If they haven’t arrived already, golf carts could be coming soon to neighborhood streets near you. As consumers look for alternative forms of transportation, these little vehicles are becoming a trendy way to get around. But not everyone is on board.
The pandemic gave golf carts a big boost, with people anxious to get out of the house during the lockdown and interact with others in a socially distanced fashion. Today, demand is at five times its pre-COVID levels, with enthusiasts adopting an entire golf cart lifestyle, using them for most of their outings.
The appeal of golf carts is wide-ranging. Some like that they are less expensive than cars to both purchase and drive, and the electric versions have no emissions. They are popular on social media and have a fashion element to them, being long associated with the wealthy. Today’s versions can be customized to reflect the personal tastes of their owners with everything from premium sound systems and refrigerators to fancy paint jobs and rims. Many just enjoy that golf carts are fun and easy to drive. Since they can access areas that cars cannot, they can eliminate just about all walking. Parking is a breeze.
With their popularity has come backlash. Other drivers complain that slow golf carts impede faster vehicles on the roads and some worry about kids driving them when they don’t have a license or experience on the roads. The size of the carts means they are harder to see and if they are involved in a crash, they do not have airbags or crumple zones to protect occupants. Some don’t even have seatbelts.
Whether golf carts can legally use public roadways is up to state and local governments. Many are looking at their regulations now, determining requirements for street-legal carts and their drivers. With vocal community members on both sides, the decisions are not easy. Even when restrictions are put in place, such rules are not always followed, whether that is willful or due to a lack of awareness.
Activities:
- Ask students: Do you think golf carts should be allowed on the streets of your neighborhood (school or home)? Why or why not? What are the current local laws?
- The Today Show has a short video about the issues here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MookuV273I8.
- Ask students to form small groups and consider segmentation for the consumer golf cart market. Have them choose two segments that differ substantially in their needs and create a social media ad for each.
Sources: Keilman, John, (11 Aug 2025) Golf Carts Have Taken Over Suburbia. Cue the Resistance, Wall Street Journal. Symes, Steven, (13 Aug 2025) Golf Carts on Public Roads Are Becoming a Problem, Yahoo!Autos.
