The Future of the Golf Cart - Part One

Pictured here is Yamaha's
"Poo-Powered" Methane
Golf Cart

Golf Digest claims 78% of golfers worldwide prefer to walk, while in America that number is only 51%. That's a huge potential market of minimally athletic athletes, it's no wonder golf carts are literally everywhere. 


One of the greatest environmental accomplishments of the golf industry was the conversion from gas to electric powered carts. In fact, golf carts are revered in electric vehicle circles as being the gateway to a new mode of affordable and efficient transportation, an accomplishment that golf is seldom recognized for. 


There's been a few other tweaks to golf carts including Roof-Top Solar Panels, and the possibility of Bio-Diesel, Methane Power and even Hydrogen! But besides the normal cart design there's only a few options.


In our first look at the future of golf carts, we'll going to review two designs that are both radically different from a typical cart and both currently available.

Electric carts make on-course mobility relatively easy, but with minimal athletic effort. In the interest of a healthy environment and golfer lets first look at the Turf Trike.

At first I was a little nervous about the narrow tires, but they are 4 1/2" wide, and the three of them should spread out the weight enough that you wont see three lines zig zagging from hole to hole. Some of the features include a cup holder, scorecard holder, front carrier (which comes off and allows you to roll your bag up to your shot, leaving the Turf Trike behind), rear saddle bags, 7 speed Sram gearing (makes hills easier), drum brakes (low maintenance) and is handmade with 7005 aluminum.





In addition they are working on a Turf Trike E, an electric version due to come out soon. I've got to say that I like the pedal version and see potential on properties that have a low rise topography. Check them out at www.turftrike.com


Now from three down to 2. How's that for a Segway!





I know plenty of superintendents who would not approve of this sort of mobility. The promo claims the vehicles are "light weight" at only 95 lbs, but with the extra weight of clubs and golfer not many superintendents are going to appreciate those two thin wheels casting imprints throughout every fairway, especially on damp properties. (side note - 50 seconds in to the video the lazy golfer fails to fix his divot)