Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Golf Cars, More than just golf.

Golf cars are a really amazing example of adaptation and versatility.  What started out as a means to drag one's lazy, drunk butt around 18 holes has morphed into vehicles for all kinds of different work and play activities.


Neighborhood
Many neighborhoods are conducive to using a golf car for neighborhood cruising.  I see them all the time at my local park, where the kidos are playing sports and a local coach or dad hauls the equipment to the field in his golf car.  Most often they are nice rigs too with custom colors, wheels and flip-flop rear seats.  A special classification of neighborhood electric vehicles can even be registered to legally operate on city streets with maximum posted speed of 35mph. (http://allcaljon.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-primer-on-neighborhood-electric.html)

Campground
Many RV campers haul their golf car to the campground.  The last campground I was at made me wish I had done the same thing.  The walk from our site to the store was a LONG way.  It makes getting around and grabbing supplies like firewood much easier.  Golf cars and camping are a good fit.

Hunting/Off-road
There's a huge contingent of hunters that have off-road adaptations of golf cars for getting to the blind or tree stand.  These rigs are often lifted and can even be 4 wheel drive, going most anywhere you want. I've ridden in a "rail" style dune buggy adaptation that was amazing.  This electric rig was stealth and would destroy any high desert terrain you could throw at it.

Industrial
Many larger campus settings such as schools, hospitals, sprawling corporate facilities, and industrial complexes use golf cars for maintenance, shuttle and security.  They can be equipped with a utility box or stretched into 6 passenger vehicles to provide quick and efficient local area transportation.  Cushman even makes heavy duty versions with load capacities up to 1500 pounds and hydraulic dump beds.

"Golf" cars are providing much more than getting 18 in before lunch.  You'll find them at shopping malls and hospitals, plowing snow and cruising across the desert.  If you are among the uninitiated, grab a ride and have some fun.  Maybe a neighborhood ride or campground rig is in your future.