John Daly Golf Cart: Why He Rides & His Custom Carts
John Daly uses a golf cart due to osteoarthritis in his knee that prevents him from walking more than six holes. The PGA granted him permission under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Why John Daly Uses a Golf Cart
John Daly, the two-time major champion known for his powerful drives and colorful personality, has been using a golf cart during tournaments since 2019. This decision wasn’t made lightly and came after years of physical struggles. Daly suffers from osteoarthritis in his right knee, a condition that severely limits his mobility on the golf course.
Medical Necessity
The PGA of America granted Daly permission to use a cart because of the arthritis in his right knee. According to Daly himself, the condition prevents him from walking more than six holes at a time. In his own words, “My knee is screwed. I had the meniscus cut out. I have osteoarthritis so bad… I can walk up a hill, I just can’t walk down one”. This medical condition qualified him for accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Daly’s knee problems have been ongoing for years. In December 2022, he revealed that he was scheduled to have his left knee replaced, having already had his right knee replaced previously. These surgeries and ongoing knee issues have made walking a full 18-hole course extremely difficult and painful for the golfer.
Legal Framework
Daly filed his request to use a cart under the Americans with Disabilities Act, making him the first player to ride a cart in a major championship since Casey Martin in the 2012 U.S. Open. The PGA of America stated that Daly “provided the requisite information to allow for a review of his request by the PGA’s medical team,” and after review, his request was approved.
Casey Martin, who suffers from Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome (a condition that restricts circulation in his right leg), had previously set a precedent by successfully suing the PGA Tour in a case that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court for the right to use a cart during tournaments.
John Daly’s Custom Golf Cart
While necessity may have driven Daly to use a golf cart, he has certainly embraced the situation with his characteristic flair. Daly is known for his unique, customized golf carts that reflect his larger-than-life personality.
The Famous Cooler Cart
One of Daly’s most talked-about carts features a built-in beer cooler under the hood. This unique feature gained widespread attention when he showed it off to Bryson DeChambeau during an episode of DeChambeau’s “Break 50” YouTube series. In the video, Daly opens the hood of his golf cart to reveal not an engine, but a neatly arranged stash of beer cans.
During this reveal, Daly proudly explained, “You guys see my cooler? It’s called fore. It goes everywhere I go”. DeChambeau’s reaction—”Are you kidding me?!?”—summed up the surprise and amusement that many feel when seeing this unconventional feature.
Daly mentioned that he could fit “about 40 of the John Dalys in there, maybe 14 bottles of Good Boy Vodka,” referring to his signature cocktail and a vodka brand he promotes. This customization perfectly captures Daly’s approach to golf and life—unconventional, fun-loving, and unapologetically himself.
The Dallas Cowboys Cart
Another notable cart in Daly’s collection is his customized Dallas Cowboys cart. He and DeChambeau used this cart while filming the “Break 50” episode at Old Hickory Country Club in Tennessee. This cart represents Daly’s support for the NFL team and adds to his collection of personalized vehicles.
Streetrod Golf Cars Partnership
Daly has partnered with Streetrod Golf Cars, a company that specializes in custom golf carts. The company offers several John Daly signature models, including:
- The Razorback GRIT B2 – Features a custom wrap, custom racks, an aluminum utility chassis, and an under-hood “frunk” beverage cooler.
- The Vintage Cowboy – A hot rod-inspired 4-person convertible with an aluminum utility chassis and under-hood beverage cooler.
- The Razorback Vintage – Another hot rod-inspired model available in 2, 6, and 8 seat configurations.
These signature carts reflect Daly’s personal style and preferences, featuring high-quality components like showcar-quality PPG paint, premium marine-grade upholstery, and special wheels.
Controversy and Reactions
Daly’s use of a golf cart has not been without controversy. Some players and commentators have questioned whether using a cart provides an unfair advantage, while others have supported Daly’s right to accommodation for his medical condition.
Tiger Woods’ Comments
Perhaps the most notable criticism came from Tiger Woods in 2019. When asked about Daly using a cart at the PGA Championship, Woods responded with a pointed comment: “As far as JD taking a cart? Well, I walked with a broken leg, so…. This reference to Woods playing (and winning) the 2008 U.S. Open despite having a fractured tibia and torn ACL sparked debate within the golf community.
Daly expressed disappointment with Woods’ comment, telling USA Today that he wished Woods had “all the facts” before speaking on the subject. Daly explained, “Osteoarthritis is a tough thing, brother. If my knee was broke, I would have had it fixed. But my situation is totally different. It’s painful as hell is all I can say. As was Tiger’s, I’m sure”.
Casey Martin’s Support
In contrast to Woods’ criticism, Casey Martin, who fought his own battle for the right to use a cart, supported Daly’s use of one. Martin told GOLF.com, “I’m happy for him because I know John a little bit and I know for certain that he’s not trying to get an advantage. He just wants to play in a tournament he has a rich history in. He just wants to be part of the action. I’m grateful that he’s going to get that chance”.
