There’s a new form of golf transportation sweeping the country that offers golfers more accessibility on the course, and it’s Finn Cycles. Now available at Ben Hawes and Hillcrest golf courses, the cycles give golfers freedom to go directly to their ball all while also transforming a typical round into an adventure.
The cycles are a product of Finn Scooters out of Montanna, and there is presently a fleet of four available for rent at Ben Hawes. Owensboro Parks and Recreation Golf Course Manager Charles Whelan said they are using the fleet at Ben Hawes as a “trial run” and will bring a small fleet to Hillcrest soon.
“We plan on having four at Ben Hawes and two at Hillcrest for right now; we plan to use them for a month at Ben Hawes to work out all of the bugs,” Whelan said. “The cycles have gone out for a round 35 times since we got them a few weeks ago, and so far, there haven’t been any issues. We should have them at Hillcrest next week.”
Whelan cited a loyal yet aging customer base at both locations and hopes that Finn Cycles will energize a different crowd and cater to young professionals that struggle to find time to spend four hours on the golf course.
Unlike other means of entertainment, golf has seen a rapid uptick in play since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has given golf a boost, but the play has slightly slowed down since more people are returning to work. We are looking at ways to get new people into the game and retain them,” he said. “It’s definitely a niche, and not everyone will enjoy riding one; it just offers a fun and quick way to play golf.
“Even some of our seniors that were motorcycle riders in their younger years are at least talking about it — it might allow them to relive their ‘glory days.’”
While the cycles don’t move any faster than a typical golf cart, they expedite a round by allowing individuals to drive directly to their ball, often accessing parts of the course that a cart can’t. The cycle closely resembles a motorized bicycle with the base of the golf bag situated near the seat while the club heads extend past the center of the handlebars.
Similar to ride-sharing scooters found at the center of most metropolises, golfers simply download the Finn app and scan a bar code on the cycles with their smartphones to rent them. The app requires riders to sign a digital release waiver and view a brief tutorial about safety features before renting.
“Finn sends us shares of the revenue from every rental; we’re only in for six cycles, and they’re leased. It made sense to try and see if we could capture something,” Whelan said. “They hold your bag comfortably and are a third of the weight of a regular golf cart — their impression on the course is so much less.”
Because the cycles are significantly lighter than a typical cart, Whelan said they could access the fairways and other parts of the course during mildly inclement weather. The cost to play at both courses with a Finn Cycle is $35 during the week and $40 on the weekend, just a few bucks more than playing with a standard cart rental.
“We see more rentals during our twilight hours in the afternoon and evening,” Whelan said. “Relative to what is in front of you, it would be nothing for someone to come out and play 18 holes in 2.5 hours.”
For more information or to see one of the cycles in action, visit their website here.
