What is Life Like in Places Where Everyone Drives a Golf Car?
If you are fortunate enough to live in Sun City, Arizona, The Villages, Florida, Bald Head Island, North Carolina, or Peachtree City, Georgia, you already know what life is like when golf cars are your primary transportation. Master planned communities that not only allow, but also encourage golf cars to drive on the streets continue to rise across the country. What does life look like when you don’t rely on traditional means of transportation and zoom around everywhere in your golf car?
Here are some interesting examples of how life is different:
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No one pays attention to rises in gas prices. Electric vehicles only cost, on average, 2 cents per mile in electricity to operate.
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Teenagers don’t get their first car, they get their first golf car. Communities, like Peachtree City, that have their own high school has a special golf car parking lot for students to park.
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Neighbors know each other. Since golf cars are open and slower, community members tend to smile and wave at each other more. Being in a golf car allows everyone to be more in touch with their surroundings.
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Golf car parades are common and wildly popular. Holidays, anniversaries, or any other reason to celebrate will be acknowledged by a golf car parade.
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Rather than seeing an auto parts store or mechanic shop on the corner, there is a golf car parts and repair shop.
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Upgrading and accessorizing golf cars is a big competition between neighbors. Everyone wants to have the latest accessories and flashiest upgrades.
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Some communities will assess a fine if your golf car isn’t registered or if it doesn’t meet safety standards.
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Coolers are a must. You never know when you will want to stop to chat with some friends and cold beverages are necessary.
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You will learn to read someone’s personality based on their golf car upgrades.
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At least one person in your community will have a bar cart attached to their golf car for cocktails on the go.
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Golf cars are rarely for golfing.
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Charging stations are offered throughout some communities.
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Most everything you need is within the community. Grocery stores, schools, doctor’s office, etc are accessible by golf car in these self-contained communities.
Although many things are different within these golf car communities, a few things remain the same. Safety is still a priority. Seat belts, windshields and headlights are a must. And driving under the influence is still a crime and can result in a DUI or worse. Teens still beg to drive and sneak the golf car out to go visit friends. Maintaining your vehicle, although it is a golf car, can still be expensive. Replacing batteries costs several hundreds of dollars and parts like solenoids and controllers can wear out and require replacement.
For those who reside within these communities, there is nothing like the wind in your hair each morning as you drop the kids off at school and head to the office in your golf car. Most residents who live this golf car life wouldn’t trade it for anything.
About the Author: The Owner of WHEELZ Custom Carts & Accessories, Julie Starr was one of the industry’s first online retailers of golf car products. Her eCommerce store, www.WHEELZLLC.com, has been serving golf car owners since 2008 and the store remains a popular online shopping experience for golf car owners who want to take their golf cars to the next level.
