ROBOTIC CADDIES IN WORKS : COURSE TO NEGOTIATE PLAN FOR BAG CARRIERS.

Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer

They won't provide the small talk, jokes and tips on golf shots that human caddies offer, but a fleet of robotic golf-bag carriers may soon lighten the load of duffers at Rancho Park Golf Course in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Parks Commission voted Wednesday to authorize negotiations with Golf Group of America Inc. (GGA) to begin a one-year test program that would make the automated carriers available at Rancho for a small fee.

``It's an attempt to provide greater customer convenience to those golfers who want to walk,'' said GGA President Steven Boyers. ``We think it makes golf more enjoyable.''

Boyers said surveys have found 70 percent of golfers prefer to walk the course instead of riding in a golf cart, but many do not like having to also carry their golf bag.

The robotic bag carriers are lightweight enough to go on golfing greens and cost about $8 to rent for a single-bag carrier and $14 for a double, Boyers said.

The golfer is given a hand-held remote-control box the size of a remote for a garage-door opener. The remote allows the golfer to direct the robotic carrier, Boyers said.

``It has a sonar device that shuts off the unit if an object comes within five feet, whether it is a golfer or something else,'' he said.

The robotic carriers have been used on a few other golf courses, including Los Robles Golf Course. But company officials hope the high-profile public course at Rancho will bring more attention to their product.

To get the city to approve the test program, Boyers has offered to guarantee the city $50,000 in revenue during the year.