ALL-NEW NAVITAS CHASSIS February 2022 Issue 21
GOLFCARTING.COM
COVER STORY
COVER STORY
GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 1121 PARK WEST BLVD B214 MOUNT PLEASANT, SC 29466
CHARGING INTO THE FUTURE DO LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES OFFER BIG BENEFITS?
PAGE 18
CONTENTS ISSUE 21 FEBRUARY 2022
FEATURES
18 COVER STORY: SHADOAN EDITION 26 CHARGING INTO THE FUTURE 34 COMPANY PROFILE: TROJAN BATTERY 36 CART PATH ONLY 40 ALL-NEW NAVITAS CHASSIS 46 DEALER PROFILE: BEST GOLF CARTS DEPARTMENTS
14 INDUSTRY NEWS 30 LET'S GET SOCIAL 38 GOLF CARTING NATION 48 ASK THE MECHANIC 50 READER'S RIDES 8 www.GolfCarting.com
Is Graphene the Future of EV Power?
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raphene is a recently discovered “supermaterial” that is purported to do just about everything. It is a thin (one-atom) layer of graphite where the atoms are arranged in a hexagonal arrangement giving the material very unique properties. It is considered to be the strongest material known to man. It is also highly conductive and appears to be an extremely useful material in solar cells. Recently, I stumbled on a local news story here in SW Florida about a man who invented a new form of solar technology using graphene to convert solar energy into power. The technology is called a SETI Pack and it could replace traditional batteries in golf carts, boats, RVs and more. Chris Sanders, CEO of Sustainable Energy Technologies Inc. (SETI) told WINK News in Fort Myers, FL, “There’s no maintenance, you don’t have to add water, you don’t have the degradation issues and they’re fast-charging; we can charge these golf carts from zero to 60% in about two minutes, versus ten to twelve hours on lead acid or six hours on a lithium battery.”
The SETI Packs are comprised of thousands of sheets of graphene and weigh just 35 pounds. If these packs are successful in replacing lead-acid batteries it would reduce the weight of a golf cart by some 400 pounds. The packs are also biodegradable with no toxic materials which solves a huge problem of disposing of lead-acid batteries. The reduced charging time from hours into minutes is a game-changer for golf courses that have fleets of carts. By installing solar panels on the roof of a golf cart, the cart could return from a round of golf with more charge than it started with. Golf Carting Magazine will continue to follow this technology and perhaps write a full article on SETI Packs in a future edition. We hope you enjoy this February 2022 edition of Golf Carting Magazine. Happy carting!
Trevor Rose Senior Editor Trevor@golfcarting.com
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GOLF CARTING // Issue 21 // February 2022 Publisher: Senior Editor: Creative Director: Production Director: Staff Writer: Staff Writer:
GC Media Group, LLC Trevor Rose - trevor@golfcarting.com Troy Merrifield - troy@golfcarting.com Christian Amico - chris@golfcarting.com Kelly Madden Josh Delsota
Golf Carting® is published monthly by GC Media Group, LLC. Reprinting in whole or by any means- electronic, graphic or mechanical, including photocopying or information storage and retrieval systems is forbidden without written permission from the publisher.
Advertising opportunities and inquiries to: chris@golfcarting.com Editorial contributions are welcomed, but editors recommend that contributors contact us first. Contribution must be accompanied by return postage, and we assume no responsibility for damage or loss of material. Manuscripts must be typewritten, and all photos have to have captions. Photo model releases of all people in photos must accompany manuscript. GOLF CARTING reserves the right to use material, and we reserve the right to edit material to meet publication requirements. E-mail contributions or inquiries to:
trevor@golfcarting.com WARNING: Certain action photographs depicted in this magazine are potentially dangerous. The drivers and vehicle occupants seen in our photos are experienced professionals. Do not attempt to duplicate any stunts. Wear a helmet and safety restraints while operating a Golf Cart, and never drive beyond your capabilities. Do not drink and drive while operating a Golf Cart. We also encourage you to “Tread Lightly” while respecting the outdoors and other outdoor enthusiasts. Use your head and enjoy the ride. ©2022 GC Media Group, LLC
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latestindustrynews DSG GLOBAL INC TO INTRODUCE THE SHELBY OF GOLF CARTS TO THE WORLD MARKET DSG Global announced that it will introduce the new officially licensed range of Shelby(R) golf carts to the world market. Golf carts haven't changed much in the past decade, except for minor body panels and small lithium battery packs, and current offerings from the big three are underpowered and lack modern technology. In an effort to disrupt the golf cart market, Vantage Tag Systems, a division of DSG Global, is launching a line of highly featured, high-performance, officially licensed Shelby golf carts. According to the update, the volume-production carts have performance and convenience upgrades to ensure they truly are the "Shelby of Golf Carts." The following three models are available: Shelby GT-350(R), Shelby GT-S00(R) and the ultimate in performance, the Shelby Cobra, which is up to 96% more powerful than a standard electric cart. See it here: www.acgolfcart.com About AC Golf