When CGB got an invite from The Country Club of Colorado to try GolfBoards, we could barely contain our excitement. We had all seen the promo videos, but we we also heard some horror stories, so we weren’t really sure what to expect. In the pro shop we learned there was a training video and liability waiver we’d have to sign prior to taking them out on the course, but that wasn’t about to stop us from the prospect of shredding down the manicured fairways of C.C.C. on these things. (We ended up skipping the video, by the way — safety first!)
The GolfBoard setup is brilliantly simple: a wide board platform — a little bigger than your average mountain board — mounted on two axels and four sturdy tires. A large handle bar is fixed to the front of the board with forward/reverse and speed controls (high or low), a very basic cupholder, and bag straps on the front for weight distribution, but the handlebar is not used for steering. The steering mechanism is controlled by moving the board platform itself, much like snowboarding’s toe and heel turns. The sturdy build gives you confidence in the machine’s durability, and the wheels and tires prove capable of handling most any course landscape like your standard golf cart.
When we first laid eyes on the GolfBoard in person, though, there was definite hesitation. I’m not sure why I thought differently, but the boards are a lot bigger than what I expected, and seeing the attendant trying to maneuver the thing out of the cart barn hinted that this wasn’t going to be a get-on-and-go kind of situation.
After some peer pressure and not wanting to disappoint our hosts, the first ride was a quick circle in front of the pro shop. But it wasn’t quick if you include all the stop and gos, awkward bailouts and near crashes.
These things are heavy. At 165 pounds, I’d venture to say I’m pretty close to the same weight of a GolfBoard itself, or less, and even as a veteran snowboarder I had a lot of trouble maneuvering it at low speeds, especially on pavement. Turning radius wasn’t on my mind at all until I was actually standing on the board, and it takes some getting used to the fact that they basically have none — seriously, You’ll make sharper turns in a club cart. I also struggled to keep myself from trying to rely on the handle to steer like a scooter.
Truth be told, the majority of our foursome grew skeptical of the boards after our short jaunt in front of the pro shop, so our videographer, Dave, was assigned to take the only one we had off the first tee. A couple holes in, though, it was clear our test rides were far from the actual GolfBoard experience. Watching Dave tear down the no.1 and 2 fairways quickly had us all itching for a turn.
These things haul down the fairways and rough on the high speed setting — and it’s incredible how much easier it is to maneuver them on turf. The smooth ride is ridiculously fun, and makes it hard to focus on your shot planning when all you can think about is getting back on the board and pulling the throttle back. The good times only slow down again moving between greens and tee boxes — basically anytime you’re on pavement or making turns of any kind.
It’s is easy to feel like you’re losing control of the board and not know how to react when things get dicey at-speed. From my personal experience I can tell you: Just bail off the board, safely, and let the automatic brake stop the it before something catastrophic happens to one or both of you.
By the time each of us had a turn on the board we were hooked. After a round of 18 C.C.C. was gracious enough to offer our group another 9, with 3 more GolfBoards, and we couldn’t say no.
With each of us equipped with a board one thing became abundantly clear: enjoying this kind of thrill while playing the game we love is one thing, but GolfBoards enable an incredible pace of play when playing ready golf. After our foursome’s first 18 with one board and two carts — coming in at just over 3.5ish hours — we made quick work of the pristine back 9 with the 4 boards, in just under an hour and a half (including plenty of time “testing” the product.)
GolfBoards are available in several makes and models for retail — with accessories available — but with a high price point you’re better off getting your kicks at a “showcase” course. GolfBoard makes it easy with a nationwide GolfBoard course finder.
In all, the GolfBoard delivers an exciting, one-of-a-kind experience to add to what we love about the sport of golf. It’s an icing on the cake product with the added benefit of faster pace of play and a roaring good time. It’s damn near impossible not to have fun when you’re cruising fairways on one of these, and fun is what this game is all about.