Before looking for a cart, you should first decide on whether to go with an electric or gas golf cart, and your choice will determine the general age range you can consider for your cart. Electric carts after all have a much longer life span than gas carts, affording you the ability to purchase a 15 or 20 year old electric cart if you wish. Gas carts on the other hand would likely be on their last legs by that point, and could need costly maintenance to keep them road (or rather course) worthy.

There are other subtle differences between the two cart varieties. Top speed favors electric carts as well, while gas carts are typically capped. Electric carts are also good for the environment. On the other hand, gas carts can be driven for much greater stretches of time before needing a refuel, while electric carts are limited in the distance they can travel, even on a full battery charge. For those who live some distance from their preferred course and plan to drive there in their cart, a gas cart may be a necessity. Electric carts run quietly, while gas carts can make a healthy dose of noise depending on their condition, so this may be yet another factor to consider when one takes into account the usual quiet and solitude found on the golf course.

As you can see there are many facets to consider before even choosing which style of used golf cart to purchase. Next will be the task of actually scanning through the used golf carts for sale and finding the one that fits your needs. The majority of major retailers will not sell used carts, so your best bet on this front will be to shop online, or search local and online classifieds for used golf carts. Another possibility is to ask around at your local golf courses, as they may occasionally update their stable of carts and sell or auction off the existing ones. This could be a great way to find a real bargain.

There are many things you’ll need to consider when deciding which used carts available offer the best value. Certainly the age of the cart should be a prime factor, but in addition to that there are also the accessories that come with the cart, as well as the cart make and brand. Also of importance is the inclusion of a warranty, which you should get when purchasing from any reputable site. If the cart is sold ‘as is’ you may want to consider another cart. Ideally, you should test drive any model if possible to get a general feel for how it drives and handles.

For avid golfers, owning your own cart and the many possibilities this opens up for you, is becoming an increasingly popular alternatively to constant rentals. With the used golf cart market burgeoning, it’s a better time than ever to get in on the action and add a used golf cart to your golfing repertoire.

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Finding The Best Deals On Used Golf Carts For Sale

Public golf courses on the other hand have a somewhat more dubious reputation in many parts of the world. The landscape is certainly not maintained to quite the same level of care, partially due to the increased traffic passing over it and hacking at it. The experience also lacks the general serenity of the average country club. Public courses are often in the middle of bustling cities as opposed to be being out in the country, and the increased volume of players doesn’t help.

This isn’t to say public courses have no merit though, in fact far from it. Even if you’re the proud member of one or more private courses, you may want to hit some shots at your local public golf course. Below are some of the reasons why, as well as some handy tips for getting the most out of your trip to the public course.

Walk, Don’t Drive – Blasting around the course in a golf cart is loads of fun, but there’s a time and a place for it. That place is usually not on the public golf course, and the time is certainly not during peak hours. Play will likely be congested enough that speeding from shot to shot in a golf cart would simply lead to you sitting at your ball for 10 minutes waiting for the group ahead of you to finish. Use your trip to the public course as a chance to walk the course, get some exercise, and enjoy the day, your company, and the environs.

Put Those Smokes Away – Yes, in some parts of North America, smoking in public places is banned, and this includes public golf courses. Now this may of course appear to be a negative in the eyes of golfing smokers across the continent, but consider it a chance to take a forced respite from the deadly habit, and maybe even turn over a new leaf. If you’re a voracious golfer, you could actually cut back on the amount of smoking you do considerably. Who knew golf could function as such a handy stop smoking aid.

Variety Is The Spice Of Life – This old refrain applies to the golfing world as much as anything else. You may have an absolute favorite course in your area. Heck it may be the most amazing golf course in the entire world hands down. Even so, playing it exclusively will limit your golfing experience, and probably lead to boredom of the course and apathy at its brilliance over time. There may not be a public course in the world that will ever top your favorite, but the sheer experience of exploring the nooks and crannies of a new course, and challenging your game in different ways, will be far more rewarding than playing the same, albeit technically superior course, day after day.

These are just a few of the reasons why your public course may not be quite as bad as you feared. There are many other factors to consider, such as cost, distance from your home, clubhouse amenities, and more. Public courses have their share of cons, but they also boast plenty of pros, and should not be dismissed by golfers from any walk of life.

