The Pinehurst Village Council discussed changes to its golf cart ordinance at a recent meeting on Oct. 27. During the discussions, council members generally favored improving safety without adding restrictions for golf cart owners.
The topic was initially brought forth for consideration after a fatal golf cart crash in September.
The village’s existing golf cart ordinance is about 18 years old. During that time, the number of golf cart permits issued by Pinehurst has increased, though council members noted that the permit totals do not necessarily reflect the number of carts currently operating on local roads.
Highway 5 Crossing
One of the main proposals involved allowing golf carts to cross Highway 5 at Cherokee Road and McKenzie Road, providing a designated route for residents traveling between neighborhoods and destinations around the village.
Council members said residents already use the area near the traffic light because they consider it safer than other crossing options. A proposed signal, tunnel, or bridge was not considered feasible, making an approved crossing at the intersection a more practical alternative.
As such, the board agreed to move forward with amending the ordinance to allow the crossing.
The council also discussed Linden Road, which has a 35 mph speed limit and could legally accommodate golf carts under state law if the village amended its rules. However, members expressed concerns about the road’s narrow width and limited space for vehicles to pass golf carts safely.
Rather than make an immediate change, council members agreed to revisit the possibility after receiving a feasibility study.
Hospital District Access
The council also considered whether golf carts should be allowed in Pinehurst’s hospital zoning district, where the current ordinance prohibits them.
Some residents have reportedly used golf carts to reach medical appointments, leading to questions about whether the existing restriction creates unnecessary barriers.
It was noted, however, that allowing carts in the hospital district would not automatically create a legal route from every neighborhood to the area. Residents of Pinehurst Trace, for example, face restrictions that limit where they can travel by golf cart.
Council members also raised concerns about the potential widening of U.S. 15-501. If the proposed design moves forward with a divided median, crossing the highway could become more difficult.
Rather than changing the rules immediately, the council agreed to ask the hospital for its perspective before deciding whether to permit golf carts in the district. Council member Fitzpatrick volunteered to contact the hospital’s public affairs director.
Seat Belt Requirements
Council members considered whether to require seat belts for children riding in golf carts. No other local community reviewed by village officials had an express requirement for child seat belts, and they found that other tourism communities take different approaches.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor said the safety argument for seat belts was worth considering, but others questioned whether a local requirement would reliably improve protection. They also had concerns about the village’s role in inspecting or certifying seat belt installations.
The discussion also moved on to promoting age-appropriate child restraints without requiring them, and that golf cart permits have increased substantially over the past decade.
Village data showed 454 permits in 2016, compared with 1,886 in 2026. However, council member Hooper cautioned that permits do not expire, making it difficult to determine how many registered carts remain in use.
Officials also discussed gathering better information about golf cart stops and accidents. The council supported asking the police department to track golf cart stops separately from other motor vehicle stops. Fitzpatrick also agreed to explore whether the hospital could provide information about golf cart-related injuries.
Additional Safety Information
The meeting included a discussion about responsibility when children operate golf carts. Council members asked whether parents could face consequences when unlicensed children drive the vehicles, but did not decide on a new penalty.
Council members ultimately focused on targeted changes and better information rather than a broad rewrite of the ordinance. The proposed Highway 5 crossing, additional enforcement data, and consultation with the hospital were among the next steps discussed.
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Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Written by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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