The History of the Golf Cart

Lake Erie Golf Cars has been around for decades providing golf cars to courses and consumers. The history of the golf car goes back even further. At LEGC we call them golf cars, but in this article they will be referred to as golf carts for historical accuracy. Golf carts have been around longer than you think and have an interesting origin story. 

The first reported use of someone using an motorized golf cart on the course goes to JK Wadley of Texarkana. He was at an airport and saw a three-wheel vehicle there transporting some people who were disabled. He had the thought to use one on the course, so he bought one. It ended up not working out though since it was not designed to handle a golf course. 

The first custom-made electric golf cart was produced in 1932 but were sparingly used to assist the disabled in the golf course. This would be the case up until 1951 when things started to change. 

In Long Beach, California there was an early innovator of the electric golf cart. His name was Merle Williams and he obtained his knowledge of electric vehicles while trying to combat fuel rations during World War II. His Marketeer company began producing these electric golf carts in 1951. In 1954, EZGO began producing golf carts with Cushman and Club Car to follow shortly after. 

The gas golf cart was first in 1957 by a man named Max Walker. The name of this golf cart wasn’t very creative but effective, calling it “The Walker Executive”. It had a front end that would remind you of a Vespa and could hold two passengers and golf bags. 

Since then, companies have competed to keep pushing the envelope on making golf carts safer and more efficient. We have come a long way from the first electric golf cart to todays lithium powered golf cars. 

But why do we call them golf cars and not carts? Find out in our next blog.