Golf is a game that many people are fascinated by. On a golf course, every person, every movement, every blade of grass, and every molecule of air is a delight to the eye. Every movement on this course is required to be perfect, including driving a golf cart.
If you don’t want to walk the course, or you just prefer a comfortable ride, the best golf carts are the ones to keep you enjoying your golf. Enjoy a day of golf by cruising the fairways with good friends.
This guide should give you an overview of golf carts.
Table of Contents
- What is a golf cart?
- The classification of golf carts
- what are the characteristics of golf carts?
- Video of golf cart production line
- Golf Carts Prominent Manufacturers
- Rules For Driving A Golf Cart
- Things To Keep In Mind When Driving A Golf Cart
- Can you drive a golf cart around the street?
- What factors to consider when buying a golf cart
- How much does a golf cart cost?
- What are the requirements for electric golf cart batteries?
- How to maintain the golf cart battery?
- Summary
What is a golf cart?
Golf carts are electric or gasoline-powered, low-speed, small vehicles that were originally manufactured for use on golf courses. It is a kind of short-distance transportation. At present, golf carts can also be seen used as transportation in resorts, villa areas, garden hotels, tourist attractions, etc.
The role of golf carts is to carry golfers around the golf course. It is convenient for golfers to reach the golf ball drop point quickly and save energy.
The classification of golf carts
Golf carts were originally designed as special vehicles for golf courses to facilitate golfers. Currently, golf carts have the following classifications.
According to the product type: trolley (also called bag cart) and fairway cart.
Trolley: A cart used to pull club bags, generally weighing about 33lb. Trolleys must be strong, light, and have large axles to adapt to the rough roads on the course, and are generally placed just inside the trunk of a car. Newer, more advanced trolleys are also battery-operated and are increasingly designed to meet the needs of players.
Fairway carts: Electric carts are used to pull club bags and people. There are single-seater, two-seater, two-row four-seater, and large carts. They can be driven by the players themselves or by caddies. In golf, a cart can not only save the player’s energy but also speed up the playing speed.
According to the power: electric golf carts, gasoline golf carts, and solar golf carts.
According to the application scenarios of the products: golf courses, tourist attractions, residences, campuses, and other areas.
According to the passenger capacity: two-passenger, four-passenger, six-passenger, and eight-passenger or more.
what are the characteristics of golf carts?
Golf carts are lightweight and compact. There are also features such as a radio, windshield, and back seat. There are the following features.
3.1 Low chassis, easy to get up and down, providing convenience for golfers to get on and off the cart quickly.
3.2 Front axle and rear axle all adopt MacPherson-type independent suspension. Large cab space, high stability of the whole vehicle handling.
3.3 The height and tilt of the steering wheel can be adjusted by itself, with a small turning radius and flexible operation.
3.4 With vacuum wide tires, excellent vibration damping performance. Smooth driving and comfortable driving.
Video of golf cart production line
Golf Carts Prominent Manufacturers
The golf cart market is estimated to be more than $1 billion per year for golf carts in the U.S., according to a report. It may reach more than $1.5 billion by 2026. However, in such a large market, three major companies, Yamaha, Club Car, and EZ-GO, are dominating.
Yamaha Golf-Car Company
Club Car (Ingersoll-Rand plc)
EZ-GO (Textron Inc.)
Other golf cart manufacturers are：
Garia
Hitachi Chemical Co.Ltd.
Star EV (JH Global Services, Inc.)
Columbia Vehicle Group Inc.
Evolution Electric Vehicle (HDK electric vehicles)
GEM (Polaris Industries Inc.)
ICON Electric Vehicles
Smart Cart Electric Vehicles
Bintelli Electric Vehicles
Rules For Driving A Golf Cart
Once you find someone ready to hit the ball, you must stop until he hits the ball and then drive. Different golf cart driving rules are in effect due to the season and course conditions. Two of the most common are.
6.1 Golf carts may only be driven on fairways. This rule applies to wet and softer courses and is intended to avoid damage to fairway turf.
6.2 The 90-degree rule. This rule requires golf carts to travel primarily in the fairway. After reaching the level with the drop point, turn 90 degrees to the right. Drive directly into the fairway to the ball striking position and drive back and forward after hitting the ball. the 90-degree rule allows players to drive down the fairway while minimizing damage to the fairway.
Please note that driving (pushing) golf carts and trolleys onto greens and tees under any circumstances are strictly prohibited on any course. Failure to do so will cause serious damage to the course and is inexcusable. There are usually signs on the course for driving and parking golf carts and players should strictly observe them.
Things To Keep In Mind When Driving A Golf Cart
Golf courses are large, so for convenience, people take golf carts. When driving a golf cart, there are some things to pay attention to:
7.1 When driving a golf cart, a constant speed should be maintained to avoid causing a lot of noise.
7.2 Driving a golf cart should not exceed the speed limit specified by the manufacturer and speeding is prohibited.
7.3 Driving a golf cart should be done on a lane without slopes, steep slopes, or narrow aisles, and requires easy steering.
7.4 Attention should be paid to surrounding golfers while driving. Once you find someone is preparing to hit a ball, you must stop and wait until after the golf ball is hit before starting the cart to continue driving.
7.5 Try to avoid sudden stopping to avoid the current return caused by emergency braking and thus affecting the motor.
7.6 Avoid sharp acceleration and start. Frequent rapid acceleration will affect the life of the golf cart’s motor controller and golf cart battery.
