South African golfers recently made news at the 103rd PGA Championship, and not just for outstanding performances, but because we have 150 000 professional golfers, and 11 representing us at the highest level. This is because lush South African landscapes make excellent golf courses, public and private. Add the ideal climate for golfing, and you have the perfect recipe to nurture talent, and welcome new people to the sport.
A recent study by golf.com, found that 75% of golfers prefer to use a cart, whether privately owned or rented at the course. The reasons vary and could be due to health reasons, or because many golf courses require players to use a golf cart and ensure tee-times never clash.
Avoid getting stuck in the rough
On average, a 9-hole round of golf is 4,82km, which is a long distance to walk, and getting stuck midway due to a broken-down golf cart can be frustrating. For this reason, course management teams should ensure each cart is checked thoroughly, from tyres to batteries.
For golfers that prefer to use their own carts, here are the signs of a faulty battery, courtesy of South Africa’s trusted battery specialists.
Irregular charging times
Most golf carts are equipped with deep-cycle batteries, meaning they go through regular cycles of charging and discharging. With a healthy battery, the time to a full charge will be consistent. When the battery begins to age, the time to a full charge is slower.
Significant power loss
Golf carts are a breeze to drive–gently press the accelerator and cruise the course. Floor the accelerator and reach a top speed of 30km/h. Should the battery be faulty, your golf cart will lose power and struggle to climb hills, meaning a battery replacement may be on the horizon.
Shorter distances
At the very least, your golf cart should last an 18-hole round of golf with ease. Once the battery begins to age, the distance covered will be shorter, meaning it may be time to have the battery assessed.
Visual signs of age
Like car batteries, golf cart batteries may expand, bulge and crack due to overcharging and age. Another common issue is corrosion on the terminals, which lessens the charge and causes a drop in performance. Due to the dangerous nature of the chemicals housed in a battery, it is best to have your golf cart battery assessed by a specialist.
“As trusted battery specialists, we’ve realised that course managers and private owners of golf carts often need help to assess or replace their batteries”, said Murray Long, Managing Director of First National Battery. “So, we created a call-out service, and our specialists attend to golf cart fleets countrywide, replacing batteries only when necessary.”
There are many companies that can assist with golf cart battery assessments, and possible replacements. To find the best deal and great aftersales support, search for a golf cart battery specialist here.
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