Riding Golf Carts

[BIG STU]

11 hours ago, Kenny B said:

Our muni has 55 Yamaha electric carts and 10 Yamaha gas carts.  The electric carts on on a 3 year lease, so they've been replaced twice since we've been members; the last time was in 2018.  Good carts that get trashed by idiots.  However, the club also doesn't take care of the batteries.  We should have gotten new carts last year, but with the pandemic and supply chain issues... we didn't.  We had batteries fail miserably, and we couldn't get new batteries for a long time.  Now Yamaha won't take on a new lease since they can't guarantee that they can deliver them.  So... we live on with carts that have been repaired many times and the driver-side seats are ripped up.  Life at a muni.  

Kinda like my club--- Now we run gas EZ-Go---- We are on a 3 year lease deal so to speak--- Gas carts are beneficial to us because we can house less and turn them more rounds. Good example in the tourist seasons our members and mens groups have all the morning tee times period up to 10:00. Then you have tee times. Those same carts are given a quick bath and turned right back out. Being at the beach we are not real hilly per say but spread out in a housing developement so basically it is a straight like 5 mile jaunt around.

Now last year we were on a recycle basis but due to the pandemic carts were in short supply. We did not get our new ones until April this year. In peak season we will lease 10 additional ones to accomodate. This year we were so busy we leased 13 and could have used more. The season was so big and even though a couple of courses closed used carts turned in on lease were hard to get. A guy I know who has worked for EZ-Go for years told me it was the craziest thing he had ever seen. He told me if they had the same situation years earlier that they would hve been begging people to take the old carts cheap. Even used carts are hard to get now because you have so many people here rebuilding them and selling them. My neighbor just bought a rebuilt 2019 model and they did a good job on it looks new. In fact when I get ready to get another one I have a friend in Charlotte that is in the Cart business. He sells a lot of his used stuff stock down here. He told me when I was ready he would put one on the truck for me

[Beakbryce]

On 8/25/2022 at 4:51 PM, fixyurdivot said:

Thanks @Beakbryce!  That's a great looking cart! We are now officially residents even though we aren't there... yet.  I have checked out their classifieds and, yes, between SCG, SCW, SC an Craigslist, the area is awash in used carts. I don't think I'll have a problem finding one but just wanted to get some intel from those on the forum about what to look for and how they like the ones they own.

We looked at Pebble Creek at the start of our AZ home search and liked aspects of it but ultimately SCG just seemed to feel right.  We considered SCF but with the start of the Douglas Ranch mega-build project just to the west, decided we didn't want to be surrounded by major development for the next XX years.

Thanks for the tip on Luke AFB GC.  Maybe we can meet-up for a round once we get down there .

There are a lot more choices for golf play at Sun City, so always a good choice. We just happened to live across the street from PC with friends and relatives there and they finally built a model we liked. Our three courses are pretty expensive in the winter. We play Luke exclusively in the winter and walk. If you play Luke and like it, couple of things to think about. If you are going to play often they have a 25 round and 50 round coupon buy, electronically stored on their system, that makes it cheaper. The coupon plays are for family so if your significant other plays you can share it. Golf rates are based on rank. They also have a summer pass that can make golf cheap in the summer. They will charge for a cart, but at this point, my total payment per round will be around $19 for this summer. Carts do have a really good GPS system, which is nice. First couple of times you go they will want to see an ID card or DD214 till they get to know you. Probably should call and make sure that is enough. Also, they have a reservation system on line. If you want to use it ask for the sign up info at the desk.

Let me know when you get down here. I have a regular Sun, Tue, Thur group but we can probably work something out.

As for carts, I like the ezgo my cart is based on. My cart is speed limited to 22 mph, although it can be set higher, you might also inquire at the speed of the carts you are looking at because the courses may be farther away for you. Looking at cart models when they demo here at PC, I also like the Yamaha. If I bought the Yamaha I would look at an AC conversion motor as they come with a DC motor. There are a couple of dealers up in your area that you can demo drive carts. My perception of club cars is clouded because I see problems with the leased club cars at Luke. Mainly the parking brake and acceleration. Important to me are the lithium battery for weight savings and life (I hope) and an AC motor. If you are thinking a gas cart, Yamaha has a pretty good and quiet gas engine cart. 

