MANAGING a golf club is not easy!
A myriad of details need to come together for a golfing experience to be an enjoyable and memorable one; from the condition of the course to the food served in the clubhouse, from the pro shop offering to the carts that golfers traverse the course in.
It all adds up, and it all matters.
When it comes to Golf vehicles, operators have a tough choice these days – the availability of different makes and models is growing, and golf course operators are being forced to decide between short term affordability and long-term total cost of ownership.
Available in the market today are a host of alternative branded entry level imported vehicles which come with a more attractive price tag, whereas the traditional premium brands are more expensive at the time of purchase, but without doubt offer superior value over time.
Augusta Golf Cars have not only played a part in the golf vehicle landscape, they have helped to shape it.
It is not the first time the Golf Vehicle market has experienced this conundrum – in 2016 Lithium Battery options started to garner traction and golf course operators were faced with a similar equation – do they opt for a Lead Acid Battery pack and save a few dollars short term, or do they go with Lithium where the total cost of ownership was superior but came as a higher short term cost?
Of course, we now know how that played out!
As the golf vehicle market is constantly shifting and changing, we have seen premium brand dealers and distributors increase their offerings to include these entry level vehicles in their product ranges. The market is an efficient place, and these dealers, due to market dynamics, have been forced to do this.
These dealerships will, however, be the first to point out the following considerations for golf course operators to consider when making buying decisions:
• The Quality of the vehicle and its durability over time is critical. Many of the entry level brands have been designed and built for private consumers and they do not necessarily offer the same robustness as the premium vehicles which are built to handle the fleet usage.
• Access to backup support and after-sales service, parts and accessories is paramount. Premium brand distributors have been doing this for a long time and know that holding stock is vital to properly look after fleet users. A comprehensive warranty is key but not worth the paper it is written on if parts stock and resource is not readily available.
• The resale value at the end of any term is also a very important consideration. Premium brands have stood the test of time – dealerships and golf course operators have a good understanding of what the future value will be for premium carts. With alternative entry level imports, they don’t have a proven track record in the fleet environment. Operators opting for these alternative entry level vehicles may find out at the end of term that their fleet has little to no value, which will also limit the willingness of financial institutions to finance these transactions in the first place. Non-proven brands will be assessed to carry a higher risk and will no doubt affect the interest rates provided by financiers.
• The GPS consideration – Fleet Management GPS Devices are a popular addition to vehicles and have proven to be valuable to course operators. The providers of the premium brands all have an in-house offering, developed in-house and fitted down the respective production lines. The suppliers of entry level alternative brands are not able to offer an in-house GPS solution, so collaboration with a third party is the only option. This not only limits functionality but also has warranty and cost implications amongst other potential operational issues.
As we stated above… Running a golf club is not easy.
Of course, it can be made a bit easier if you know ‘who to buy from’.
Augusta Golf Cars (AGC) has positioned itself to make the process of purchasing golf vehicles an easy one. With over 20 years in the industry, AGC has not only played a part in the Golf vehicle landscape, but very much helped shape it.
AGC Managing Director, Raymond Georgiou said that there has been a sharp increase in available brands over and above the traditional premium brands.
“We are seeing an increase in alternative entry level brands and to assist golf course operators in their decision we felt it necessary to also include one of these brands in the total offering available through our company,” Mr Georgiou said.
“Where we differ however is our ability to provide the necessary support to our client base no matter which brand of vehicle the golf course operators opts to purchase.
“There are so many considerations when purchasing a fleet but certainly, one of the biggest considerations is dealer longevity. Will the dealership I am purchasing from be around in a few years’ time?”
If in your fleet buying cycle and you would like to find out more about Augusta Golf Cars visit www.ezgo.com.au or call on (07) 3807 8895 in QLD, (02) 8064 9950 in NSW or (03) 9558 1211 in VIC.
– By Dennis Tocknell
Australia's Golf News Leader, Inside Golf gives you in-depth coverage of Australian golf news, golf events, golf travel and holiday destinations, Australian and international golf course reviews, the hottest new golf gear and tips and drills to improve your golf game. Written by award-winning journalists, Inside Golf also features interviews with Australia's top professional golfers, the game's rising stars, industry leaders and golf equipment manufacturers. You can even win great golf prizes and equipment. It’s all in Inside Golf. FREE at Australian golf courses, driving ranges and golf retailers across Australia. 
