| Most golf courses are about 7,000 yards in length, | | | | two golfers, and their golf clubs, around the |
| which equates to about four miles.That | | | | course. |
| measurement is normally measured in an almost | | | | The major manufacturers at the time were |
| straight line from the tee box to the center of | | | | E-Z-GO, Pargo, Harley Davidson and Cushman. |
| the cup on each hole. | | | | The body frames, the undercarriage and |
| However, most golfers do not hit the ball in a | | | | suspensions closely resemble those of modern |
| straight line down the course from hole to hole. In | | | | automobiles. The rubber tires are similar to those |
| fact, for many of us, it seems we spend our | | | | on cars, but the treads are designed in a way |
| entire round zigzagging the course. Until the 1960s, | | | | that the cart may be driving on grass and not |
| most golf courses were played exclusively on | | | | damage the turf on a golf course. |
| foot. Golfers would carry their own bags, or pull | | | | Controls include a modern steering wheel, |
| them behind them on a pull cart. | | | | accelerator and brake, where the brake also has |
| For those who were fortunate enough to play | | | | a lock, to ensure that the car does not roll freely |
| golf at country clubs, caddies were provided to | | | | on inclines. Accessories on the modern golf cart |
| carry the players clubs, but most were still looking | | | | include straps to secure the golf bags, a basket |
| at a five-mile walk. Additionally, because walking is | | | | (for towels, balls, coolers, etc), cup holders, ball |
| such a slow pace, many courses would have to | | | | compartments and holes that golfers can slide a |
| schedule tee times at intervals that would | | | | few extra golf tees into. |
| accommodate walking. | | | | To be more environmentally friendly, many golf |
| This changed in 1962 when Merlin L. Halvorson | | | | carts are now manufactured with electric, battery |
| invented the first self-propelled golf car. A golf | | | | powered motors. These batteries are |
| cart is something that is pulled and a golf car is | | | | rechargeable, and a charge can normally last |
| something that propels itself. | | | | through several days and rounds of golf. |
| Somehow, this terminology has become confused | | | | However, there is still demand for the gas |
| and intertwined over the years but when | | | | powered golf cars, especially on golf courses |
| someone says golf cart, the normally think of the | | | | where the rolling terrain may require extra |
| vehicle that one rides in on a golf course. In the | | | | horsepower for the car to climb hills. Todays |
| 1960s, the game and technology evolved with the | | | | largest manufacturers of golf cars are Ingersoll |
| development of the modern day golf car. These | | | | Rand (Club Car), E-Z-Go and Yamaha. |
| cars were built with gasoline motors to transport | | | | |