RV Life - Back Issues

Personal Transporter Speeds Golf Game

Attention golf enthusiasts: there's a new toy on the market, and it's sure to get a round of applause from those who advocate speeding up the game. The Segway Golf Transporter (GT) has just been introduced. This new personal transporter-a one-man golf cart-is currently available at more than 80 authorized Segway dealerships across the U.S. and Canada. Adapted from the company's flagship model i Series Human Transporter, the Segway GT is well equipped with features to enhance the golf experience.

The company's communication manager, Carla Vallone, said that a group of engineers and designers developed the GT by testing several configurations of the machine on golf courses. She said the testing demonstrated that:

o The Segway GT does not tear up a golf course.

o The machine's eight-inch platform height gives the rider a great view of the course.

o Riding the Segway GT can speed up game play.

“The testing also helped us decide that we would launch the Segway GT with extended-range batteries that would allow someone to golf up to 36 holes on a single battery charge,” said Vallone.

The Saphion lithium-ion batteries provide a range of 10-14 miles on a course, depending on terrain, riding style and payload. “This is more than enough charge for the typical 18-hole round of golf,” offered Vallone. When used on paved, flat surfaces, Segway GT riders will achieve a range of about 18-24 miles.

Speeds Play
Golf course designer Scott Miller was one of the first to use the Segway GT to play 18 holes at Kierland Golf Club, a course he designed in Scottsdale, Arizona. “It was a great experience,” he said. “While I prefer to walk courses over driving carts, the Segway was a great alternative. One-person travel allows for more concentration. The pace of play was definitely quicker.”

Another feature of the GT is the golf bag carrier, which secures the golf bag to the side of the Segway. It can be configured to sit to the right or the left of the rider. Adjustable straps secure the bag to the carrier and can accommodate most golf bags. The carrier functions as a stand for the unit when it's time to play, making it easy to access the clubs.

A special intelligent key comes with the Segway GT, allowing the unit to stay powered while the rider takes his or her shot. This results in quick mounting and dismounting, as well as speedier play.

Vallone said that enhanced traction tires are standard on the Segway GT. These tires are made of a special compound and feature a unique tread optimized to perform well on low-traction surfaces. The lightweight, low-pressure pneumatic tires (15-20 psi) are softer on course terrain than the traditional golf cart.

The Segway GT has a suggested retail price of $5,495. The golf bag carrier, sold separately, retails for $349. For more information on the Segway GT, visit the company Web site at www.segway.com.

The 19th Hole (and a few chip shots)

A few years ago I visited California's Pebble Beach Golf Links, that exquisite piece of golf heaven on the central coast near Monterey. While sitting in a pub one afternoon, I chatted briefly with a gentleman who had just shelled out $380 to play a round of 18 at Pebble Beach. With stars in his eyes, he fondly recapped his dream-come-true golf outing: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he said. “I'll never forget this day.” I was reminded of this episode after reading that green fees will again be raised at the Pebble Beach Company, which owns Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Club, The Links at Spanish Bay and Del Monte Golf Club. As of April 1, green fees at Pebble Beach increased to a whopping $425 per round. Correspondingly, green fees at the other three properties also increased: Spyglass now costs $290 per round, Spanish Bay will set you back $230, followed by Del Monte at $100. These increases reportedly will offset $13 million in improvements made to the venues.

And speaking of venerable venues, Brookside Reno Municipal Golf Course in Nevada again has been targeted for closure, only this time it looks to be for real. For more than 20 years now, Brookside has been on the golf course endangered list, due to the Federal Aviation Administration's desire to improve Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The FAA wants to build a new 205-foot control tower-right in the middle of the golf course. And it appears that as soon as 2007, Brookside could be nothing more than a faded memory. The Reno golf course sold 61,200 nine-hole rounds of golf last fiscal year. But despite its popularity with locals and visitors alike, Brookside Municipal will be a victim of a $24 million tower, a.k.a. progress. Once the designs for the new tower and its exact location are final, the airport authority plans to terminate its lease agreement with the City of Reno, which operates the nine-hole, par 35, 2,882-yard golf course.

And finally, Frank Deford, a writer for Sports Illustrated and a National Public Radio commentator, recently spoke at the Town Hall Lecture Series in Yakima, Washington. Drawing from his 43 years of experience as a sports reporter and author, Deford entertained the audience for more than an hour. One of the biggest chuckles came when Deford explained his take on men who golf. “I think it's true to say there are a great many men who like sports even more than sex. This is certainly true of golfers,” he said. Not missing a stroke, he added in a deadpan voice, “I don't golf.” The auditorium roared with laughter. Numerous audience members (married couples?) were seen offering each other knowing looks and little jabs.