How 72V Lithium Power Transformed Oakmont Golf Club

The Crisis That Started It All

Pine needles crunched underfoot as Oakmont Country Club‘s head pro, Michael Delaney, stared at yet another stranded golf cart on the 14th fairway. “That’s the third breakdown this week,” he muttered, watching a frustrated member trudge back to the clubhouse. It was August 2022, and Oakmont’s 58 aging lead-acid batteries were failing catastrophically:

• 27% of carts couldn’t complete 18 holes
• Maintenance crews spent 15 hours/week watering batteries
• Replacement costs had ballooned to $32,000 annually

“That afternoon, I called an emergency board meeting,” Delaney recalls. “We needed a solution before the Member-Guest Tournament.”

The Lithium Leap
Enter 72V lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries – the same technology powering modern EVs. Superintendent Carla Rodriguez led the transition:

“We tested three brands side-by-side for 90 days. The numbers spoke for themselves.”

Test Metric	Lead-Acid (2022)	72V Lithium (2023)	Improvement
Average Range	19 miles	58 miles	305%
Charge Time	9.5 hours	2.25 hours	76% faster
Battery Weight	172 lbs	59 lbs	66% lighter
Energy Cost/Mile	$0.11	$0.04	64% savings

The club invested $142,000 to convert all carts. “Members thought we were crazy,” Rodriguez admits. “Until they played their first rounds.”

The Morning That Changed Everything

April 15, 2023 – Tournament Day. By 7 AM, all 72 carts were fully charged (overnight charging had been eliminated). At noon, when traditional clubs’ carts were dying, Oakmont’s fleet was still going strong.

“Mr. Thompson played 54 holes without plugging in,” Delaney laughs. “He bought drinks for the maintenance team that night.”

The Ripple Effect of 72V Lithium Golf Cart Batteries

Financial Wins

• Saved $28,000 in first year (maintenance + energy)
• Eliminated $18,000/year battery replacement budget
• Increased cart rentals 22% due to reliability

Operational Freedom

• No more acid spills ruining cart barn floors
• Zero battery-watering labor
• Winter performance: 85% capacity at 20°F

Member Satisfaction

• 94% approval in post-upgrade survey
• “It’s like going from a flip phone to an iPhone,” remarked longtime member Barbara Kessler

Why This Matters Beyond Golf

Oakmont’s success mirrors a national trend:

• 41% of U.S. courses now use lithium (Golf Course Superintendents Association, 2024)
• Municipalities are adopting lithium for police patrol carts and airport vehicles
• RV parks report similar benefits for recreational vehicles

“The technology’s here,” Rodriguez states, gesturing to their spotless charging station. “The only question is how much money you want to keep burning on lead-acid.”

Your Turn to Upgrade?
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