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October 2026 Issue 77
GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 1121 PARK WEST BLVD B214 MOUNT PLEASANT, SC 29466
HOW A NETWORK OF PARTNERS TURNED A TIRED CLUB CAR PRECEDENT INTO A ROLLING SHOWCASE FOR THE INDUSTRY
CART LAUNCH: BUILT FROM THE INSIDE
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Letter from the Editor FIXING THE SALES FUNNEL, NOT JUST RUNNING ADS Cart Launch is our company profile this month, and their approach stands out because it didn't start in a marketing agency, it started on a dealership floor. The team has spent years inside the golf cart business, and that experience shapes how they think about growth: find where sales are being lost before spending more money trying to generate new ones. ECO BATTERY BRINGS GOLF CARTS MODIFIED INTO THE FOLD In industry news, Eco Battery has acquired Golf Carts Modified (GCMOD), pairing its engineering and manufacturing muscle with one of the industry's most engaged online communities. The result is already showing up in new GCMOD-branded products and an exclusive tire partnership, all while Eco Battery holds firm on its dealer-first approach. Read the full announcement for the details.
By the time you're reading this, the second annual GolfCarting Expo & Dealer Summit is already underway in Charleston. It's hard to believe we're a year past our inaugural show, and this one has grown in every direction, more than double the exhibition space, over 80 vendors, and more than 1,000 people expected to walk the floor. If you're here with us this week, welcome. If you couldn't make it, we'll bring you the highlights in a future issue. Either way, this month's issue is packed with the kind of stories that show just how much momentum this industry has right now. A CART BUILT BY THE COMMUNITY Our cover story this month is "The Cart the Industry Built," and it's exactly what it sounds like. What started as a tired old Club Car Precedent turned into a full-blown showcase of partnership, with Eco Battery, MadJax, MODZ, El Tigre, SoundExtreme and more all stepping up to be part of it. This one's personal, it's my own cart, built by a group of partners I'm proud to call friends, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. PREMIUM FEEL, ACCESSIBLE PRICE Bintelli is our golf cart feature this month, and it's a good reminder that quality doesn't always come with a premium price tag. The Beyond and Nexus both lean into aluminum construction, dealer-driven refinement, and a manufacturing operation built to back it all up. It's a company that's figured out how to deliver a cart that feels far more expensive than it is.
6 www.GolfCarting.com
FIRE SAFETY GETS A NEW PARTNER 187 Customs has partnered with KnightTEK to bring lithiumion fire suppression products to the golf cart and automotive community through 187 Thermal Defense. As more of our vehicles run on lithium, it's the kind of protection worth having on hand before you need it. Between the Expo this week and everything packed into these pages, it's shaping up to be one of the busiest, most exciting stretches this industry has seen in a while. Thanks, as always, for being part of it. Enjoy the ride!
Matt White Editor matt@golfcarting.com
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GOLF CARTING // Issue 77 // October 2026 Publisher: Senior Editor: Creative Director: Production Director: Staff Writer / Social Media:
GC Media Group, LLC Matt White - matt@golfcarting.com Troy Merrifield - troy@golfcarting.com Christian Amico - chris@golfcarting.com Tony Benjamin
Golf Carting® is published monthly by GC Media Group, LLC. Reprinting in whole or by any means- electronic, graphic or mechanical, including photocopying or information storage and retrieval systems is forbidden without written permission from the publisher.
