As environmental awareness grows, golf courses are looking for ways to make their operations more sustainable.
One area ripe for green upgrades is the humble and ever-popular golf cart. With tens of thousands of carts in use across the country, even small changes can make a real impact.
Embracing eco-friendly options on the course means considering upgrades that move away from traditional gas-powered models, and that's where the benefits of EV golf carts truly shine.
Choosing EV golf carts not only reduces your carbon footprint but also offers a quieter, smoother ride.
Here are some eco-friendly upgrades to consider for your golf cart.
Solar Panels
Adding solar panels to your cart allows it to self-charge using clean energy from the sun. Panels can be mounted on the roof to soak up rays while parked.
This eliminates the need for plug-in charging. For courses in especially sunny climates, solar power can handle all charging needs.
In other areas, it still offsets a significant portion of electrical demands.
Solar kits are available for around $2,000 per cart, which is quite steep, but if you are keen to do your bit for the environment and you plan to keep your golf cart for many years, it’s an investment worth making.
Lithium Batteries
Swapping out traditional lead-acid batteries for lithium-ion versions brings huge sustainability benefits. Lithium batteries last 3-4 times longer than lead-acid. That means fewer batteries over a cart's lifetime.
They're also much lighter weight, which improves efficiency and reduces cart energy needs. Though more expensive upfront, lithium batteries save money in the long run through longevity and fuel savings.
Efficient Motors
Upgrading to a more efficient electric motor is another way to boost cart sustainability.
Higher-performing regenerative motors recover energy when braking. They also optimize power usage while in motion.
Motors designed specifically for golf applications provide plenty of torque while using less electricity. Installing greener motors saves charging resources and operating costs.
If you are the kind of person who likes tinkering with their golf cart, this is definitely an upgrade you can do at home as a DIY project.
Turf Friendly Tires
Golf carts are tough on turf, especially with standard tires that tear up the grass. Install tires designed specifically to minimize turf damage.
Options like wide, low-pressure tires spread weight more evenly across the ground. Tread patterns and materials that flex over grass also help.
By reducing scuffing and tearing, these tires make carts gentler on the greens.
Shop for new tires from an online store that sells much more than tires, so you pick up other extras while you are adding them to your virtual shopping basket.
Bamboo or Recycled Plastic Carts
Today's golf carts are often made from 100% recycled plastics or sustainable bamboo. These eco-friendly materials reduce dependence on virgin plastics derived from oil.
Bamboo carts in particular are highly renewable since bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants. They're also extremely durable and often lighter than traditional carts.
More brands now offer carts made from recycled milk jugs, detergent bottles, and other salvaged plastics.
GPS Tracking
Golf courses can benefit from installing GPS trackers in their golf cart fleets. Knowing where your carts are at all times prevents energy waste.
GPS fleet tracking lets you monitor cart traffic patterns and identify inefficient movement. You can also pinpoint carts left idling or charging too long.
GPS monitoring software delivers valuable analytics to inform smarter energy use across your fleet. It also deters unauthorized joy rides that burn unnecessary power.
Going green with golf carts protects the environment and cuts operational costs through fuel and battery savings.
With more eco-conscious upgrades available, courses have many options to make their fleets more sustainable, and private owners can also do their bit.
By implementing even a few changes, playing golf will become even more eco-friendly than it already is.
