Golf Carts: The Everyday Ride of Ave Maria

In Ave Maria, golf carts have moved far beyond the fairway. What began as a recreational vehicle has become an everyday mode of transportation and a defining part of life in the community.

With schools, parks, churches, businesses, and the Town Center all closely connected, Ave Maria is uniquely designed for golf cart travel. Residents use them to run errands, visit neighbors, attend school events, and head to dinner or the grocery store. On any given afternoon, carts glide through neighborhoods and line the streets of the Town Center, creating a relaxed, friendly rhythm to daily life.

For resident Reggie Lewis, who moved to Ave Maria from Minnesota, the concept was unfamiliar at first. “When we got here, we had one car,” Lewis said. “I’d never heard of golf cart communities before.”

It didn’t take long for his family to embrace the lifestyle. When the time came to choose between buying a second car or purchasing a golf cart, the decision became clear. “My wife would rather take the golf cart to the grocery store than our car,” Lewis said. “We go to North Park, shops in town, the shopping centers — we go everywhere on the golf cart.”

Beyond convenience, Lewis says the carts bring back a sense of childhood freedom — similar to riding bikes around the neighborhood. In Ave Maria, that feeling has simply evolved into adulthood. “You know whose golf cart is whose,” he said. “It’s like when you’d see bikes on your friend’s lawn growing up.”

Families often travel together in groups of carts, whether cruising through neighborhoods to see Christmas lights or heading to community events. The result is a stronger sense of connection among neighbors. Local golf cart professionals say Ave Maria stands out because carts are truly integrated into everyday life. What was once a luxury is now almost a necessity for many residents. Today’s carts are also more advanced and customizable than ever, with modern safety features, improved batteries and unique designs that reflect their owners’ personalities.

In a town built around connection, golf carts do more than move people from place to place. They slow things down, spark conversations and turn everyday errands into shared experiences making the journey just as meaningful as the destination.