Carts Shelby Golf Carts With absolute respect to the original Carroll Shelby approach the Officially Licensed Shelby range of golf carts start life as regular golf buggies. Shipped semi knocked down (SKD) to the company’s facility where the experienced race car techs work their magic. Reconfigured with many features hand built, each Shelby Golf Cart carries a unique I.D plate specifying key details and date of completion. Of course, golf carts are designed and intended for use on golf courses and within golf resorts. The no.1 priority is to tune and refine the Shelby range to provide smooth, comfortable, sure footed and competent operation on fairways, cart paths and private roads. All Shelby golf carts, and resort carts are fitted with an on-dash performance mode selector switch. The driver can select low for regular golf course performance, smooth and responsive, top speed is capped at just under 20klm/h. When required, on private roads, and of course when it’s safe to do so the driver can select High for more aggressive acceleration and higher top speeds. Shelby Golf Carts and resort vehicles can be ordered several different specification levels. The Shelby G.T.350 is fitted with a 4kw brushless and maintenance free motor. Performance is remapped to improve smooth acceleration, the suspension is refined to improve ride and handling while the G.T.500 features 4-wheel disc/drum hydraulic brakes, auto park brake, high powered 6.3kw AC motor, 3-point seat belts, 9’ Bluetooth touch screen with radio, speedo, reverse camera and Bluetooth connection to smart phone. 14 www.GolfCarting.com
latestindustrynews RELEASING “THE BEAST”: TROJAN BATTERY COMPANY LAUNCHES THE LONGEST-RANGE GC2 LITHIUM-ION GOLF CAR BATTERY We all know Trojan makes some of the best golf cart batteries, but did you know they now have lithium-ion? Trojan® GC2 48V Lithium-Ion Golf Battery promises golf car owners the ultimate in performance, fast charging and traveling up to 15% farther than other lithium-ion batteries Golf car owners who seek the ultimate performance will find it in the newest release from industry leader Trojan Battery Company: the Trojan® GC2 48V Lithium-Ion Golf Battery. The longest-range lithium-ion golf car battery, the Trojan GC2 48V travels up to 15% farther than its competitors. It’s ultra-durable, charges fast, powers relentlessly up hills and is maintenance-free, giving owners the confidence that their golf car is always ready to go where they want, when they want. “The Trojan GC2 48V Lithium-Ion Battery’s industryleading performance makes it a beast of a battery designed for golf car owners who demand the most convenience and performance from their driving experience, and we’re thrilled to introduce it to the market,” said Rick Heller, chief executive officer of Trojan Battery Company. “Owners can count on its safety and reliability, backed by Trojan’s 97 years of innovation in battery manufacturing.” Founded in 1925, Trojan Battery Company pioneered the first-ever deep-cycle golf battery 1952, launching a legacy of leadership in the electric golf car industry that continues today. Among the Trojan GC2 48V competitive advantages: • Travels farther. The Trojan GC2 48V has a proven range of 4560 miles on a single charge with a three-battery configurationup to 15% farther than other GC2 lithium-ion batteries. (Based on published range of competing GC2 lithium-ion batteries; actual driving range will vary based on terrain, temperature, load and vehicle operation.) • Off-road durability tested. The battery meets SAE vibration tests, lasts two to three times longer than lead-acid batteries, and is backed by an eight-year warranty. Built with one of the highest levels of protection, the battery is also protected from dust, sand, and water. • Certified safe. Field tested for more than 100k hours, the Trojan GC2 48V meets international safety and performance standards down to the battery cell level. It is made with one of the most stable chemical formulas (LFP) with redundant safety features, and its battery monitoring system self-protects against short circuits and overheating. • Maximized charger performance. It charges fast in two to four hours and is compatible with all leading charger brands. Golf car owners can view battery life on the batteries or via the optional dashboard battery gauge. 16 www.GolfCarting.com
• Maintenance-, hassle- and worry-free. Lithium-ion battery maintenance is as minimal as checking cable connections yearly at most. The Trojan GC2 48V can be stored up to 12 months in recommended conditions. Available at local dealers nationwide The Trojan GC2 48V is now available nationwide at Authorized Trojan Lithium-Ion Dealers. Trojan has one of the largest networks of authorized lithium-ion dealers who are trained to properly upgrade and replace lead-acid batteries with lithiumion. The new battery will be available globally this year as well. About C&D Technologies and the Trojan Battery Company. The Trojan brand represents the world’s leading manufacturer of deep-cycle batteries. Headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, California, Trojan’s operations include six manufacturing plants, two advanced research and development centers dedicated exclusively to deep-cycle battery technologies, and international offices located in the Americas, Europe, the United Arab Emirates and Asia. Visit www.trojanbattery.com.