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Making The Most Of Your Rounds At The Local Public Golf Course

The Legacy Golf Course in Granite City, Illinois is a one of a kind course. The course is one of the more recent ones in the area, having opened in 1990 to quite a bit of fanfare. The course is expertly designed, catering to both experienced golfers, and average hackers. From the front tees the course is of very modest size, while from the back tees it provides a much sterner challenge. The area tends to be windy as well, which always adds an element of uncertainty to play.

Even from the back tees though, there is plenty of opportunity for longer hitters to set themselves up in prime position. Utilizing the modern sentiment of designing holes with the risk/reward concept in mind, many holes will tempt players to go for risky shots with the potential for great rewards present. There are numerous shorter par 4’s that have the potential to be reached by longer hitters even from the back tees. Par 5’s also rest in that middling distance for the most part, not so long as to be an automatic 3 shots to the green hole, but not so short as to leave an easy second to the green. In keeping with the risk/reward concept, there are numerous areas where your ball will go for a swim if hit off line, though days at the beach are few and far between.

The Legacy Course is proud to present numerous leagues, which run on most days throughout the season, with multiple league events held on certain days. There are leagues dedicated to seniors (or as the professional golfing association now likes to call them, champions), as well as a couples league and a women’s league. In addition to regular leagues, there are numerous tournaments held each month during the season with various themes, sponsors, and prizes.

One of the most impressive aspects of the course is their very affordable greens fees and membership fees. These fees truly open up the course to just about anyone who loves the game. Fees during tournaments and league games are similarly competitive. The course complements the fair rates with great amenities, including a fully stocked pro shop, banquet facilities, and a driving range.

The summer season at the Legacy Course typically runs from early March until late October. If you’re in the area during the season, or have plans to travel to the area, make sure to pay the course a visit and play a round. Just be sure to call ahead, as the course is often booked for the various events they hold throughout the season. I can say with certainty that you won’t regret a round of golf played at The Legacy.

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The Legacy Golf Course Provides A Classic Test Of Golf

While this outlandish fashion sense hasn’t left the golfing world entirely, as one can still see its influence in the clothing choices of players like Jesper Parnevik and Ian Poulter, it has certainly grown and matured to the point where golf shirts and apparel are now on the leading edge of the fashion industry. Though women’s golfing clothes never achieved the same lows as men’s clothing, it’s certainly true that they’re also setting a new standard in quality designs.

Thanks to the increased exposure of the LPGA tour with its many young star players such as Paula Creamer and Michelle Wie, and the fact that more and more women continue to take up the game, major golf apparel companies like Nike have continued to increase their output of fine ladies golf clothing that women can feel proud to wear on or off the course.

Even clothing and fashion labels that haven’t traditionally had a presence in the golfing world have entered the fray on the women’s side of the clothing line, including world renowned companies like Ralph Lauren and Armani.

We know women love their shoes, and putting together a great golfing outfit begins with this essential element. Golf shoes must serve the important double purpose of being stylish, but even more importantly, comfortable. Walking 18, or even 9 holes, is a tremendous strain on the feet, especially if your feet are stuck in footwear that simply isn’t suitable for the task at hand (or rather, afoot). Walter Genuin has a great line of fashionable and comfortable golf footwear products for females, while the renowned golfing footwear provider FootJoy also carries a wide range of feminine footwear, catering to comfort without sacrificing performance.

Next up is the choice for either full legged pants or a skirt, the choice of which will likely come down to personal taste and/or the weather. Certainly on cooler days ladies should wear a flexible and warm pair of trousers, while on warmer days they may wish to go with a skirt. Skorts have also seen an increase in popularity as both fashion and sporting wear, essentially being shorts made to look like skirts.

For tops, sleeveless has become a popular alternative to traditional golfing t-shirts; while long-sleeved is certainly a viable option on cooler days as well. Again, the emphasis should be on comfort and performance without neglecting style. Monterrey and Tail are two clothing lines with a wide range of quality golfing tops for women.

While that covers the main clothing choices for women, there are still several accessories to consider which you may or may not need to coordinate with your outfit, most notably your headwear, as well as gloves, socks, etc.

Being a golfer no longer means wearing silly clothes that push the boundaries of good taste. It now means wearing stylish, comfortable, and performance enhancing clothing that will ensure you look great on the golf course, even if your game is doing its best to make you look bad.