Advertising opportunities and inquiries to: chris@golfcarting.com Editorial contributions are welcomed, but editors recommend that contributors contact us first. Contribution must be accompanied by return postage, and we assume no responsibility for damage or loss of material. Manuscripts must be typewritten, and all photos have to have captions. Photo model releases of all people in photos must accompany manuscript. GOLF CARTING reserves the right to use material, and we reserve the right to edit material to meet publication requirements. E-mail contributions or inquiries to:
matt@golfcarting.com WARNING: Certain action photographs depicted in this magazine are potentially dangerous. The drivers and vehicle occupants seen in our photos are experienced professionals. Do not attempt to duplicate any stunts. Wear a helmet and safety restraints while operating a Golf Cart, and never drive beyond your capabilities. Do not drink and drive while operating a Golf Cart. We also encourage you to “Tread Lightly” while respecting the outdoors and other outdoor enthusiasts. Use your head and enjoy the ride! ©2026 GC Media Group, LLC Stay connected with Golf Carting Magazine
https://www.facebook.com/golfcarting https://www.instagram.com/golfcartingmag/ www.golfcarting.com
PAGE 28 FEATURES CONTENTS 28 ISSUE 77 OCTOBER 2026
COVER STORY: THE CART THE INDUSTRY BUILT
38 DEALER EDUCATION 40 BATTERY BUZZ 46 BINTELLI 58 CART LAUNCH
DEPARTMENTS
06 EDITOR'S NOTE 16 INDUSTRY NEWS 44 LET'S GET SOCIAL 52 GOLF CART NATION 60 ASK THE MECHANIC 62 READER'S RIDES
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latestindustrynews ECO BATTERY® AND GOLF CARTS MODIFIED® UNITE TO ACCELERATE INNOVATION ACROSS THE GOLF CART INDUSTRY
Strategic acquisition strengthens product innovation while reinforcing Eco Battery's dealer-first commitment. Eco Battery®, a leader in premium lithium battery engineering and manufacturing, recently announced a strategic acquisition of Golf Carts Modified (GCMOD), one of the industry's largest online golf cart communities and one of the fastest-growing product brands serving golf cart enthusiasts. The addition brings together Eco Battery's engineering, manufacturing, and dealer network with GCMOD's unique connection to thousands of passionate golf cart owners. Together, the organizations will accelerate the development of innovative products designed to better serve both consumers and the dealer channel. The first results of the expansion have already begun with the successful launch of several Golf Carts Modifiedbranded products, including lithium batteries and installation accessories, an exclusive partnership with X-Comp tires, a new line of Golf Carts Modified custom wheels, and many other product categories planned in the months ahead. "The golf cart industry moves quickly because owners are constantly modifying, upgrading, and personalizing their vehicles," said Noah Schone, Co-Founder/VP of Eco Battery. "Golf Carts Modified gives us an incredible window into emerging trends and unmet customer needs. Our goal is simple: identify opportunities faster, engineer better solutions, and ultimately deliver more innovative products to the dealers who serve customers every day." INNOVATION BEGINS WITH THE CUSTOMER—AND ENDS WITH THE DEALER Eco Battery emphasized that the acquisition does not change the company's long-standing commitment to its dealer network. 16 www.GolfCarting.com
The company remains exclusively focused on supporting authorized dealers as its primary sales channel and will continue investing in products, programs, and policies that help dealers grow their businesses. As part of that commitment, Eco Battery will continue enforcing all Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) and Unilateral Minimum Resale Price (UMRP) policies to protect pricing integrity, support healthy dealer margins, and ensure a level playing field across the marketplace. "We have always been—and will continue to be—a dealer-first company," said Skylar Schone, CEO of Eco Battery. "Our dealers are the foundation of Eco Battery's success. Every strategic decision we make is measured by one question: Does this create more value for our dealers? This addition absolutely does and will." TURNING MARKET INSIGHTS INTO BETTER PRODUCTS Golf Carts Modified has built one of the industry's most engaged online communities, where enthusiasts actively share product feedback, installation experiences, and ideas for new accessories and upgrades. These real-world insights help identify product gaps and emerging trends that can be transformed into professionally engineered, dealer-supported solutions. "Our community gives us an incredible real-world view on what customers want next. Partnering with Eco Battery allows us to turn those ideas into products that raise the bar for the entire industry," said Travis Andrews, Co-Founder, Golf Carts Modified. Rather than simply responding to market demand, the partnership allows Eco Battery and GCMOD to proactively develop products that solve real customer problems while creating new opportunities for dealers. "Innovation happens when you listen first. Together,
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latestindustrynews we're building products that consumers need and want, while creating new opportunities for dealers," said Cory Osteen, CoFounder, Golf Carts Modified. EXPANDING DEALER OPPORTUNITIES Alongside continued product development, Golf Carts Modified has launched a new dealer platform that allows authorized dealers to access Golf Carts Modified-branded products and future innovations. In addition to its own products, the company will also distribute other brands and has already partnered with X-Comp Tires as the exclusive B2B distributor for their class-leading golf tire line. The initiative expands product availability through professional installation and local dealer support, while providing dealers with access to exclusive offerings backed by Eco Battery's engineering and manufacturing expertise. By combining customer insight, product innovation, and a nationwide dealer network, Eco Battery believes the expansion creates a stronger ecosystem that benefits manufacturers, dealers, and vehicle owners alike. "Our vision is to build products people genuinely want before the rest of the market realizes they need them," Skylar Schone said. "When our dealers win, our customers win, and the entire industry moves forward." To learn more about Eco Battery and its growing portfolio of lithium battery and connected technology solutions, visit
18 www.GolfCarting.com
www.ecobattery.com. About Eco Battery Eco Battery, a U.S.-based leader in lithium power solutions, is dedicated to transforming the industry with innovative, safe, and reliable technology. Its in-house engineering, R&D, and product development teams deliver top-quality lithium solutions, supported by expert integration and exceptional dealer service. Trusted by leading golf cart manufacturers and elite dealers, Eco Battery is the go-to choice for uncompromising performance. Committed to a future driven by its mission and guided by the north stars of elite innovation and customer obsession, Eco Battery continues to set the standard in lithium power. About Golf Carts Modified Golf Carts Modified (GCMod) is a performance-driven, community-led brand redefining what electric vehicles can do. Specializing in high-performance components and complete system solutions, GCMod serves enthusiasts, builders, and dealers pushing beyond stock limitations. From advanced lithium power systems to upgraded drivetrains and accessories, GCMod delivers products engineered for durability, power, and real-world performance. Backed by a commitment to innovation and quality, Golf Carts Modified continues to lead the evolution of the modern electric vehicle.