Any other questions, please let me know.

[anotherburntsteak]

On 8/23/2022 at 11:03 AM, Rickp said:

My new cart.

How are you enjoying your star? I JUST put a deposit on one. Here it is:
https://inventory.elitecustomgolfcarts.com/listing/new-2023-electric-star-ev-sirius-12145/

They are flipping the seats to the premium similar to what you have and I had the conversion to Lithium batteries. Should be getting it end of the week. 

Not a whole lot on these around the web... Would love to hear how you feel about yours thusfar. 

[Rickp]

41 minutes ago, anotherburntsteak said:

How are you enjoying your star? I JUST put a deposit on one. Here it is:
https://inventory.elitecustomgolfcarts.com/listing/new-2023-electric-star-ev-sirius-12145/

They are flipping the seats to the premium similar to what you have and I had the conversion to Lithium batteries. Should be getting it end of the week. 

Not a whole lot on these around the web... Would love to hear how you feel about yours thusfar. 

So far not bad.  Love the Lithium, real easy to charge and lasts 80 hours.  Yes, you have to have the upgraded seating, standard seats are “harsh”.  Our seating is made here in FL and fitted to the cart.
A couple negatives but nothing can’t get over.  Golf bag well is narrower than Yamaha, dashboard storage is very small, steering wheel a bit small.  
 

[anotherburntsteak]

11 minutes ago, Rickp said:

So far not bad.  Love the Lithium, real easy to charge and lasts 80 hours.  Yes, you have to have the upgraded seating, standard seats are “harsh”.  Our seating is made here in FL and fitted to the cart.
A couple negatives but nothing can’t get over.  Golf bag well is narrower than Yamaha, dashboard storage is very small, steering wheel a bit small.  
 

Yours looks like it might be the 2 in 1 where the back seats flip up? Hard to tell. 
 

Currently I am working with the place on the golf bag attachment right now. I might be upgrading the steering wheel, I did notice how small it was when I test drove it. I’m getting the score holder attachment so we will see how we like it. 

[Rickp]

1 hour ago, anotherburntsteak said:

Yours looks like it might be the 2 in 1 where the back seats flip up? Hard to tell. 
 

Currently I am working with the place on the golf bag attachment right now. I might be upgrading the steering wheel, I did notice how small it was when I test drove it. I’m getting the score holder attachment so we will see how we like it. 

Nope, we have standard 2 seater.  Score Holder Attachment is a N/C part.

[anotherburntsteak]

17 hours ago, Rickp said:

Nope, we have standard 2 seater.  Score Holder Attachment is a N/C part.

Have you been using the front cooler a lot? I have been thinking about ways to reinforce what appears to be styrofoam so when I put a ton of beer in there it doesn't get banged or beat up...what has your experience been with that part of the cart? 

[Rickp]

4 hours ago, anotherburntsteak said:

Have you been using the front cooler a lot? I have been thinking about ways to reinforce what appears to be styrofoam so when I put a ton of beer in there it doesn't get banged or beat up...what has your experience been with that part of the cart? 

Have no intention of using the cooler as a cooler.  Probably extra towels, balls & sunglasses.

[fixyurdivot]

On 8/23/2022 at 5:19 PM, CarlH said:

If we're showing off carts....here's mine....I was there at the right time....this is a used 2022 cart that was bought in March and used only a few times.  The original owner was transferring out of the area and couldn't keep the cart.  I got it at a significantly reduced price over new and it was exempt from state sales tax because it was used!

 

Nice grab Carl!  Yes, buying a near new used one from a non-dealer/business, and avoiding the sales tax, is bueno.  I'm constantly checking the various ad sources and trying to be patient . There is a business nearby that buys 1-3 year old leased EZGO's and completely rebuilds them, frame up, to street legal. They also offer a "high speed" conversion that can reach nearly 35 mph. They start at $11000 w/o lithium.  My wife says go for it, but I'm not sure I want to spend that much on a cart.

