New Golf Carts Powered With GPS

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- There's no excuse for getting lost at the Cranberry Highlands Golf Course in Cranberry.

Their golf carts are equipped with GPS. But distances are measured not in streets, but fairways.

Golf course supervisor Craig Walker says Cranberry Highlands is the first in the area with the 2013 model.

"They actually came out with a walking GPS device," he says, "and located every trap, the contours of the green, the tees. Every feature of the golf course is located on here in that picture. It's great. It tells you how far it is to different bunkers on the course. So it does give you exact yardage to help plan your next shot. And those constantly change as you move the golf cart."

He uses a par 5, 507-yard hole as an example.

"I know I have to hit it at least 258 yards to get past that bunker," he said. "Or I can just lay it down the middle, like normal and have my normal second shot."

But will old school duffers take kindly to this "golfers positioning service?"

"We do have some people it takes a bit longer to get used to," Walker said. "Their first time, yeah, they have a little problem with the technology. But we found by the second or third round they fall in love with it, just like everyone else."

Bluebirds are attracted to the tall fescue grass, planted in cooperation with the Audubon Society. But don't try to drive one of those carts into that grass. The GPS will stop you, right in your tracks.

It even seems to know when you're hungry.

"All they need to do is touch the screen," Walker says. "That'll go directly to the menu. So if I want a Philly steak and fries, I can just add that to the order. And that order will be ready for me in about 20 minutes."

Eventually, he hopes, the GPS will even find lost golf balls.

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