Today, golf carts are used for many purposes and believe it or not, most are recreational. These small useful vehicles have a long history, though. Beyond golf course use, entire communities have popped up built around the idea of using golf carts as the primary mode of transportation. People love these vehicles because they are cheap on fuel and reduce individual carbon footprints significantly. Let's learn a little about the history of golf carts.

Golf Carts Defined

You might be surprised to learn that golf carts aren't technically carts at all. The American National Standards Institute cites that these transportation devices are motorized vehicles. The reason for this specific label is that the vehicle is self-propelled, rather than carried by a person as a traditional cart would be. These are essentially small cars used to carry people and cargo from place to place.

The Early Days

Originally, golf carts were created to assist elderly or disabled individuals who wanted to enjoy the game of golf. The golf cart was invented by Lyman Beecher in 1932, according to Vibes Golf, and his invention was indeed a true cart as it was hand-pulled by caddies. The first electric golf cart was invented by John Keener. Getting from hole to hole was difficult if you couldn't walk very far. Golf carts really become popular on selected courses in the following years, but they weren't used in a widespread way until later on. At this point, the majority of golf courses in America have some type of carts available.

Golf Carts Today

Golf carts aren't just limited to use on golf courses today. Golf cart communities rely on golf carts as the primary mode of transportation. Entire cities are built with interconnected cart paths leading from all neighborhoods to all locations in the city. Stores and businesses feature golf cart parking lots and even local high schools will have cart parking for students who are allowed to drive unattended.

This history of golf carts reveals how much the vehicles have changed as well as how their use has changed. If you're in the market for a golf cart or would like to learn more about these versatile vehicles, please contact The Custom Golf Cart Gal or come by to see our inventory.