Fan Reactions
Daly himself expressed concern about potential negative reactions from fans, particularly at venues known for vocal galleries like Bethpage Black. Before the 2019 PGA Championship, he said, “I hope I don’t get a lot of grief from the fans”. However, Daly’s popularity with fans has generally meant that his use of a cart has been accepted, if not embraced, by most spectators.
Is Using a Golf Cart an Advantage?
One of the central questions in the debate about Daly’s use of a cart is whether it provides him with an unfair advantage over players who walk the course. Interestingly, Daly himself argues that using a cart is actually a disadvantage in competitive golf.
Daly’s Perspective
According to Daly, “I’m not embarrassed to take a cart. It’s not helping my golf game by any means. I would rather walk and play golf because then you have time to settle down on a good hole or a bad hole and you’re walking instead of just getting in the cart and going up and hitting the shot. It’s actually a big disadvantage”.
This perspective highlights an important aspect of golf psychology—the time spent walking between shots allows players to process their previous shot and prepare mentally for the next one. In a cart, this transition time is significantly reduced, potentially affecting a player’s mental game.
Physical Stamina Factor
Tiger Woods pointed out another factor when discussing Bethpage Black: “This is a bigger golf course, there’s a lot of property. There’s definitely going to be a component to stamina as the week goes on, four days over a tough championship that is mentally and physically taxing takes its toll”.
This suggests that walking the course tests a player’s physical endurance, which is considered by many to be an integral part of the game at the highest levels. By using a cart, Daly avoids this physical test, which some see as an advantage.
Rules and Restrictions for Cart Use
Even with permission to use a cart, Daly must follow certain rules and restrictions set by tournament officials.
Cart Specifications
When Daly was approved to use a cart for the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black, a PGA spokesman specified that he would be assigned a cart with no roof. This detail shows that there are limitations on the type of cart that can be used in tournament play.
Caddie Restrictions
Interestingly, while Daly is permitted to ride in a cart, his caddie is not allowed to drive it unless specifically authorized by tournament officials. Additionally, Daly cannot ride while carrying his bag—another restriction that maintains some of the traditional elements of the game.
John Daly’s Golf Career and Legacy
To understand the full context of Daly’s cart use, it’s important to consider his broader career and the place he holds in golf history.
Major Championships
Daly has won two major championships during his career:
- The 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick, where he famously won as the ninth alternate, introducing the golf world to his “grip it and rip it” style.
- The 1995 Open Championship, where he defeated Costantino Rocca in a playoff.
These victories, along with his powerful driving and unconventional approach to the game, have made Daly one of golf’s most recognizable and popular figures.
Career Achievements
Throughout his career, Daly has accumulated:
- 5 PGA Tour wins
- 3 European Tour wins
- 1 Asian Tour win
- 2 Sunshine Tour wins
- 1 Korn Ferry Tour win
- 1 PGA Tour Champions win
- 8 other professional wins
His best finish at the Masters Tournament was a tie for third in 1993, and his best U.S. Open result was a tie for 27th in 1996.
Current Status
At 58 years old (as of 2024), Daly continues to compete on the PGA Tour Champions (the senior tour for golfers 50 and older), where carts are regularly permitted. He occasionally returns to major championships thanks to his lifetime exemption into the PGA Championship as a past champion.
In May 2024, Daly competed in the PGA Championship at Valhalla in Louisville, Kentucky, marking his 547th PGA Tour event. Although he shot 11 over in his opening round, his presence continues to draw fans and media attention.
Other Golfers Who Have Used Carts
While Daly’s use of a cart has received significant attention, he is not the only professional golfer to have received permission to use one during tournaments.
Casey Martin
Casey Martin was the first player to use a cart in major championships, doing so at the U.S. Open in 1998 and 2012. Martin suffers from Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome, which restricts circulation in the lower portion of his right leg and made it virtually impossible for him to walk 18 holes over four rounds.
Martin’s case was particularly significant because he successfully sued the PGA Tour for the right to use a cart, with the case going all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. He is now the golf coach at the University of Oregon.
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The Future of Golf Carts in Professional Play
Daly’s use of a cart raises questions about the future of accommodations in professional golf and whether the sport’s traditional walking requirement might evolve.
Maintaining Tradition vs. Accessibility
Golf has long traditions, and walking the course has been considered an integral part of the game at the professional level. Tiger Woods has been particularly vocal about this, stating that he would “never take a golf cart until it’s sanctioned” in regular PGA Tour events.
However, cases like Daly’s and Martin’s highlight the need for reasonable accommodations to make the sport accessible to players with disabilities or medical conditions. The Americans with Disabilities Act provides a legal framework for these accommodations, but their implementation continues to be debated within the golf community.
PGA Tour Champions Precedent
On the PGA Tour Champions (formerly known as the Senior Tour), carts are regularly permitted for all players. This precedent suggests that there may be circumstances—such as age or specific competitions—where cart use is deemed appropriate without compromising the integrity of the game.
Samantha Yates is a creative writer and journalist with expertise in content creation and editing. She holds an MA in Creative Writing and brings professional experience from Lionbridge, where she developed engaging content for leading technology companies
