Get your buggy fleet ready for the new season with these expert tips from GCMA partners Golf Car UK.
A Golf Club Manager’s to-do list is lengthy at the best of times but it’s important not to let anything escape your attention, especially when things are ramping up for the new season.
With the weather finally beginning to turn and members and visitors flocking back to courses, now is the time to have everything shipshape, including your fleet of golf buggies.
Here, Golf Car UK’s Workshop Manager Dave Nicholls shares his expert tips on making sure your golf carts are primed and ready for action…
1) Visual check
First impressions matter and you want your vehicles to look good, so starting with a thorough visual inspection is always a good idea. Look out for things like cracks and scratches on the windscreen, chipped wheel trims and other aesthetic details that will be noticed by golfers if you don’t catch them first.
2) Tyre pressure
This is often overlooked and it really should be a routine check because tyre pressure has a big impact on efficiency and performance. The lower the tyre pressure, the more resistance, meaning the quicker the battery will drain.
3) Lead-acid battery maintenance
In instances where facilities have older vehicles utilising lead-acid batteries as opposed to lithium, there is some maintenance that can be carried out by appropriately skilled staff. The wires corrode when the battery charges so they need to be cleaned, which you can learn more about here.
4) Lithium battery maintenance
The newer lithium batteries are virtually maintenance-free as they don’t corrode like the lead-acid ones, but you can still wipe down the battery compartment with a wet cloth to keep it clean. With both battery types, you should of course check everything is charging properly.
5) Road test
Ultimately you want these vehicles to be driven so you need to check for yourself that they’re fit for purpose. Take them out on the course, pay attention to how it feels not just to drive, but also the comfort of the whole experience. Be aware of any issues that might cause injury or discomfort to someone, such as sharp edges – anything you may have missed from the visual inspection.
6) Get a service
Of course you also have the option of getting a reputable company, such as Golf Car UK, to come and service your vehicles and make sure everything is in full working order.
