A couple of weeks ago two folks in their 80s came in. They’ve got mules, a tractor, a four-wheeler, a side-by-side, the whole setup on their place. What they wanted was one more thing to add to the mix. Something his wife could climb on without hurting herself. Something she could load plants on the back of, ride around, water her flowers. Something safe enough that when the grandkids come over they can ride too. A 15-mile-an-hour cart. That’s what they were after.
That’s the lake customer about half the time. They’re not shopping for a golf cart because they golf. They’re shopping for the cart that makes the property work. From the house to the dock, from the dock to the marina store, from one neighbor’s place to the next. A golf cart isn’t just for golf anymore around here, and hasn’t been for a long time.
So here’s what I’d actually tell you if you walked in tomorrow and asked which one to buy.
Start with the question nobody asks
Almost everyone walks in and asks about the cart. The real question is the property. How long is the run from your house to the water? Is there a hill in there? Gravel, grass, both? How many people on a typical weekend? Are you the one driving most of the time, or are the grandkids?
Because once I know that, the choice usually picks itself.
If your place is mostly flat, a level lot, paved or hard-packed paths, a short run to the dock, almost any cart we sell is going to be fine. You can pick the color and seat preference and not regret it.
If you’ve got a real hill between the house and the water, that changes things. Some carts pull a grade beautifully and some don’t. I’ll be straight with you on that in a minute.
If you’ve got gravel paths, washouts after a hard rain, or roots through the woods, you want either a lift or you want a cart that handles bumps without rattling your teeth. That’s where the suspension story matters.
Two brands. Honest take on each.
Cunningham has been an authorized Yamaha dealer since 1977 and an authorized Club Car dealer since 2001. We sell both. We service both. We’re not picking sides. But they’re built differently, and they feel different on the property.
Yamaha’s quieter. The QuieTech EFI gas engine is rated at 60.5 dB by Yamaha, which is about the level of a normal conversation. If you’ve ever fired up a regular gas cart at 6 a.m. on a Saturday and felt bad about waking the neighbors, you understand why that matters. Yamaha’s ride is also smoother on uneven ground because of how the rear suspension is built. On gravel paths and roots, you will feel the difference of a car with independent rear suspension. Their warranty is 4 years.
Here’s the honest tradeoff. The QuieTech is not the strongest cart on a steep hill. It’s a beautifully refined engine, but if you’ve got a serious grade between the house and the dock and you’re hauling four people plus a cooler plus the dog, you’re going to notice it working hard.
That’s where Club Car’s Onward earns its keep. The Onward runs a Kohler gas engine, the same Kohler family you’ve seen on generators and commercial mowers for years, and it pulls. On a sloped lot with a load on board, that engine is going to handle it without complaint. The Onward is also the most customizable cart on the market. More colors, more trim options, more lift configurations than anything else we sell. Some folks really care about that. Some don’t. The non-lifted Onward has a 3-year warranty. The lifted version has a 2 year warranty. The lithium battery, if you go that route, has 6 years.
So for a quick summary: Yamaha is the quiet, smooth-riding one. Club Car is the strong puller, especially lifted, especially on hills. Both are excellent. Pick yours by the property.
About lithium
People ask about lithium a lot. Here’s the honest answer. Most of what we sell at the lake is gas, and there’s a reason for that. Gas carts are simple. You put fuel in, you drive, you don’t think about charge schedules or whether the battery liked sitting all winter at half charge. For a property you visit on weekends, that simplicity matters.
Lithium has real advantages. It’s maintenance-free, lasts longer than lead-acid, and the Club Car Onward Base Lithium pack carries a 6-year battery warranty. If you want lithium, we can get you lithium. But don’t talk yourself into it just because it’s the newer technology. For a lot of lake homes, a QuieTech Yamaha or a Kohler Onward in gas is going to make you happier over ten years than either of the electric options.
Lead-acid still has its place too. We sell plenty of FLA Onwards, especially in the lifted configurations, and customers are happy with them. Lead-acid needs a little maintenance. Check the water levels, keep the terminals clean. But if you don’t mind that, you save money up front and the cart runs great. You can also not have the expense of lithium up front, and then convert it to Lithium when it is time to change the batteries in 5 to 7 years.
Why being close to the lake matters
Our Calvert City store is on US Highway 62, minutes from Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes. We’ve been under the same local ownership here for more than 25 years. When the cart needs work, you bring it to Calvert City. You’re not driving to Nashville. You’re not waiting two weeks for a mobile tech to come up from Tennessee.
That matters most in July, when the lake’s full and you’ve got family coming Friday afternoon and the cart picked Wednesday morning to act up. Whoever you buy from, ask them where their service comes from. If they have to send the cart somewhere else to get worked on, that’s something to know up front. Also, if you don’t have the means to haul the unit to the shop, find out what their pick up and delivery fees are so you really know what the cost of ownership is going to be.
If we were having this conversation in person
Here’s what I’d say. Don’t overthink the brand. Spend ten minutes thinking about the property. How steep, how rough, how many people, gas or electric, and how much do you actually use the cart between October and March. Then come in. We’ll put you on a couple of carts, you can take them around the lot, and you’ll know within about five minutes which one you want.
If you’re not sure, that’s fine too. Renting one for a weekend at the lake is the easiest way to find out what you actually want. Once you’ve driven a cart around your own property for a few days, the decision usually makes itself.
Either way, come on by Calvert City. Or call. We’ll answer.
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Stop by the Calvert City store We’re on US Highway 62, minutes from Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes. Same local ownership for more than 25 years. We’re happy to walk you through what makes sense for your property. No rush, no pressure. |
A few quick answers
These are the questions we hear most often. The short versions.
Gas or lithium for a lake house? For most lake homeowners, gas is the simpler choice, especially if you only use the cart on weekends. Lithium is great if you use the cart heavily and want zero maintenance, but it costs more up front. We sell both.
Yamaha or Club Car? Yamaha is quieter and smoother. Club Car is stronger on hills, especially the Kohler-powered Onward, and offers more customization. Drive both at our Calvert City store and you’ll know.
Will it handle gravel and slopes? Yes, if you pick right. Lifted Onward configurations handle slopes and gravel beautifully. Yamaha’s rear suspension is the smoothest ride on rough ground. Talk to us about your specific property.
How far from Kentucky Lake is your Calvert City store? Ten to fifteen minutes from most lake access points. We’re on US Highway 62.
Do you deliver? Yes. To Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, and across western Kentucky. Customers also have us deliver to Rough River, Nolin, and Patoka. Call us to talk through it.
