinas, and guided fishing trips from May 1.
Golf carts are generally not permitted on Pennsylvania roads. The state has stricter limitations on golf cart street legality compared to other states. Golf carts cannot be registered or titled for highway use and are not insured for public road use. However, golf carts can be used in neighborhoods if local ordinances specifically allow it or if the area is private property with the owner's consent.
Yes, you must be at least 12 years old to drive a golf cart on a public road in Pennsylvania, and at least 16 years old to cross a highway unaccompanied.
