by Melissa LaScaleia
Ocean Lakes Golf Cars is a division of the Jackson Companies, of which Ocean Lakes Family Campground is also a part.
In the late ’80s, the owners of Ocean Lakes Family Campground started a small golf car rental business within the campground so people could traverse the 310 acre property as well as one mile of beach front property with greater ease.
Ocean Lakes Golf Cars is located inside of Ocean Lakes Family campground. Although the campground only admits guests to the property, everybody is welcome to visit Ocean Lakes Golf Cars to view their sales floor of available golf cars to purchase, as well as inquire about custom accessories, parts, and repairs. Simply approach the guard gate to receive a pass to go to the golf car facility.
“A lot of people don’t realize the extent of what we offer our community,” says Greg Bender, the assistant general manager of the park. “We’re trying to reach out and let people know Ocean Lakes Golf Cars is available for everyone, not just our guests. We want to serve a greater segment of the population.
“Over the years, our outreach has increased, and today we sell up to 500 cars a year.”
Ocean Lakes Golf Cars is open seven days a week for the community. At their showroom on the premises, they currently have 940 golf cars that they run in their rental fleet, and they sell electric and gas, and new and reconditioned golf cars and LSVs.
LSVs are similar to golf cars; each style has unique capabilities, functioning, and legal requirements for operation.
LSVs have certain features which make them safer to operate for longer distances. They must be able to attain speeds of 25 mph, and be equipped with turn signals and brake lights, high impact DOT windshields, manual windshield wipers, seat belts, a speedometer, and radial tires that are DOT approved.
Each one also must have a lit license tag on the back, as well as a seventeen digit VIN number so it can be registered, tagged, and licensed with the state. In South Carolina, you are responsible for paying property taxes on the vehicle. LSVs can be driven anytime on secondary roads only, with no limit on how far you can take them from their place of origin.
To operate a golf car, you only need to have a South Carolina permit from the DMV. The permit states that you have provided proof of insurance to the DMV.
Golf cars have restrictions on their use: they can be driven a maximum of four miles from their registered location, and only on secondary roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less between dawn and dusk.
Both types of cars are very popular in our area. And Greg encourages the community to approach him with any questions they might have about LSVs or golf cars.
Ocean Lakes recently opened a new production facility off of Maryport Drive, located across the street from the campground. Here, they assemble new vehicles, and recondition and customize golf cars and LSVs for resale. They have an extensive parts, accessories and service department to maintain or refurbish a wide range of cars.