Golf Carts -- A Surprisingly Large Industry
You probably just take them for granted when you play golf, and never think about their origin. I'm talking about golf carts, those miniature vehicles dotting every golf course. However, golf cart production is a multi-million dollar industry and different models abound. They are treated as small cars, and golf-cart companies provide leasing and financing options just as the big car companies do.
Golf originates from a medieval game played on the coast of Scotland during the 15th century. Golfers would hit a pebble instead on a ball around the sand dunes using a stick or club. As time passed, stones were exchanged for man-made balls, the earliest of which were thin leather bags stuffed with feathers. The gutta-percha ball was not invented until 1848 and could be hit a maximum distance of 225 yards. In 1899 rubber balls were invented that could reach distances of 430 yards. Golf sticks evolved into carefully weighted golf clubs, and in the 1880's golf club bags first became fashionable. The caddie, a servant who carted all the player's gear aound the golf course, had his burden lessened by the invention of the golf car in the early 1950's.
The first golf car manufacturers were E-Z-Go, Pargo, Harley Davidson and Cushman. The price was astoundingly high for this era, $1200, but as more manufacturers entered the field it dropped to $600, still high in terms of inflation. E-Z-Go still manufacturs golf cars today. There are hundreds or golf car manufacturers listed on the internet, and most of these companies specialize in these small vehicles, and do not make larger cars.
The first golf cars were gas-powered, but recently the market has shifted to more battery-powered models. Golf carts can be customized just like cars, and lift kits and ATV wheels are sold to golfers who want to stand out on the course. There are companies which specialize in creating entire custom golf cars, or miniaturized versions of full sized cars, such as the Humdinger (Humvee), mini Jeep, Rolls-Royce, Cadillac or Mercedes-Benz.
Golf carts come in 3 forms: manual push/pull carts, electric motorized carts, and electric or gas golf cars that hold passengers as well as gear. Push/pull carts have 2 or 3 wheels and a vertical support for a golf bag. They are basically manual dollies with clips and holders especially adapted for golf gear, and sell for $50 to $100. Moving up a level in sophistication, motorized golf caddies cost approximately $500 all the way up to $1000. Golf cars, which resemble dune buggies in size, start at about $1800 for a small basic model.
Ebay has a large selection of both new and used golf carts at low prices but service can be a problem with small vendors.
Manufacturers are also expanding their sales by renaming carts "Electric Utility Vehicles" and suggesting alternate uses for them, such as hauling lawn equipment and travelling around rural properties.
Please see our website http://golf-carts-2006.info
Frank Vanderlugt
http://www.golf-carts-2006.info
Latest News
Golf | Annika Sorenstam says farewell to Tour Seattle Times, United States - 18 at Spyglass Hill en route to a 1-under 71, tying Arron Oberholser (66 at Spyglass) for the lead at 7-under 137 after two rounds of the Callaway Golf ... Sorenstam’s Final Shots Fall Short Sorenstam Misses Cut, Ends Historic Golf Career Golf legend Sorenstam's career ends with missed cut |
 BBC Sport | Peter Williams: Women's Open one big tick for NZ Golf New Zealand Herald, New Zealand - By Peter Williams One of the key aims of New Zealand Golf's strategic plan last year was to organise and promote more high profile events. ... Storms on the Horizon for the Golf Industry Local pro Parrish to offer 10-event winter tour Boerne's Walker leads PGA Tour qualifier |
 SI.com | Golf demands high standard of integrity Examiner.com - by James McAfee, Golf Rules Examiner In no other sport do the competitors have such a high standard of integrity than in golf! There are no referees, ... Golf Tidbits: Why golf is a gentleman's sport Golfer displays the best in sport -- and in life JP Hayes turns himself in for playing an illegal golf ball; ruins ... |
Charity Golf Event Helps Families For Thanksgiving WHAG, MD - MYERSVILLE, MD - A group of golfers in Myersville braved the cold this morning for a charity golf event at Musket Ridge Golf Club. ... |
 Canoe.ca | LPGA money title in reach for Creamer at ADT Championship USA Today - An eye-jarring, sensory-rousing chunk of currency will greet eight players at the lavish Trump International Golf Club's first tee for Sunday morning's ... Ailing Creamer has eyes on LPGA money title Pettersen leads ADT Championship |
Golf course owners sue hospital over extra taxes The Register-Guard, OR - Deborah and Eric Jeffries, owners of RiverRidge Golf Course off North Delta Highway, have sued McKenzie-Willamette seeking payment for additional property ... Hospital sued on property taxes |
 Beaconcast | Chambliss: A pro-business conservative Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - Their political committees donate to the Majority Fund, which in turn pays for golf trips and other events where Chambliss plays host to the lobbyists. ... Video: Ga. Democrat Gets Campaign Help From Clinton Chambliss to return to Walton? |
Richfield man pleads not guilty in golf cart death Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - A Richfield man pleaded not guilty this week to causing another man's death while driving a golf cart drunk in Rice County last summer. ... |
 Seattle Post Intelligencer | Shake-up planned for Australian golf ABC Online, Australia - Major changes are planned for Australia's summer of golf as players prepare to tee off in next week's Masters tournament at Huntingdale, in Victoria. ... Wild about John Clarke eyes off major jewel in Royal crown A dose of Daly will be a tonic |
Dispute over golf property to continue Lehigh Acres News Star, FL - By Dennis Culver • dculver@lehighnewsstar.com • November 22, 2008 It looks like the debate over three holes at the Lehigh Resort Club Golf Course might last ... |
Resources
-
The Simple Golf Swing
Unlock Your Hidden Potential by Discovering the Golf Swing that is Delivering Consistent, Accurate Distance to thousands of golfers world-wide.
-
Golf Options: Hit Fairways Your Way.
New Golf System that Explains How Setup and Swing Factors Affect Ball Flight and Solutions to Common Golf Problems.
-
Golf Fitness Book - Golf Exercise Guide - Golf Training Workouts
Golf fitness exercise training book providing Golf workouts,Golf stretches,Golf exercises and Golf swing tips to improve Golf swing.
-
Golf Tips, Golf Lessons and Golf Instruction- Guide On How To Break 80
How to Break 80 is an instructional guide for golfers looking to get Golf tips, Golf lessons and Golf instruction.
-
Golf FREE At Golf Courses And Get Paid!
Discover the secret to playing free Golf at Golf courses anywhere and make up to $897 a week for playing Golf.
-
The Dave Way.
Destroy your Golf Slice in a matter of Minutes using this Revolutionary New System! Success Guaranteed. Sports & Recreation.
-
ShopUntilYouDrop.net - Get paid for shopping, eating out and more...
Get paid for shopping and eating out. Shop at your favorite stores, eat at popular restaurants, see the latest movies, shop the internet. Even your purchases are free!
-
Golf Fitness Experts provide comprehensive guide to better Golf
Golf exercises, mental strategies, and swing instruction from 7 leading Golf experts.
-
Play Golf For FREE And Get Paid To Play...
PaidToGolf reveals how to play FREE Golf and get paid to play.
-
Golf Game Method Book Putting Scoring Clubs Teeing Off Golf Instruction Ebook To Score In the 70s Im
This Revolutionary New Instructural Method is So Simple So Easy to Learn So Effective Golf putting Golf book shooting in the 70