For example, North Carolina defines a golf cart [sic. "golf car"], as a vehicle designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour. Arizona defines a golf cart [sic. "golf car"] as a motor vehicle which has not less than three wheels in contact with the ground, has an unladed weight of less than thirteen hundred pounds, is designed to be and is operated at not more than fifteen miles an hour and is designed to carry golf equipment and persons. However, Arizona does not require registration of the vehicle if it is used in the operation of a golf course or only incidentally operated or moved on a highway.

However, in an attempt to clarify the alphabet soup, we offer the following breakdown by speed capability on a level grade:

• Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) - capable of speeds of more than 20 MPH but not more than 25 MPH;
• Z135 Personal Transportation Vehicle (PTV) and SAE 2358J Personnel Neighborhood Vehicle - capable of speeds of less than 20 MPH;
• Golf Car - capable of speeds of up to 15 MPH.

Unfortunately, some state and local jurisdictions define golf cars either as motor vehicles, requiring the vehicle owners to meet specified registration, safety and insurance requirements or define golf cars to include vehicles not conforming to Z 130.1, the golf car industry standard. The result of this hodgepodge of regulation has been confusion in the ranks of fleet and individual owners, dealers and manufacturers as to which regulation to follow. In an attempt to bring some uniformity and clarity to the present confusion, NGCMA has prepared some model legislation materials found under the Guidelines link, and the section titled "Model Legislation."

NGCMA has also designed and promoted safety signage for use by golf shops, golf courses and related professionals. The signage language is cited in paragraph 9.2.1 of ANSI/NGCMA Z 130.1-2004.

NGCMA and its members have participated, and likely will continue to participate, in public forums dealing with vehicle pollution regulation, disability standards and guidelines, e.g., ADA Guidelines for Recreation Facilities, affecting the use of golf cars, and individually, in SAE standards development for vehicles similar in size to golf cars and PTVs. Members of NGCMA's Engineering Committee historically have given unstintingly of their own time to assist SAE and other professional societies and organizations in the development of vehicle safety.

NGCMA and its individual members support allied associations that have mutual interests or provide value to NGCMA, golf car manufacturers, distributors, owners and the business of golf itself. Included in the associations supported are National Club Association and National Golf Foundation.