COVER STORY
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f you have been following us on Facebook or on our website, you just might know that you can submit your cart to possibly be featured in the magazine. For those of you that have high quality photos and detailed information, you can go to our Instagram page, click on the link in our Bio and click on the link: https://drum.io/golfcartingmag, and click on the link titled “Submit your Custom Golf Cart” to submit your cart.
GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 19
This issue’s "Custom Golf Cart" feature comes from Eric Shadoan, from Sumter, SC a Mini Truck enthusiast that took his first crack at building a custom golf cart. This custom golf cart is a 2010 E-Z-GO TXT, below is Eric’s written submission detailing the build. ERIC, COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS CUSTOM BUILD? Of course. This build originally started as a build-off cart. Golf Carts Modified on Facebook was doing a nationwide build-off contest. I started with a raw frame that I picked up from Travis Andrews of Golf Carts Modified, in Savannah, GA. Next, I called Travis’s business partner, Cory Osteen, to help me with the build. He had done a few limo carts in the past, and I knew he was the guy to show me the way. Cory was instrumental in helping me determine the specifications of what needed to be cut and we got to work. We stretched the cart 3-feet from its original length. Growing up around Mini Trucks and Low Riders I knew I wanted to bag this cart. There are other bagged carts, but none of them use 17-inch wheels that I am aware of. I knew this build was going to be a challenge, and I was up for it We needed to narrow the front and rear axle by 3 inches in order to get the wheels in tight and get it as low as possible. Once the cart was stretched and axles narrowed, we then started looking into how to set up the suspension. Just like a 20 www.GolfCarting.com
mini truck we built a custom two-link set up for the rear with the 2500lb bags mounted on top of the link bars. Once the cart was a rolling chassis, we loaded it up and brought it home to do the tear down and clean it up, paint the frame and the suspension parts. Another good friend of mine, Joey Collins, helped me with the steering on the cart. Golf carts are not meant to be bagged and anyone that has done one with the 4-bolt steering knows it’s a struggle. After a lot of trial and error we finally got the steering set
up efficiently for a full lift and used Monroe air shocks. Once that was done, I reached out to Cory Osteen to order a full Navitas AC kit for the cart because I wanted the speed and reliability. While waiting for delivery of power and speed, I got to work on the dash. Kicker Audio would be my sound choice preference, with their marine grade components, flashy LED lights and of course, their amazing sound quality. So, I ordered four 6.5’s, two 8’s, a head unit and amp straight from Kicker. My brother Jason and I came up with an overall design of the dash. Once the shell was built to my satisfaction, the labor-intensive fiberglass work began. My next task was working out the color scheme for the cart. I wanted a simple, classy look that would pop. I decided to use the same white that blanketed my GMC Sierra for the exterior color and finish of the interior with a red. My dad Pete owns Shadoan’s Auto Glass and Upholstery and I gave him the mission to recover the plain seats for me so that he could put his masterful touch on them. Knowing that I wanted all marine grade material for longevity, I had him place the order and we went over the design that I envisioned 22 www.GolfCarting.com
GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 23
WHAT AFTERMARKET PARTS DID YOU USE? Forever Sharp - Steering wheel Riddler - 17” rims Navitas - 5k AC motor, & 600amp controller Little Larry’s-Manual air valves Kicker- Marine grade speakers with leds(4-6.5” & 2-8”) and 800wt amp Jakes-Sport windshield Viair - Compressor Airlift - 2500lb bags, polished air tank Monroe - Front air shocks CAN YOU GIVE US SOME BACKGROUND ABOUT YOURSELF AND HOW LONG YOU HAVE BUILDING CARTS? This is my first complete build and my second cart in total. I’ve followed local cart builders in my area and followed people building carts online and it looked like something I could get into. I’ve always been into custom cars and trucks and thought why not try a golf cart? WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE? I plan to take to the cart to a couple of shows on the East coast and then sell it to enable another build. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD? I would like to thank everyone who was involved with this build and the sponsors who helped as well.
