When Robert Wolf of Hendricks, Minn., takes his wife, Elizabeth, out for dinner, they hop in his golf cart to drive up the road to the Main Street Bar and Grill.
"I'm retired, so I take it to go to the park, to go fishing at the lake and to go to the grocery store," said the 61-year-old Wolf, whose southwest Minnesota community usually has several golf carts parked on its Main Street.
Golf carts have been a popular alternative mode of transportation in southern retirement communities for decades. Now, Minnesota snowbirds and others who like golf carts' maneuverability and price are increasingly getting a chance to drive them on regular roads.
State law already allowed cities to pass ordinances permitting golf carts on designated city streets. A small but growing number of cities around the state now allow golf carts -- properly decked out with slow-moving vehicle emblems, permits and in some cases, lights and blinkers -- to be used off the links.
This year, the Minnesota Legislature may have spurred additional interest and debate by passing a law allowing small electric vehicles -- including some types of golf carts -- to be driven on streets without a city ordinance. Cities, though, are still allowed to pass ordinances that restrict use of the carts.
In May, store owner Deb Born persuaded Afton's City Council to allow golf carts in some areas of town. In June, White Bear Lake passed an ordinance allowing people with a physical disability to drive them on city streets.
But the issue can also be divisive. Earlier this month, debate erupted in Cass County at a Sylvan Township board meeting over a petition favoring golf carts on roads. Sheriffs' deputies were summoned afterward when the arguments continued outside.
Popular in the South
In the South, golf carts, which typically cost about $5,000 new, have been used as a transportation alternative for decades. But their widespread use has created headaches for some cities.
Peachtree City, Ga., with a population of approximately 36,000, has about 9,000 registered golf carts and about 90 miles of golf cart paths.
Betsy Tyler, the city's public information officer, said it is challenging to patrol all the paths. Stolen golf carts outnumbered stolen cars last year, and golf carts have been in a couple accidents the past few years.
But overall, Tyler said, the city benefits from less car traffic. According to a survey commissioned by the city, about 1 million trips per year are taken on the golf cart paths that otherwise would have been car trips.
Although there are no statistics on how many Minnesota communities allow golf carts, some such as Hendricks, Dawson and Milaca have had ordinances in place for at least five years.
David Blees, city administrator for Hendricks, said with about 700 people in the Lincoln County town, it's easier for golf carts to be used on city streets. This year, the city issued 35 new golf cart permits. "There's people driving around on golf carts all the time," Blees said. "You go over to Main Street and there could be anywhere from two to five golf carts parked."
Golf carts haven't been as welcome in other parts of the state, as the dispute in Sylvan Township suggests.
In June 2005, council members in the small Stearns County town of Melrose decided not to adopt an ordinance allowing golf carts because of safety concerns with large delivery trucks that drive through town.
"Our city attorney advised against it due to the safety concerns," said Melrose City Administrator Brian Beeman. "We have large turkey trucks that come through town, and we didn't know of a safe route that we could come up with."
Carts easier to use
In White Bear Lake, two golf cart permits have been issued since the ordinance passed this spring. City officials said they've had a growing number of inquiries from residents who are interested in purchasing golf carts and want to know the city's requirements.
Jeanne Molamphy holds one of the permits. She uses the vehicle to get around because of a disability and said it's easier to get into than her pickup truck and less expensive to run. "I put in three gallons of gas, and I've already made two trips back and forth to the grocery store, pharmacy and my chiropractor's office and it hasn't put a dent in [my gas tank]," she said.
Born, the Afton store owner, petitioned the council to allow golf carts on city streets. She uses a golf cart to deliver supplies to boaters. Golf carts are only allowed in Afton's historic downtown.
"There's less impact with a golf cart than a car," said Dennis Benish, manager of the Afton Marina and Yacht Club. "Do you want them in a Hummer or a golf cart?"
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