Golf Cart Travel

[marvinh]

Hello,

I am not a resident of the villages. I am coming down for a visit the beginning of August. I am interested in the use of golfcarts to get around vs cars. I have a Toyota Prius so the savings in fuel is not an issue. And I don't play golf so that is not an issue either. I do know that golf carts can be uncomfortable vs cars.

So please comment on the advantage of golf carts and how do you use them.

Thank you. Marvinh

[thelegges]

Hello,

I am not a resident of the villages. I am coming down for a visit the beginning of August. I am interested in the use of golfcarts to get around vs cars. I have a Toyota Prius so the savings in fuel is not an issue. And I don't play golf so that is not an issue either. I do know that golf carts can be uncomfortable for long distances (like Fenney to the main section - 3 miles).

So please comment on the advantage of golf carts and how do you use them.

Thank you. Marvinh

The connection to Fenney will not be complete till next yearish. So car only. If you are not a golfer, carts are a novelty way to get around, to find a easy parking space, but good seats and the quiet tech Yamaha make riding better. Carts are about the experience not the gas expense

[dewilson58]

Can't get from Fenney to the main section.


A cart is a much better way to see the place.......but it depends on the quality of the cart seat.

[villagetinker]

We prefer the safety of a car. However, you need to consider weather conditions (heat, occasional cold, rain, etc.), length or ride, comfort of ride. Golf carts can be bumpy ride, and this can be annoying on a long ride. As noted above, the bridge between the Fenney area and anything North of 44 is currently not accessible by golf cart as the golf cart bridge has not been installed yet, possible later this year. Also, not sure how much of the gold cart paths have been completed south of 44. If you go the golf cart route, be sure you get familiar with speed restriction, street legal regulations, and insurance requirements. JMHO.

[Garywt]

My main reason to buy in the Villages was to get and drive a golf cart. As soon as we picked a house we went to pick a golf cart. When we are down there we use the cart for everything unless we need to leave the reservation. It takes us about 25 minutes to get to Spanish Springs, 35 or so to get to Sumter Landing and close to an hour to get to Brownwood. We go everywhere, just to drive. Looking forward to our next trip down to go out and have fun. We do have upgraded seats and I have a gel pad Incase my leg gets tired.

[VApeople]

We have lived in Osceola Hills for three years. Even though we have a nice golf cart garage, we do not have a golf cart and have no plans to buy one. We get around in our cars just fine. Every place we go seems to have plenty of parking, even in the ultra busy season.

Other people seem to love their golf carts. I see a lot of couples joy-riding their golf cart around in the evening, usually with the passenger holding a small dog.

[marvinh]

We have lived in Osceola Hills for three years. Even though we have a nice golf cart garage, we do not have a golf cart and have no plans to buy one. We get around in our cars just fine. Every place we go seems to have plenty of parking, even in the ultra busy season.

Other people seem to love their golf carts. I see a lot of couples joy-riding their golf cart around in the evening, usually with the passenger holding a small dog.

Yes! Your response makes sense, especially since I don't golf! :coolsmiley: Thanks! Marvinh

[JoMar]

We have two carts, we use them for almost everything. There is nothing like a nice drive and stopping at the ponds and marsh's to watch the wildlife and the sunsets. I keep the windshield on mine down as I enjoy the feel of the air, my wife keeps hers up because she doesn't. There is also tailgating at sunset point for the sunset to join others with wine and snacks. If you enjoy polo they have tailagiting there also, you can go alone or with a group. Carts are part of the social interaction and adds a dimension that you can't find with just a car. Make sure you get the best possible seats and seatbelts and join the fun.

[EdFNJ]

We got rid of 1 of our 2 cars when we moved down here. Our "Golf Cart" takes it's place. NO we DO NOT PLAY GOLF. In about 2.5 years I have close to 15,000 miles on them (we had 2. Sold first got second) We go just about everywhere in The Bubble and also a bit outside but that is another story. Ours is a little different as it has full doors, power windows, air conditioning, heat, back-up camera, 3 point seat belts and XM satellite radio so it's like a car (but feels almost as bad as a reg golf cart). We are just about dead center, about 6.5 miles between both Brownwood and Spanish Springs and 3 miles from LSL Square so we barely ever use our car except when we go on trips out of town. The way they are building out here we will be able to take it to Disney soon. :D

You never mentioned Fenney in your OP so I will let everyone else tell you that you can't go there from here yet.

