Golf Car Closeup
A golf car is a small vehicle designed to transport two golfers and their golfing equipment around a golf course. Golf clubs and country clubs often have a fleet of golf cars that are available for hire from the golf course so that their patrons can move about the golf course with less effort. Many avid golfers purchase their own golf car which may be stored at their club for a fee.
Golf cars come in a wide range of designs and are manufactured by several large companies. Golf cars are generally around 4 feet wide and 8 feet long. Some golf cars are standard and contain only the basics, including an upholstered seat and a rain cover. Others resemble luxury vehicles and have lift kits, custom wheels, drink holders, stereos and cell phone chargers.
Golf cars usually only carry a small number of passengers and are designed for short distances as their top speed is approximately 15mph. Golf cars are no longer referred to as golf buggies or golf carts as this would imply that they are self-propelled. Electric golf cars were the first electric vehicle to be mass produced for private use and have been used since 1951. Originally, most of the golf cars were electric but since 1971, gasoline powered cars have become available.
Gasoline golf cars are less popular on golf courses as they are noisy and the exhaust fumes can be smelly. Gasoline golf cars require a lot more maintenance and as such are less commonly found on golf courses.
Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV’s) resemble golf cars but have been purpose built for general transportation rather than transportation around a golf course. As these vehicles are permitted to be used on certain types of streets they often include an all-weather exterior similar to a standard on-road vehicle. These vehicles are popular in communities that wish to retain a low level of noise and exhaust pollution where pedestrian safety is paramount.
There are many communities that rely on NEV’s as their main transportation. This is especially the case in some Island communities where standard vehicles are generally not allowed. NEV’s are the main form of transportation on Santa Catalina Island in California, Bald Head Island in North Carolina and Hamilton Island in Australia.
Many retirement villages and some exclusive upper-class communities make use of these golf carts for their transportation within the local areas and some have extensive golf cart paths linking the communities together. It is becoming increasingly apparent that golf cars are versatile vehicles that are no longer restricted to the golfing community.
