Kau Sai Chau's New License Requirement Makes International News

The new golf cart driving license requirement that came into effect at The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course at the beginning of the month has piqued the interest of at least two international media organisations, with the Wall Street Journal and Golf.com both running stories on the issue.

Be prepared to walk!

The requirement, which affects the South and East Courses, states: "In accordance with Road Traffic (Village Vehicle) Regulations, all golfers driving golf carts must hold a valid driving license with effect from 1 October."

Hong Kong Identity Card holders who wish to drive a golf cart - which are mandatory on the East Course; golfers have the option of walking the South Course - must possess a full Hong Kong driving license. Only visitors to Hong Kong may drive a cart with a valid international or domestic driving license. All drivers must be over the age of 18.

Simply put, if you're a Hong Kong resident with a driver's license issued outside of the SAR, and you want to drive a cart at Kau Sai Chau, a trip to the Transport Department to apply for a local license is in order.

Under the headline "Why Are Hong Kong Golfers Teed Off?", the Wall Street Journal quotes a Transport Department spokeswoman as stating: "We see it appropriate to draw the attention of local golf club operators to the licensing and related requirements regarding the operation of vehicles, including golf carts."

The Wall Street Journal story, which was written by Hong Kong-based Deb Price, explains in an earlier paragraph the reason behind the new regulation: "The golf-cart crackdown is aimed at satisfying the Hong Kong Transport Department, which last year asked all golf courses in the Chinese territory to apply for permits for golf carts and ensure drivers have licenses. That step followed a 2013 ruling by the top appellate court involving a Kau Sai Chau golf course worker who died after a light utility vehicle turned over."

Gary Player, who designed the North and South courses on the island, suggested a cart-operation test in an email to the Wall Street Journal, writing, “There are many accidents worldwide on golf carts and many players have no experience at all.” He called the current mandate "unusual."

East course designer Brett Mogg of golf course architecture firm Nelson & Haworth referred to the measure as “extreme” because of the low number of Hong Kong residents with driver’s licenses. "A better solution in our opinion would be for the club or all Hong Kong golf clubs to band together and issue cart-driving licenses after some basic training in the use of carts,” he said by email.

Full details of the Kau Sai Chau's golf cart guidelines can be found at www.kscgolf.org.hk

If you'd like to have your say on the issue, write to us at letters@hkgolfer.com. The letter of the month wins a bottle of Champagne Deutz courtesy of Montrose Fines Wines.