A method is disclosed for administering use of a golf course information system implemented in golf carts or other roving units with a monitor adapted to provide display of any or all of course and hole layout, course features and distance information to assist a golfer in play of the golf course, or of specific information of interest to the individual golfer from external networks including tournament and individual scoring, stock quotations and electronic mail to enhance the golfing experience. In the method, a gratis trial period less than an entire round of play of the course is invoked, during which the cart display of such information is activated for a golfer commencing use of the cart. The cart display of such information is automatically rendered inactive at the end of the gratis trial period unless, by that point of play, a payment authorization for completion of the round with activated cart display has been made.