A golf buggy, be it walker or ride-on, is a great asset for the older golfer, and is a handy and versatile way to keep older players with health or mobility issues on the course for longer.
Unfortunately, however, many golf buggy owners make some common mistakes with their golf buggy that can lead to damage, reduced performance or compromised safety. Here are nine of the most common things that you might be doing wrong with your golf buggy.
Forgetting to charge your battery
Failing to regularly charge your golf buggy’s battery will leave you scrambling when it’s time to play and your buggy has not been charged. Golf buggy batteries require regular maintenance, which includes cleaning the terminals and ensuring proper connections.
Best practice is to charge the batteries after each use, and check your battery regularly for poor electrical connections between the batteries, between the tiller and the frame looms, and between the frame loom and electronics. Get your buggy in tip top working order before you need it, so that you’re always ready to play a round at short notice. And always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when charging the batteries, as failure to do so can lead to undercharging, overcharging or damage to the batteries. As well, it goes without saying that you should always follow the recommended charging times and use the correct charger.
Ignoring problems
While Parmaker golf buggies are built stronger to last and last, no golf buggy is immune to the occasional problem. So don’t ignore the signs of a problem if one arises, as that will just lead to bigger problems in the future. A Parmaker golf buggy is clever enough to tell you when something is wrong, so if your buggy is emitting rapid beeps, or a combination of long and short beeps, something needs attention. Visit our troubleshooting page to help diagnose the problem, or get in contact with our Melbourne factory to book your buggy in for a 12-minute-service, during which time we can usually resolve most problems.
Overloading the buggy
Loading your golf buggy down with a too-heavy load is a sure-fire way to strain the buggy’s suspension, tyres, motor and other components. Only carry what you really need inside the buggy, and check that the weight is not excessive.
Not having sufficient water for the batteries
Wet cell batteries, like they sound, need water. Regularly check the batteries to make sure they have sufficient water and top them up the levels if they don’t.
Not storing the buggy properly
Golf buggies of any type shouldn’t be stored outside and exposed to the elements without suitable cover or protection. If you do so, your buggy will eventually become damaged, and will develop problems such as fading or corrosion.
Storing your golf buggy properly will protect it from damaging elements such as sunlight, humidity, UV rays and extreme temperatures, which can all cause damage to the paint, the interior and the electrical components. To prevent this type of damage, store your buggy in a dry, ventilated, covered area like a garage or shed that doesn’t experience huge temperature fluctuations. A covered patio or carport are also good options. And if you have no other choice but to store your golf buggy outside, at lease cover it with a good quality buggy cover to protect it as much as possible from damaging elements.
You can read more about correctly transporting and storing your golf buggy here.
Parking on slopes
It can be tempting to pull up and park your buggy as close as possible to where your ball lies – but problems can arise if you regularly park your buggy on a slope. This can cause excess pressure on the tyres and wheels, particularly if you park on a slope for long periods of time, such as when you’re storing your golf buggy. Instead, always try to park your buggy on a flat and secure surface, to prevent unnecessary wheel and tyre damage.
Driving recklessly
Yes, it’s fun to zoom around the golf course in your ride-on buggy, driving on uneven terrain and taking sharp turns at high speeds – but it’s not good for the buggy (or you). Driving recklessly can damage the buggy’s components and increase the risk of accidents. Always drive responsibly (if you have a ride-on buggy) and keep your speed to a manageable level.
Ignoring tyre maintenance
Tyres also require regular maintenance, and should be inspected often for signs of wear or damage that are starting to appear. Lack of regular maintenance and monitoring, and incorrect tyre pressure will often lead to decreased traction, uneven wear and potential safety risks that will be much better avoided.
Skipping regular maintenance
Routine maintenance may not be the most exciting task, but it’s an important part of keeping your golf buggy running smoothly. As well as maintaining your batteries and tyres, give your golf buggy a regular inspection and overall check, to help identify problem areas before they become a huge issue. This will help keep the buggy in excellent condition for as long as possible, and enable you to get many happy years of use out of it.