The Question: How do you feel about the use of motorized carts on golf courses?
COL. L. FILBERT CRANFORD, USAF Washington, D.C.
"I am for any machine that makes work easy. As an example, I used to cut the fields on my farm with a scythe. Now, with a power mower, I do as much work in a day as I used to do in a month. And I am still fresh enough to take my wife to the Army and Navy Club for a dinner dance."
TIM HOLLAND, New York
President Cavalcade of Golf
"It's the greatest golf invention ever. But there are different breeds of golfers. Those who play for exercise will jeer. Others, who play for companionship, won't like them. They'd rather walk down the fairways and chew the fat. Wives will swear by them. They can chauffeur their husbands."
MIKE SOUCHAK, Durham, N.C.
PGA record holder for 72 and nine holes
"It takes the athletics out of golf. But they are very good for women and for the older weekend golfers. They will bring a lot of members back to golf clubs who can't do the walking that they used to do. All golf clubs will benefit and the pros can make a better living."
DOUG FORD, Kiamesha Lake, N.Y.
PGA champion
"They're wonderful. I'd use one in tournament play if permitted. I've used them at Palm Springs. They speed up the game and enable one to play 36 holes with little effort. But architects will have to make changes in golf courses. I hear they've built asphalt runways at a Tulsa course."
C. C. VICKREY, Sleepy Hollow Country Club, N.Y.
Insurance underwriter
"Along with the first-tee alibi, taxes and sex, they're here to stay. Like the bicycle built for two, you can take-your wife—or is that good? They'll add 10 years' golf to seniors like me. Tooling up those cardiac hills will help you win your bets on the last crucial holes."
SAM SNEAD, White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
Golf pro Greenbrier Country Club
"We have these carts at our golf club, but I'm not crazy about them. However, I read that the owners of-horses and buggies resented the horseless carriage when it first hit the country lanes. I'm no mossback. I know that these carts are here to stay. But can you imagine me using one?"
NAT GUTMACHER, Scotch Plains, N.Y.
Managing director Shackamaxon Club
"They serve a wonderful purpose for a lot of our members. But they can damage a course. If handled properly, with discretion, they will do more good than harm. People who love golf and could play only nine holes are now able to play 18 or 27 without as much trouble or physical effort."
RAY O'BRIEN, New Rochelle, N.Y.
PGA tournament supervisor
"We have a PGA rule that prohibits them in tournaments. It's a good thing, too. Can you imagine 150 of these carts on the course at the same time? But other than tournaments, I'd like to see a million around. They'd be a great convenience to men like me with bulging waistlines."
DICK COWELL, New York
Financier
"The main object of golf is walking, exercise and enjoying the beautiful scenery of the golf course. Sure, I like to shoot par, collect my bets on the 19th hole and treat the boys. I probably could, too, if I saved my energy in one of these carts, but what would I do for exercise?"
BILL DOLAN, New York
Co-owner, Wilbert Products Corp.
"I'd love riding them. It would save my climbing those hills. I don't object to the exercise, but I don't like hill climbing. That's why I gave up mountain climbing when I was younger. I'm not a cardiac, but around 50, a man shouldn't climb hills if he wants to linger around a while."
BOB INMAN, Tulsa, Okla.
Pro, Detroit Golf Club
"I'm the assistant pro at the Detroit Golf Club. We have approximately 1,000 members. We have 10 of these electric carts and we are debating whether they are good or bad for golf. My personal opinion is that they are here to stay. Whether we like it or not, we've got to live with them."
ILLUSTRATION
ELEVEN PHOTOS
NEXT WEEK:
Are the days of the horse numbered? (Asked at the National Horse Show)