Question for our Aussie members

[profsmitty]

I have researching options for mobility challenged golfer for personal and professional reasons. In doing Google search for "mobility scooters golf" I get a few hits from US companies. However, the number of Australian companies manufacturing and selling single rider mobility scooters rigged for golf is amazing. These are two of many examples I have found. My question to my Aussie mates is "Are these single seat mobility scooters common down under?" How have they been accepted by golfers and course operators? Thanks

[JJ35]

I have seen a few lately , mainly used by the elderly players , they don't go as fast as a normal buggy and have the same sort of tyres as a standard one so the don't chew up the courses . I've seen them in shopping malls as well more so the one on the right but without the canopy.

[profsmitty]

The one on the right is apparently a very standard mobility scooter with a canopy and some kind of option for attaching a golf bag, I have one very much like it but without the golf attachment. I have talked to a few course operators and have had everything from a solid yes to a "well we have talked about them but we haven't reached a decision. It looks to me like Australia has embraced the concept to some degree. That is what I am interested in.

[HISPL]

Very popular with the mobility impaired in my part of the world.

The club that I am a member of does not allow motorised carts that seat more than one person (ie traditional golf cart like an ezygo Yamaha etc) and will only allow members to use such a device with permission from the match committee.

Gaining approval is a matter of having a medical certificate from your doctor and then passing (or is it failing?) a medical from the club's doctor/medical consultant.

As most of those who wish to use these are genuinely unable to walk the course they are very popular because traditional golf carts are not allowed.

It is not just my club that has conditions similar to this, most private courses have somewhat similar restrictions for private motorised carts.

We might have 50 or so members that require them, and many more that would if they could fail (or is it pass?) the physical.

PM me if I can assist with any information, I have a number of golf buddies that use them (I'm only 32 but play with a number of older folk that require them)

[MetalManic]

[quote name='JJ35' timestamp='1357946946' post='6212189']
I have seen a few lately , mainly used by the elderly players , they don't go as fast as a normal buggy and have the same sort of tyres as a standard one so the don't chew up the courses . I've seen them in shopping malls as well more so the one on the right but without the canopy.
[/quote]

+1 Quite common to see them in shopping malls.

[Rusty88]

I'd agree. Very popular. As well as some motorbikes that they side straddle. Usually in Australia you buy your cart and pay a storage fee. So smaller cart, less rent. This is where they became popular.

[Gutz_it]

My golf course has a pretty high age average
Lots of those scooters getting around
The old boys love em
They do the trick
They don't damage the course
Perfect for the job
I was looking at something myself (have a disease in my hip and need a hip replacement)
Can't bring myself to do it tho
Instead I just limp my way around

[Ozsouthpaw]

There are a few at our course ,mainly 3 wheelers though.
I have standard Club Car which I store at the club but I would seriously consider one if I played lots of courses as they are inexpensive, can be easly collapsed and loaded into an SUV . Only complaint I have heard is that some models are underpowered for hilly courses

[mr smith]

I see them all the time. There is a smaller and cheaper 3 wheeler that is real popular with old blokes. I have noticed only old blokes with genuine mobility issues own them, unlike the young lazy out of shape slobs who hire carts.

[JB lefty]

They are very popular amongst the older and mobility challenged players. They are easier for the older guys to transport and store. Also if a husband/wife both play they can take two in the one trailer and not be limited to playing in the same group. The majority of courses that have carts have no issue or place restrictions on these being used.

[mizman87]

Fair few players use them at my course however the traditional golf cart is used as we have plenty of land to store them.

However I have seen a few people who do use them have to push them back to the clubhouse over the years which is slightly amusing. I say slightly as they are using them for a reason and will they generally getting a helping hand from their playing partners when it all becomes a bit too much for them!

[profsmitty]

If you would, look at the two types of carts in my first post. I am very interested in whether the type of cart on the right, the "lighter weight" cart is very common. It has some advantages, namely that it can be easily transported in a SUV type vehicle. The one on the left, while more heavy duty, would be a challenge to transport without trailering.

The number of people moving into an age where mobility issues are becoming more of a reality than we would like to admit, is growing. I am becoming convinced that there are several reasons that this kind of mobility alternative may be an important alternative to the traditional two-person cart we very commonly see in the USA.

Thanks very much for anything you can pass my way either in this thread or my PM.

[Ozsouthpaw]

I have never seen one over here that cannot be quickly disassembled and put into back of suv or sedan.
May as well hire one t course if a trailer is required.
I would be checking out things like power output , hours running time , ease of putting together etc.
One four wheel single seater currently being advertised in golf australia mag. Is the 'tycoon golf scooter'
They claim world class quality and can be assembled in one minute
Good luck

[j.a.]

Parmaker manufactures 3 and 4 wheels single seat buggies that are popular. They are small and can be carried in a car, so you don't need a trailer or rent a shed at the course for storage, just it can be transported like a push buggie.

http://parmaker.com/motorized-electric-golf-buggies.html#spirit

There is another one called IM-4 that is a mobility scooter and a golf buggie but it's bigger than the Parmakers and require a trailer for transport.

http://www.quickplaygolf.com.au/im4-product.html