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Ladies Golf Clothing Will Keep You Stylish Despite Your Game

When it comes to actual golfing though, putting is likely right near the top of the list of golfer’s pet peeves. The seeming simplicity of the act of putting, and yet its inherent difficulty is no doubt what drives most golfers insane. Spraying drives and miss-hitting irons out of the bunker is at least somewhat understandable, as these tasks require complex motions and maneuvers.

Putting on the other hand is about as simple as golf can get, at least on the surface. There are no complicated motions requiring perfect harmony and synergy between more body parts than you can shake a stick at, or name. Putting is almost entirely shoulders, as they get swung back and forward in a classic pendulum motion.

Of course while golfers do have troubles even with this simple motion (most notably represented by the classic terminology ‘The Yips’, denoting in golf a player who has particular trouble with short putts because of a jerky stroke), there are other facets to putting which may also be causing or contributing to the inability to drain a putt, namely reading the greens and lining up your shot. For correcting all of these issues, or to simply have some fun putting without the pressure of filling in a scorecard, indoor putting greens make a great purchase.

These putting greens can come in various sizes, but all are easily portable. Different models can come with a variety of different features. One nice touch is the chute or alley, which transports your ball back to your putting area when you knock it in the cup (think bowling ball at a bowling alley). Some will also give you the ability to raise up parts of the green to allow yourself different reads and putts each time you play. Putting greens may also come with side walls around the hole area, to prevent balls from scooting off the green and rolling places they shouldn’t.

Indoor greens are made from material that delivers a very consistent ball roll similar to what you would experience on a real green. They’re light and easily transported, yet very durable. While we don’t recommend practicing chips off them, they’ll certainly take the beating of some poor putting attempts snagging on them and keep on ticking. Their ease of portability makes them perfect for moving between rooms in your home, or between your home and the office.

Help bring the joy of putting back to your game with one of the many great indoor putting greens on the market. They make for a great practice tool and stress reliever. If you set one up in the office, just don’t forget to get some work done during the day as well.

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An Indoor Putting Green Is A Fun Way To Improve Your Game

HiPPO is a brand with an impressive pedigree dating back to 1989, and an established tradition in Europe of releasing quality products. They’re not an overly prolific company, instead focusing on quality over quantity. They’ve won the European Golf Industry Awards as voted on by the public 4 times, and have received glowing reviews of some of their recent products from major golf publications such as Golf Digest.

The first thing you’ll likely notice about HiPPO clubs is their design. Perhaps owing to their European origin, or simply to the visionaries behind them, HiPPO clubs look quite unlike anything else you’ve ever seen. Their colorfully and stylishly designed, with sharp features and angular curves that lend them a high-tech appearance no other clubs I’ve seen can match. Even their putters have some of the wildest and most original designs you’ve likely ever seen. For a game that is very much mental, feeling like you have a piece of advanced technology in your hands can truly be a powerful tool before you’ve even hit a shot with them.

The HiPPO golf line focuses on game-improvement, meaning the majority of their various sets are in what would be considered the upper-echelon of clubs. Their most notable sets are their Hex, Hipster, and it lines of equipment. While their focus is largely on woods and irons, they have developed full sets of clubs, as well as individually sold wedges and hybrids, in addition to the putters mentioned above. More importantly, the HiPPO sets are typically very affordable in relation to some of the other sets considered to be in their same technology and effectiveness range.

Owing to their relative obscurity in the North American market it may not be easy to track down some of their products. Even major North American golf retailers such as GolfTown don’t stock HiPPO products, though they may be willing to order a set for you. In most other cases, your best bet will be to find a used set locally, or import a set from a European retailer. The costs associated with shipping golf clubs from Europe will cut back on any savings the clubs may have bestowed over other brands, but it may still be worthwhile to do so.

If you’re in the market for high quality clubs at an affordable price (and really, who isn’t?), as well as clubs that will likely be the talk of your foursome or country club due to their incredible designs, the HiPPO brand would be a great place to look. Just be advised that they may not be quite as easy to track down as you’d like them to be.

