Should You Start a Golf Cart Rental Business?

In spaces where tourists abound, golf cart rental can be big business. Many golf cart dealers do a bit of a side business with golf cart rentals, but small startups  like those who market e-bikes are moving in quickly. It’s a lucrative idea, particularly in spaces where there’s a solid need for it, but is it the right choice for you? Understanding both the pros and cons of golf cart rental businesses is key before you make a decision.

With so many fantastic benefits, it’s hard to imagine that there are a lot of drawbacks.

The Benefits of a Business Like This One

Golf cart rental is a booming business. Once confined to golf courses, vacation communities are continually on the lookout for businesses like these because they allow tourists to get from place to place without using their vehicles. Golf cart rental companies are also a good way to reduce emissions and help individuals stay a bit greener while they’re on vacation. Thanks to lots of online booking technologies, too, there are additional ways to connect with potential customers.

The Hidden Drawbacks

With so many fantastic benefits, it’s hard to imagine that there are a lot of drawbacks, but the reality is that there are actually several. Maybe one of the biggest ones is the transportation fees themselves. Often you’ll need to both pick-up and deliver golf cart rentals to your clients, and while you can charge them an additional fee, that may deter many from working with you. As fuel costs continue to increase, you may find yourself priced out of this business opportunity fairly quickly. 

Irresponsible customers are another real drawback of starting a golf cart rental business. Golf carts can be lots of fun, but they’re easy to damage. Drive them too quickly or in a manner never intended, and you can easily dent the cart, bend the frame, or create other real problems for the golf cart. Individuals can even be injured in the process. Given that many golf cart rental companies have a client base enjoying the carts while they’re on vacation, and you have a carefree attitude that could mean serious damage to your inventory. 

Is a golf cart rental business right for you? It depends a bit on where your at and the kinds of controls you have in place to prevent problems for your new company.