There are lots of benefits to choosing to use a golf cart instead of walking between holes on the court. Of course, using one without irritating other golfers can be tricky. Let's take a look at some of the advantages of choosing to use a cart, and how to do it politely.

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 be able to stay out of bad weather. For instance, if it's more than about eighty degrees, you'll find yourself getting tired and overheated if you walk. Take a cart and plenty of water to prevent problems from excessive heat, and stay in the shade instead. Driving a golf cart can help you avoid summer's heat and spring and fall's rains without a lot of trouble.

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.

Talk to your partner about who will move the cart. That keeps you from leaving it behind and having to walk back for it. Remember that you should return to the cart path when approaching the green, and bring all appropriate clubs with you when walking to it. Be willing to bring your partner a club if needed. Remember to ask him or her if a rest stop is needed when facilities are nearby.

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.