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latestindustrynews 187 CUSTOMS PARTNERS WITH KNIGHTTEK TO BRING LITHIUM-ION FIRE PROTECTION TO THE AUTOMOTIVE COMMUNITY Fire safety isn't something most people think about until it's too late. That's exactly why 187 Customs has partnered with KnightTEK to bring a new line of lithium-ion battery fire suppression products to the public through 187 Thermal Defense. KnightTEK's story started in the oil and gas industry, where founder Stephen Knight spent more than 30 years as a petroleum engineer. After witnessing a near-catastrophic fire on a frac location, Knight recognized the need for better fire suppression solutions. As lithium-ion batteries became increasingly common, that need began showing up in a completely different world — including golf carts and other low speed vehicles. Today, golf carts and LSVs are found everywhere — in garages, trailers, shops, dealerships and homes. As more of these vehicles move to lithium-ion battery systems, having the right fire-safety equipment available has become increasingly important. That's where the partnership between KnightTEK and 187 Customs comes in. 187 Customs has partnered with KnightTEK to make these products available to the automotive and enthusiast community through 187 Thermal Defense — bringing purpose-built lithium-ion battery fire suppression technology to the people who need to be prepared for the unexpected. The initial 187 Thermal Defense lineup will feature Thermal Stop™ and Thermal Shield™, products offered through KnightTEK as part of its fire-safety portfolio and designed for lithium-ion battery incidents, including thermal runaway applications. “We’ve seen firsthand how quickly things can go wrong around cars, equipment and batteries. When KnightTEK approached us about bringing this technology to our community, it made sense. This isn't about waiting until something happens — it's about being prepared.” — Shawn Ellington, 187 Customs The goal is simple: Give people another tool to have on hand before a lithium-ion battery incident happens. From the race trailer to the garage, the shop to the golf cart, 187 Thermal Defense is bringing a new level of preparedness to the automotive and low speed vehicle community.