for the seats. My goal was to keep the cart unique, so in the middle of the front seats I had my brother incorporate two cup holders flush with the top of the seat and matching red carpet for the flooring. I must say it turned out better than I ever expected! Once the Navitas stuff came in it was time to wire everything up and make this thing run. Let me just tell you Navitas is the way to go! So far, I’ve had this cart up to 40mph! When the body of the cart was finished being painted, I started the reassembly process. Seeing this thing come together was absolutely mind blowing and gave me motivation to keep pushing to get it done. For my first ever full build, I’m very pleased with the overall outcome of this cart and can’t wait to do another later down the road. WAS THERE ANY CUSTOM FABRICATION OR CUSTOMMADE PARTS FOR THIS BUILD? Yes, we made a custom 2 -link rear suspension. We also narrowed the front and rear axle and shortened the steering column by 2 inches. We custom built the front seat, built a custom fiberglass dash, made custom seat covers, made a custom steering linkage and custom-built aluminum sill plates. 24 www.GolfCarting.com
• Kicker Audio - All audio • Pete & Jason Shadoan (Shadoan’s Auto Glass & Upholstery) Seats and carpet • Brandon Burrell with Burrell Images - Photos • Little Larrys • Sumter Tire Plus - Jason Vealey • Kris Seale - Paint • Robbie Castleman - Stickers • Brewers Bar & Grill • Wes Disher - Top Notch Mobile Detailing • Golf Carts Modified- Travis Andrews/Cory Osteen/Ryan O’Rear • Joey Collins
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CHARGING INTO THE FUTURE
DO LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES OFFER BIG BENEFITS? BY KELLY MADDEN
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ewer industries have demonstrated such impressive growth and advancements as has the lithium battery business, specifically for golf carts and other lowspeed vehicles. Their efficiency, power output and ease of maintenance is making the lithium-ion cart battery the preferred method of powering carts and other electric vehicles around the world. Many major cart manufacturers now equip their carts with high-end lithium batteries right from the production line, and a huge number of those with older, lead acid batteries are discovering the many benefits of refitting their carts with these new, technologically advanced batteries. SIMPLICITY BY DESIGN Traditional lead acid batteries, once the standard for golf
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carts before around 2018, may be less costly to purchase, but the long-term benefits of lithium batteries may outweigh the slightly higher expense. A key benefit is the requirement for fewer batteries than the number needed with lead acid batteries to achieve the same amount of power to the wheels, meaning a lot less overall cart weight. A complete set of lithium batteries weighs approximately 25 percent of the weight of a complete set of lead acid batteries. Maintaining the batteries in your cart is often one of the biggest hassles of using lead acid batteries. Many people don’t use their carts year-round, especially in Florida and other southern states where people divide their time between 2 residences depending on the time of the year. If your plans include leaving your cart dormant for an extended period, as most “snowbird” part-time residents need to do, you need to
disconnect your lead acid batteries before you go. Lead acid batteries can lose around 33% of their charge in 30 days, while lithium batteries only lose around 3% - this can be important if your cart sits dormant for an extended period. If you’ve ever found yourself out on the 16th hole or doing chores around your commercial business or property and your cart starts to gradually lose power, switching to lithium batteries will solve that problem. Lithium batteries operate at a fully charged level of power delivery until they completely lose their charge. You won’t notice any loss of torque or power unless the lithium batteries are completely without charge. The time it takes to charge lithium batteries is far less than that of lead batteries. It takes a lead battery around 8 hours to fully charge, while lithium batteries can be fully charged in about 3 hours. This can mean significant savings in your electricity. Lithium batteries also will last you much longer then lead batteries because they can handle far more charging cycles over their lifetime. While a traditional lead battery can be charged around 1,000 times, lithium batteries can attain a fully charged cycle up to 5,000 times over its use. Partially charging a lead acid battery may result in damaging the cells, known as sulfation damage. Lithium batteries have the edge here, in that if you need a short, quick charge to run up to the country club for dinner, you won’t risk any damage to the batteries. TO SWITCH OR NOT TO SWITCH You may have been considering making the transition to lithium batteries in your cart. You’ll need to consider the overall condition and performance of your lead batteries and weigh that against the costs of new lithium batteries. To be clear, not everyone is fully convinced that lithium batteries are the wave of the future. GolfCarting.com interviewed several sources for this article and discovered that there are those in the golf cart and electric vehicle industries who, based on a variety of reasons, feel that the future of using lithium-ion batteries needs a little more time and research before they’re convinced of their benefits. Since this technology was only developed approximately 5 years ago, some think that there has not been enough time to fully evaluate the claims made by lithium battery manufacturers. For example, the overall life span estimate of around 8 to 10 years cannot yet be accurately evaluated due to their short time on the market. The average cost of enough lithium-ion batteries to
