With spring warming the Bermuda grass and sand traps on every golf course, anxious golf enthusiasts are itching to get back on the closest green. When hitting the links this year, remember to stay safe while penciling in that next eagle.

According to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, from 1990 until 2006, golf cart-related injuries rose more than 130 percent.

Over this period, the number of golf cart-related injuries increased significantly from an estimated 5,772 cases in 1990 to an estimated 13,411 cases in 2006, or an increase of 132 percent. For the last 16 years, almost 150,000 golf cart-related injuries were recorded in people as young as 2 months old to as old as 96 years.

"Before teeing off, it's important for golfers and non-golfers alike to make sure they are staying safe and properly covered while operating any golf cart," says Steven Kramer, owner of Kramer Insurance Center.

That's because golf carts are not covered under an insured's auto policy, and while a homeowners policy does provide a limited liability and physical damage coverage for golf carts, the coverages only apply while on the insured's property or while the golf cart is used for golfing purposes. In addition, often times homeowners policies may not provide enough coverage.

Lack of insurance coverage could become more of an issue as more Americans use golf carts off the course. As off course use rises, so do the number of injuries. In many gated and retirement communities, golf carts have become the primary means of transportation.

And according to Kramer, if the golf cart is used to travel within a community or off the grounds of golf courses, consumers would likely not be covered in the event of an accident.

"Golf carts are a very inexpensive way to get around in local communities, but the money you save driving them is nothing when compared to the money you could lose if you're not properly protected," says Kramer.

While the majority of golf cart-related injuries (70 percent) occurred at a sports or recreational facility, injuries that occurred on the street resulted in concussions more often and were more likely to require hospitalization than injuries that occurred in other locations.

Falling or jumping from a golf cart was the most common cause of injury for both adults and children (38 percent). Injuries caused by falls were more than twice as likely to result in injury to the head or neck, and more than six times more likely to result in concussion than injuries due to other causes.

To ensure you enjoy your time on the course or getting between destinations, we recommend the following safety tips for operating golf carts:

• Pay Attention. Don't get distracted by passengers. Don't drive while texting or reading. Always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
• Be responsible. Make sure everyone remains seated while the vehicle is in gear. If there are seatbelts, make sure they are worn. Never transport more passengers than the cart has seats.
• Inspect your cart. Test your lights, brakes, turn signals and horn. Check tires for any punctures or slick spots. Make sure your mirrors are positioned correctly.
• Refrain from drinking. Just like any vehicle, never drink and drive.

Golf cart policies are designed to help protect what's important for consumers' golfing way of life. We recommend the following coverages for golf cart owners:

• Liability Coverage: Typically helps protect you for damages to others if you're at fault in a covered accident
• Guest Passenger Liability Coverage: Typically helps protect you for bodily injury to a passenger on your golf cart if you're at fault in a covered accident
• Medical Payments Coverage: Typically provides payment for reasonable and necessary medical treatment for you or another insured person after a covered accident.

Please visit our website for more information.