[tophcfa]

We have two carts, we use them for almost everything. There is nothing like a nice drive and stopping at the ponds and marsh's to watch the wildlife and the sunsets. I keep the windshield on mine down as I enjoy the feel of the air, my wife keeps hers up because she doesn't. There is also tailgating at sunset point for the sunset to join others with wine and snacks. If you enjoy polo they have tailagiting there also, you can go alone or with a group. Carts are part of the social interaction and adds a dimension that you can't find with just a car. Make sure you get the best possible seats and seatbelts and join the fun.

Good post, sounds like I could have written it, right down to me liking the windshield down and the wife liking it up on her cart. Traveling in a golf cart is simply fun, and the novelty never seems to wear off. And our dog loves to ride in the golf carts. The only time I ever wish I was in a car is at night when it is raining. The rain forces me to put up the windshield and the light reflecting off the wet windshield makes it difficult to see well. I wish there was a way to have a windshield wiper on a two piece windshield that folds down. That could be a good idea for an entrepreneur to invent and patent.

[charmed59]

I’ve had great fun at the golf cart scavenger hunts sponsored by the red department. We have a friendly group that also runs one of those a year.

I find it much more enjoyable to get around in a cart. And for a few destinations, using a cart is actually faster.

[Joeint]

. I wish there was a way to have a windshield wiper on a two-piece windshield that folds down. That could be a good idea for an entrepreneur to invent and patent.

Have you tried rain-x I know it works well on a car windshield?

[Bay Kid]

I don't even have a car in TVs! Carts are by far the best way to learn TVs, except the new sections. Relax and ride!

[tophcfa]

Have you tried rain-x I know it works well on a car windshield?

Good thought, we also use rain-x on our cars and it works great. Glass windshield versus acrylic on a golf cart. I have been told that rain-x makes a product for acrylic as well as glass, but people don't feel it works as good as the glass product. I am going to add some rain-x for acrylic to my next Amazon order and find out for myself.

[ColdNoMore]

Good post, sounds like I could have written it, right down to me liking the windshield down and the wife liking it up on her cart. Traveling in a golf cart is simply fun, and the novelty never seems to wear off. And our dog loves to ride in the golf carts. The only time I ever wish I was in a car is at night when it is raining. The rain forces me to put up the windshield and the light reflecting off the wet windshield makes it difficult to see well. I wish there was a way to have a windshield wiper on a two piece windshield that folds down. That could be a good idea for an entrepreneur to invent and patent.

Ditto on...everything. :agree:

Thanks for saving me a bunch of writing! :D

[John_W]

Do you like A/C when driving around in 90 degree weather and do you like hearing the radio? If the answer is yes, then forget about a golf cart since you don't golf.

[JerryLBell]

When I was a wee lad, my father built three go-carts for my older brothers to buzz around a small track he also built in the back yard. I was too young to drive and by the time I was old enough to do so, the carts were long gone and the track was a vegetable garden. I always felt like I missed out. Now, not quite 60 years later, I have my own go-cart. OK, "go" is spelled "golf" in this case, but I can bomb around in it to my hearts content. I can zip to the town squares, down to get my mail, over to get some groceries, around to swim laps at the pools and even take it out on the golf courses when I golf. I've been here 2 1/2 years and I will still take the golf-cart out over the car whenever I can. And every time you see me behind the wheel of my go-cart, I've got a smile on my face.

[JerryLBell]

Do you like A/C when driving around in 90 degree weather and do you like hearing the radio? If the answer is yes, then forget about a golf cart since you don't golf.
I definitely have the A/C on when I'm driving my car and it's in the 90s. I don't have that option with my golf-cart (there are some that do) but I don't really miss it. With the windshield folded down, no doors and the back open as well, I get so much air flowing through that 90s really isn't that bad.

As far as not needing a cart as a non-golfer, I'm not sure I agree on that. I only recently took golf back up so for the first 2 years I was here, I was happily driving my golf-cart around and never golfing. Of course, now that I've taken that silly sport back up, I'm even happier with a golf-cart.

