A Calgary golf course is the first in Canada to have golf bikes as an alternative to carts or walking.
Normally, someone on a bicyle would be chased off a golf course, but not at the Glencoe Golf and Country Club. The club has introduced a pair of golf bikes to see what members think.
“We strive to always be looking for new ideas and new fun products, be it a cart like this or any product we carry in the shop, so to be known as the first club that has these out and running is exciting,” said Steven Thomson, Glencoe Golf and Country Club.
The concept is simple… a bike with large saddlebags that can hold a full set of 14 golf clubs. And no worries about tearing up the turf, these bikes are equipped with extra fat tires. So far, the reception has been positive.
“I actually really like it, I have a sore ankle right now and I just find it so much easier than walking,” said golfer Al Chapman, who’s tried out the bikes a few times. “I’m not a fan of cart golf, I can’t warm up enough, so I really like doing this.”
The bikes offer a nice midway point between walking and carting for those who want it.
“One of the big reasons is the exercise part, the other reason is just to make it more fun, so it’s kind of a test project for a year, see how the reaction is, and you might see more of them in the future.”
The test period will also help the club make any improvements to the golf bike program, and some users already have ideas.
“I would put a basket on the front, I don’t like the fact that when I take off my gloves off, there’s no place to put them. I would actually put another water bottle cage on them, this one is being used for sand and I’d rather use it for water,” said Chapman.
There are only two of the bikes right now, but if they are a hit, there could be a lot more in the future.
