Do we need a golf cart?

[ugotme]

Sorry to be annoying with all these questions but - need answers and I guess I'm just an annoying person !!!!

I'm sure if/when we move to TV we will eventually get a golf cart. Do you find this to be a necessity? Will we be able to get to all the "places" by car until we get a GC?

Many more little questions to come - and maybe some BIG ones.

[HMLRHT1]

No u don't

[njbchbum]

i don't need a golf cart - it isn't even high on my want list! i drive an suv and have no problem getting anywhere by car. when going to one of the squares for the entertainment or the movies, it can often be a bit of a hike between the parking space and our destination - but that can happen with a golf cart, too. parking for special events can be the dilemma...but we have that sorta conquered, as well...we have been known to drive our vehicle to a parking spot well in advance of an event and then take a cab to the event later on! don't know what the cab situation will be when we return this winter - but we are resourceful if cab service is not available!

[pooh]

You do not need a cart, you can get where you need to go by car. Of course, having a cart can get you where you want to go in a fun way.

My neighbor doesn't have a golf cart and has no intention of getting one. He's very active around the community, plays sports other than golf, belongs to clubs and has managed to do all this without owning a cart for the past 6 years.

[George Bieniaszek]

You will miss the fun factor of zooming around TV if you don't have a golf cart. I think it is one of many attractions to being a Villager. You can get anywhere in a cart and have fun getting there. My suggestion once you are settled in, think about a used one. They are plentiful. Just go to one of the squares when they have entertainment and you will see a few for sale. You will spend $3-4000 for a good used one rather than putting out $9000 for a new one.

We are part-timers and put an average of 500 miles per month on our cart when we are in TV and maybe 50 miles per month on our car.

[tainsley]

You don't NEED one...but I wouldn't be without one! I drive it all over TV, shopping, errands, restaurants, the Squares, recreation centers, anywhere you drive a golf cart to. I don't even golf! I rarely use our truck. Just a lot of fun! Now if I could only take it up I95 N!

[CFrance]

I have another reason that we personally might never get a golf cart. (We moved in last Feb. 1) it bothers me that they have no seat belts or doors. It bothers me that in a community of senior drivers, the safety aspects of a vehicle aren't there. I just may be a big chicken, and it does look like the cart drivers are having a blast. But we aren't golfers, and I just feel safer in my car with seat belts and doors. Just my preference.

Not to mention the fact that my husband is using the golf cart garage as his model train workshop. Plus there's a brand new stainless side by side fridge sitting out there. Anybody wanna buy a fridgerator???

[Tom Hannon]

I feel having a golf cart is a must. It is like my American Express card. I never leave home without it.

Yes, I agree the cost of a golf cart is expensive. I paid $10, 000 for mine. Twice that price you can get an automobile with a/c, heat, quality stero ststem, etc. Autos give more bang for the buck but a golf cart is a must. 80% of your driving will be in a golf cart. If necessary you can buy a used one for a couple grand.

[chuckinca]

Cars have to use round n rounds, carts don't - a BIG Safety Plus for carts!


.

[njbchbum]

You will miss the fun factor of zooming around TV if you don't have a golf cart. snipped

george - i had to chuckle at your phrase 'zooming around tv' in light of the posts re cars on cart paths, gas fumes in tunnels, golf cart near misses entering/exiting tunnels, the recent dilemma of the totv poster whose corvette was involved with the green golf cart in the hit and run incident. i guess the 'fun factor' can be questionable! ;)

[jane032657]

I am picking up my golf cart at the end of this month but when I was at our place in March my salesperson loaned me a nice cart for the week. I was worried the first day how I would enjoy it. I loved it, used the car to run to a department store a few times and once to a Saturday market and once later at night to dinner at Cane Garden. Every other day and evening I used the cart and it was a dream to travel in. It takes me four minutes by golf cart to go from our place to Lake Sumter Landing and it is a beautiful drive. Everything I generally need is there. Going golfing or to visit people, it is just relaxing and enjoyable. Easy to park, turn around, drive. It is not a need, it is a want. My husband is getting one too, we will both have the 2013 Yamaha EFI.

[Pturner]

Golf cart was our second purchase in TV, the first being our home.

No a golf cart is not necessary, um, in the same way that ice cream isn't necessary atop apple pie. ;)

[tainsley]

Did you have to mention ice cream. Now I have get in my golf cart and head to Publix! Any excuse to go for a ride!