convert a typical golf cart installation is around $2,500. You’ll also need to purchase a new compatible charger and battery management system, (BMS), which will add about another $1,000 to $1,200, plus any applicable labor charges if you take your cart to a repair facility for the conversion. But you should also factor in the potential savings and overall performance and durability of the new batteries in making your decision. Lithium batteries mean no more corroded battery terminals, worrying about the water levels in your batteries or other maintenance issues. With lithium-ion batteries, you may be able to spend far less time wondering about your battery health and more time realizing the advanced performance and efficiency of your new upgrade. A vice president of engineering for U.S. Battery Manufacturing has been quoted as being hesitant to jump on the lithium battery bandwagon just yet. “You need to look very carefully at their numbers. Lead acid is a safe, sound, and sadly, overlooked technology that’s 150-years young and completely recyclable.” The fact that lithium-ion batteries are not able to be fully recycled could result in a significant negative impact on the environment in the future. The bottom line on whether you convert your current lead acid batteries over to a lithium-ion system involves doing the research and being sure to include all the factors involved to make your decision. You may discover that your current lead batteries provide the power and charge duration you require without any downside. But if you’re willing to invest in what many feel is the more preferable lithium system and think the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, you can do the job yourself with a bit of mechanical know-how or take your cart to one of many independent cart and electric vehicle builders and repair shops and they can make sure your new batteries and configured and installed effectively and will operate safely. - GCM
GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 27
SAVE $500 ON ANY CLUB CAR ONWARD FREE DELIVERY Call us for more information Financing Available • Free Estimates • Pick up/Delivery • Full Service Shop • Scheduled Maintenance • Trades Welcome • New & Used Parts, Carts and Accessories
1720 W Elliot Road • Gilbert AZ, 85233 • 480-272-8418
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companyprofile
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Trojan Battery
ne of the industry leaders in golf cart batteries is undoubtedly Trojan Battery Company whose name is synonymous with cart power. This edition’s Company Profile we feature Trojan Battery Company. Company Name: Trojan Battery Company Website: https://www.trojanbattery.com/ Headquarters: Santa Fe Springs, CA Phone Number: (562) 946-8381 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ TrojanBatteryCompany
The Trojan website proclaims: “We don’t just manufacture batteries - we innovate, engineer and develop energy solutions. At Trojan Battery Company, we’re charging forward.” Trojan Battery is the world’s leading manufacturer of deepcycle batteries and a battery technology pioneer, having built the first golf car battery in 1952. Trojan batteries provide power for a wide variety of applications that require deep-cycle battery performance, including aerial work platform, airport ground support equipment, floor cleaning machines, golf and utility vehicles, marine/RV, material handling, oil/gas and solar/ 34 www.GolfCarting.com
renewable energy. Founded in 1925, the company is ISO 9001:2008 certified with operations in California and Georgia, and maintains two of the largest and most extensive research and development centers in North America, as well as one in Sligo, Ireland, dedicated to engineering new and advanced battery technology. Founded in 1925 by George Godber and Carl Speer, Trojan Battery Company has become the world’s leading manufacturer of deep-cycle Solar and Motive batteries. With a broad range of energy storage solutions that including deep-cycle flooded, AGM, Gel and lithium batteries. Trojan has shaped the world of deep-cycle battery technology with close to 100 years of battery manufacturing experience. With the invention of the golf car battery for the Autoette vehicle in 1952, Trojan pioneered the development of deepcycle battery technology for the golf industry. For Trojan, this began a legacy of leadership and innovation that prevails today in the global, deep-cycle markets spanning applications for golf and utility vehicles, renewable energy, transportation, floor machines, aerial work platforms, marine and recreational vehicles.
Choice Award Winner – HydroLink™ Battery Watering System • 2015 Sanitary Maintenance Distributor Choice Award Winner – HydroLink™ Battery Watering System • 2014 Intersolar India “Solar Projects” Award – Remote Telecom • 2014 Genie “Outstanding Performance” Award • 2013 Frost and Sullivan “Innovative Enterprise” Award • 2012 Genie “Outstanding Performance” Award • 2012 “Application Solar Project of the Year” Award – Solar Powered RuralStreet Lighting in Dubai, U.A.E. • 2011 Golf Course Industry Magazine’s “Most Admired” Companies • 2009 Southern California Edison Environmental Hero Award • ISO 9001:2008 Certification for California and Georgia operations • 2007 Best Overall Winner LLEAP Awards – Lift & Access Magazine • Santa Fe Springs Exporter of the Year • Los Angeles Business Journal President’s Award for Family-Owned Businesses Headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., Trojan’s operations include four ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing plants in California and Georgia, two advanced research and development centers dedicated exclusively to deep-cycle battery technologies, and international offices located in Europe and Asia. Trojan is a proud member of the Battery Council International (BCI) and the Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium. Trojan applies rigorous industry battery testing procedures that adhere to BCI and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) test standards. Recently acquired by C&D Technologies in January of 2019, C&D and Trojan are now one company. The acquisition combines two leading specialty battery manufacturers with legendary technical reliability, two iconic brands and a history of market leadership. This exciting partnership, with global distribution, creates one of the largest North American energy storage providers.