[FriscoKid]

Carts are part of the social interaction and adds a dimension that you can't find with just a car.
--
I bought a home down in DeSoto last fall and then more recently purchased a golf cart... in spite of being disconnected from the mainland (a mixed bag of both good and bad. :)), I find that we use it a lot more than I would have expected and as mentioned above, it really adds a social interaction aspect to your travels that is really appealing & fun (at least to me!).

lt

[Chatbrat]

We don't own a golf cart, don't play golf--for us, safety is the most important aspect of any vehicle we own-I don't want to share the road with any vehicle that would end my retirement or put me in an extended care facility--fun is fun, but IMHO we avoid putting ourselves in harms way--when its not a necessity

I would rather be surrounded by a body made of Boron steel and 12 air bags than a piece of fiberglass with zero structural integrity

[JimJohnson]

I would use your Prius and not a cart. You can go everywhere in the car, but your limited in a cart!

[tophcfa]

When I was a wee lad, my father built three go-carts for my older brothers to buzz around a small track he also built in the back yard. I was too young to drive and by the time I was old enough to do so, the carts were long gone and the track was a vegetable garden. I always felt like I missed out. Now, not quite 60 years later, I have my own go-cart. OK, "go" is spelled "golf" in this case, but I can bomb around in it to my hearts content. I can zip to the town squares, down to get my mail, over to get some groceries, around to swim laps at the pools and even take it out on the golf courses when I golf. I've been here 2 1/2 years and I will still take the golf-cart out over the car whenever I can. And every time you see me behind the wheel of my go-cart, I've got a smile on my face.

:MOJE_whot:, Totally agree, always got a smile on my face while golf carting around the Villages.

[Chi-Town]

One of the main reasons to move here was to enjoy the golf cart community scene. The weather let's you take advantage of using your cart year round.


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[Polar Bear]

One of the main reasons to move here was to enjoy the golf cart community scene. The weather let's you take advantage of using your cart year round...
Agree 100%.

[Altavia]

Hello,

I am not a resident of the villages. I am coming down for a visit the beginning of August. I am interested in the use of golfcarts to get around vs cars. I have a Toyota Prius so the savings in fuel is not an issue. And I don't play golf so that is not an issue either. I do know that golf carts can be uncomfortable vs cars.

So please comment on the advantage of golf carts and how do you use them.

Thank you. Marvinh

I had fun with a cart as a part of my Lifestyles visit. But the cart supplied was noisy/smelly with bench seats and no seat belt. If I did a rental, I'd want the safety items.

Suggest to download an app for cart path navigation. After I left, someone recommended Google maps set to bicycle navigation but someone here would be better to suggest. Having a second person to navigate, or a phone holder if alone would have made things easier.

I stayed at a square after dark my first night. The drive back in the dark was more challenging when the app was not aware of paths blocked by construction at Brownwood, my phone lost signal and I got lost. I pulled over and some kind people passing in another cart stopped to help and got me back on the right path.

Be extra careful at the tunnels, entry is down hill so brake early and enter slowly, some have "Stevie Wonder" blind right angle turns.

[VJBama]

Have you tried rain-x I know it works well on a car windshield?

Plexus, used on aircraft windshields https://www.amazon.com/Plexus-Spray-Cleaner-7-Can-Standard/dp/B002MQAWIA/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?keywords=plexus&qid=1563104092&s=gateway&sprefix=plexu&sr=8-5

[pacjag]

I stayed at a square after dark my first night. The drive back in the dark was more challenging when the app was not aware of paths blocked by construction at Brownwood, my phone lost signal and I got lost. I pulled over and some kind people passing in another cart stopped to help and got me back on the right path

This is why I prefer GPS, rather than cell-based navigation.

[charmed59]

--
I bought a home down in DeSoto last fall and then more recently purchased a golf cart... in spite of being disconnected from the mainland (a mixed bag of both good and bad. :)), I find that we use it a lot more than I would have expected and as mentioned above, it really adds a social interaction aspect to your travels that is really appealing & fun (at least to me!).

lt

I would guess in the newer villages carts would be even more useful for the neighborhood get together‘s. I know in my long established neighborhood carts are the way to go for block parties, mah-jongg games and other neighborhood activities. I can’t imagine where we would park 20 or thirty cars for these things, but carts? Yeah we just nose them into the curb and they fit fine.

[Altavia]

This is why I prefer GPS, rather than cell-based navigation.

There is a GPS that's knows the cart paths?

[CWGUY]

There is a GPS that's knows the cart paths?

Yes I believe there is.