Shawn "Murder Nova" Ellington, 187 Customs ABOUT 187 THERMAL DEFENSE 187 Thermal Defense Powered by 187 Customs. Offered through KnightTEK. Learn more: www.187thermaldefense.com -- www.ktekglobal.com
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HOW A NETWORK OF PARTNERS TURNED A TIRED CLUB CAR PRECEDENT INTO A ROLLING SHOWCASE FOR THE INDUSTRY
E
very once in a while, a project takes on a life of its own. That's exactly what happened with this cart. It started as a 2015 Club Car Precedent, picked up from a friend of a friend with dead lead-acid batteries, a tired lift kit, and a body that had seen better days. What it became was something bigger than a build. It became a community project, supported by nearly every corner of this industry. “I think it was great for these folks to partner with us on this,” said Matt White, Editor of GolfCarting Magazine and host of GolfCartingTV. “When I first purchased the cart, I was excited for the potential; but once partners
started coming forward, that’s when it got really fun!” A CART IN SEARCH OF A PURPOSE The project started simply enough. Matt bought the old Precedent without a firm plan, then put a video out asking the community what he should do with it. He wanted something cool, something fun, something that could land on the cover of GolfCarting Magazine. The response he got changed the entire direction of the build. The first call came from Chris at Eco Battery, who offered up the company's full EB Power Eco System, a complete AC performance kit built around a 5kW motor and a 450A controller. The kit is engineered to easily bolt into a cart, and it comes with a plug-and-play wiring harness that replaces a cart's original setup end to end. For Matt, that meant pulling 30 www.GolfCarting.com
every old lead-acid battery and wire out of the Precedent and starting clean with a system built for stronger acceleration and smoother, more efficient operation. From there, the project snowballed. Matt started reaching out to other partners, and one by one, they said yes. STANCE, SUSPENSION AND ROLLING STOCK With the power side handled, MadJax stepped in with a 6-inch King XD lift kit. The cart also wears MadJax's Alpha Body Kit and Alpha Deluxe Grille, giving the old Precedent a squared-off front end Matt compares to a newer model Ford truck. To fill out the stance, MODZ supplied a set of chrome 14-inch Blitz wheels wrapped in 23-inch off-road Arisun X-Armory steelbelted radials. They look aggressive, but the radial construction means they ride smoother on pavement than their size
suggests, without sacrificing that off-road look Matt wanted. Underneath the rear seat, the Eco System runs the show: the 48-volt lithium battery, motor, controller and solenoid, along with an onboard charger and voltage reducer. Owners can preset three speed settings through the companion app, a detail Matt has set to 15, 25 and 35 mph for different situations, whether that's a campground with a strict speed limit or an open road. THE DETAILS THAT MAKE PEOPLE STOP Ask Matt what people notice first, and the answer is the seats. El Tigre built a custom red and black set with outside and center armrests, along with a built-in LED-lit cup holder wired to its own pull switch. “These seats are like freaking butter,” Matt said. “You can't even imagine the feeling, the comfort, the soft yet supportive structure of these seats. They look great, but sitting in them is the real game-changer!” The front end carries its own personality thanks to All Sports Manufacturing, which supplied a Club Car Precedent Sport Windshield that gives the cart a sporty, convertible-top look. Syntech Industries rounded out the cabin with a softgrip Guzzi Italia steering wheel and a ReFlex floor mat. And instead of a traditional key switch, OPIS outfitted the cart with
a proximity-based push button ignition, complete with a key fob that shuts the cart off automatically once Matt walks away. Around back, a peekaboo window built into the rear panel gives passersby a direct look at the motor, lit from inside with a green LED, a nod to Eco Battery's brand color and a small detail that turns into a conversation starter every time. SOUND AND LIGHT, ALL SYNCED TOGETHER The audio and lighting setup came together through SoundExtreme, starting with a battery-powered 28-inch Pulse soundbar mounted on the back and an 8-inch SoundExtreme subwoofer tucked under the rear seat alongside the Eco System components. Out back, SoundExtreme Phat Sticks, shorter, fatter whip lights, add a glow that syncs with rock lights mounted under every wheel, lighting the whole cart up at night. Every one of those SoundExtreme accessories communicates through the brand's EcoCast technology, so the soundbar, sub and lights all run in sync without separate controls to manage. Rounding out the audio setup is an ECOXGEAR Defender Scout, a portable, weatherproof speaker placed up front that pairs into the same EcoCast network, giving the driver's seat GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 31
32 www.GolfCarting.com
its own sound without pulling double duty from the rear soundbar.
events across the country, drawing comments everywhere it goes.
BUILT BY HAND, WITH HELP FROM FRIENDS None of it would have come together without Paul Pryor of Angry Goat Custom Carts, who led the physical build while making sure Matt stayed hands-on throughout the process rather than just handing off the keys and waiting for a finished product. Jimmer Roy also pitched in over the course of the build, work Matt was quick to credit. The result is a cart that fits in Matt's trailer and travels to
A COMMUNITY EFFORT, ON DISPLAY For Matt, the appeal isn't just the finished product, it's what the build represents. Nearly every partner involved has a long-standing relationship with GolfCarting Magazine and GolfCartingTV, and each one showed up without being asked twice. “It's a community project,” Matt said. “I call this ‘the project the industry built.’”
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CARE: THE ONE THING EVERY SUCCESSFUL DEALERSHIP HAS IN COMMON Care.