For more information on Trojan Battery, visit their website at http://www.trojanbattery.com.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION • 2017 Sanitary Maintenance Distributor Choice Award Winner – HydroLink™ Battery Watering System • 2016 Sanitary Maintenance Distributor GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 35
golfcommunity
CART PATH ONLY
BY DR. MOUNCE
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ummer golf in North Carolina can be brutal, and I generally decline opportunities to ‘walk a round’. Of course, given that my camouflage bag came standard with a frosty beverage cooler on the front, an air-tight chamber near the top for the preservation of long-forgotten stogies, and doesn’t stand up on its own, I don’t really have a choice. I prefer my golf excursions riding with Alexa grooving out Margaritaville-tunes.
36 www.GolfCarting.com
On a recent night, before a morning round, I slept soundly to dreams of prodigious captain’s choice drives. So soundly, in fact, I never heard the storms that rumbled through.
The 8:30 AM tee time arrived quickly. Triple digit heat indexes and temporary greens meant the course was virtually abandoned. As I hoisted my loaded bag out of the back of my
summer in the South must be the grandmother of innovation. Par 4 Hole 1: dogleg right, lake on the left; the green at the end of the fairway an easy iron from the fairway on the right. The play? Find the rough on the far left, as close to the cart path as possible. If you splash down, drop near the path. Next shot: Trees along the cart path left of the fairway. Woods right of the fairway. The play? Hit it close to the cart path, park, and start chipping towards the temporary green. And so it went. All shots zeroed in on the paths, the carts saved the day, and fun was had by all. old X-Terra, sweat was already beading down my forehead, and mosquitoes were flittering around in the air. It didn’t matter. Walking up the hill, the sun peeking out from behind the clubhouse, my prospects for a day full of reckless abandon ball striking were high. That is, until I saw the sign. That awful sign that filled me with as much dread as seeing ‘early release day’ flash mockingly on the elementary school billboard. It stared down at me in giant all-caps letters: CART PATH ONLY. That’s the day I learned a new kind of golf. “If we have to walk this is going to be torture!” my cart-mate Johnny lamented. “What can we do?” I said. Sure enough, if necessity is the mother of invention, then
So, the next time the skies open the night before your round, don’t sweat it. Just tell your friends you’re playing cart path only. Dr. Mounce is a professor that lives with his family, dog, goldfish, and plants in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. So many of his golf shots ended up in the wilderness he started writing bigfoot books, which you can check out at squatching.com. He also podcasts with his friends about lake monsters and aliens at allthings-unexplained.com. Despite actively going all-out at sand volleyball and clay-court tennis, he also loves the simple joy that is riding around in a golf cart. Dr. Mounce would love to hear from you on social media (FB & IG@ dr.mounce & @allthingsunexplainedpodcast; Twitter @drmounce1 & @atunexplained), and you can whoop at him by emailing the_bigfoot@yahoo. com.
Dr. Mounce hiking in DuPont State Forest, North Carolina.
GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 37
golfcartingnation
OWNER: Brad from South Bend, Indiana YEAR/MAKE/MODEL: 2005 E-Z-GO TXT AFTERMARKET PARTS USED: 14” Modz Mayhem – Bronze Navitas A/C kit- 4kw 600amp controller GTW Mach 3 Rear seat kit Lagana Steering wheel Xtreme Mats - floor mat TELL US ABOUT THIS CUSTOM BUILD: This is an 05 chassis with a white 38 www.GolfCarting.com
Mad Jax Storm body. I installed 13 x 7 knock off rims on each corner and an Alpine radio, Skar Audio 6-1/2 speaker, Skar Audio DDX-10 | 10" subwoofer and a JBL amp. Extending over the rear seat I added an extended roof, dash floormat and new diamond stitched seats. I ordered all of my aftermarket parts from Golf Cart King. SOME BACKGROUND ABOUT YOU AND HOW LONG YOU HAVE BUILDING CARTS: I've owned this cart for about six months and in that time I have changed almost everything three times.
