Do I Need a Golf Cart to Shoot Sporting Clays?

    I grew up on a farm, played football, coached football, and mow my own yard.  One of the excuses I use to shoot regularily is the need for a hobby that provides some exercise for my 60 plus year old body.  I do admit, however, that I ride a golf cart with friends to travel from station to station as we shoot.  I have been searching my mind for reasons (excuses) to purchase my own golf cart. 
    I will discuss the cons first.    

• I need the exercise of walking between stations.
• Cost: Initially purchasing the cart and insurance.  Replacing tires, buying gasoline or batteries, gun racks, paying for repairs, and a purchasing a trailer to haul the cart.
• A storage place at home to keep the cart.  Most neighborhoods don't want to see a cart parked in the yard.
• Safety: hauling the cart or wrecking it due to poor driving.
• My wife. This a very important reason.  Ha!

    Now, the pros for purchasing a golf cart.

• Health.  Many of the people I shoot with are reaching an advanced age and can't walk from station to station.  If not for the golf carts, they would not be able to keep shooting sporting clays.
• Competitiveness.  Riding in the cart slows fatigue from walking and carrying, allowing for better concentration.
• Utility:  The cart can carry all the equipment needed to shoot 50 to 100 shot shells per round on the course, plus a heavy shotgun and shooting bag.  If someone has forgotten something or they need a prune juice break, the cart becomes very valuable.  The cart can carry rain gear, water, insect repellent, hand warmers, first aid kits, extra guns in case of malfunction, choke tubes, sun screen lotion, and of course, your hunting dog.
• Speed.  Unless your shooting pals discuss every shot or get sidetracked talking about hunting adventures, the course can be completed faster saving valuable time for yard mowing, sports viewing, or completing the wife's "honey do" list.

    As you can see, I have probably talked myself into purchasing a golf cart.  So, now begins research into getting a good cart at a reasonable price.  My next blog will deal with the results of this adventure.
    Do you have any hints for me?  Should I keep depending on my friends for a ride?

The West was not won with a registered gun."
- unknown