It's a pretty simple word, but one that carries a lot of meaning, and a lot of impact, when it's genuine. A vital component to any successful business is to genuinely care. For your customers. For your employees. For your products and services. For the community where you're located. In the golf cart business, that word shows up everywhere, whether you realize it or not. WHAT CARE LOOKS LIKE ON THE SALES FLOOR Every dealer has met the customer who's just kicking tires, and every dealer has met the one who's ready to buy today. The difference between a good dealership and a great one isn't just how they treat the second customer. It's how they treat the first one, too. Genuine care shows up in small moments: taking the time to understand what someone actually needs a cart for, being honest when a lower-priced model is the better fit, following up after the sale instead of disappearing once the paperwork is signed. Customers remember how they were treated long after they've forgotten the specs of the cart they drove home. CARE FOR YOUR TEAM AND YOUR PRODUCTS The same principle applies inside the building. Employees notice whether ownership genuinely cares about them or just needs them to show up and hit numbers. Dealerships with the strongest reputations tend to have teams that feel like they 38 www.GolfCarting.com
matter, and that energy gets passed straight to the customer. Caring about your products means more than stocking the right inventory. It means standing behind what you sell and treating every cart that comes through your shop, new or trade-in, like it matters. Customers can tell the difference between a dealership moving units and one that takes pride in what it puts on the road. CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY YOU'RE PART OF The dealerships that show up, at the local cart show, the youth sports event, the community fundraiser, aren't doing it purely for marketing. The best ones do it because they actually care about the place they do business in, and customers can tell the difference between a banner sponsorship and genuine involvement. THE DEALERSHIPS THAT LAST These are the businesses that stand out above all the rest. The ones that show they truly care are the ones that stick it out through a tough economy, through changing trends and technologies, through it all. So ask yourself: do you still genuinely care? Or has it faded a little, buried under the day-to-day grind of running a business? Take a look around. You'll find people who really do care. Be one of those people. Be one of those dealerships. And you will succeed.
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dealer sees a lithium battery priced $150 below another option. On the purchase order, that looks like $150 of additional profit. But the sale is not finished when the cart leaves. If that battery comes back, the original savings can disappear before the technician removes the seat. One comeback creates $550 in operating costs. Subtract the original $150 savings and the dealer is $400 behind. That excludes the replacement battery, another service visit, lost shop capacity, a bad review, or a customer who never returns. These are example figures; substitute your shop’s actual costs.
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QUALITY YOU CAN FEEL, BUILT FOR THE LONG HAUL
O
n a recent outing to Bintelli’s flagship factory in Charleston, South Carolina, we were granted a special behind-the-scenes tour of what goes into each award-winning vehicle. From hearing their design philosophy to seeing finished vehicles up close, we experienced firsthand how they continue to evolve and stay at the forefront of the LSV industry. We already knew the Beyond, the cart that put Bintelli on the map and arguably the most recognizable vehicle in its lineup. What we didn’t know was that we would be among the first to see a refreshed version for the 2027 model year, packed
46 www.GolfCarting.com
with upgrades and new features. More on that in a bit. We also sat down with Jason Perske, Vice President of Bintelli’s dealer network, to learn more about the company’s offerings and what drives them. THE BEYOND: THE UNDERSTATED AND ANYTHING BUT STANDARD LSV Having seen previous model-year Beyond models in the wild for years, we didn’t need much of a refresher. Standard equipment includes solid DOT glass windshields with an integrated electric wiper, backup cameras and a full suite of
lights and reflectors. That makes the Beyond one of the rare carts on the market legal in all 50 states, including California and New York, known for their strict requirements. Then there’s power steering, a feature added a few years ago. “A lot of people don’t expect to see that in an LSV,” Perske said. Dealers often demonstrate it by having customers turn the wheel with the vehicle off, then again with the key on, using one finger—a quick way to feel the difference before the first drive. Seating is available in 2-, 4- and 6-passenger configurations. All feature high-back, captain-style chairs, adjustable armrests and noticeable bolstering. The 48-volt system is powered by Eco Battery, with a 105AH configuration standard and larger 160AH and 210AH options. The infotainment screen handles Bluetooth streaming, integrated speakers, LED accent lighting, the backup camera and turn signal and parking brake indicators. A wireless phone charger and USB ports are also within easy reach. New for 2027 are added accessories to further enhance quality of life including a shortened wheelbase for increased maneuverability, multimedia controls on the steering wheel,
