golf course

Golf Carts
By Kathryn Whittaker, Fri Dec 9th

According to new research, more than 60% of cars in the USANorth America travel less than 15 miles per day and nearly halfof drivers travel less than five miles away from home. With gasprices climbing higher every day and air being polluted with gasemissions, a golf car is the most environmentally friendlyvehicle out there. With all the golf cart accessories available,golf carts can become the most stylish and eco-friendly vehicleon the road.

Golf carts are widely used in university campuses where theytransport people, goods and equipment, and are even used incases of medical emergencies. They are also used in quietneighborhoods, at large sports events by the personnel, and ofcourse, on golf courses by golfers. Many golf carts arepurchased by disabled people who appreciate the higher speed andsafety of golf carts compared to those of power wheelchairs.

Driving a golf cart is extremely economic. It costs around onecent per ten miles to operate an electric golf cart. It's alsoten times cheaper to maintain and repair a golf cart than a car.However, not many automotive giants readily leap into the golfcart market, claiming that there is currently no demand for golfcarts.

Still, more and more neighborhoods, especially in resort areasor those surrounded by golf courses, switch to golf carts toaccess malls, movie theaters, schools and restaurants withouthaving to ride on the highway. In university campuses golf cartscan be used only on designated streets and paths. Golf carts, asneighborhood electric vehicles with a proper license can travelon roads with posted speed limit of 35 mph.

Golf carts

were introduced in the 1950s and later became popularthanks to golf visionaries such as Billy Dolan. With golf carts,golf greatly evolved as a game. Smaller, more efficient andnicely designed golf carts with cute stylish accessories such ascustom wheels and seats, lift kits and even programmable speedcontrols, golf carts are becoming safer each year.

As a vehicle, golf carts can have three or four wheels. They canbe powered by electric or internal combustion motors. The mostfamous golf carts manufacturers include Cushman, Club Car,Daihatsu, and many more.

Among the most popular golf cart accessories today are lift kitsthat add clearance to the golf cart which help with accessingrocky places and bumpy roads. Many lift kits include off-roadtires that can be used on the golf cart making it a rough littleoff-road beast.

Another popular golf cart accessory that is in huge demand incolder seasons is a rain curtain. These curtains can be snappedto the car frame to sit permanently on the car body, or they canbe clipped to the car with hooks and removed in warmer seasons.

Many golf cart accessories basically do nothing except add someflare. Racing-style aluminum pedal kits, graphic and even 3Dcamouflage, custom steering wheels will add a stylish touch toany golf cart.

Golf carts are slowly spreading beyond student campuses, golfresorts and retirement communities. Well-designed and safe golfcarts may soon be as common on city streets as scooters andbikes.