VROOM: Riding on the Golf terrain

Golf Carts are tiny vehicles, generally used to convey golfers on a golf course during the game. They normally ply over short distances at minimum speed less than 15 miles per hour (24km/h).

The miniature vehicles essentially increase in speed during a golf game, since a golf ball may end up or drop at a far distance on a large expanse of golf course.

Golf Carts are usually four feet (1.2m) wide, eight feet (2.4m) long and six feet (1.8m) height. They generally weigh between 900 pounds (410kg) to 1000 pounds (450kg). They are mostly powered by four-stroke engines. They cost from $3,000 upwards.

Design

They are designed without the doors that regular cars come with, but come with other parts like tyres, seats, and steering, among others. Most Golf Carts carry only two people, while some are able to carry four people at once. The vehicle comes with a driver’s portion in the front, to control movement and direction. It also has an inbuilt compartment at the back, where golf sticks and other equipment are kept and easily carried from hole to hole.

Other common parts found in the tiny vehicle are accelerators and brakes for movement. Some come in selected/particular modifications to suit the pattern and type of golf course being used. Typical modifications include wind shields, speed controllers, lift kits, cooler trays, ball cleaners and more.

While Golf Carts are mainly used on the golf course during games, they are, interestingly, found on local roadways for other uses. They have been made street legal in some areas, especially places and with people who live in or near golfing communities. This is in a bid to deliberately cut down on car pollution and to control noise.

Types of engine

Golf Carts come in two types – gas-powered and the electric Golf Carts. The latter are in the majority. The gas powered Golf carts are however, faster and more durable, although they emit more pollution compared with the electric ones, which are normally powered with replaceable batteries. The batteries can be replaced after every four years. Electric Golf Carts were first made and used in 1951.

Popular brands of Golf Carts are Club Car, EZ Go, Yamaha and many more. They also come in variety of classes, like the compact, classic and luxury class.

Club Car, which is known for making luxury Golf Carts started in 1978. A luxurious model from the company is the Club Car Precedent, which is the favourite of the affluent golf lovers like professional golfers, golf course owners and other golf enthusiasts.

The Precedent is known as the ultimate Golf Cart, with plush leather seats that do not wrinkle or slip and is also known for its exterior durability and much tighter steering. A typical Precedent Golf Cart starts from $5,200 upwards. The Luxury Class L320 LX with custom wheels is another type of Club Car Precedent Golf cart.

These golf carts are also customised and are more than your average. The Hummer (H2) Golf cart is an example selling for $18,250. Others are the Cadillac Escalade four-passenger seat Golf Cart (electric), which sells for $25,000 and the Lamborghini and Rolls Royce golf carts respectively.

Some outrageous custom Golf Carts come with 14” true travel off-road suspension systems with hydraulics and super hopers to serve as low riders. Others have custom upholstery, paint headliners, TVs, game console, DVD players, airbags, 20-inch rims, video projection, air conditioning, bass systems etc.