golfcartfuture
ALL-NEW
NAVITAS CHASSIS
Are you looking to build a custom golf cart from scratch? The very first place to start is at the frame. In this article we breakdown one of the newest products from the popular Navitas Vehicle Systems company and one of the nicest frames you can buy. Stick around and find out why the Navitas Chassis should be a consideration for your next custom build. 40 www.GolfCarting.com
WHO IS NAVITAS? Navitas is one of the top manufacturers for electric vehicle systems in the United States, and widely known for their golf cart controllers which many believe to be the best on the market. Recently Navitas has released an all new golf cart chassis
WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS? When it comes to a golf cart chassis, Navitas gives you just about as many options as you could as for. Like we previously mentioned, you’ll get your choice between the standard length and limo length. Beyond that, you also have the ability to upgrade your chassis with a lift. You can apply a 6” lift to either the Limo or Standard style chassis. WHAT’S INCLUDED? The Navitas Chassis Kit comes with everything you’ll need. THE FRAME - This coated steel frame is welded and undercoated, creating excellent stability and a corrosion free ride.
compatible with popular E-Z-GO® TXT® body kits and accessories. This chassis is one of the coolest, and easiest to set up on your own, especially if you are big into the DIY route. This new 2022 chassis is packed with a 600 amp/5kw AC conversion, and is also available in the Limo style, or Standard style.
BRAKING - Included in this kit are mechanical rear drum brakes, similar to the brakes on most Club Car® models. STEERING - Equipped with a rack and column and all the hardware. Also included is the steering box, axle, and front spindles. ON THE FLOOR - Includes both gas and brake pedals, along with a galvanized floor board, a firewall board, and floor mats. As an added bonus, you also get an aluminum foot step. THE DASH - Equipped with a standard plastic dash, an FNR, and ignition switch. You’ll also get a batter power meter so you know the right time to charge. GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 41
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THE BATTERIES - Unfortunately, this kit does not include batteries, but it does include your battery box, which allows you to fit up to 6 batteries! This does include the 600A 5KW AC conversion Kit, 2 gauge battery wires, the most water resistant wiring harness (RXV® style), and a voltage reducer. BUMPERS - The kit includes a plastic front bumper, and a short bumper in the rear. WHEELS AND TIRES – Wheels and tires are not included. This is definitely one of the most all-inclusive kits we’ve seen, especially if you want to save a little bit of money building your own custom cart while still having the freedom of upgrades, body styles, wheels, tires, and more. This particular kit is only compatible with E-Z-GO® TXT® body styles, which does cut down on the options for body style looks. WHY CHOOSE THE NAVITAS FRAME KIT? This is a quality frame kit and perfect for the DIY crowd who want to have a hand in building their own personal cart. Who wouldn’t want to say that they built their golf cart from the ground up? Beyond feeling the gratification of putting your golf cart together, you can also save a good bit of money building it yourself. Most custom cart builders can charge thousands, if not tens of thousands to build a custom cart for you. With this 42 www.GolfCarting.com
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kit you could have your very own hand built custom cart for a fraction of what the dealer would charge. COST The Navitas Chassis Kit is priced at $4,900. This is pretty reasonable considering most custom golf carts will cost you anywhere between $6,000 and $15,000. Plus you get to build it yourself! PROS VS CONS There can be some good and bad when it comes to building your golf cart from the ground up. We always want to weigh our options before we dive head first into a big project. We made a list of the pros and cons. PROS • Save money • Easy to follow directions • The gratification of building your own golf cart • Lots of upgradable options for you to customize along the way • Durable corrosion resistant frame equipped with top of the line components 44 www.GolfCarting.com
CONS • Time consuming • No Wheels or Tires included • No Batteries included FINAL THOUGHTS As you can see, the Navitas Chassis Kit is one of the coolest golf cart products we’ve seen yet. A ready to build golf cart kit, giving you full control of the reigns in order to bring your very own custom golf cart together. In this article we explained the details of the new 2022 Navitas Chassis Kit, and how it could benefit you by building your own golf cart, instead of going to the dealer. We also did our best to list all of the features and parts that you get with this excellent price. Even though you don’t get the batteries or wheels and tires with this kit, we still think that this is a definite buy if you love to DIY. We hope that this article has been informing, and has given you enough knowledge to make a choice on whether this Navitas Chassis Kit is right for you. If you’ve built your own custom cart, or would like to know more information about this kit, let us know!
