| You probably just take them for granted when you | | | | There are hundreds or golf car manufacturers listed |
| play golf, and never think about their origin. I'm talking | | | | on the internet, and most of these companies |
| about golf carts, those miniature vehicles dotting every | | | | specialize in these small vehicles, and do not make |
| golf course. | | | | larger cars. |
| However, golf cart production is a multi-million dollar | | | | The first golf cars were gas-powered, but recently the |
| industry and different models abound. They are | | | | market has shifted to more battery-powered models. |
| treated as small cars, and golf-cart companies provide | | | | Golf carts can be customized just like cars, and lift kits |
| leasing and financing options just as the big car | | | | and ATV wheels are sold to golfers who want to |
| companies do. | | | | stand out on the course. |
| Golf originates from a medieval game played on the | | | | There are companies which specialize in creating |
| coast of Scotland during the 15th century. Golfers | | | | entire custom golf cars, or miniaturized versions of full |
| would hit a pebble instead on a ball around the sand | | | | sized cars, such as the Humdinger (Humvee), mini |
| dunes using a stick or club. | | | | Jeep, Rolls-Royce, Cadillac or Mercedes-Benz. |
| As time passed, stones were exchanged for | | | | Golf carts come in 3 forms: manual push/pull carts, |
| man-made balls, the earliest of which were thin leather | | | | electric motorized carts, and electric or gas golf cars |
| bags stuffed with feathers. The gutta-percha ball was | | | | that hold passengers as well as gear. |
| not invented until 1848 and could be hit a maximum | | | | Push/pull carts have 2 or 3 wheels and a vertical |
| distance of 225 yards. | | | | support for a golf bag. They are basically manual |
| In 1899 rubber balls were invented that could reach | | | | dollies with clips and holders especially adapted for golf |
| distances of 430 yards. Golf sticks evolved into | | | | gear, and sell for $50 to $100. |
| carefully weighted golf clubs, and in the 1880's golf club | | | | Moving up a level in sophistication, motorized golf |
| bags first became fashionable. | | | | caddies cost approximately $500 all the way up to |
| The caddie, a servant who carted all the player's gear | | | | $1000. Golf cars, which resemble dune buggies in size, |
| aound the golf course, had his burden lessened by the | | | | start at about $1800 for a small basic model. |
| invention of the golf car in the early 1950's. | | | | Ebay has a large selection of both new and used golf |
| The first golf car manufacturers were E-Z-Go, Pargo, | | | | carts at low prices but service can be a problem with |
| Harley Davidson and Cushman. | | | | small vendors. |
| The price was astoundingly high for this era, $1200, but | | | | Manufacturers are also expanding their sales by |
| as more manufacturers entered the field it dropped to | | | | renaming carts "Electric Utility Vehicles" and suggesting |
| $600, still high in terms of inflation. E-Z-Go still | | | | alternate uses for them, such as hauling lawn |
| manufactures golf cars today. | | | | equipment and traveling around rural properties. |