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Golf carts of old give way to flashy golf cars -- Page 2

Last-generation carts generally ran $1,000 or less. The current generation of state-of-the-art golf cars cost roughly 10 times that. Today's custom models can run as much as many automobiles (anywhere from $13,000 to more than $20,000), though kits are available from companies such as Chadmark Industries in Florida for do-it-yourselfers on a budget.

"If you've got the kind of money it takes to buy a real Hummer, then shelling out for a golf car version of the Hummer probably isn't out of the question," says DelPlace. "What we see is a guy who owns a Hummer then wants his own little Hummer, and a guy who owns an Escalade wants his own little Escalade. They think that's cute."

The custom cars are even attracting a celebrity following. Western Golf Cars of Desert Hot Springs, Calif., boasts that it has designed custom golf cars for ex-NFL star Deion Sanders and race car driver Al Unser, Jr.

LPGA Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez tools around in a Hummer golf car, while Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb cruises in an LS Sport truck model.

The $14,500 Golf Car King-made Hum-Vee available from LuxuryCarts.com comes standard with a custom dashboard and custom wheelcovers, headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals. You can also add such options as an electric winch and an AM/FM/CD player.

Even dolled up, that is stripped down compared to some of the true luxury models, such as LuxuryCarts.com's Escalade model that starts at $17,200. For that, you get an aluminum chassis, rack-and-pinion steering, custom windshield, headlights, taillights, brake lights, emergency flashers, turn signals, back-up lights, a chrome tilt steering wheel, a custom wood grain/carbon fiber dashboard, an ice chest in the front and a trunk in the back. Then you can add touches such as leather seats, an AM/FM/CD player, an 8-inch dash-mounted TV, 13-inch aluminum wheels and even a custom pearl-mix paint job. All the goodies can add $5,000 or more to the price.

Off-course golf cars
If that seems like a ton of money for a ride around a golf course, consider that many of these custom golf cars are used extensively both on and off the golf course. Some of them are categorized as NEVs (neighborhood electric vehicles), and never make it to the first tee. The new Lido model from Western Golf Cars, for one, isn't even supposed to go to the course.

NEVs and other vehicles with a top speed between 20 and 25 miles an hour are subject to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rules that require them to have seatbelts, turn signals, headlights and other safety equipment if they're to be driven on any kind of public road. That's why some models purposely top out at 19 miles an hour.

In many cases, though, that extra speed and power is the prime selling point, especially for the increasing number of people using their golf cars for nongolf activities.

"More golf course communities open every year, especially across the Sunbelt, and many of them are designed perfectly for getting around in your golf car," DelPlace says. "Drive through them and you'll see all these houses with two big garage doors and a smaller third one just for the golf car."

In these communities, especially such big, self-contained ones as The Villages in south Florida, many residents use their golf cars for quick trips to the club, neighbors' houses and the businesses within their borders. At The Villages, virtually everything is golf-car accessible; schools, churches, restaurants, office buildings, grocery stores and even strip malls, all linked by an extensive maze of golf car trails throughout the 22,000-acre development.

In Peachtree City, Ga., more than 9,000 registered golf cars whir and hum their way around 100 miles of asphalt paths that lead everywhere from the golf courses to the mall. Even at the high school, plenty of freshmen and sophomores drive golf cars while they're waiting to get their driver's licenses.

There's even a golf-car parade every holiday season in Palm Desert, Calif., a town known for its posh golf courses and its claim as the only city in America where standard golf cars are street-legal. People line the roadways to watch the promenade of 100 or so brightly decorated golf cars, some of which look cool enough to make the Tournament of Roses parade. The celebration also includes marching bands and concession booths, with the proceeds going to local charities.

"This phenomenon shows me one thing more than anything else," says DelPlace. "And that is that people are more than ready for small, smart electric cars, but the car companies just are not. At least the golf car industry was able to step in and meet this demand."

John P. Holmes is a freelance writer based in Florida.

-- Posted: Feb. 15, 2005