Small Ride, Big Convenience

The Ins & Outs of Golf Carts on the OBX

by Jes Gray 

As residents and visitors seek a smaller, more efficient alternative to full-size vehicles, golf carts and low-speed vehicles are becoming the go-to choice for quick trips around town, the beach, and local neighborhoods.

Lyman Beecher just wanted to keep enjoying the game he loved as his arthritis progressed. So, in 1932 he fashioned a cart with a car battery to assist him in transporting his clubs, and eventually himself, around his favorite golf course in Clearwater, Florida, and thus the Golf Cart was born. It wasn’t until the gas rationing of WWII, and a desire to continue to take his wife out around town, that prompted Merle Williams of Long Beach, CA and his company Marketeer to create the first commercially produced electric model. As with most new technology, initial models were expensive and sometimes unreliable, but over the years they have become increasingly ubiquitous on and beyond golf courses, especially in vacation destinations and resort communities, including the Outer Banks.

In 1932, Lyman Beecher created what is widely considered the first golf cart. Due to his arthritis, Beecher developed a rickshaw styled cart that was pulled by caddies to assist him with getting around his home course. Photo courtesy of Peggy Shook and Biltmore Forest CC.

From the early 90s until a few years ago, usage of golf carts on the Outer Banks remained generally located near golf courses, Hatteras Village, Corolla Light, some areas of Duck, and other similar areas. However, as technological advances have increased the lifespan, speed and distance these electric vehicles can travel, they have become a popular choice for vacationers seeking to ditch their daily vehicle for a more fun and convenient ride to the beach or store throughout these barrier islands.

Of course, this increase in usage has led to the need for a few rules and regulations concerning just what you can drive on the roads and where. So before you load grandpa’s golf cart onto your trailer make sure you check out Dare & Currituck County’s latest updates on just what is allowed on its roads.

ZoomAround Golf Carts makes vacations easy, conveniently delivering a stylish cart to this Outer Banks rental, so guests can arrive, relax, and start cruising the coast hassle-free. Photo by David Uhrin.

To be fair, there’s quite a bit of information, too much to for this article, but here’s a quick overview and list of resources for those interested in using what’s commonly known as a “golf cart” on the Outer Banks:

All Golf Carts are not classified as Low Speed Vehicles
• Low-speed vehicles differ from a standard golf cart because they are in compliance with NC laws to make them legal to drive on streets that are 35 mph or less.
• A low-speed vehicle must be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, tail lamps, seat belts, plus more safety equipment.
• Low-speed vehicles and their drivers must be registered and insured.

To see where you can drive a LSV versus a standard golf cart scroll around the map at: gis.darecountync.gov/golfcarts
Hatteras Island has rules specific to its area including that LSVs are not allowed on Route 12 between Hatteras Village and Frisco
Here’s the website for the informational video about LSVs and golf carts ion Hatteras Island: youtu.be/J9CwPdqXKng

Just For the Beach Rentals, in business since 1986 offers a little bit of everything for the vacationing family. From golf carts, to bikes, beach setup services to water sports equipment, they have all of your cottage and entertainment needs covered. Photo courtesy of Just For the Beach Rentals.

We asked Katelin Kight, Assistant Public Information Director for Dare County’s Department of Public Relations, to describe the interactive map. She says, “The ‘Dare County Golf Cart and LSV Friendly Roads’ GIS map supports Dare County’s goal of enhancing public safety by giving residents and visitors easy access to current regulations for golf carts and LSVs, promoting informed and responsible use of these vehicles throughout the county.” She was also kind enough to provide the QR code for easy access here. You can also request a cling film one for your home guests, business or rental from Dare County’s website.

You don’t have to own a golf cart or LSV to enjoy one on the Outer Banks, either. Much like at golf courses where you can rent a cart for the day, several local companies rent out LSVs and other recreational vehicles for your vacation enjoyment needs for a couple hours, days, the week or longer, depending on your stay.

We asked a few folks that run these rental businesses about how the technology advances have moved these electric vehicles from the courses and resorts to the Beach Road and beyond.