additional speakers and charging ports for phones, upgraded armrests and beautiful accent lighting along the side skirts. Much of which came directly from customer feedback, joining the automotive-style bolstered seats, the sound bar and pre-wired accessory switches designed to simplify installation. Bintelli keeps ordering intentionally simple. Pick a model, seating configuration and color, and it arrives fully equipped without additional trim levels or customization menus. “Our philosophy is to include as much as possible as standard equipment and leave the ultra-personalization to the dealership level where they can be directly involved with their customers’ visions,” Perske said. Wheels and tires and custom upholstery are among the most popular aftermarket additions. We asked about Bintelli’s use of aluminum for the frame, chassis and upright structure, with stainless hardware and steel used only where subframe strength requires it. Perske pointed to Bintelli’s Florida roots. Growing up on the coast and seeing what harsh salt air can do to anything left outside made the decision to use the more costly aluminum an easy one when the Beyond launched. GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 47
golfcartcompany THE NEXUS: SAME DNA WITH THE DIAL TURNED UP If the Beyond is the bread and butter, the Nexus is the full-course meal. Its powertrain goes up to 72V for greater efficiency and is available in 2-, 4- and 6-passenger configurations. It shares the Beyond’s aluminum frame and design philosophy while adding more upgrades and serving as Bintelli’s premium offering. The centerpiece is the headliner; an all-in-one system Bintelli debuted at the PGA Show when the Nexus launched. It houses multiple fans, courtesy lighting and ambient LED strips adjustable through the infotainment screen. The dashboard carries a larger display, while the new steering wheel includes controls for volume, muting music or calls and navigating music. Dashboard storage keeps belongings within easy reach. Seating shifts to a sleeker, low-back style with excellent bolstering and adjustable armrests. Comfort and ergonomics remain a priority, with ample legroom throughout. Side by
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side, the Nexus and Beyond reveal noticeable body changes, including different headlights and a completely redesigned front cowl. Perske said the design was built from the ground up, beginning on paper before moving to 3D modeling and finally clay modeling. Safety remains a priority, with four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes and standard three-point seatbelts for every passenger. “Much of the cart’s suspension and braking system is over engineered for what the vehicle is capable of, but the difference you feel when you’re driving, that’s what it’s all about,” Perske said while showing us carts moving through production. Nexus-specific details include integrated beach chair holders on the back and roof-mounted turn signals that keep passenger gear from blocking visibility. The audio system is tuned specifically for the cart, with dedicated tweeters and speakers front and rear. Ambient lighting along the roofline
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and side skirts can be set to any color or pattern, while the rear logo light and fans can be controlled independently for front and rear passengers. BEHIND THE BUILD Bintelli’s Charleston facility is the company’s main hub, supported by an Orangeburg, South Carolina parts warehouse and a Jeffersonville, Indiana facility that came online two years ago. Combined, the locations total more than 550,000 square feet. Orangeburg alone stocks tens of thousands of part SKUs, from body plastics and seats to individual hardware, much of it ready for fast shipment. “Our customers need fast and reliable access to parts. Having multiple locations being able to support our network is a huge advantage,” Perske explained as we walked through aisles of floor-to-ceiling shelves. That inventory isn’t guesswork. Bintelli tracks every component to determine what to stock heavily and what needs adjustment throughout the year. “We know what 50 www.GolfCarting.com
parts are the most requested, we never want to run out of those,” Perske said, noting that with more than 25 years in the industry, they have it down to a science. On the assembly floor, carts move through defined stages: frame and chassis first, followed by suspension components, drivetrain installation and final assembly for seats, batteries, chargers, controllers and wiring. The final stop is quality control, where every unit goes through a pre-delivery inspection checking for blemishes, loose hardware and anything requiring a second look before final inspection and shipment. Bintelli is one of three model lines produced under the same roof, alongside SIVO and ActivEV, each with its own dealer program. But the Beyond and Nexus remain the vehicles most associated with the Bintelli name—a line built on aluminum construction, dealer-driven refinement and support infrastructure decades in the making. For more information, visit bintelli.com.
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GOLF CART: 2001 Ultra Cart Humdinger LOCATION: Chesnee, South Carolina BUILDER: Martin & Son Carts and Customs
We also had to rebuild the windshield frame, giving it a proper fit while eliminating the awkward roll bar and framework that previously held it together.
TELL US YOUR NAME AND A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR COMPANY. My name is Neil Martin, and I own Martin & Son Carts and Customs in Chesnee, South Carolina.
