When people want to criticize electric cars, they often refer to them as glorified golf carts. Why? Because golf carts (with a few exceptions) are known for being slow and boring. That being the case, what options are there for hip, young golfers who are too cool for carts? Well, they might soon be able to carve across the greens on an electric GolfBoard.
The GolfBoard was created by a California-based team that previously built electric mountain boards – imagine a snowboard deck with off-road tires, and you start to get the idea.
Like those boards, this one features 4-wheel drive (via two 36-volt DC motors). This reportedly allows it to retain traction even on wet grass, and also to not harm that grass by spinning out. The use of relatively big, soft tires also helps avoid damage to the greens.
It has a top speed of 12 mph (19 km/h), and its 25,000-mAh lithium-ion battery pack should allow its user to cover at least 18 holes on one charge. It requires two hours to fully recharge.
Steering is achieved simply by leaning, while acceleration, deceleration, and going into reverse are handled using a Bluetooth hand-held controller (or at least they will be, in production models). Riders can choose between using a bag mount/stability handle, or carrying their bag while using the optional foot straps, or “freeriding” – this means going handleless, bag-and-strapless, and just carrying one do-everything adjustable-head club.
The GolfBoard team has managed to attract a couple of fairly big names to its project. Surfing legend Laird Hamilton is on board (no pun intended) as a design consultant, and Bally Total Fitness founder Don Wildman is a product adviser and board member.
Laird, Don and the gang are currently raising production funds for the GolfBoard, on Kickstarter. A pledge of US$3,350 will get you a board of your own, when and if they’re ready to roll. They can be seen in action in the pitch video below.
Sources: GolfBoard, Kickstarter
Ie; zipping past the course that a landscape architect or Golf course designer spent time laying out, while a real player usually walks with anticipation and revels in the changing terrain. So unless you are the first one on the course, expect to wait for the group ahead of you.
No, I would not let you play through, stay off the greens, and good luck finding your balls in the rough, sand or water hazards. I play 18 holes, use a pull cart, and get the full experience of the course, and a great work out to boot.
This may be a great all terrain board but that is a different sport. Why is the fitness trainer advocating this ride on device? Also does the surfer play golf?
I'm guessing the price is probably wrong - needs to be under the $1000 psychological barrier. And, seriously, I realize a lot of engineering goes into this, but folks like me look at the price of the bits, not the hours the inventors invested - and a board with 4 motors etc - that's less than $500 cost all-up.
The pricing that you mention sounds reasonable. But I still fail to see any advantage this thing has over a "lame ass golf cart". If your in shape, you don't need a cart. If your not fit enough to carry or pull you bag, then you probably will appreciate being able to sit down in the shade of a cart while getting to the next hole. This thing is a gimmick in search of a market.
First of all, the price is very high. One mentioned a leasing model, where is their capital? 100k on kickstarter isn't going to get them very far.
Who is the target demographic? I guess they are trying to target golf courses themselves. Most golfers like to sit down between shots, this doesn't offer that.
This is a novelty product at best.