ZoomAround Street Legal Golf Cart Rentals
Jason Williams, CEO
ZoomAround is a multi-state rental company with a slick online platform with real local presence. Their focus in entering the Outer Banks market was to provide what they see as a needed service for the community. Mr. Williams explained that after seeing a elderly woman struggling to carry beach gear they asked if a rentable golf cart would assist, “she immediately said it would make her trips so much easier. That conversation reinforced our belief that golf carts aren’t just about convenience- they help people enjoy more of what makes the Outer Banks and our community so special.” It is in that same spirit that the company embraces safety, “Safety is our top priority. We provide online tutorials, maps, operating instructions, and safety information to help guests understand where they can legally and safely drive… A well-maintained vehicle and a knowledgeable rental provider can make all the difference.” He goes on to emphasize that “the local law enforcement is great to work with.” Ultimately, for ZoomAround the CEO says it all comes to the fact that “most of our focus is for families.” He concludes, “Most importantly, it [golf cart] allows everyone to enjoy the scenery, spend more time with family and friends, and experience the Outer Banks in a more relaxed and enjoyable way.”

ZoomAround Golf Carts helps make every beach day easier, giving families an effortless way to carry their gear and enjoy the Outer Banks from driveway to shoreline without the hassle of driving their own vehicle. Photo by David Uhrin.

DVO (Duck Village Outfitters)–Owner, Bob Hovey
Opened in 1998, DVO’s flagship store in Duck has seen quite a few changes in its almost three decades of providing rental equipment, lessons, and retail gear. As they have expanded all the way to Hatteras, they have also broadened rental offerings, including LSVs and golf carts. Owner Bob Hovey points out that these rentals can actually allow a more economical way to visit, “by allowing visitors to take advantage of more affordable rental homes further away from the beach…by renting a house a few blocks from the oceanfront,” and though those houses don’t offer the convenience of being steps away from the sand, it is “offset by a fun excursion in a LSV and afterwards the cart can be used to venture to grocery, ice cream, dining, or nightlife activities.” Quite often these excursions lead to truly lasting memories.

Just For the Beach Rentals–Owner, James Eaton
Operating since 1986, Just For the Beach Rentals offers multiple services including rental gear and cottage supplies, plus delivery and setups of beach equipment between Corolla and Nags Head. Owner James Eaton explains how technology improvements have made renting golf carts a more attractive option for guests, “Well, most golf carts now are electric, and so guests don’t have to worry about getting fuel. They can just charge at the house, and the carts will easily go for a day or two. Also, there is much more ‘bling,’ including Apple car play, back-up cameras, lighted sound bars…it all makes for a fun vacation.” He continues, “They’re just fun, it’s much better to park your car for the week and roll in a cart. I mean… I live here and take one to the grocery store whenever I can.” Now that’s an endorsement. Fun still needs to stay safe, however, and so he emphasizes to, “definitely check your community rules…and make sure it is legal to use carts or LSVs on the roads you plan to travel. We provide an extensive FAQ on our website and are available to answer any questions over the phone.” The real reward for Mr. Eaton, “I genuinely love seeing how excited people are (especially the kids) every time I deliver a cart.”

Sandbar Street Carts
Owners, Daniel Gomez & Preston King
Now in their 4th year, they’re a two-man operation, run by Daniel Gomez (Art’s Place co-owner) and Preston King.

“On the Outer Banks, the golf cart rental industry is growing rapidly and with that awareness needs to grow at the same pace. The renter doesn’t always understand that a golf cart is actually a low-speed vehicle and not a recreation vehicle, so the laws mirror the same as if you were driving in a car and we often find the renter isn’t aware of that.  As a company we put forth every effort to raise this awareness from our website to links in every email the customers receive.  Driving a cart, to a lot of people, makes their vacation a much more enjoyable experience and they don’t return with all the sand in their car so as long as we all do our part this is another fun option to add to our industry.”

With so many options for renting and easy to find maps and rules, it’s no wonder it’s becoming much more common to see these vehicles out and about. As with anything new, there are pushbacks. Some even advocate that Golf Carts belong on courses and resort communities only, and they are entitled to their opinion. For this author however, I find it’s worth remembering these vehicles were designed for exactly what folks here are buying and renting them for: a smaller more efficient alternative to a large vehicle for short local trips. So, follow the rules, keep it safe and enjoy the breeze, Lyman Beecher, Merle Williams and the other LSV pioneers would love to see it.

Author: Jes Gray