Spring Theft Prevention Series: GPS and Golf Cart Theft

Burglaries and break-ins increase after the clocks spring forward every March, according to the most recent FBI crime statistics. As more people go on vacation and spend longer periods away from home at this time of the year, high-value items like golf carts in garages and yards are at risk of being stolen. That's why you should take action this season and protect your valuables. 

GPS trackers like those made by LandAirSea (LAS) let you monitor items like expensive golf carts in the following ways:

• Create a geofence around the location of your golf cart and receive phone notifications when your vehicle leaves this pre-determined area
• Track where criminals take your golf cart on real-time maps
• Share location information with law enforcement and increase the chances of recovering your item
• Provide evidence to your insurance company about your stolen golf cart

Learn more about GPS and golf cart theft in this latest edition of LAS's spring theft protection blog series. 

Why Would Someone Steal Your Golf Cart?

Golf carts are expensive valuables that can set you back thousands of dollars, depending on the make and model. The average four-seat golf cart costs $9-14,000, while a six-seater can command more than $14,000. 

Because of their high value, golf carts can be extremely lucrative to criminals who sell these items online and generate fast profits. Other thieves might steal a golf cart for fun, ride it around for a little while, and then dump it in a remote location.

It's estimated that criminals steal 25,000 golf carts every year. These items are easier to break into than cars, and thieves often unlock them with duplicated keys. Unlike other vehicles, golf carts are unlikely to have dash cams, alarm systems, and other security measures, putting them at risk of theft. 

How to Prevent Golf Cart Theft This Spring

As property theft increases in the spring, you should prevent your golf cart from becoming yet another crime statistic. LAS golf cart GPS trackers generate real-time location intelligence, providing insights about the whereabouts of your vehicle after someone has taken it from your premises. You can also use these products to find your golf cart if you can't remember where you left it. That can prove useful if you walk a long distance from your cart on a golf course or other large open area.

Below are some other ways to stop someone from stealing your golf cart. While these security measures can reduce the chances of theft, the worst-case scenario can still happen. A GPS tracker, on the other hand, can help you locate and recover your cart, making the technology a security must-have this spring.

• Install locks on each of your golf cart's wheels, making it more difficult for criminals to steal your vehicle
• Attach a lock to the gas pedal on your golf cart to prevent a quick getaway
• Never park your golf cart on your driveway or any public place
• Criminals often duplicate keys to access golf carts, so create a unique key that only matches your vehicle
• Install an alarm system on your property if you keep your golf cart in your home or garage
• Invest in motion-sensor spotlights if you store your golf cart in your backyard

Some golf carts can cost as much as cars, but owners rarely take the correct security measures to safeguard these items. Don't make the same mistake. While all the equipment above might cost you, investing in the right security can save you money in the long run by protecting your golf cart from being stolen. 

How to Use a GPS Tracker to Find Your Stolen Golf Cart

Say someone has stolen a golf cart from your home. What happens now? Police might be reluctant to search for your item if they have other crimes to solve, leaving you with no other option but to purchase a new one. You can prevent this scenario by investing in a GPS tracker and following these simple steps:

Attach a GPS tracker to your golf cart

There are various places on your golf cart where you can place an anti-theft GPS tracker, such as:

• Underneath or behind a front seat
• Underneath the rear seat
• On top of the enclosure
• On a safari rack attached to the enclosure
• In a basket attached to the front of the golf cart

You can also attach a GPS tracker to other expensive golf equipment, such as golf bags and clubs, and protect these items against theft. 

Set up a geofence

A geofence is a virtual boundary around a real-world location such as a golf course, garage, or anywhere you use or store your golf cart. When a vehicle with a GPS device attached to it leaves this geofence, you can receive notifications on your smartphone about its whereabouts. With LAS devices, you can set up a geofence in a few simple steps via the SilverCloud app and customize notifications however you like. If you prefer, you can keep notifications turned off and check historical playback data generated from the GPS device on your golf cart.

Find your golf cart

If your cart leaves your pre-defined geofence, someone has likely stolen it and moved it to another location. When you receive a geofence alert on your phone via the SilverCloud app, you can check the whereabouts of your golf cart in real time on a map and quickly plan your next move. 

Recover your golf cart

By locating your golf cart on a map, you can recover it quickly. The easiest way to do this is to share location data with your local law enforcement department. LAS GPS devices make this process easy because they utilize ShareSpot technology, allowing you to exchange location information with anyone you like. 

There are multiple other uses for GPS trackers. If you own a golf course or business that uses golf carts, you can attach GPS trackers to your fleet of vehicles. Then you can track the location of your carts when people don't return them at the end of the day. You can also use GPS to support an insurance claim when someone steals your golf cart. 

With LAS devices, you send evidence directly to your insurer with ShareSpot. That can speed up your claim and encourage your insurer to release funds. 

Remember, not all golf cart GPS trackers are the same. Choose one that is lightweight, portable, and compact, reducing the chances of criminals finding it when attempting to steal your vehicle. Also, purchase a GPS device that provides the highest location precision. LAS devices can pinpoint the location of any item attached to one of its products within six inches, which is more accurate than GPS-enabled phones. 

GPS and Golf Cart Theft: Which Product is Best?

Here are the best GPS trackers from LAS for golf cart theft:

LandAirSea 54

LandAirSea 54 comes with super-strength magnets that attach to various areas of your golf cart without any additional cables. This waterproof and dustproof tracker is perfect for golf courses in diverse environments and has a long-lasting battery. Other features include speed alerts, battery alerts, geofence alerts, and a dark mode. 

LandAirSea Overdrive

LandAirSea Overdrive has a battery that lasts up to four times longer than 54 and attaches to golf cart components with its internal magnet. It's also dustproof, waterproof, and easy to set up and activate. Other features include battery alerts, fence alerts, speed alerts, and a dark mode. 

Not sure which product you should use for GPS and golf cart theft? Contact LAS to discover more. 

Why LAS for GPS and Golf Cart Theft?

LAS has pioneered GPS surveillance technology for 30 years, making it a highly respected and recognized brand. The company manufactures tracking devices for multiple sectors, including law enforcement and the military. 

Here are some reasons to invest in golf cart GPS trackers from LAS:

• World-class customer service
• East to install and activate your device 
• Online set-up and troubleshooting guides
• Pay-as-you-go model for some products
• No hidden fees
• Products are up to 80% more cost-effective than others on the market

Final Word About GPS and Golf Cart Theft

Research shows property crime increases after the clocks go forward in the spring, putting high-value items like golf carts at risk of theft. Investing in a GPS tracker from LAS helps you identify your golf cart after someone takes it, increasing the chances of recovery. LAS tracking devices let you create a geofence around where you keep your golf cart and track your vehicle as it moves from one place to another, providing you access to the latest location intelligence. 

Get tracking! Order a tracker today and monitor your golf cart with the best GPS technology. Alternatively, email ian.conley@landairsea.com to find out more about GPS and golf cart theft.