[tony@CIC]

On 8/23/2022 at 5:01 PM, Middler said:

Knobby tires were for the neighborhood "golf" carts, not golf...

They are also very loud - you can hear one coming a half mile away. 

[Rickp]

1 hour ago, fixyurdivot said:

Nice grab Carl!  Yes, buying a near new used one from a non-dealer/business, and avoiding the sales tax, is bueno.  I'm constantly checking the various ad sources and trying to be patient . There is a business nearby that buys 1-3 year old leased EZGO's and completely rebuilds them, frame up, to street legal. They also offer a "high speed" conversion that can reach nearly 35 mph. They start at $11000 w/o lithium.  My wife says go for it, but I'm not sure I want to spend that much on a cart.

Street Legal carts are losing their appeal in this part of FL due to insurance costs. 

[Kenny B]

1 hour ago, fixyurdivot said:

Nice grab Carl!  Yes, buying a near new used one from a non-dealer/business, and avoiding the sales tax, is bueno.  I'm constantly checking the various ad sources and trying to be patient . There is a business nearby that buys 1-3 year old leased EZGO's and completely rebuilds them, frame up, to street legal. They also offer a "high speed" conversion that can reach nearly 35 mph. They start at $11000 w/o lithium.  My wife says go for it, but I'm not sure I want to spend that much on a cart.

[Kenny B]

1 hour ago, tony@CIC said:

They are also very loud - you can hear one coming a half mile away. 

Should be mandatory for  EVs.  

[Kenny B]

6 minutes ago, Rickp said:

Street Legal carts are losing their appeal in this part of FL due to insurance costs. 

Too many old people...

"Swanson, I want to go over there; I want to go over there!  Move over, Swanson.  I'm driving."  

[Rickp]

True story.  Around 11:00am this morning I had to swing by one of the Rec Centers to renew Volunteer Permits. As I turned into Rec Center a cart driven by a woman driving a cart, on the iPhone ran a Stop Sign and nearly hit me head on!!!  What’s worse they was a 2nd cart that also ran the Stop Sign and clipped the back of her cart.  SWMBO was petrified and I figured if we crashed my car would win

[fixyurdivot]

6 hours ago, Rickp said:

Street Legal carts are losing their appeal in this part of FL due to insurance costs. 

Interesting point.  But, to get to/from the house to the courses, rec centers, etc., we drive on the same streets as vehicles.  I need to inquire about this little wrinkle.

[Rickp]

15 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

Interesting point.  But, to get to/from the house to the courses, rec centers, etc., we drive on the same streets as vehicles.  I need to inquire about this little wrinkle.

We have “multi modal trails” that link neighborhoods, roads, Rec Centers, Restaurants, shopping, Doc Office, Hospitals, Golf Courses together.  Carts are allowed on the regular roads inside the villages, major roads no.

We put more miles on the cart than I do our car.

[fixyurdivot]

51 minutes ago, Rickp said:

We have “multi modal trails” that link neighborhoods, roads, Rec Centers, Restaurants, shopping, Doc Office, Hospitals, Golf Courses together.  Carts are allowed on the regular roads inside the villages, major roads no.

We put more miles on the cart than I do our car.

Not here.  SCG was originally gated and streets owned by the development.  But at some point they decided to make them county owned streets (cost of maintenance no doubt). So, the vast majority of privately carts here all "street legal" and can be driven on public roads with speed limits 35mph or less.

[fixyurdivot]

For those of you who have (or had) an EZGO with the auto brake system, have you experienced any issues with it and do you like it vs. the more traditional brake w/lock latch? 

This guy didn't have much of an opinion on the system 

 

[GolfNut14]

I would go the EZ-GO electric route myself.  We are looking to move to a golf course community as well and would definitely look at EZ-GO electric first. I will walk mostly but will still get a cart for those hotter days that make walking rough.