One of the exciting and special features of golf is that it is played on a massive open field. Treading on this huge area with the extra weight of golf clubs and reaching the ball to play the next shot drains energy from the players and consumes time. That’s why golf carts are used to quickly move around large golf courses.
The widespread use of the golf cart was seen in the early 1950s and since then, popularity within the community has led to their frequent use and ultimately, more production. But how do you drive a golf cart? Is it like any other motor car or is there something new? Today, we’ll teach you how to drive a golf cart safely.
Getting Familiar with Golf Carts
Golf carts are not regular vehicles. They are under the category of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. If you don’t know much about golf carts, then you may think that they are used only in golf courses. But that’s not the case. Despite its name, golf carts are used off golf courses for different purposes.
License and Requirements to Drive a Golf Cart
14years of age is the minimum age for being able to drive a golf cart. By regulation standards, golf carts fall within the range of 14 to 35 miles per hour top speed and that’s why you don’t need a license to drive a golf cart. You might need to have a permit to operate golf carts based on the country or state that you’re living in.
Most countries and states will allow an unlicensed driver over the age of 14 to drive a golf cart on private roads. However, they will not allow you to drive on main roads and also for long distances. For doing that and driving on public roads, you need to get a license.
Driving the Golf Cart | Start With the Key
Insert the key on the keyhole located near the right side of the steering wheel. Then, turn the key to the right. You may or may not hear a loud startup noise like in other vehicles, but that depends on what’s powering the cart.
If it runs only on electricity, then you won’t hear that sound. The key will simply turn the battery, which powers the golf cart, on. In this context, I would like to introduce you with Bat-Caddy x4r Electric Golf Cart as it is a popular golf cart among the golf enthusiast.
But if your golf cart takes in gasoline, then you are like to hear that familiar engine sound.
Put On the Seat Belt
If your golf cart has any seat belt, you should put it on. However, some golf carts have a maximum speed of around 14 miles per hour that allows them to get manufactured without seat belts. But if your cart can go around 30miles per hour then we advise putting the seat belt on.
Adjust the Forward and the Reverse
If you hear a beeping sound the moment you turn the golf-cart on, then your golf cart is in a reverse mode right now. Pressing the accelerator will only make the cart go backward. So, locate the forward and reverse switch commonly found at the front side of the seat. It may switch its position from up to down or from left to right.
Once you turn the switch in the opposite direction, then you won’t hear that beeping sound anymore. This indicates that you are in a forward mode right now and your cart will only go forward.
Hit the Gas
Hitting the gas in motor vehicles refers to pressing the accelerator. Once you are all buckled up with your seat belt, press the thin, right pedal with your foot to move the golf cart forward. The accelerator pedal responds to the pressure you apply to it. Start with a little bit of pressure and try to get the feel of the steering wheel.
Then, gradually increase the pressure and you will start going faster. Do not push the accelerator hardly right in the beginning. Work your way to it and you’ll understand how the cart operates. You can then go faster by increasing the pressure according to your wish.
Decelerate and Stop Using the Brake
Taking your foot off of the accelerator, press the left pedal with another foot, or the same foot, to apply the brakes. Just like you’ve done with the accelerator, do it gradually. Because the braking pedals are also sensitive to the amount of pressure you apply. Never slam on the brake except for an unavoidable circumstance.
Driving Backwards
As we mentioned earlier, locate the forward and reverse switch and change its position. When the cart starts beeping, you are in reverse mode and ready to go backward. Simply, press the accelerator like you did while going forward.
But be sure to look back while you’re doing so. You can turn your body around by putting on your arms around the back of your seat. This position lets you see everything behind you and puts less pressure on your necks.
To Sum it Up
Driving a golf cart is very easy compared to an actual motor vehicle. The mechanism is much simpler. You just have two pedals: one for the driving it and one for stopping it. It’s as simple as that. On top of it, driving a golf cart is much safer than a car thanks to the low speed these carts were intended for.
As anyone over 14 can drive it, you can take your kids on the course and teach them to drive it. But be sure to put their seat belts on if that cart has any. And always make sure that you are sitting beside them when they’re learning.
We have enlisted Top 5 Golf Push Cart for Juniors which you can review.
Leave a Reply