Business

New Golf Bike allows pedaling for par at Hilton Head course

By CAROLYN RENNIX - crennix@islandpacket.com
Golfer Alice Scott, of Gilbert, Ariz., pedals a Golf Bike along the 18th fairway of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course in Palmetto Dunes on Friday. After playing three rounds with the bike in three days, she said she loves it. "It's a breeze," she said, "literally you get a breeze in your face as you're pedaling. It's a real fit way to play."
Golfer Alice Scott, of Gilbert, Ariz., pedals a Golf Bike along the 18th fairway of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course in Palmetto Dunes on Friday. After playing three rounds with the bike in three days, she said she loves it. "It's a breeze," she said, "literally you get a breeze in your face as you're pedaling. It's a real fit way to play." Jay Karr

Interested in pedaling a round of golf?

A Hilton Head Island golf club now offers the Golf Bike for players.

Instead of a golf cart or lugging a bag on your shoulder, you can load your clubs on the back of a special bike and ride the course.

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resorts' golf courses are offering the new fit way to play. The courses were also the first in the area to offer Segways, in lieu of golf carts, in 2008.

Director of golf Clark Sinclair said Palmetto Dunes decided to add the bikes after testing them at a Professional Golf Association conference in Orlando, Fla., in January.

"We are always looking for something new and different to bring to our courses," Sinclair said. "Even though bikes aren't very innovative, it is definitely new to the golf community."

The bike provides players with convenient elements, including a small diameter wheel, extra wide tires, a space for a small cooler and an organized rack bag that holds up to 14 clubs.

The Palmetto Dunes golf club has nine bikes available that can be used at its three courses: Robert Trent Jones, George Fazio and Arthur Hills.

General manager of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course Terry Davis said the Golf Bike should be more successful than the Segway.

"This is different than riding a Segway because more people are comfortable on a bike," Davis said. "We have all been riding bikes since we were little kids, so this should attract a lot of people."

Davis said the bike is also increasing the pace of play, which should please golfers.

"You can take the bike right up to the green and right to your ball," Davis said.

And the Golf Bike will allow golfers to get a workout in between putts.

"People are really big on exercising these days, and this is a great way for our players to fit exercise in their day," Davis said.

After using the bike on all three golf courses, Gilbert, Ariz., resident Alice Scott said Friday that riding the bike was a breeze -- literally.

"It's an easy way to get fit while you play," Scott said. "You even get a breeze on your face as you are pedaling."

This story was originally published May 29, 2015 at 7:04 PM with the headline "New Golf Bike allows pedaling for par at Hilton Head course ."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER