Pringle and pastels this ain’t. If you were to show up at your English Country Golf Club in one of Bad Ass Golf’s custom carts, you’d certainly be refused entry on grounds of impropriety. But who wants a tepid gin and tonic at the 19th hole when you could be out ripping up the bunkers, dune-buggy style, on the 24HP Super Jumper (seen above in mid flight — $12,800)?

The range runs from mini-hummers through roadsters to, inevitably, a six-seater limo, but you can also pick up some parts to pimp your own buggy, from suspension kits to “Stock Bling” wheels (”Fits All Cars Turf Legal”).

The company is based in — where else? — Las Vegas, and like any other business on the strip, Bad Ass offers to put you in hock: The company will finance your purchase so you have some cash left over for, say, an $8,400 Louis Vuitton golf bag.

Tags: Break Club Rules with Bad Ass Golf Carts

Golf carts are moving from the fairways to the roadways as gas prices, though declining slightly in recent days, continue to eat away at pocketbooks.

The laws regulating the operation of golf carts on public roads are handled by the state. “There is no local ordinance that prohibits this,” said City Manager Frank Johnson.
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(ENLARGE)
John B. Taylor drives past the historic Harrison County Courthouse in his new electric cart Wednesday in Marshall. The vehicle, a Tomberlin E-Merge, is used to get around the downtown area without using a car.

“There’re provisions in the Transportation Code that look like they allow for the general use of golf carts on roads that have a speed limit of 35 (mph) or less — it refers to them as ‘neighborhood electric vehicles,’” said Todd Fitts, attorney for the city of Marshall.

But “neighborhood electric vehicles” don’t necessarily adhere to the general idea of a “golf cart.”

“Texas law references federal law as far as the definition of what a golf cart is and I’m not so sure that would govern ‘off-the-course’ golf carts,” Fitts said. “We’re still looking at it and trying to figure out what best suits our needs here in the city.”

Unfortunately, according to the attorney, it’s not as simple as just declaring that golf carts are permitted on city streets.

“There are issues that we have to look at — age, safety features, insurance to name a few — plus, how do we define a golf cart,” he said. “We may or may not require some kind of city registration. As we look into it further, I think some kinds of precautions would be something we might want to move to. I think we want to be proactive and do something.”

Cary “Mac” Abney would like to see the city become proactive.

Abney brings his personally-owned golf cart to the Abney Simmons & Company CPA office at 215 E. Austin St. and allows members of the firm — and some of its customers — to use it to get around the downtown area.

“We kind of started this as a test program during the summer,” he said. “It saves our people driving their cars and, in fact, some of our clients have used it, too, just to run across to an attorney’s office or such. It’s really been a good deal for us.”

Abney said he has been contacted by other residents since his “test program” began and feels that the use of these electric carts is going to catch on. Therefore, he added, the city will need to address the increased use of them on public streets.

“We have no problem getting around in traffic,” he said. “It’s actually faster than using a car and it’s so much better to run to the bank or to the attorney’s office or the post office. And you can park in a little bitty space.”

Abney’s cart, which he said “started out as a regular golf cart,” has been altered. He’s had lights installed, though he said he hasn’t yet used it at night. He’s also had an extra seat installed and has placed an “SMV” (slow moving vehicle) sign on the back, the latter as required by state transportation code.

“We can go 23, 24 miles in it before it needs to be charged. We just plug it in overnight and it’s ready to go,” he said. “I’m going to build a cage for it here at the office so we can leave it here. I think this fall is going to be a big teller with it. I’m hoping to be able to leave it here all winter.”

Abney said he’s purchased insurance on the vehicle and only allows licensed drivers to use it and only on roadways with speed limits of 35 mph or less.

“I’m hoping more people will start using them,” he said. “We’re really happy with it.”

Texas Law

The Texas Transportation Code defines a golf cart as “a motor vehicle designed by the manufacturer primarily for transporting persons on a golf course.” A “passenger vehicle” is defined as “a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, golf cart, light truck, or bus, designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons.”

Section 502.0071 states that the owner of a golf cart is not required to register the vehicle if the cart is operated only during the “daytime,” defined as beginning one-half hour before sunrise and ending one-half hour after sunset, and the operation:

Does not exceed a distance of two miles from the point of origin to the destination if driven to and from a golf course;

Occurs entirely within a master planned community with a uniform set of restrictive covenants that has had a plat approved by a county or a municipality; or

Occurs on a public or private beach.

The state law requires that a golf cart display a “slow-moving vehicle” emblem when it is operated on an arterial street.

The code also allows for the issuance of specialty license plates for eligible golf carts but specifies that the issuance of such a plate “does not authorize the operation of a golf cart on a public road where it is otherwise prohibited by law.”

TYPES OF GOLF CARTS

With the popularity and availability of “carts” growing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has listed and defined some of the current varieties.

Sub-25 mph vehicle: Any 4-wheeled vehicle whose top speed is not greater than 25 miles per hour. This group includes all of the vehicles in the other groups below, except those speed-modified golf cars whose top speed is greater than 25 miles per hour.

Conventional golf car: Either a fleet golf car or a personal golf car.

Fleet golf car: A golf car used solely to carry one or more people and golf equipment to play golf. These are sold to golf courses.

Personal golf car: A golf car used to carry one or more people and may carry golf equipment to play golf. These are sold to individual people who may use them to travel on public roads to and from golf courses and to play golf, to travel on public roads on purposes unrelated to golf, or for all of these purposes.

