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Ride In
Style With Today's Latest Golf Carts
Whether it's a Viper, a classic Corvette or a 1957
Thunderbird, if ownership of your dream car continues to
elude you, why not try what many other golfers have done
and incorporate your dream car into your golf game? By customizing
a golf car with a replica body, you'll soon be able
to smoothly maneuver curving pavement at nearly 20 miles
per hour as you make your way to the center grounds of golf
holes where long drives carry on the wind and settle in
the short grass.
Of course, like the real thing, your new set of wheels
won't come cheap.
“Most people think they can get a golf car for $500
to $1,000,” says Matt Glendon of Club Car. “You
can't if you want a car that runs and is hassle-free.”
New, nicely equipped and customized golf cars can crest
the $14,000 mark, while basic refurbished fleet cars fall
into the $4,000 range.
“Consumers don't realize that most golf cars
are built for commercial standards, for daily use over three
to five years,” Glendon reports. “When the car
comes off the course, even after being well cared for, the
vehicle generally needs some reconditioning before it can
be transferred to an individual's garage. That ups
the ante significantly but is also essential to golfers
who want to enjoy years of service from their vehicle.”
If you're considering purchasing a used golf car,
it's important to understand the different segments
within the market. Factory-authorized dealers offer used
cars that have been refurbished by the manufacturer, inside
and out. Independent dealers usually sell what-you-see-is-what-you-get
used cars or cars refurbished by non-certified mechanics/personnel.
Reconditioning means starting with a basic fleet car,
checking functionality, making necessary repairs and parts
replacements, refurbishing the exterior and accessorizing
to meet personal tastes. The latter is usually a function
of the individual consumer, who can order special accessories
before purchasing the car or have them installed later.
All reconditioning programs are not equal, so be sure
to ask what each program covers. At Club Car, the Gold Standard
means the car has been completely stripped down to the frame
and rebuilt, often with many new components.
When buying used, especially from independent dealers,
it also pays to ask questions about the car's history.
“Do a background check on the car before you buy,”
Glendon suggests. “Find out how old the car is and
where it was used. All cars have a serial number that corresponds
to the year it was manufactured.”
If purchasing a used car from a golf course, consider
the amount of rounds played at the course, as some courses
see 10,000 rounds a year, while others see 65,000. That
can be a huge difference in wear and tear on the car.
Also, determine vehicle run time. Many newer electric cars
have an infrared sensor that allows dealers to determine
use (hours), while many gas cars are equipped with a gauge.
Inquire about the components, too. How new or old are
the batteries? One to three years is the normal warranty,
although many perform much longer. Be sure to check the
tires and pay close attention to the seat covering. Its
condition usually depends on the level of previous care
and how the car was stored. If it was stored in the sun,
UV issues can arise. Most factory reconditioning programs
do include seat refurbishing.
“Most consumers focus on comfort,” Glendon
says. “Don't forget safety. It's paramount.
Inspect the car's safety components. Check the braking
system. Make sure the gas pedal operates smoothly. Be sure
the tires are properly inflated, show even wear and have
good tread. Make sure the bumpers are in good condition
and check the state of the hip restraints.”
Deciding between a gas and electric car is easier than
ever before. In the past, consumers stayed away from electric
cars due to power, battery and speed issues. However, battery
and electric technologies have significantly improved over
the years. In fact, there are many more options in the electric
segment. Gas is best for people who don't have easy
electric-charging access, but it's still messy. Electric
is also less expensive to operate.
Programmability is another aspect to consider. Many cars
have a hidden on-board computer that allows reprogramming
of the braking system and car speed. If you want to reduce
the amount of motor braking, you can. Most consumers also
want more zip out of the car than they get from a course
fleet car. Electric cars can be programmed to the legal
limit of 19 mph. That's a big increase over the 12
to 14 mph setting on most fleet cars.
Also, test-drive several cars before buying. Car condition
and history have a dramatic impact on the performance and
ride quality. Manufacturers use different suspension systems,
and some hold up better than others over time. Whether or
not the course where the car was originally used had cart
paths or not, as well as the terrain, can affect performance.
During the test-drive, also think about car storage. If
space is tight, the turning radius will be important. After
testing, you'll likely have a preference for one car
over another.
Once you have the basic car selected, most car dealers
offer a wide range of options that allow you to incorporate
your own style into the car. From custom dashes to special
windshields and private code keys for keyless use, the options
are wide-ranging.
Upgrades typically fall into three categories —
mechanical items (headlights for driving at dawn or dusk),
weather protection (a canopy, windshield or full enclosure)
and style (interior and exterior color, wheel upgrade, custom
dash, graphics/pin striping or even full-body replica customization).
Finally, although most golf cars are pretty much maintenance-free,
an annual checkup is a good idea. Service plans are available
for some cars sold by dealers that provide an annual on-site
inspection.
Self-Propelled Walking Carts
Several self-propelled bag carts were unveiled this year
for golfers who love to walk but can't or prefer not
to carry a golf bag.
Stewart Golf's X1R is a futuristic-looking cart
designed for optimal convenience, including handy storage
for balls, tees, sunglasses, towels, scorecards and a drink.
The cart offers cruise control and a range exceeding 50
yards.
A compact handset allows golfers to move the X1R forward,
backward, faster, slower, left and right. The off button
cuts the power to the motors and slows the caddie to a gradual
stop, while the emergency brake brings the X1R to an immediate
stop. An integrated anti-tip wheel allows the remote caddie
to negotiate hills with ease. High-grip tires reduce wheel
spin and protect the course.
Golfers can play 18 to 27 holes before recharging the X1R.
In the unlikely event the battery runs out of power, the
five-spoke rear wheels release quickly to engage the free-wheel
mode, enabling it to be used as a pull cart. For more information,
contact Stewart Golf USA at 1-877-STEW-USA or www.stewartgolfusa.com.
Unlike most self-propelled bag carts, Sun Mountain's
Speed E Cart doesn't use a hand-held remote control,
making cart maneuvering easier to master. The system also
speeds up play.
With the Speed E Cart, players utilize buttons conveniently
placed on the cart's handle and walk with the cart.
Golfers can automatically send the cart 15, 30 or 60 yards
along an intended path with the push of a button as they
walk to the green or next tee box.
In addition to power on/off and start/stop buttons, the
controls include buttons to increase and decrease speed
for a comfortable walking pace, which the motor is programmed
to maintain across varied terrain. When powered off, the
Speed E Cart can be pushed as easily as a manual Speed Cart
to eliminate the chance of being stranded on the course
with an out-of-charge battery. For more information, contact
Sun Mountain at 1-800-227-9224 or www.sunmountain.com.
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