Golfs Latest Craze: GolfBoards Have Arrived!

YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION? SURF THE EARTH IN 2016 AT TRUE BLUE WITH A GOLFBOARD

The brainchild of surfing legend Laird Hamilton, GolfBoards have appeared at some of the nation’s most heralded layouts over the last 12 months, including our very True Blue Golf Club, the only Myrtle Beach golf course to have them.

We will go into greater detail about GolfBoards, but let’s start at the top ““ they are awesome.

If I could play every round of golf with one, I would.

They improve pace of play because everyone heads directly to their ball and those carts on path signs mean nothing to you.

The first question everyone asks is, “Are they easy to drive since I never rode a skateboard or surfed?” If you are coordinated enough to play golf, you are more than capable of operating a GolfBoard. Hamilton’s involvement attracted a lot of attention, but it may have led some people to believe you need to be ready to medal in the X Games to operate one of the boards.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

A GolfBoard looks like an oversized skateboard with a handle, but anyone ““ man, woman, young or old ““ can easily steer one. Shifting your weight and the handle will allow the board to navigate any terrain. To alleviate one misconception, the board won’t turn over. You will fall off before it flips.

So what’s it like to use one?

The bag is strapped to the front of the board (yes, you have a drink holder for those so inclined) and you’re off. Mentally, there are similarities to walking because, while there is still plenty of time for socializing, it’s a more singular journey than taking cart. By the way, that can be helpful for your game, because enjoying the ride on a GolfBoard can prevent you from stewing over a poor shot.

As I mentioned earlier, “driving” the board is much easier than some think. After a couple holes, you won’t give it much thought, as it’s just you, the board and the course.

The boards can go anywhere a regular golf cart does, including through the woods or up the steepest of inclines.

Let me correct that, GolfBoards can actually go more places on a course.

The boards are 30 percent lighter than a cart, allowing players to drive them around greens and virtually eliminating the dreaded words “Cart Path Only” from your lexicon.

There is only one problem with the GolfBoards along the Grand Strand ““ there aren’t enough of them!!

It’s an extra $30 to use a GolfBoard, but it’s money I’d gladly pay for the experience at True Blue, one of America’s Top 50 Public Courses. 

Next time you are True Blue, you need to “Surf the Earth.”