[coffeebean]

Plexus, used on aircraft windshields https://www.amazon.com/Plexus-Spray-Cleaner-7-Can-Standard/dp/B002MQAWIA/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?keywords=plexus&qid=1563104092&s=gateway&sprefix=plexu&sr=8-5

I purchased Plexus at the Harley Davidson store in Leesburg. It is FANTASTIC!!!!! The windshield looks absolutely clear.....like real glass but better.

[yesi3putt2]

Buy Rain-X for PLASTIC WINDOWS...otherwise if you use the car product will cause your cart shield to crack...been there..dun that...

[Bay Kid]

Sea-the-view. Great stuff for ion glass and cart windshields.

[EdFNJ]

Do you like A/C when driving around in 90 degree weather and do you like hearing the radio? If the answer is yes, then forget about a golf cart since you don't golf. I have A/C and a radio with 400 channels I can hear with power windows up or down and it IS a golf-cart. No, I don't play golf but I could with it if I wanted to put on turf tires but radials ride better. ;)

[eweissenbach]

NOVUS 1,2,3 1 is for window maintenance, 2 is to clean up minor scratches, 3 is for more severe scratching. Find it on ebay or amazon. GPS on golf cart paths see the Villages GPS ad on TOTV.

[Bigben007]

I have both, car and golf cart, if I can get there by golf cart, that's my first choice.

[Bosoxfan]

Do you like A/C when driving around in 90 degree weather and do you like hearing the radio? If the answer is yes, then forget about a golf cart since you don't golf.

I have a hundred dollar JBL Bluetooth speaker and love it. I personally don't believe you really get to experience the beauty and nature of the villages without driving around in a golf cart:gc:

[tophcfa]

I have a hundred dollar JBL Bluetooth speaker and love it. I personally don't believe you really get to experience the beauty and nature of the villages without driving around in a golf cart:gc:

Totally agree, the only difference is that we have a hundred dollar UE2 Bluetooth speaker that fits in one of the cup holders.

[ohiosbestus]

I love our golf cart. It is a great mode of transportation in the Villages. I have hear there are approximately 75,000 golf carts here in the Villages. One of the best things about all the golf cart traffic is that it eliminates a lot of cars from travelling the roads. Can you imagine if there were no golf carts here in the villages, how much traffic congestion there would be with just cars and trucks on the roads? What a mess that would be !!!!!

[John_W]

I have A/C and a radio with 400 channels I can hear with power windows up or down and it IS a golf-cart. No, I don't play golf but I could with it if I wanted to put on turf tires but radials ride better. ;)

I can understand having a radio in a golf cart. Then you say you have air conditioning but with power windows, why do you talk in riddles and are so vague? Just say what you have, the only vehicle I can think of that fits your description is an Atomic Vehicle. The discussion was about golf carts and would a non-golfer have any use for one.

https://atomiccoolkartz.com/uploads/3/4/7/7/34772564/16998830-1921632348058029-6726477956412022873-n_1.jpg

[tylerknight]

The Villages is a golf cart community, you HAVE to experience it on a golf cart!

[Bay Kid]

The Villages is a golf cart community, you HAVE to experience it on a golf cart!

SOOOOO true!

[B-flat]

The Villages is a golf cart community, you HAVE to experience it on a golf cart!

That’s a fact! We lived in Ocala in Oak Run and had been to TV many times to Lake Sumter Landing, Brownwood and Spanish Springs with our friends. When we bought a place here we immediately purchased a golf cart to enjoy. Short story earlier this year we had our Oak Run friends join us on a 6 passenger golf cart rental. As many times as they have visited TV they were in awe of what TV is all about when seeing it from a golf cart.

We’re probably one of the couples you see joy riding in the evening on the golf with a dog on the lap, the only difference is we have 2 small dogs one sits on my lap while the other sits between my wife and I who is driving the :gc:cart.

[Polar Bear]

...We’re probably one of the couples you see joy riding in the evening on the golf [cart] with a dog on the lap...
No, that would be us.

Oh wait, you said one of the couples. Okay, it could be you too. :)

[Chatbrat]

A golf cart community is a money making idea for and of the developer, ,he saves on building parking spaces , sells the carts and services them--the herd mentality makes people feel they have to have a golf cart to be a member of the community--never been a follower

[Velvet]

Parents in TV for 18 years had no golf cart, aunt and uncle lived in TV for 27 years had no golf cart.

[JSR22]

Our golf cart is only used for golf 99% of the time.

