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

---

The Jet-Lagged Golf Swing

The golf travel industry is huge. Destination resorts such as Myrtle Beach, Hawaii, Palm Springs, and Phoenix are springing up all over. Developers are not just hoping for the Field of Dreams... build... Read More

A Bad Golfer & Common Mistake You Will Find Every Time

Fascinatingly enough a bad golfer is consistent enough with his/her consistent mistakes and poor play, that it promotes even more bad golf and frustration.Actually a bad golfer ignores or is unaware of what... Read More

Golf Driving Tips To Correct A Common Mistake

One of the most common mental errors golfers make when driving the ball is to try and hit it as hard as possible.This article will deal with golf driving tips to help you... Read More

What is Golf Exercise Equipment And How Can It Help

Golf exercise equipment can be a variety of pieces; but what truly is golf exercise equipment?You'd be surprised to find out it is not expensive; and is not necessarily in a gym or... Read More

Reluctant to Try Golf Instruction?

Maybe you or a friend had a negative experience with an instructor. It could have been a personality conflict or some other problem. Golf instructors are like college professors. Good teachers have the... Read More

The Real Secrets Of Golf

Secrets of golf! Most golfers will do absolutely anything to improve their golf game and this is the reason why most are constantly in search of golf secrets to improve their game.However this... Read More

The Basic Golf Swing Is Pure Physics

If you've been on a golf course and have tried to use all your strength in the basic golf swing so that you hit the ball as far as possible, then you will... Read More

Improve Your Golf Performance With These 5 Tips

Improve your golf performance. Is this always on your mind? When you go out to golf you're hoping for a good round. I know I do.How often does your outcome match what you... Read More

The One Lever Golf Swing Involves Chipping And Putting

The one lever golf swing involves chipping and putting. To improve you one lever golf swing these are the two areas to work on.First of all we will talk about chipping as part... Read More

Putting Causing You Some Problems?

You can be the greatest golfer alive but if you have trouble when it comes to putting, it doesn't matter. Maybe you just need some golf putting tips. Golf putting tips can help... Read More

Instruction For Swingers (Golf)

Could your golf swing use some improvement? You are in luck because there are lots of sources for golf swing instruction. Golf swing instruction will be beneficial for your game.If you are looking... Read More

The Cure for a Fat Shot

This problem may be easier to fix than you think. You may not realize it, but your back shoulder may be dipping towards the ground. This move forces the club to hit the... Read More

Fitness For Golf Is The New Gold Standard

Golf fitness has never been considered as important to one's enjoyment and success in the sport as it is today. The erroneous concepts and opinions of old (golf is not a physical game?... Read More

Flexibility For Golf Will Not Be Lost With Weight Training

There is no doubt that body flexibility is extremely important for golf and to golfers. Little wonder that one of the biggest fears amongst many golfers looking to improve their game is that... Read More

Backspin Advice

Lately, I have received many requests for 2 things.1. Advice on how to hit backspin (always a common request) 2. Advice on the short game in general.Honestly, the first thing that you need... Read More

Why A Consistent Professional Golf Swing Is So Elusive

It is the dream and deep desire of every golfer to be able to consistently execute a professional golf swing every time they play almost at will.Indeed many spend a lot of time... Read More

What You Should Know About Plyometrics And How It Will Help You Get Longer Drives

One of the main problems for golfers is power. Yep, good old power. It seems simple enough but power can be elusive to most golfers. How could this be? simply everyone is unique... Read More

What Makes A Golf Training Book Effective

A golf training book needs to be 'user-friendly' and 'plug-and-play'. What I mean by that is a golfer should be able to have a clear idea on what he should do immediately to... Read More

Periodization Training For Golf

The idea of periodization has been around a very long time for athletes at all levels. The concept is simple. If you started with the goal in mind, let's say it was to... Read More

Annika Sorenstam- The Legendary Female Golfer

Even those not normally interested in golf, usually recognize the name Annika Sorenstam. Her acclaimed position in golf has come to Annika for many reasons?skill, persistence, determination, fortitude, and more. Another highly discussed... Read More

What are You Doing to Improve Your Golf Swing?

Improve your golf swing. You have probably tried everything, from following advice that worked for your friends to so called 'tips from experts.' So what else can you really do to improve your... Read More

Golf Strength Training Exercise Is Not Body Building

Despite many reassurances, some amateur golfers still dread golf strength training exercises.The problem would appear to be the presence of equipment like dumb bells in this sort of strength training. Not everybody is... Read More

5 Golf Facts That Will Change Your Game

Are you seeing the same decrease in your handicap that reflects your hard work and efforts? Do you consistently fall short on your drives or feel exhausted at the end of 18 holes?... Read More

Picking Your Golf Equipment Picking Your Golf Equipment

Looking for quality golf equipment but not sure you want to spend a ton on it? Are you new and starting out and need some new golf equipment but don't know where to... Read More

Golf the Real Thing

The grass is always greener on the other side. Not as green as I felt on the inside the day I decided to check out this golf lark. I could never get my... Read More

Golf Tips ? The Secret and Crucial Role of Alignment in Supercharging Your Game!

The alignment is an absolutely crucial and vital part to any golfer's game. You swing round your body, therefore if your body is offline, your swing in turn will be off line and... Read More

Core Strength For Golf

When someone talks about core strength, they're referring to the strength of the muscles that go deep within the abs and back attaching to the spine or pelvis. A few of these muscles... Read More

GPS Golf Balls Are Almost Here

As GPS technology gets better and better and smaller and smaller it will be able to be used for many things? For instance at the World Series a baseball hit into the third... Read More

What Does Annika Know About Exercise That You Don?t?

Think of your golf game. Visualize connecting with your drive and sinking your putt. Now think of exercise and how it relates to your golf game. Do you do a total body workout... Read More