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

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


How A Golf Exercise DVD Can Save You Time And Improve Your Game

Using a golf exercise dvd is a great alternative to... Read More

Why The Golfing Game Has Changed Tremendously In Recent Years

The world has changed a great deal in recent years... Read More

Play Better Longer: Reducing Golf Related Injury

On the surface golf may look to be a slow... Read More

Balance Your Checkbook and Golf Swing

We all search for it. Balance in our daily lives.... Read More

Golf Driving Tips To Correct A Common Mistake

One of the most common mental errors golfers make when... Read More

Mental Concentration, Golf, and You

All players, when they are concentrating on a stroke, are... Read More

Flexibility For Golf Will Not Be Lost With Weight Training

There is no doubt that body flexibility is extremely important... Read More

Golf Specific Core Exercises Improve Your Drive Distance

What if I could give you three important exercises for... Read More

What Do the Core and the Golf Swing Have in Common Part II?

In part one of this article we discussed the core... Read More

Gaining the Correct Golf Swing Plane

The golf swing plane is the direction that your golf... Read More

How to Eliminate Your Golf Slice Quickly and Easily

Here's a really good tip that may help you to... Read More

Golf Tips: The Simple Secret to Solving the Slice

The slice is a shot which usually starts off slightly... Read More

Golf Information Overload?

You've come home from work dead tired. You grab the... Read More

Choosing the Right Golf Balls

You've watched Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson on television ?... Read More

Play Better Golf Through Exercise

Play better golf. Isn't that what every golfer thinks about... Read More

How To Improve Your Golf Swing Timing

Golf swing timing is a key factor in being able... Read More

Achieving The Perfect Golf Swing Drill

The perfect golf swing drill is a joy to behold.... Read More

Exercise For A Golfer - Dont Fear it

Exercise for a golfer is widely used. Despite the success... Read More

How To Play Better Golf... It?s Not What You Think

Playing better golf is the lifelong pursuit of every golfer... Read More

What No Golf Bag Should Be Without

Whether you are a golf pro or a rookie trying... Read More

All Time Greatest Club Breaking Events in History? and the Winner is?..

Two both famous and infamous golfers known for their tempers... Read More

Is Golf Conditioning Exercise Too Strenuous

Is golf conditioning exercise so strenuous that most people will... Read More

Golf Humor Poetry:- Ode To The Fanatical Golfer. (Part Two)

He's not eager to reveal his handicap; Around the truth... Read More

How to Unleash Your True Golf Potential - Part 2

In (Part 1) of this article I discussed how muscle... Read More

5 Sure Fire Ways to Build a more Powerful and Pain-FREE Golf Game

Until recently being physically fit was of little concern to... Read More

5 Golf Fitness Tips That Work

If you have turned on the television to watch any... Read More

Golf Strength Training Is The Missing Link To A Great Game

Golf strength training is the quickest way to add yards... Read More

How To Select A Unique Golf Gift

To select a truly unique golf gift for somebody, it... Read More

Perform Better Golf With These Fitness Tips

Everyone wants to be able to perform better golf, and... Read More

What Impact Does Exercise For Golfers Have

In spite of numerous assurances some golfers still dread and... Read More

How Better Course Management Can Lower Your Golf Score

Whether you are just starting to learn golf, or you... Read More

Learning To Play Golf With Fitness

Learning to play golf has now become the pursuit of... Read More

Understanding The Rotary Nature of The Golf Swing

The golf swing is really a rotary movement in nature.... Read More