Can I drive a golf cart in my Hilton Head gated community?

Although many gated communities on Hilton Head Island have their own golf courses, you might be breaking the rules if you drive your cart onto roads or pathways.

Golf cart’s aren’t allowed on any town pathway, and are only permitted on roads with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less, according to local and state law.

Here’s how each gated community regulates golf cart usage.

Hilton Head Plantation:

Golf carts are not permitted in the community, according to general manager Peter Kristian.

Low speed vehicles, however, are permitted. Low speed vehicles are capable of driving about 25 miles per hour, and are typically equipped with brake lights, turn signals and seat belts.

Indigo Run:

Golf carts are allowed on roads and leisure paths if they are equipped with lights, brake lights and turn signals, according to general manager Chip Munday.

They are not permitted on Indigo Run Drive, but a leisure path runs alongside the road, Munday said, which golf carts can use.

Golf cart drivers must be licensed or must be accompanied by a licensed driver, according to rules and regulations available online.

Long Cove Club:

Private golf carts are not permitted in the community, according to general manager Leon Crimmins.

Golf carts are provided for use on golf courses only, he said.

Palmetto Dunes:

Andrew Schumacher, CEO of the Palmetto Dunes Property Owners Association, said golf carts are “not allowed at all,” in the community.

“We clearly don’t have the infrastructure in place,” he added.

Palmetto Hall:

Golf carts are permitted on Palmetto Hall roadways as long as they have proper registration with the state of South Carolina and are operated by a licensed driver, according to association manager Courtney Struna.

Port Royal Plantation:

Operations manager Caitlin Lee said golf carts are not allowed anywhere in the plantation.

Sea Pines Plantation:

Golf carts are not permitted on any road or pathway in Sea Pines Plantation, according to Amanda Sutcliffe-Jones, director of communications for Community Services Associates, which oversees Sea Pines security and maintenance.

Sea Pines’ gate fee policy specifies no motorcycle, dune buggy, moped or electric cart may be operated “within the confines of Sea Pines,” Sutcliffe-Jones said.

Shipyard Plantation:

Golf cart use is not permitted outside of the golf courses in the community, according to general manager Sally Warren.

Wexford Plantation:

Golf carts are permitted on roadways, but not on leisure paths or walkways, according to Kelly Cody, director of communications and marketing,.

Golf carts must be registered with the plantation’s security department, Cody said. And the person operating the golf cart must be at least 16 years of age and have a valid driver’s license. All people must be seated while the cart is moving, she added.

Cody said golf cart must have working headlights and taillights to be operated in the community while it’s dark.

This story was originally published November 6, 2017 at 3:30 PM with the headline "Can I drive a golf cart in my Hilton Head gated community?."