To be perfectly honest, the overwhelming amount of “unwritten rules” at a real golf course is the main reason my 12-year-old daughter and I still do most of our practicing at Topgolf! It is terrifying to think you might break a rule and have a course marshal yell at you.

One of the biggest sources of anxiety for beginners is the golf cart. Where are you allowed to drive it? How close can you get to the hole?

If you are finally ready to graduate from Topgolf to a real course, here is the absolute beginner’s survival guide to golf carts, answering the exact questions you are too afraid to ask.

Who is allowed to drive the golf cart?

You must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to drive a golf cart at a public course. If I am playing a round with my 12-year-old daughter, I am the only one allowed to drive. Even if you are driving on an empty fairway with nobody around, course marshals are very strict about this rule due to liability insurance.

What does the “90-Degree Rule” mean?

The 90-Degree Rule means you must drive your cart on the paved path until you are directly next to your golf ball, and then turn exactly 90 degrees onto the grass to drive to your ball.

Courses use this rule to protect the grass from tire damage. Instead of driving your cart all the way up the middle of the fairway (which crushes the grass), you stay on the concrete path as long as possible. Once you hit your shot, you drive straight back to the path at a 90-degree angle.

Can I drive my cart near the putting green?

No, you must park your cart at least 30 feet away from the putting green at all times. The grass around the hole is incredibly fragile and expensive to maintain. Golf cart tires will ruin it instantly.

As a general rule, look for signs that say “Carts Return to Path.” If you see a white line painted on the grass in front of the green, do not drive past it. Simply park on the concrete path next to the green and walk the rest of the way with your putter.

What does “Cart Path Only” mean?

“Cart Path Only” means all four tires of your golf cart must stay on the paved concrete path for the entire round. You are not allowed to drive on the grass at all.

Courses enact this rule after a heavy rainstorm. If the grass is wet, the heavy golf carts will sink into the mud and create deep tire tracks. On these days, you simply park your cart on the path parallel to your ball, grab a few clubs, and walk out into the grass to hit your shot.

Where do I park the cart when I am done?

When you finish your 18th hole, you drive the cart back to the clubhouse and park in the designated “Cart Return” area. Take all of your trash, your scorecards, and your golf bags out of the cart. You simply leave the key in the ignition—the course staff will take it from there to clean and charge it!

Don’t let the fear of breaking a rule keep you stuck at the driving range forever. As long as you keep the cart away from the putting greens and stay on the path when it’s wet, you will be perfectly fine!