ARTICLE 1:
WHAT YOU NEED TO IDENTIFY WHEN SEARCHING FOR GOLF COURSE UTV'S
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This is article 1 of 3 in our How to Avoid Buyer's Remorse When Purchasing a Turf UTV.
Before you make a decision on where to purchase your new utility vehicle from, it’s crucial to define exactly what you need in a UTV.
In part one of our How to Avoid Buyer’s Remorse series, we’ll cover everything you need to identify in order to make your UTV purchasing experience a lot easier, and even better – worth more in the long run.
Identify the Primary Features Needed for the Golf Course Environment
With foresight, planning, and transportation expertise, you can identify the utility vehicles that best meet your needs. This requires a two-pronged approach, as you’ll need both:
- Vehicles that are purpose built for work
- A knowledgeable and experienced transportation solutions expert (learn more about this in article 2, What to Look for from a Vendor when Purchasing a Turf UTV)
First, you need to decide on the features that will best support your daily golf course tasks. This includes watering, treating the course with chemicals and fertilizers, and carrying heavy loads up hills. Your UTVs should be flexible enough to accommodate a range of accessories to help you move from job to job.
Boost Lifespan, Productivity, and Versatility
Identify rugged, reliable, and long-lasting utility vehicles so you can make the most of your course investment. Look for utility vehicles that:
- Are easy to maintain, from the top down, with little need to go under the car or remove components.
- Are backed by a dealer network with easy access to parts and factory-trained technicians
- Carry a long, proven warranty you can depend on. This may save you thousands of dollars on a single vehicle. More importantly, it indicates the confidence the manufacturer has in its vehicles.
Compare and contrast various manufacturers’ vehicles to find models that check off all your needs. Some other factors to consider include:
- Durable Frames
Make sure the UTV is built on a durable rust-proof aluminum frame that can withstand the water, chemicals, and fertilizers you’ll use on your golf course. Most UTVs are built on steel frames that tend to rust, even when coated to prevent rust. They may not be coated on the underside, and the coating can scratch—allowing rust to get a foothold. Further, aluminum frames are lighter and improve range.
- Built for Work, not Play
Some UTVs are built for recreational use and sold as work vehicles. Their suspension systems are often insufficient for heavy work and hauling. They may also reach high speeds that can pose dangers on your course.
Look for utility vehicles that are work ready and not just golf cars with bed boxes added. Be sure they have heavy-gauge metal bodies that can withstand impact and won’t be easily damaged or dented.
Make sure the model has a durable, rustproof aluminum bed box. Many utility vehicles have breakable plastic bed boxes that can’t be repaired, or steel boxes that can easily rust.
- Accessories & Space
Your UTV should offer a choice of cargo configurations: flat bed, cargo box, or stake side bed design. It should have a narrow turning radius, making it more nimble and able to access narrow paths, thus reducing travel time on your course.
The vehicle should be easy to enter and exit and have spacious legroom, intuitively placed controls, and ample storage areas. In addition, it should offer a wide range of accessories, including a bed-based attachment system. Link to video in online version.
Selecting a vendor with a wide range of work-oriented accessories,
such as Club Car’s VersAttachTM bed-based attachment system,
will boost versatility and productivity.
Get Started with Club Car
If you’re ready to explore Club Car’s options for UTVs, build your own fleet online! This tool will help you understand what models are available, and which will fit your needs best.