7.7 Golf carts are unprotected, so be safe when driving. This includes the personal safety of the people on board and the safety of the golf course environment.
Can you drive a golf cart around the street?
Golf carts are indispensable short-distance transportation on the golf course and are usually driven only within certain limits. So can golf carts be driven on the road? Generally speaking, golf carts are off-road vehicles and they are not allowed to be driven on the road. The main reasons are as follows:
8.1 the speed of golf carts is low, usually not more than 40 mph, on normal roads, it is easy to cause traffic jams and traffic accidents.
8.2 Most golf carts are battery-operated and have a poor range. The range is usually only a few dozen kilometers, which is only suitable for short-distance transportation.
8.3 Golf carts generally do not have side doors and glass. Driving on the road, the personal safety of the people inside the car is not guaranteed.
8.4 Golf carts are special cars for golf courses and are not equipped with driving license plates.
Therefore, golf carts cannot be driven on the road, and can only be used within the golf course or in suitable scenarios.
What factors to consider when buying a golf cart
What factors should be considered when considering the purchase of a golf cart and how to choose the right model? Let’s take a look below.
9.1 Golf Push Cart or Fairway Golf cart
Have to doubt that this is your primary consideration.
Golf Push Cart
Pros
It helps you with exercise (such as consistent walking and arm exercises).
Inexpensive
Cons
Doesn’t save effort
Of course, when choosing a hand-powered golf cart, be sure to pay attention to its size. Does it fit in the trunk of your car?
Fairway Golf Cart
Pros
Convenient saves energy.
Fast and can speed up your golf game.
Very comfortable.
Cons
Expensive.
More difficult to carry if there is no fixed course or club.
Follow-up maintenance will still incur costs.
9.2 Choice of power drive.
Choosing a different power drive will give you different enjoyment. So this should be your second step to consider.
Most golf carts are electric, and when you buy one, you should consider the choice of battery, charging speed, and driving distance. The power storage is divided into the lead acid battery and lithium battery. The power source is divided into solar charging and electric charging. Further on, we will have a proprietary article on electric golf carts.
Golf carts are also available with fuel as the drive. Its main feature is its power and suitability for particularly rough roads.
9.3 Storage capacity
Storage capacity should be your third consideration.
For example, the shooting equipment carried for photography? Cell phone storage location? Multiple water cup locations? Golf rangefinder storage location? (The author has seen many people choose to magnetize their rangefinders to the irons of their carts). A long-handled umbrella? Golf cart storage in the middle or sides of the cart? Location or form of golf club bag storage in the back of the cart? The number of people in the entourage?
Each golfer has different needs in terms of storage capacity. In addition to the basic golf bag configuration, you also need to calculate other items that are often carried. So you need to consider according to your own actual needs.
9.4 Comfort and Durability
Comfort should be your first choice for the fourth consideration. For example, the shock absorption function, the convenience of getting in and out of the car, and the comfort of the ride will indirectly affect your mood. The mood will further affect your playing results.
Durability. A golf cart is also a big investment. Who wouldn’t want to make it last longer? So you also need to pay attention to the sturdiness of the materials used in the golf cart.
9.5 Price
Why should the price be the fifth consideration?
There are so many brands making golf carts. So you will always find a price that suits you.
For example, if you want to choose the cheapest one that only has the basic golf bag-carrying function. You can also choose a used golf cart.
For example, if you want to choose a lot of features or fancy features, it all depends on how much you want to spend. And golf carts can also be used to modify.
9.6 After-sales service
Golf carts need to be used for a long time. Whether the manufacturer can provide good after-sales service is also a factor to consider. For example, whether the maintenance service is in place, whether the golf cart parts are common, whether there are professional maintenance outlets, etc.
9.7 Other functions
With the progress of technology, more and more golf cart manufacturers, adding more functions to the golf cart. For example GPS function, lens tracking, lift screen, and seat massage. You should consider, which features are useful for you.
How much does a golf cart cost?
The price of a golf cart is not fixed.
Usually, a brand-new golf cart is probably between $6000 and $18000+ apiece.
Miniature golf tour carts may be a little cheaper.
Of course, used golf carts are cheaper.
What are the requirements for electric golf cart batteries?
lectric golf carts are powered by on-board power. There is a distinction between lead-acid battery and lithium battery. There are different specifications such as 2V, 4V, 6V, 8V, and 12V. Requirements of golf cart battery:
1.Higher capacity and energy density requirements.
2.Good capacity storage performance.
3.Use high conductivity terminals.
4.With valve control design, safe and reliable to use.
How to maintain the golf cart battery?
In order to prolong the service life of golf carts, you need to do a good job of golf cart battery maintenance work, general requirements:
1.Avoid storing golf carts at a loss of power. When idle, charge once a month to prolong the service life of the battery.
2.ammeter pointer shows insufficient power should be charged in time. In such a situation on the course, you can use the battery on other vehicles to start the vehicle.
3.Use a special charger when charging the golf cart.
4.Place in a cool and ventilated place, avoid high temperature and humidity.
5.Do not discharge at a high current, which may cause lead sulfate crystallization and damage the physical properties of the battery pole plate.
6.Golf cart batteries should be serviced regularly.
Summary
Choosing the right golf cart can have a positive impact on your game. Because golf carts are more expensive than any other golf equipment, you need to be more careful.
Browse a lot of reviews, and ratings about golf carts. Then make your choice so that you will not regret it later.
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