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HiPPO Golf Continues To Expand And Attract New Players

After all, on the one hand we have a company universally known for creating motorcycles, iconically driven by pot-bellied, bearded, gruff bikers with chains dangling from their jeans and a headband wrapped around their thinning hair. On the other hand we have golf, the gentlemen’s sport, and one which until recently was seen as the pastime of the more educated and refined among us.

Yet in 1963, this strange fusion did indeed occur. Harley Davidson was battling to branch out from its typical roots and attain a new image as it got battered in the press and entertainment industry for supposedly catering to gangs and hoodlums. The stark contrast that golf represented image-wise was exactly what Harley Davidson needed, hence the strange partnership.

A few years later they sold their golf cart operations to AMF, who would later sell them to Columbia Par Car. These companies continued to produce Harley Davidson golf carts until 1995. With the carts no longer being produced, but interest in them still being exceptionally high, there is a thriving community online dealing with the upkeep and maintenance of these golf carts.

The carts came in a variety of styles over the years, from the outlandish which you would typically associate with the brand, to styles very much traditional with golf cart designs of the time in question. Carts came in both gas and electric models.

Tracking down and purchasing one of these classic golf carts is not easy, but it’s certainly possible. If you’re a big enough enthusiast of both golf and Harley Davidson to make the venture worthwhile, it’s definitely worth looking into.

The usual online routes for tracking down rare items apply in this case as well, making auction sites and other classified sites your best friend. These avenues are also worthwhile for tracking down necessary parts which may be needed now or in the future for maintenance.

Another viable option is to deal with a golf cart parts website. These sites not only have broad selections of parts, but also feature robust classified listings of users selling both carts and parts, as well as looking to buy the same. These sites are a more certain way of tracking down something you’d like to buy or sell.

If you’re a golfer who has a soft spot for Harley Davidson, and love puttering around in a golf cart, searching for one of these classic golf carts would be highly recommended. It’s an intriguing reminder of the past, of a time when our perceptions of Harley Davidson, bikers, and golfers, was quite different than it is now.

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Harley Davidson Golf Carts Are Still A Popular Golf Novelty Item

For either of these situations there’s the golf trolley, an ideal compromise for those who would prefer to walk the course without the burden of carrying their heavy golf bag around. Trolley’s come in two standard varieties, the manual and electric trolley. Manual trolleys can come in either 2 or 3 wheel varieties. The 2 wheelers are intended to be pulled behind the player, while the 3 wheel varieties may be pushed or pulled.

When it comes to even greater trolley convenience though, nothing beats the electric trolley. It really is the perfect way to enjoy the golfing experience. You’re walking along and enjoying nature, while not having to be distracted by carrying or pulling your golf bag. That’s not to say electric trolleys will drive themselves around, but you get the idea.

Electric trolleys are 3 wheel models, and look very similar to manual 3 wheel trolleys, save for the electric battery resting in the middle of the trolley’s framework. It’s this golf trolley battery that we’ll be discussing for the rest of the article, as the trolley battery is probably the most important consideration when purchasing an electric trolley.

The trolley itself has a few design aspects which should be considered, namely the materials used to construct it, be it aluminum (lightweight but weak), steel (stronger and heavier than aluminum), or titanium (the strongest, but also most expensive material used in trolley construction). The last major consideration concerning the trolley itself is how the trolley is controlled. Some models have a simple on/off switch, and the trolley always travels at a preset speed. Others will have variable speeds to match the golfer’s walking speed, and help guide it over uneven terrain. Lastly, some trolleys even come with remote control devices which can be used to easily move the trolley around in the desired direction and speed.

When it comes to the battery though, there are two major considerations. How long does it last for, and how heavy is it? Starting with the latter, batteries are often quite heavy, and as you’ll be forced to constantly remove and charge up the battery, its weight may be an important factor. Regarding the former, you want to be certain that your battery will get you through even the longest day on the course. The absolute worst possible scenario would be to have your battery run out, forcing you to manually lug around your trolley which is packing extra weight because of the battery itself. The difference in price between shorter and longer lasting batteries is not immense, so it’s definitely recommended you purchase the best battery you can, taking into consideration your ability to get your trolley around in the event it did run out of power.

Don’t be left stranded on the course with a dead battery. Find a trolley battery that has the power you’ll need to get you through your typical rounds without fail, and enjoy your time spent on the course without worrying about the state of your trolley battery.

