Golf Carts and Retirement Part 2

The year 1932 was special to the golfing community, but it was 30 years later that the golf cart eventually became popular. Going by the reference of a Popular Mechanics story that exists at Wikipedia, it is possible to see how the relevance of the carts has grown over time. Meanwhile, understanding the financial implications and growth of the golf cart industry is quite hard due to top secrecy as a result of the private nature of the industry.

According to Fred Somers, the secretary and general counsel for the National Golf Car Manufacturer's Association (NGCMA), the size of the industry is unclear but rough estimates at the year 2000 place the valuation at $600 million annually. Major competitors in the industry are Club Car, E-Z Go, and Yamaha, and they collectively shipped 100,000 vehicles in 2009 as indicated by Bloomberg.

Noticeably, there is a push for the use of the term golf cars instead of golf carts and the key driver to the change is the golfing community. The contention with the name cart is that it refers to something pushed to move while the reality is that the golf carts are motorized. In the absence of some industry statistics, the golf cart name will suffice.

The advancements of the golf cart are significant as can be shown by the fact that today anyone including William Stevens Jr. of Club Car would have no trouble using them as a road worthy vehicle on some roads. Thus, the privilege has extended to golf-cart communities although they can be actualized according to some state and local laws and determine the appropriate definition and eventual use of a golf cart and it driver or its driving location. Florida needs no driving license and golf carts are considered to have a thoroughgoing speed of 20 miles an hour, which is higher than the NGCMA target of 15 miles per hour. Recent developments in regulation have seen the accommodation of improved golf carts by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The same body has also supported neighborhood electric vehicles, low-speed vehicle and personal transportation vehicles to use public roads and this shows that more non-traditional vehicles will be using public roads in future.

People get old and become physically challenged in many ways such that they cannot be active as they were in youthful years. The golf cart is a cool alternative to those who have to put their driver keys away and Sun City's Paul Hermann remembered a case of a resident who could no longer use a car because of doctor's orders. He was on supplemented oxygen, yet he was allowed to move around using a golf cart for its safety features of stopping when the driver stops pressing on the accelerator (passing out while pressing on can be catastrophic).

Research findings by Gerald McGwin as a co-author of a 2008 study confirm people who should be driving cars are not any safer when driving golf carts. The statement by the professor of epidemiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham was based on the finding that between 2002 and 2005, about 48,000 golf-related injuries with a majority being contusions, fractures and concussions arose. The findings by the professor's colleagues also noted that causalities were mainly not actively retired. They were children, teenagers and the over 80-year old. (The data in line with witness reports of younger visitors to retirement communities being thrilled by the prospect of driving golf carts.)

The American Journal of Preventive Medicine in its 2008 volume showed that from 1996 to 2006, carts became more mainstream and this corresponded to an injury rate rise of more than 130 percent. McGwin prefers to see safety regulations improved such as the provision of mandatory safety belts and the requirement for helmets for golf cart drivers. Such views will be difficult to push through as retirees are not expected to alter lifestyles of retirees, but the other concern is the mix of vehicles like the golf cart with other cars. Accidents can be catastrophic when cars hit the carts.

Lastly, Lt. Nehemiah Wolfe repressing the Sumter County sheriff's office has been doing community policing activities on golf-cart safety education. The audience at The Villages is usually several dozens, and the topic is on advice on grandchildren use of golf carts, road rules and attachment. During the monthly lectures, too much cleaning and polishing activities for golf carts as well as the use of Armor All on seats is discouraged.

Best Golf Cars in Myrtle Beach encourages senior citizens to use caution when driving a golf cart around their beach community. It can be a great alternative to the automobile if safety precautions are used.

Best Golf Cars

1400 Enterprise Ave.

Myrtle Beach, SC, 29578

Best Golf Cars – Market Common

1600 Farrow Parkway

Coventry Crossings Shopping Plaza

Myrtle Beach, SC

843-839-5225

Best Golf Cars Outlet Store

710 Seaboard Street

Myrtle Beach, SC

843-945-2272

http://bestgolfcarsmyrtlebeach.com/

The Rise of Golf Carts and How They Improve Retirement Part 1

William Stevens Jr. decided to take a 450-mile journey in the winter of 1962 to prove the reliability of the golf carts. William, who was the owner of a golf-cart company, took six days to drive from the factory in Georgia to the golf-cart showroom in Florida. On that journey, William was accompanied by his colleague. On the highway, they were stopped by highway patrol officer claiming that the slow-moving machine was not allowed on the highway. Stephen replied to the officer saying he didn't see the signs that restricted them from driving such vehicle. At that point, the officer was defeated, and he let them continue with their journey.

However, it turned out to be an insightful trip that predicting the changes in both golf and retirement. Before then, the golf players were required to walk the 18 holes. However, things have changed because the players should use a golf cart. Back in those days, the retirement meant that people have stopped working, and not the beginning of a new lifestyle. The first age-restricted community known as Sun City, Arizona was formed around the same time William Stevens drove to Florida. Nowadays, over 1 million people live in such retirement developments. To many, a  golf cart symbolizes the liberation from the bondage of their past lives.

In the late 1980s, an elders-only community was opened in the west of Orlando. The community host of 83,000 elder people and has over 100 miles of golf cart trails. In fact, that community was developed purposely for golf-cart lifestyle. In this community, people are supposed to use golf carts in their daily activities such as going to shopping, bank, hairdresser, movies, dancing, etc. In fact, a video of the village website illustrates the rejuvenating qualities of the golf cart. One resident says that golf cart makes him feel like a kid again.