[Chi-Town]

A golf cart community is a money making idea for and of the developer, ,he saves on building parking spaces , sells the carts and services them--the herd mentality makes people feel they have to have a golf cart to be a member of the community--never been a followerNietzsche

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[Polar Bear]

A golf cart community is a money making idea for and of the developer, ,he saves on building parking spaces , sells the carts and services them--the herd mentality makes people feel they have to have a golf cart to be a member of the community--never been a follower
Then I proclaim myself a member...a proud member...of the herd mentality. Much prefer that to whatever the mentality is called that generates this sort of a mindset.

People follow some things because those things are fun and make a lot of sense. To not do something just because lots of other people do it is the silly thing imho.

[coffeebean]

Parents in TV for 18 years had no golf cart, aunt and uncle lived in TV for 27 years had no golf cart.

Hubby and I were seasonal for eight years and did not own a golf cart. When we moved to TV full time we purchased our first golf cart.

Oh my......what I was missing! We don't go everywhere within The Villages via golf cart as many people do but we do drive it within usually 10 miles of our home in all directions. I just love it. It is very true that you experience The Villages in a whole different way. You are closer to nature and the wild life is up close and personal. Just love that.

[Velvet]

As one rebel said to another....

in my mind’s eye I can see Easy Rider on a golf cart....

[Fredster]

A golf cart community is a money making idea for and of the developer, ,he saves on building parking spaces , sells the carts and services them--the herd mentality makes people feel they have to have a golf cart to be a member of the community--never been a follower

I think the large number of people that enjoy
the wonderful experience of golf cart travel in TV may
form the herd you mention.
They are the adventurous ones and not the followers!

[Chatbrat]

An easy ride died on 301 & 372 RIP, so did the Cdr of my submarine veteran base--, keep the odds down &enjoy real retirement--no

[Polar Bear]

...the large number of people that enjoy
the wonderful experience of golf cart travel in TV may
form the herd you mention.
They are the adventurous ones and not the followers!
There ya go! :)

[Marathon Man]

I think the large number of people that enjoy
the wonderful experience of golf cart travel in TV may
form the herd you mention.
They are the adventurous ones and not the followers!

Yes, yes, and yes.

[EdFNJ]

I can understand having a radio in a golf cart. Then you say you have air conditioning but with power windows, why do you talk in riddles and are so vague? Just say what you have, the only vehicle I can think of that fits your description is an Atomic Vehicle. The discussion was about golf carts and would a non-golfer have any use for one.



Huh? Because I wasn't "advertising" just disputing others generalization of what golf carts CANNOT do. It is an Atomic but not the model you pictured which I did own for 15mos/10K miles and sold it and recently got the new Lithium model. It is considered and accepted as a golf-cart on the courses but I am a NON-GOLFER which was the point of the thread and is clearly noted on the bumper sticker because I am asked all the time. We use it for 90% of our driving other than when I leave the T.V. bubble. It can be taken on the golf course and is permitted and with the golf bag attachment and turf-tires (both of which I do not have since I do not play golf). I know of 3 owners who use them on the course all the time. The comment I made was in response to someone who incorrectly stated "Do you like A/C when driving around in 90 degree weather and do you like hearing the radio? If the answer is yes, then forget about a golf cart since you don't golf" which I completely dispute because there are options. Traditions change, things change and people get upset by change. Just takes time to get used to changes.


https://i.ibb.co/bvv88zS/2019-07-19-23-10-22.jpg

[bmit16]

Don't try to drive your Prius on the golf cart paths and you shouldn't have any issues!

[EdFNJ]

Don't try to drive your Prius on the golf cart paths and you shouldn't have any issues!There was a Cooper the other day doing just that for about 100 yds.

[Nucky]

There was a Cooper the other day doing just that for about 100 yds.

It wasn't me but MINI COOPERS are our favorite cars. Your Golf Cart is perfect EDFNJ. I don't know what holding back my wife from pulling the trigger. We shall see. I think the Atomic cart looks great in White but the Burgundy is a close second.

There are so many places a beautiful sign could be posted about no Cars on Cart Paths but NOOOOO! Take away the Guessworkyouknow?

:1rotfl:

[Chatbrat]

My wife had a Mini for a short period of time, a real white knuckle experience driving it on I-75 to Wesley Chapel, especially when alongside an 18 wheeler--sshe decided to do away with cute and return to Benz--