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Keep Your Trolley Rolling With The Right Golf Trolley Battery

Let’s start with some of the simpler products and work our way up. A common practicing tool used for developing proper swing habits is the weighted club. These clubs are very popular among professional players, most notably Vijay Singh, who hits hundreds of balls daily with a weighted club. The benefit of these clubs is that they force the hands and arms into a better position on the downswing, ingraining positive habits into the user. A popular way to use these clubs is to alternate between the training club and the golfer’s actual club, helping them to feel the difference in their swings, and what it should feel like when swinging their actual clubs.

Putting is a cause of particular worry for many golfers, and one of the prevailing issues is simply proper alignment before the putt. You can hit a technically perfect putt, but if you’re simply not aligned properly the putt will never fall. For this reason there’s a popular putting aid on the market called the Targaline Putting System. Through the use of visual aids, the Targaline system can help you train your eyes to better visualize putts, and better align yourself when preparing to putt.

Another popular golf training aid is the Medicus Dual-Hinge 5-Iron. This incredibly unique device breaks down the instant it detects an anomaly in your swing, which gives you the type of instant feedback that can really help break you of bad habits and get your swing on the right track (both figuratively and literally). The Medicus line has even expanded to now include a driver, to help combat some of the unique challenges presented by the driver as opposed to irons.

If you really want to go all out there’s the Ultimate Workstation, one of those incredibly gimmicky looking devices you may have seen infomercials for, but which certainly is not without merit. The device features a complex array of feedback pads which force your swing along a particular path, while also demanding your head remain relatively still, and other parts of your body don’t decide to do strange things. The ability to correctly train without actually thinking about mechanics is a powerful tool that device allows.

While not so much a training aid, giant golf nets are perfect for allowing you to hit balls in your backyard, or anywhere else you can manage to set the net up and have a proper surface to hit off of. Don’t settle for using plastic balls in your backyard which simply don’t give the same feedback and results as real balls.

No matter what seems to be ailing you in your game (and if you’re anything like me, it’s not just one thing, but multiple things), there’s a golfing aid out there to help you cure it. Of course, owing to the fact that there are so many different aids available, positive results may vary. You’d be advised to do some research on the product and look for some unbiased testimonials as to the usefulness of the product before jumping on board.

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There’s A Golf Training Aid Available For Whatever Ails You

Well this same flair for creativity and passion for taking things to new heights (both figuratively, and in this case, literally), has come to the golfing world. While golf has always featured some level of customizability in the sense that golf clubs can be tailor fitted and designed with a specific person in mind, and many golfers love to mark their balls with unique designs to help them identify them in the case of multiple balls being present in one area, the golfing world has never seen anything quite like golf cart lift kits.

These lift kits can be used to raise the undercarriage of your golf cart further off the ground, allowing for the removal of the existing, plain tires, and the addition of larger, more robust and stylish tires. Far from simply being a visual upgrade, there are several practical and functional reasons for using a golf cart lift kit.

Most notably, the wider offset of the new tires, as well as the tires themselves being larger and wider, provides added stability while riding in your cart, particularly at higher speeds. In addition, the larger tires are much better suited to travel offer rougher or more uneven terrains. Being higher up in your cart and having a better view of the surrounding area and terrain could also provide advantages while playing a course.

Of course, the visual appeal is just as important as the practical applications for many. For those who play golf and use their cart regularly, they can become just as attached to it as people are want to be with other similar products such as bikes or cars. The fancy visual upgrade makes their cart stand out from the pack and certainly makes the owner appear to be serious about his or her golf.

As mentioned, the larger and wider tires must be further offset from the cart to prevent any contact with the cart’s base while turning. This is the one major consideration which must be taken into account when purchasing a lift kit. As lift kits are not cheap, you’ll want to make sure that the kit will work with your particular cart, and that the intended size of wheel will also function well with the combination of cart and kit.

Lastly, depending on your level of technical expertise, you’ll probably want to ensure that your kit of choice won’t require any welding or metal cutting. Most of the newer kits on the market don’t, but some way, which could force you to have the kit professionally installed. In most other cases you should have no trouble installing your lift kit and replacing the tires yourself.

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Golf Cart Lift Kits Can Functionally Soup Up Your Golf Cart