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The Delight Of Using A Golf Cart Instead
from: frank vanderlugtYou 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 manufactures 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 traveling around rural
properties.
About the author:
About Golf Carts and
their uses by Frank Vanderlugt
Ladies Golf Clubs News