Opinion • Hot Topics
Fox rounded up Reddit gripes about a “plague” of golf carts; WSJ called it a “slow-rolling cavalry.” Cute line. Reality check: lots of towns are late to the party. If they wanted a real case study, they should’ve started where carts (yes, cars if you’re Yamaha) have been normal for decades—Sun City and Sun City West, Arizona. Those folks could teach half the country how to run carts on public streets safely, without drama.
What the headlines say
- “When did we decide golf carts were fine for the roads?” (Reddit)
- “Carts everywhere—chaos, danger, ban or license them!”
- Big cities rushing to write registration rules
What they miss
- Definitions matter: A golf cart (≤20 mph) is not an LSV (20–25 mph, lights/mirrors/VIN). States treat them differently.
- Context matters: 25–30 mph neighborhood streets with clear rules ≠ 45 mph arterials. Design, not vibes, decides safety.
- Playbook exists: Where carts work, towns publish maps of allowed roads/crossings, set equipment + age rules, and enforce them.
From the trenches: when “respectable” goes reckless
Back when I packaged golf trips in Scottsdale for Resort Suites, I learned a truth: some of the most “respectable” folks at home turn into out-of-control fools on golf trips with their buddies. A few greatest hits:
- Lake dive: A famous attorney steered his cart straight into a water hazard. Property damage, near-injury, zero shame.
- Midnight rodeo: A high-profile surgeon treated carts like bumper cars—tore up landscaping, scared staff and guests.
- “I’m sick, refund me” routine: After a night of drinking, guys who demanded a premium dawn tee time suddenly “ill,” then threaten and browbeat the course for a refund “on principle.”
Point is: the problem isn’t the vehicle—it’s behavior. Same people will try to bully a golf course the way they bully adversaries at home. Clear rules + firm enforcement fix more than headlines do.
Field note: we called them golf cars
First job in Phoenix: selling Yamaha golf cars (Yamaha’s term) in Sun City. Custom interiors, stereos, raincovers—even A/C. Yamaha had just launched a quiet gas model: no batteries to fuss over—gas up and go. My role: sell fleets to courses (30+ cars), demo, and deliver.
The Raising Arizona golf car caper (1986)
One delivery was headed to a demanding customer in Rio Verde. The route cut through Riata Pass and Greasewood Flat—back then, desert and a burger stand. As I crested the pass, thick black smoke and a detour: a movie set. The crew was filming a little comedy called Raising Arizona (Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, Randall “Tex” Cobb, John Goodman).
I park to gawk and suddenly I’m “expected.” A crew guy in overalls tells me to offload “their” golf cart for the director. I explain: “Private order, I’m delivering to Rio Verde.” He shrugs: “Talk to the director.” The assistant director gives me the thousand-yard stare: “We need it. What’ll it take?” I say I could lose my job. She counters: “Ever been on a set? Want to meet the cast? Lunch with Nic and Holly?”
We compromise on lunch—without taking the car. As we’re finishing, someone runs in: “Where do you want it, chief?” They’ve already unloaded my delivery and are about to drive off. I sprint, reload the car, and get back on the road to Rio Verde. A year later I see the film. Hilarious. And I’ve got a story that still kills at dinner.
“Aren’t golf carts unsafe?”
Depends where you put them. At 45 mph next to SUVs? Bad idea. On calm, local streets for short hops? Smart and efficient. Treat carts like bikes/scooters: they’re great at 20–25 mph in the right environment.
Rules that actually work
- Draw the map: Publish allowed streets + crossings; don’t make people guess.
- Match speeds: Keep carts to ≤25–30 mph roads; avoid arterials.
- Require equipment: Lights, reflectors, mirrors; signals help. LSVs need the full kit.
- Set basics: License/age rules; no laps; clear night rules.
- Enforce + educate: A brief ticket blitz + a one-pager beats 100 angry op-eds.
Bottom line: Don’t ban the cart—ban the chaos. Write clear ordinances, post the map, and move on.