History of Club Car

In 1962, Bill Stevens Sr. acquired Landreath Machine (founded in 1958) in Dallas, Texas, relocated operations to Augusta, Georgia, and officially launched Club Car LLC. He and his son, Bill Jr., famously drove a prototype all the way to the PGA Show in Dunedin, Florida, showcasing Club Car’s dedication to quality and endurance from the very beginning.

In the 1960s, Club Car revolutionized golf transportation by producing the first golf cart equipped with a steering wheel — making it easier and safer to drive around the course. Early Club Car vehicles were spotted with famous faces such as Sam Snead and Jackie Gleason, helping establish the brand’s premium reputation.

This decade also saw the first golf utility vehicle, created by welding a cargo box onto a golf car for easier course maintenance — a forerunner to today’s versatile utility lineup.

The 1980s brought one of the most iconic vehicles in golf history — the Club Car DS, designed by Dom Saporito. Known for its durability and ease of maintenance, the DS quickly became the flagship model for golf courses worldwide, solidifying Club Car’s global presence.

In 1985, Club Car expanded beyond golf with the launch of the Carryall II, the company’s first modern utility vehicle built for commercial use — establishing a foundation for today’s Carryall series.

The 1990s marked a decade of major advancement in performance, materials, and customer solutions:

• 1992: Introduction of the FE290 overhead-valve engine, offering improved power and efficiency.
• Creation of the Custom Solutions Department, enabling on-demand builds tailored to customer needs.
• Development of ArmorFlex, an advanced polymer that preserved color and boosted resale value.
• Debut of the Café Express — an innovative mobile merchandising vehicle for golf courses.

By the early 2000s, Club Car celebrated its one-millionth vehicle, a DS model carrying one of the company’s original eight investors.

In 2004, Club Car launched the Precedent i2, a next-generation golf car built from five years of research and development. Its comfort and style set a new benchmark across the golf industry. That same year, the Carryall 295 became the brand’s first 4WD utility vehicle, designed for tougher terrain and heavier loads.

The Excel Drive System (2008) enhanced driving performance and control, while the Villager 2+2 LSV gave consumers a street-legal, low-speed vehicle for travel through neighborhoods and resorts.

The 2010s ushered in a new era of connected technology and electric innovation for Club Car.

In 2010, the company launched its new Connected technology system, highlighted by Visage and its 3D course flyovers, real-time car tracking, and advanced data analytics — transforming the experience for both golfers and course operators. That same year, Club Car celebrated a major milestone as its two-millionth vehicle, a zero-emission low-speed vehicle (LSV), rolled off the Augusta, Georgia production line.

Throughout the decade, the Carryall utility vehicle series continued to evolve, introducing improved ergonomics, greater payload capacity, and enhanced efficiency, further cementing Club Car’s leadership in sustainable performance and design.

The Precedent i3 debuted with integrated GPS. It would go on to earn multiple “Best Golf Car” awards from Golf Digest.

In 2017, Club Car introduced the Onward® personal transportation vehicle, giving customers the power to customize colors, seats, wheels, and accessories online. That same year, Club Car acquired GPSi, strengthening its leadership in connected fleet management.

Partnerships with Greg Norman Company and Verizon brought the Shark Experience and the automotive-inspired Tempo fleet golf car, reinforcing Club Car’s reputation for performance, technology, and luxury design.