These days, golf carts aren't just for golf. Golf cart dealers are selling custom golf carts that can be used for a wide range of purposes. Luxurious motorized golf carts whisk VIPs around large events in style. Off-road golf carts help farmers get around large ranches. And, of course, traditional club car golf carts dot the fairways and greens of golf courses around the country.

A number of issues face the golf cart industry these days. From environmental concerns to handicapped accessibility, it is important that you stay on top of the latest golf carts news and trends. This includes:

1. Changes in the golf cart industry;

2. The debate over electric golf carts versus gas golf carts;

3. And the newest golf carts for sale by manufacturers and distributors.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about general golf carts news and trends

Like most industries, the golf cart industry is in transition. Golf cars are getting more expensive as customized golf carts are becoming a bigger part of the market and customers are demanding golf carts with better performance and reliability.

I recommend: Golf Car Catalog contains a wealth of information about the golf cart industry, including news about new golf cart manufacturing plants, new features of golf carts and overall golf cart sales trends. Of course, safety is always a priority when maintaining and using golf carts. National Golf Cart Association helps you and your employees keep your customers safe.

Get details on the debate about an electric golf cart versus a gas golf cart

Gas powered golf carts are more powerful, more durable and less expensive to run than electric golf carts. But electric golf carts are cleaner, give a smoother ride and emit fewer smelly pollutants. Which golf cart is the better golf cart? The debate goes on.

I recommend: BuyerZone.com does a good job stacking up the pros and cons of gas golf carts and electric golf carts. Valley View Golf Carts uses an easy-to-read chart to explain the advantages and disadvantages of electric and gas carts.

Review the newest golf carts to hit the market

Tracking the newest offerings from golf cart manufacturers is a big part of staying on top of golf carts news and trends. New products, such as golf cars with better gas mileage, and luxury golf carts, such as the $25,000 Hummer golf cart, are constantly being introduced to the market.

I recommend: For honest reviews and a good golf cart buying guide, check out Galt Technology. The website rates electric carts, gas carts and luxury carts. Golf Cart Comparison is also an excellent source for reviews and buying tips.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When purchasing golf carts, take time to consider a growing trend in the industry -- alternative power golf carts. A growing number of diesel and solar powered golf carts are available.

If you own or operate one of the 16,000 golf courses or golf resorts in the United States, you know that golf carts have many uses. They shuttle golfers from one hole to the other; they transport food and drinks for sale on the golf course; they allow mobility-impaired golfers to enjoy the game of golf; they can move luggage and other equipment from one location to another on your golf resort or club; and they are an integral part of turf maintenance.

Choosing the right golf carts that are tailored to your long-term business-specific needs is vital. As your business blossoms, golf carts will be an integral recreation, maintenance and transportation tool.

When choosing golf carts, you need to consider three key things:

1. Durable golf carts will last longer and save money.
2. High-performance golf carts lead to enthusiastic customers and attract long-term business.
3. Customized golf carts can perform business-specific tasks and make your job easier.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find driver-friendly golf carts to provide an exhilarating driving experience

There are a wide range of golf carts in a variety of different styles to choose from with various performance features, and accessories, from an electric golf cart to traditional gas golf carts, and even special customized golf carts. Be aware of your business-specific needs and choose accordingly.

I recommend: Fairplay Cars produces a range of appealing electric golf carts. SoloRider provides single-rider motorized golf carts for mobility-impaired drivers using cutting-edge innovation and technology.

Choose functional club car golf carts to maximize your food and beverage service

Snacks and beverages are essential to providing a premium golf experience and, therefore, are a lucrative aspect of your business. Club car golf carts (also known as hospitality carts) can provide the safe and efficient transportation of these products to every point on the course.

I recommend: Yamaha Golf-Car Company is a premier manufacturer of electrical and gas-powered golf carts, and offers a number of club car golf carts, customized vehicles, and turf vehicles. Club Car manufactures a series of practical and attractive club car golf carts as well as rugged turf vehicles that address a range of golf applications. They also offer a variety of well-regarded electronic and gas golf carts.

Include turf vehicles among your golf carts as a vital part of your maintenance department

A high performance turf vehicle fulfills a number of golf applications, from cutting cups and setting flags to picking up golf balls on the driving range, and provides a large payload space and load capacity to get big jobs done on the golf course.

I recommend: One of the top manufacturers of golf carts, E-Z-GO offers a range of turf vehicles and hospitality carts. They also feature custom golf carts such as 8-passenger club car golf carts and custom-painted resort vehicles, as well as a selection of golf car parts. Jacobsen Golf & Turf produces a durable turf and utility vehicle as well as a number of accessories and attachments, such as a vicon spreader, buffalo combine, quick aerator and a turf master sprayer.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be knowledgeable of all state and local regulations governing the use of golf carts and clearly post a set of rules for everyone who has access to these vehicles.
• •  A number of golf cart manufacturers have incorporated environmental performance features into the design of their latest products. These carts are more environmentally-friendly and energy efficient, and may be an excellent choice for your business.
• •  Pre-owned golf cars are also available for sale and may be an excellent option for your business.