WHAT AFTERMARKET PARTS AND COMPONENTS DID YOU USE? • MODZ Assassin wheels • Klever tires • Allsports 6-inch and 10-inch lift components • Navitas AC conversion kit • ECO Battery 70-volt lithium battery • Kicker sound system • Newer Club Car IQ wiring harness • Custom-made Club Car Tempo deluxe headlight harness
WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND THIS BUILD? The cart had been sitting for years before it was purchased at an auction. The owner wanted a custom restoration to bring it back to life. According to the story that came with it, the cart once belonged to Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes of the musical group TLC, although that history hasn’t been verified. WHAT CUSTOM FABRICATION WENT INTO THE RESTORATION? The original custom body needed extensive repairs. The suspension combines Allsports lift components with custom brackets to make everything fit and mount properly. 52 www.GolfCarting.com
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BUILDING CARTS, AND HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? I’ve been working on golf carts for almost 14 years and operating as an LLC cart shop for six years. It started as a hobby when I had the opportunity to fix a broken
cart to help my wife during our camping trips. Things grew from there. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE COMPANY? We want to continue growing and building custom carts that stand out and turn heads. Our goal is to keep our work in the mix with other custom builders while offering builds across a variety of manufacturers’ platforms. We may also explore adding new cart lines.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE READERS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS BUILD? This was a complete frame-off restoration that took about three months. We completed it without any support available from the original manufacturer, and it turned out exactly as the owner had dreamed. GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 53
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BUILT FROM THE INSIDE: WHY CART LAUNCH SEES
DEALER GROWTH DIFFERENTLY
B
efore Cart Launch had a name, the team behind it was already working inside the golf cart business. They were selling carts, managing teams, and running marketing. Together, the team brings more than 18 years of experience in the industry and has helped dealerships grow past eight figures in annual sales. That gave them a view most outside companies never get. They could launch a marketing campaign and then watch what happened next. Did people call? Did they come into the store? What ad did they say they saw? Which carts were they asking about? Which carts actually sold? What helped make the sale happen? The answers were right there inside the dealership. If something worked, they saw it in the sales. If it did not, they changed it and tried again. Over time, the team tested TV, radio, magazine ads, online marketing, special offers, pricing, financing, and warranties. Some things sounded great and did very little. Others worked
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far better. Every test taught them more about how golf cart buyers think and what gets a cart sold. It also taught them something bigger: most dealerships do not have one single problem holding them back. They have holes in their sales system. A buyer may see the dealership but never call, submit a form, request a quote, or visit the store. A shopper may visit the website, look at several carts, and leave without contacting the dealership. A lead may come in but never receive a timely response or move into a real sales conversation. Those lost chances can happen online or inside the dealership, and many times, the dealer never even knows they were there. That idea became a big part of why Cart Launch was created. The goal was not to become another company that simply ran ads and sent reports. The goal was to take everything the team had learned inside the golf cart business and help dealers find where sales were being lost, fix those weak points, and then create more demand.
THAT ORDER MATTERS. There is little value in sending more people into a dealership if buyers are already falling through the cracks. Cart Launch starts by looking at the full path from interest to sale. Where are buyers dropping out? Where is the dealership making it harder than it should be for someone to move forward? Where are good opportunities being missed? Once those gaps are fixed, the dealership is in a much better position to handle more traffic and demand. That approach was put to the test early when Cart Launch worked with a dealership that had 72 overaged carts sitting in inventory. The market had changed after COVID. Buyers were no longer walking in and buying at the same pace, and the dealership needed a new plan. Cart Launch helped build it. The result was 72 overaged carts sold in just 45 days. That was a turning point. It showed the team that what they had learned inside the industry could help other dealers solve real sales and inventory problems too. Since then, Cart Launch has worked with more than 45 dealerships nationwide in 2026. Eight dealers have doubled their average monthly cart sales compared with the year before. Others have added five, seven, and even 15 cart sales per month. Those results did not come from one magic ad. They came from understanding the dealership as a whole. EVERY MARKET IS DIFFERENT. EVERY DEALER IS DIFFERENT. That is why Cart Launch does not want to be known for one service or one platform. The company wants to be known for results. The team sees its role as being in the dealer's corner, helping find the real problems slowing growth. That way of thinking matters even more as the golf cart business changes. For years, many dealers could keep carts in stock, open the doors, and count on buyers to show up. Today,
that is not always enough. Buyers have more choices. They shop online first. They compare stores, brands, and prices before they ever walk through the door. Dealers cannot just wait for people who are already searching for a golf cart. They have to create demand too. That means getting in front of local homeowners, giving people a reason to think about owning a cart, and staying visible before they ever start shopping. Instead of only fighting over the same group of buyers, dealers can help create new ones. Cart Launch believes that is one of the biggest growth opportunities in the golf cart industry today. It is also why the team works hard to stay close to the business. They visit dealer partners, spend time with manufacturers, attend industry events, and keep learning where the industry is going. They do not want to understand the golf cart world from behind a laptop. They want to be part of it. In the years ahead, Cart Launch wants to be the company dealers turn to when they want real growth. Not because of one service. Not because of one platform. Because the team understands the business, knows where sales are being lost, and knows how to help dealers create more of them. Did more carts sell? Did the dealership grow? Did the dealer get a real return? That is the standard Cart Launch wants to be known for. For the team, being in a dealer's corner means caring about the same thing the dealer does: results. Ready to grow your dealership?Call Cart Launch at (833) 736-6849 to talk with our team about where your dealership may be losing sales and what we would do to help you grow.
GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 59
askthemechanic
ASK THE MECHANIC Q: What causes "regen surge" or immediate coasting failure on a golf cart equipped with a high-end BMS-managed Lithium battery pack during a long downhill run? A: High-speed downhill descent drives the motor as a generator, pushing reverse current (regenerative braking) back into the battery pack to slow the vehicle down. If the lithium battery is already at or near 100% state of charge (SOC), the sudden influx of regenerative current forces the pack voltage above its safety ceiling. The internal Battery Management System (BMS) triggers its High-Voltage Disconnect (HVD) protection to prevent overcharging cell damage. When the BMS disconnects the battery from the circuit mid-descent, the controller instantly loses its electrical sink; regenerative braking fails entirely, leaving the cart in a free-roll state reliant solely on mechanical pedal brakes. Q: When driving between 10-15mph, I feel wobble. My tires seem good and the nuts are tight. What else could be causing this? A: If your tires have plenty of tread and the lug nuts are torqued down, a speed-specific wobble at 10–15 mph typically points to over/under inflated tires, misalignment, bad bearing, or suspension issues. Jack up the front end. Grab the tire at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions and try to rock it back and forth. If you feel a clunk or noticeable slop, the kingpin or control arm bushings are shot and need replacement. With the cart still jacked up, spin each wheel by hand. Listen for a grinding/rattling noise and feel for roughness. If you do the 12-and-6 o'clock rock test and the movement comes from the center hub rather than the steering joints, it's a bearing issue. Golf carts typically require a slight toe-in (around 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch narrower at the front of the tire than the back). Check this with a tape measure across the front and back of the front tires to verify correct alignment. 60 www.GolfCarting.com
Q: What causes solenoid welding and how does a resistor prevent it? A: Solenoid contacts weld shut when an intense electrical arc melts the internal copper contacts together during closing. This is triggered by inrush current—the massive, instantaneous burst of amperage drawn by the motor controller's uncharged internal capacitors the second the solenoid closes. Highoutput aftermarket controllers (400A–600A+) feature very large capacitor banks. Without mitigation, closing the solenoid creates a transient spark hot enough to fuse the contacts, causing the cart to remain powered on continuously (or jump unexpectedly). To prevent this, technicians install a pre-charge resistor (typically a 250-ohm to 470-ohm, 10-watt resistor) permanently across the solenoid's main battery posts. This allows a tiny trickle of current to bypass the open contacts and safely fill the controller’s capacitors before the solenoid energizes, eliminating the voltage differential and arcing. Q.Why does an electric golf cart's rear hub spin freely on the axle shaft when the motor turns, creating a grinding noise without propelling the cart? A: This occurs when the internal female straight splines inside the cast-iron rear brake drum strip out against the steel male splines of the axle shaft.On many golf carts (especially EZGO TXT models), the brake drum doubles as the outer wheel hub interface. Because the axle shaft is hardened steel and the drum is softer cast iron, excessive torque, loose castle nuts, or aggressive acceleration causes the drum's splines to shear off completely. The axle spins inside the smooth, stripped drum bore without transferring power to the wheel. To fix this, you must replace the drum/hub assembly and torque the axle castle nut to 90–140 ft-lbs to prevent play that leads to restripping.
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GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 63