[CFrance]

george - i had to chuckle at your phrase 'zooming around tv' in light of the posts re cars on cart paths, gas fumes in tunnels, golf cart near misses entering/exiting tunnels, the recent dilemma of the totv poster whose corvette was involved with the green golf cart in the hit and run incident. i guess the 'fun factor' can be questionable! ;)

BUT... I think the accidents and negatives are publicized, and the statistics about all the safe passages in a golf cart are not. Kind of like a plane crash that freaks everyone out even though you are more likely to get killed crossing the street.

Even though I am being a big chicken about riding around in a golf car, I can see the advantages. So my real answer is go for it. I might not ever, but you should if you want. Just take care and look ahead.

[applesoffh]

Whoops! Wrong thread! My bad...

[coach]

If you don't want to get a golf cart I feel you are missing a major part of the lifestyle. If I didn't have a golf cart I would reconsider my decision to move to the villages. We have been here amost seven years and I would not consider living nhere without one. We use the car about 50 miles per month and the cart all other times.

[villages07]

2 carts, one car. Probably put 7,000 miles on the two carts last year and 3,000 miles on the car. So, yep, the carts are a must have. It's my "convertible". As someone said, it is one of the neatest, unique things about The Villages lifestyle and you can pickup a nice used cart for $3K.

[asianthree]

rent one for a week and then decide

[cappyjon431]

I have another reason that we personally might never get a golf cart. (We moved in last Feb. 1) it bothers me that they have no seat belts or doors. It bothers me that in a community of senior drivers, the safety aspects of a vehicle aren't there. I just may be a big chicken, and it does look like the cart drivers are having a blast. But we aren't golfers, and I just feel safer in my car with seat belts and doors. Just my preference.

Not to mention the fact that my husband is using the golf cart garage as his model train workshop. Plus there's a brand new stainless side by side fridge sitting out there. Anybody wanna buy a fridgerator???

Need one? Definitely not. Will it increase your enjoyment of TV's lifestyle? I think so.

As far as safety issues, when we moved here my wife had similar concerns. We bought her a GEM, it has seat belts, doors, windshield wipers, and upgraded brakes. It's street legal so you can take it on the street, on the multi-modal paths, and/or on the golf course. She absolutely loves it, and more importantly, she feels safe. Of course there are risks, but you could say the same for walking, riding your bike, or eating at some restaurants. For me, it is all about enjoying my time that i still have on this planet.

[ugotme]

That's what I like about this forum - answers - and good ones.
Similar opinions and food for thought!
I am a golfer but was wondering if this was something that I HAD to do right away. I imagine we will, but like to hear the thoughts of the folks who actually live here.

Thank you - keep em coming !

[CFrance]

Need one? Definitely not. Will it increase your enjoyment of TH's lifestyle? I think so.

As far as safety issues, when we moved here my wife had similar concerns. We bought her a GEM, it has seat belts, doors, windshield wipers, and upgraded brakes. It's street legal so you can take it on the street, on the multi-modal paths, and/or on the golf course. She absolutely loves it, and more importantly, she feels safe. Of course there are risks, but you could say the same for walking, riding your bike, or eating at some restaurants. For me, it is all about enjoying my time that i still have on this planet.

That's good to know, cappyjon. I may cave eventually. It's early days yet for us.

[thistrucksforyou]

round n rounds,for carts!


.:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[gatherer47]

I meet some guys every Saturday at Panera.All but one drive a golf cart to get there.We see our buddy driving his car around and round looking for a parking place and then parking in a distant lot and being ten minutes late.Give me a cart anyday.

[CarGuys]

That's what I like about this forum - answers - and good ones.
Similar opinions and food for thought!
I am a golfer but was wondering if this was something that I HAD to do right away. I imagine we will, but like to hear the thoughts of the folks who actually live here.

Thank you - keep em coming !

They are fun. We don't Golf and right now it's set up a new home time. Not a priority. I get along just fine with our Prius. My cart is a shopping cart.

We made a decision Cart or Landscape? Cart or landscape Hmmmm just got in from watering the palms.

A Cart will come later.

[Vinny]

My wife and I take our car almost everywhere unless we are trying to kill time or if one of us has the SUV and the other needs to get somewhere in TV which is not very seldom but happens from time to time. So for us the cart is in place of a second car. My wife can go to play bingo and I am able to go to the rec center or rent a movie at SweetBays however I am waiting for a bicycle to be delivered which will be used for much of the same uses while providing me with the exercise I need to keep losing weight. Given a choice we will choose the SUV over the cart unless we are just going a few blocks to the pool/mail. We rather drive without sweating/shivering, listen to the radio, parking without concern over whether it will rain or not (zip up the sunbrella or not) and feel much safer than driving in a cart.