Motorized golf carts have come a long way from their humble beginnings as nondescript battery-powered vehicles designed to transport golfers around a golf course as an option to walking. Rising gas prices, a focus on the environment and the lure of fun, open-air cruising at comfortable speeds all have made golf carts (also referred to as golf cars) soar in popularity over the past decade, with no signs of a slowdown.

With the increase in golf cart popularity and demand--and the growing trend toward private consumer use--golf cart dealers and repair businesses are popping up all over the country. If you're considering joining the crowd, some golf carts education and training is in order. To get started, you need to know the following:

1. Golf carts can be either battery or gas powered and are manufactured by a number of different companies. Some companies specialize in building custom golf carts.

2. Golf cart repair and part replacement is relatively easy, so no certification or formal training is required.

3. Customizing, lifting and adding options to personalize golf carts can be a big--and profitable--part of your business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn who the golf cart manufacturers are and the type of carts they specialize in

A golf cart novice might tend to think that a golf cart is simply a golf cart. Much like automobiles, golf carts today vary greatly in size, shape, style, color, power, function, features and price.

I recommend: Familiarize yourself with the list of golf cart manufacturers at GolfLink. It includes well-known names such as Club Car and E-Z-Go as well as lesser-known standard and custom cart manufacturers--all with website links. Golf Cart Catalog offers an educational writeup on the gas golf cart vs. electric golf cart debate, including a glossary of terms.

Know how to do golf cart maintenance, repair and parts replacement

Like cars, golf carts experience their share of repair and service issues. Although no formal training is required to offer golf cart repair service, experience and practice are key to diagnosing and fixing both gas golf carts and electric golf carts.

I recommend: Larger manufacturers such as Club Car host classes and technical training seminars on golf cart maintenance and troubleshooting skills. Buggies Unlimited offers a variety of brand- and model-specific golf cart service manuals.

Explore the numerous options for creating customized golf carts

Some golf carts are customized based on their function, others for the sheer fun of it. Golf carts used for hauling or towing can have utility beds and hitches installed; golf carts that will be driven at night can get headlight kits. For appearance, customization options include myriad body styles--from a '56 pickup truck to an '09 SUV--lift kits, tires and rims, decals and paint jobs, sound systems, roll bars and much more.

I recommend: Because there are too many for any shop to keep in stock, it's best to offer customization options by ordering through catalogs or Internet searches. Golf Cart Trader has a comprehensive list of wholesale golf cart parts and accessories. Another great source for both custom and standard parts and accessories is BlockBuster Golf Cars.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Preowned golf carts are relatively easy to come by and are often the first choice for most consumers. Many golf cart dealers simply purchase lots of used golf carts from golf courses and pretty them up for sale on the showroom floor.
• •  Golf carts generally aren't street legal and, because there's little federal legislation governing their use, laws from state to state and town to town are murky at best. Golf carts outfitted with 'street legal' kits that include turn signals, headlights, brake lights, a windshield and seatbelts meet the requirements of some--but not all--localities.

Golf carts come in many shapes and sizes. The avid golf player will want to talk to golf cart dealers to purchase one for use in their weekly, perhaps daily, game of golf. But the player won't want to just run out and buy the first golf cart he sees. He'll scout around looking for the best golf carts pricing and costs. To keep your customers happy, and to ensure their return, you'll want to do your own research on golf cart prices.

There are many different types of golf carts for sale on the market, but for the average golf cart dealer, researching the costs of motorized golf carts, gas golf carts and custom golf carts will help keep you up-to-date on the best deals you can offer your customers.

1. Find the pricing and costs of motorized golf carts.

2. Find the pricing and costs of gas golf carts.

3. Find the pricing and costs of custom golf carts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Compare prices and costs of motorized golf carts

Motorized golf carts are beginning to replace golf pull carts and push carts. They start at the push of a button, steer easily and have speed settings that are easy to control. Motorized golf carts are able to hold all of your golf clubs and the golf club bag, and allow you to easily maneuver them along the golf course.

I recommend: CaddyBug USA features a modern motorized golf cart for $279. GolfCartPlace.com features their new Lectronic Kaddy TS-1 motorized golf cart for $1,049.

Compare prices and costs of gas golf carts

Gas golf carts can be used to drive around any golf course, to ride around your private community, or even as a utility vehicle to transport people and equipment within closed-in spaces, such as golf courses, industrial plants and farms.

I recommend: Golf Cart City offers used gas golf carts from $1200 to $8500. Valley View Golf Carts offer gas golf carts from $1600 to $2995.

Compare prices and costs of custom golf carts

Golfers can purchase custom golf carts that fit their individual style. These carts can be made in an array of colors, decorated to the users' preference, or even made to look like an object the user loves, such as fancy cars. Customized golf carts are usually priced higher than other golf carts, and may be sought out by your higher clientele.

I recommend: LuxuryCarts.com offers custom golf carts made to look like fancy cars from $15,225 to $18,350. Cool Carts of Texas offers custom golf carts in various car shapes from $9,095 to $18,500.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You may also want to compare the prices and costs of an electric golf cart for customers who live in private neighborhoods.