In most senior residential communities around the country from Georgia to Texas and Florida to California, the golf cart is the primary mode of transportation. In other words, a golf cart liberates as well as limiting the users. Elders cruise happily on the quiet electric vehicles without worrying of seat belts and doors. On the other hand, it means that an individual will not go far and will not get to the destination fast when the golf cart is the only means of transportation. In this case, most of the seniors won't go beyond the retirement community.

A 66-year old Don Hahnfeldt, who used to drive submarines, says that using golf cart is exciting. Six years ago, Don and his wife bought their home in the village. They arrived with an Infiniti and a Cadillac. As soon as they settled in their new home, they bought their first golf cart. Six months later they acquired another golf cart. One year after seeing that their cars were sitting idle, they sold the Infiniti and retained the Cadillac for driving kids to Disney World. Nowadays, there are more than 50,000 privately-owned golf carts in the retirement villages. That is more than all taxis and buses in Manhattan, New York.

Ernie Keckonen, who is the sales manager of The Villages Golf Cars, says that most people move to the villages because of the ability to travel in a golf cart. He says that the golf cars retails between $6,000 and $8,000. People love golf carts because they are open and go slowly allowing them to observe things. Moreover, one can interact with people in other golf carts as they go. Furthermore, it is much easier to park golf carts. Most people spend a great deal of time customizing their golf carts to look like Mustangs, Vintage Chevys, and Hummers. A retired firefighter had customized his golf cart to look like a fire truck. Most people like to decorate their carts with memorabilia from favorite football teams or their homes states.

Journalist Andrew Blechman, is his book Leisureville, has a skeptical view of The Villages. He is concerned about self-segregation of the elderly people. However, Blechman admits that riding is golf cart is enjoyable. He says that riding in a golf cart at 20 miles per hour more exciting than driving a car at over seventy. He acknowledges that the golf cart is very peaceful and more relaxing. Moreover, the golf carts are safer, economical and eco-friendly. He observes that golf carts are social as it is easier to talk to passersby.

There are many residential communities in Myrtle Beach that encourage golf as a means of transportation. Best Golf Cars has new, used and custom built golf carts. Stop by one of our 3 showrooms to see what is right for you.

Best Golf Cars

1400 Enterprise Ave.

Myrtle Beach, SC, 29578

Best Golf Cars – Market Common

1600 Farrow Parkway

Coventry Crossings Shopping Plaza

Myrtle Beach, SC

843-839-5225

Best Golf Cars Outlet Store

710 Seaboard Street

Myrtle Beach, SC

843-945-2272

Preparing Your Custom Golf Cars For The Winter Season

Custom Golf Cars Myrtle Beach

August has arrived and it will soon be fall and time to think about storing your golf cart for the winter. I know it is hard to believe that summer is winding down but the realization that the kids start school next week brings us to that reality.

Aside from your swimming pool and deck furniture, the winter season can also affect your custom golf cars. This is why it is important that you prepare your golf cars for the coming cold months. If you are not planning on storing your golf car for the duration of the winter season, you should consider these things that you can add to your golf car to prepare it in facing the cold months.

1. Enclosure

The first thing you should consider investing in as the cold months start to arrive is an enclosure and covering. Custom golf cars are open vehicles so you are likely to get wet and cold when you drive it during a cold day. Installing an enclosure will help ensure that you remain dry while using your golf car.

Enclosures come in different sizes and designs that you can choose from depending on the size, color and number of seats in your golf car. Enclosures have doors and windows to allow you and the passengers to still be able to look at your surroundings while driving the golf car. There are also bigger sized enclosures that are designed to cover and protect even the back part of the cart.

2. Portable propane heater

This makes you even more comfortable when driving your golf car on a cold winter day. There are propane heaters that you can place on your cup holder or on the dashboard. When choosing a heater to buy, consider its safety, especially if you are using it inside an enclosed golf car. Also think about how the electric heater can affect the performance of your golf car battery because this is where it will get electricity to perate.

3. Windshield wipers

Just like ordinary cars, you can also install windshield wipers on custom golf cars. And these are not only necessary during the winter season. You are also likely to need this all throughout the year, especially during the storm season. When it rains and you need to use your golf car, you will surely benefit from the wipers as they will keep the windshield clear and improve your visibility as you drive the golf car. As a result, it helps keep you safe while driving. You can choose from a manual or automatic wiper. If you are not sure which to buy for your golf car, seek professional advice from Best Golf Cars.

4. Tire chains

This is another addition to your golf car that can keep you safe as you drive along a wet and slippery road. Similarly with cars, you will want to put chains on your golf car tires to make it more resistant to the slippery and wet roads. The size and amount of tire chains that you will need depend on the size of your golf car tire. Thus, it is important that you effectively measure your golf car tires before buying tire chains.

5. Snow Plow

If you want to use your golf cart for another purpose, you can opt to have a snow plow attached to your golf cart. This will allow you to use your golf car in plowing and removing snow in your driveway and along the street. There are snow plows that are built as an attachment to golf cars. Some feature automatic adjustments for more convenience to the operator. Others, however, are manually adjusted.

For more information about custom golf cars, call Best Golf Cars now.

Best Golf Cars

1400 Enterprise Ave.

Myrtle Beach, SC, 29578

Best Golf Cars – Market Common

1600 Farrow Parkway

Coventry Crossings Shopping Plaza

Myrtle Beach, SC

843-839-5225

Best Golf Cars Outlet Store

710 Seaboard Street

Myrtle Beach, SC

Phone: 843-945-2272