Speed-modified golf car: A conventional golf car that was modified, after its original manufacture, so as to increase its speed. While some speed-modified golf cars have a top speed of 20 to 25 miles per hour, others have a higher top speed. That modification may currently be accompanied by the addition of safety equipment required for the on-road use of the golf car.

Neighborhood electric vehicle: Any 4-wheeled electric vehicle whose top speed is not greater than 25 miles per hour. Some of these vehicles look more like a passenger car than a conventional golf car.

Low-speed vehicle: Any 4-wheeled motor vehicle whose top speed is greater than 20 miles per hour, but not greater than 25 miles per hour. This group includes neighborhood electric vehicles, and speed-modified golf cars, whose top speed is greater than 20 miles per hour, but not greater than 25 miles per hour.

Tags: Golf carts on city streets?

State Rep. Don Marostica, R-Loveland, is proposing a bill that will allow golf carts and other small vehicles to travel on some public roads and state highways.

Marostica calls it a cost-saving measure given gas prices hovering around $4 a gallon.

“Why fire up a 4,000-pound vehicle and go get a haircut?” he said.

Marostica’s bill would cover all sorts of golf carts - gas-powered, solar powered and electric. It might end up including ATV’s as well, he said.

The vehicles would be allowed on streets with speed limits less than 35 miles per hour and in bicycle lanes on state highways with higher speeds, Marostica said.

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration spokesman called the type of small vehicles Marostica seems to have in mind “low-speed vehicles.”

Spokesman Rae Tyson said that such vehicles cannot go over 25 miles per hour.

Marostica last month filed the initial paperwork to shift state employees to a workweek of four 10-hour days. He also cited gas prices and reduced energy use as reasons to support the bill.

Are you a novice golf player that wants to take your game to the next level? Are you tired of lugging your golf bag around the course? Well, there are several options available and it really depends on how much you?re willing to spend. Golf carts and golf caddie carts come in a wide variety to help you take some weight off your shoulders and enjoy your game more.

Most golf courses can rent you a caddie or cart but that can add up especially if you plan on playing frequently. You also will feel better owning something that you can call your own and personalizing it. And let?s face it; it can also be a status thing so you can impress your golfing buddies.

Let?s start with golf carts since that is what the pro player wants. These come in a variety of sizes and options. There are gas powered ones which are better for larger courses since they don?t rely on recharging but they have a downside. Gas powered carts can be noisy and emit exhaust which can be bothersome to you and other players on the course. Most choose an electric golf cart since they are quiet and since golf courses provide charging stations. If you?re planning on doing a lot of driving then electric carts can be purchased with longer battery life.

Golf carts range in size and brand. There are reputable brands and some that are not as common but in any case most come with a warranty. If you have deep pockets and you really want something luxurious (and to impress your friends) there are even carts made by Rolls Royce and Jeep. These kinds of carts can be customized with many different options and are more for status purposes than for utilitarian purposes.

If you don?t want to invest that much money into a cart but still want something to help with lugging your equipment around the course then think about getting a caddie cart. These range in price from a very basic model at about 60 dollars to ones with many features upwards of 1000 dollars. Features vary but many are again just bells and whistles and not really to improve your game. Some come with a water dispenser which can come in handy while you?re out on the course during your golf vacations.

Golf caddies and carts can be found by shopping around on line or at pro golf shops. Before you buy a cart, make sure you take it for a test drive. There is sure to be a well stocked shop if you live in a city that has several golf courses but it?ll be more challenging if you don?t. Also ask other golfers who have carts for their recommendations and check out reviews online.

If you?re serious about golf and don?t want to break your back then look into purchasing a golf cart or caddie cart. It will make your game more enjoyable.

Sullivan is the latest one of several communities around the state and country to debate the merits of allowing golf carts to use city streets.

In the proposal as drafted, the carts would need some modifications including a rearview mirror and registration, along with a fee, to be street eligible. Residents then could get around town without using precious gasoline, and keep more money to use for other things.

Moves like allowing golf carts on streets come with a price. Golf carts pose a hazard, particularly on busy streets but even in residential areas. The hazard sometimes leads to physical injuries to cart occupants as well as the mental strain that comes with all parties involved in accidents.

Golf carts don’t go as fast as cars and trucks. They are more difficult to see. They generally are not designed for street use. And the element of human error and lapses in judgment too often lead to accidents and injuries.

That the issue of golf carts on streets is getting an audience in an increasing number of communities is part of a trend that we expect to accelerate. The trend is both businesses and consumers looking for ways to accomplish tasks with energy sources that are less expensive than gasoline.

We’ve heard, for example, of development of electrically powered mowers for golf courses — both those used on fairways and greens. Hybrid automobiles are growing in popularity, and that trend is expected to continue.

There are any number of other examples of ways changes in energy consumption either are or soon will be adopted.

One reason why those changes are coming quickly is news items like the recommendation this week to the Illinois Commerce Commission that Ameren be allowed to raise utility rates. Prices at gasoline pumps are another every day reminder that changes are in order.

It would appear that regardless who is elected president in November, Americans and the companies that market to Americans are changing in an effort to keep costs of living in line, particularly with energy.

While we’re not excited about seeing golf carts on city streets, efforts to make our lives more energy efficient and economical are commendable.

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