So no you do not need a cart but they make an inexpensive second means of transportation for those times when you and your spouse have different plans for the day.

[Cedwards38]

Well, you can't get to the first tee in an SUV! :spoken:

[ugotme]

Well, you can't get to the first tee in an SUV! :spoken:

Well . . . you CAN but I think they would frown on that !

[Happinow]

I don't think a golf cart is a necessity but as other posters have said it's half the fun of getting from point A to point B. We personally like going on the cart trails (safer in our opinion) than the designated cart strips along the side of the road. It's also fun just to roam around in different villages looking at homes and such. We went from a two car home where we used to live to a one car and two cart home here. Seems to work for us. By the way, we don't golf either!!!

[Shimpy]

I had the same question before moving here. My biggest concern was would I be able to drive around at only 20 mph since I'm usually a sort of a spirited driver or rider on my motorcycle. Now it's my favorite mode of transportation and I put 4,000 miles a year on mine. The one big advantage is finding parking.

[Vinny]

I meet some guys every Saturday at Panera.All but one drive a golf cart to get there.We see our buddy driving his car around and round looking for a parking place and then parking in a distant lot and being ten minutes late.Give me a cart anyday.

I have never paled my car 10 minutes from my destination, even during snow bird season. I think you may be exaggerating a little. 2-3 minutes tops and that was during a major event. If there ate no car spots nearby, there are also no cart spots either.

[Dancing Queen]

My wife and I take our car almost everywhere unless we are trying to kill time or if one of us has the SUV and the other needs to get somewhere in TV which is not very seldom but happens from time to time. So for us the cart is in place of a second car. My wife can go to play bingo and I am able to go to the rec center or rent a movie at SweetBays however I am waiting for a bicycle to be delivered which will be used for much of the same uses while providing me with the exercise I need to keep losing weight. Given a choice we will choose the SUV over the cart unless we are just going a few blocks to the pool/mail. We rather drive without sweating/shivering, listen to the radio, parking without concern over whether it will rain or not (zip up the sunbrella or not) and feel much safer than driving in a cart.

So no you do not need a cart but they make an inexpensive second means of transportation for those times when you and your spouse have different plans for the day.

Thank you Vinny, as future TVr's your post puts this in perfect perspective for us. DH wants a cart, because he likes toys. I did not enjoy my 10 days there in May riding in a cart daily, slow and hot and noisy. I want my Civic with Ac, and full safety accouterments. So I guess I will have to finally agree to him getting a cart for when we are not together, once the house sells up here. ;)

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Of course you don't NEED a cart, but I wouldn't live here without one. It is so much easier and more enjoyable getting around in a cart than a car. Plus I fill up my gas tank about once every six weeks.

[CarGuys]

He gets the golf Cart, you get a Smart for Two Convertible! Heat, AC, Cruise, Fun! Parks smaller than a Cart.

Just saying-

[JohnN]

like someone said, rent one for a week and then decide.

We don't golf and after renting one for a week, found that we just prefer a car.

No thoughts of rain, too hot, too cold, tunnels nor the slower speed.
To each their own.

[justjim]

What? Don't plan to take up golf? I know a lot of people that didn't plan on golf but tried it a few times with friends and now play 2 or 3 times a week. Golf cart is nice to run to the grocery or to the square, rec. center, pools, mail boxes and much easier to find a parking space on one of the squares. We especially enjoy the cart in the evening----but different strokes for different folks.

[festusrules]

I will be flying down soon and will have only a golf cart for 5-6 weeks. Not a problem. Some get by without a cart, but we use ours more than the car.

[jgbama]

You've probably gotten enough responses to answer your question, but remember, it is a golf cart 55+ community. They designed the place around the use of golf carts. Granted on some streets you share the road, but we are moving down permanently on the 17th and not having a golf cart in the garage is "driving me crazy"! After unpacking, that will be our first purchase, besides a sofa!:1rotfl:

Decide on your priorities and personal desires and go with it! You'll be happy either way. . . because you'll be in "lower paradise", or as my DW says, "Disneyworld for adults"!!:clap2::MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot:

[perrjojo]

Do you NEED a golf cart? No. Will you WANT one? Probably