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BEST GOLF CARTS EST GOLF CARTS has three locations in the Myrtle Beach, SC area and since the 1980’s has been an authorized Club Car dealership and provider of custom refurbished carts. They also have full service centers to provide service for all major cart brands. Learn more about Best Golf Carts… DEALER NAME: Best Golf Carts DEALER LOCATION: Myrtle Beach: 1400 Enterprise Avenue 46 www.GolfCarting.com
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 South Myrtle Beach: 4824 Hwy 17 Bypass, South Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 North Myrtle Beach: 950 Hwy 17 North, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 PHONE NUMBER: (843) 448-7775 WEBSITE: https://bestgolfcars.com/ FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/BestGolfCars/ Best Golf Cars is a second generation business since 1988
and to help design a custom car just for you. They offer convenient payment options and financing with approved credit. Club Car repeatedly leads the industry, a fact many attribute to the company’s winning style and state of the art engineering. The preparation Club Car has made for tomorrow, will serve you well today and into the 21st century. Best Golf Cars has been providing Horry, Georgetown, and Brunswick Counties with quality golf cart sales and service since 1989. They are the area's top Club Car, Garia, and Tomberlin dealer. Their technicians are trained to service and maintain all major makes and models, including: Club Car, EZ GO, Garia, and Yamaha. From mild to wild, they can customize a cart to fit your needs. They offer a wide variety of colors, graphics, seats, lift kits, suspension upgrades, roofs, gas and electric performance options, stretched golf cars, and more. You can contact their main office in Myrtle Beach to learn more or visit their website at www.bestgolfcars.com.
WHY CHOOSE BEST GOLF CARS • The best warranties on new and refurbished golf cars • Competitively priced monthly and long-term leasing options • On-site service plans for preventative maintenance, with additional discounts on parts and repairs • Club Car limited lifetime warranty on the all Aluminum frame Club Cars • Certified technicians that are qualified by Club Car to perform all service and repair work • Customization to fit your unique needs • Genuine OEM Club Car factory parts and accessories, available only through an authorized dealer • New and refurbished golf cars, transportation and utility vehicles • Aluminum framed vehicles • On-site repairs
GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 47
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ASK THE MECHANIC Q: What does wheel offset mean and what is it used for? A: Wheel offset is the measured distance between the hub mounting surface and the center line of the wheel. Offset is often referred to in inches with numbers such as 3:4. The first number (3) would refer to the distance in inches from the outside of the inner wheel lip to the hub mounting surface. The second number (4) would refer to the distance from the hub mounting surface to the outside of the wheel lip (street side). A positive offset would mean the inner wheel surface is more toward the street side you see so you have a less of an outside lip on the wheel which allows the wheel to be more tucked inside the carts wheel well which typically is on stock wheels. A "zero" offset would mean the hub mating surface would be closer toward the middle of the wheel which pushes out the wheel a bit meant for slightly larger tires. A "negative" offset would mean a larger inner lip on the wheel thus pushing the wheel out for a wider stance with a "deep dish" look typically meant for large tires so they do not rub while turning. Q: Will different tires affect the ride quality? A: Depending on your terrain, there is a variety of tires available to suit your needs. The most common are turf, street, and all-terrain tires. Turf tires do not have much tread and are mainly used on golf courses. These will have the least traction and will not give you an optimum ride quality on the pavement. Street tires have a more defined tread pattern and constructed more for road use to give a smoother ride and better handling. All-terrain tires have several different tread 48 www.GolfCarting.com
patterns depending on what you'll be driving on. These tires are intended for more off road use when you need the most traction possible. These tires can contribute to having a louder "whirring" noise while driving on pavement because of the more aggressive tread and tend to wear quicker. Its good to note that when increasing the size of your tires, you will gain an extra 2-4 mph of top speed as well. Q: What are the largest tires I can fit on my stock suspension with no lift kit? A: Without a lift kit, EZGO TXT & RXV can accept up to a 20.5" large tire. Club Car DS / Precedent only allow a 18.5" tire without having a lift. Stock Yamaha DRIVE / G29 golf carts that have not been lifted can fit up to 20” tires Stock Yamaha G19-G22 golf carts that have not been lifted are able to fit at max 18.5” tires. (as long as there is no added weight from a rear seat kit/cargo box/etc.) Here is a good reference for tire sizes. 205/50-10 205/65-10 205/30-12 215/30-12 215/35-12 215/40-12 215/50-12 205/30-14
18" Tall 20.5" Tall 17" Tall 17.1" Tall 17.9" Tall 18.5" Tall 20.5" Tall 19" Tall
8" Wide 8" Wide 8" Wide 8.5" Wide 8.5" Wide 8.5" Wide 8.5" Wide 8" Wide
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