FAIRWAY ALLOYS TALKS ABOUT THEIR UNIQUE TIRE & WHEEL DESIGNS, AND THE PROMINENT ROLE THEY PLAY IN A CHANGING INDUSTRY!

Fairway Alloys is known throughout the golf industry as the originator of the true custom golf car wheel. Since 1996 the guys over at Fairway Alloys have been doing some things the exact same, while other aspects have changed significantly. This distinct ability to evolve to global and industry changes has earned Fairway Alloys a reputation of sustainable quality, incredibly fast fill rates and a name brand you can ride on. We decided to catch up with the key decision makers, Keith Corra, International Sales Manager and Brandon Halcomb, National Sales Manager, at Fairway Alloys to get their take on what they have experienced in the last twelve years, where the custom golf car market is today, and what they predict the future holds for enthusiasts.

You’ve seen the radical changes the golf industry has evolved into over the last 5-10 years. Do you think there is a certain point where specific golf related products can be too loud for a sport intentionally quiet?

(Halcomb): The only one thing that is for certain is change. We are still a relatively young company and we do want to stay on the forefront of style and trends, however there is a certain point where you can take a good idea to the point of extreme. If you look at any of the brands within our collection, we always maintain integrity and respect for all ages and demographics. The good part about the aftermarket industry is that you can truly individualize your mode of transportation to exactly what represents you and your interests. The downside to this individuality is that your vision of beauty might not exactly be your neighbor’s vision of beauty.

(Corra): I do believe that in the global custom wheel industry, excessiveness seems to be required in the design phase. We continually produce wheel styles that complement the beauty of the golf car and naturally blend in rather than intentionally stand out.

Individuality is something we all crave and Fairway Alloys is just one more option you can use to complete the look you want on or off the golf course.

Fairway Alloys is a golf car wheel line developed specifically for golf cars only. Does that mean that you fit any golf car make and model?

(Halcomb): Fairway Alloys will fit 99.9% of the golf car applications manufactured. We could state 100%, but since 1996 we have had a handful of extremely old or foreign model golf cars that we were unable to fit. What most people do not know is that golf cars all have the exact same bolt pattern. This is much different than in the automotive industry in which nearly every model has a different bolt pattern. This allows any of our golf car wheels to bolt on without modification. The only variance when choosing your new wheel and tire package are your preferred tire size/tread and the lug nuts to fasten the package. Standard golf cars will take a 10” wheel with a +0mm offset to fit identical to the manufacturer’s original equipment specifications. If you plus size the wheel to a 12” wheel, you must decrease the side wall of the tire to accommodate the new wheel size without adding circumference to the tire and wheel package. This is done by using our new EFX Lo-Pro tire which allows a standard golf car (not lifted) to use a 12” wheel and tire package.

Contrary to some people’s beliefs, plus sizing your wheels will not affect the performance of your golf car. In contrast, additional options are available for customers looking for more aggressive tire and wheel packages which will require lift kits among other modifications. Our knowledgeable sales staff can talk you through your options and aid you no matter your preference.

(Corra): Because we also manufacture automotive wheels, which require multiple engineering certifications and O.E. specifications to be met or exceeded, we were able to lend this engineering to our golf car products and develop wheels to fit complicated applications like the Club Car Precedent. Although our wheels will fit 99.9% of the makes and models out there, make sure you use the correct lug nuts. Golf car manufacturers use a variety of lugs with varying threads which will drastically affect what lug nuts are required to safely secure your wheels to your golf car. To aid in this confusion we have golf car wheel and tire kits already pre-assembled, including lug nuts, which we can deliver to your door for easy mounting to your golf car in minutes.

Ok guys, so we know the golf industry is extremely hot right now and custom products are a key ingredient, but what do you see as the future of Fairway Alloys and the golf car aftermarket industry in general?

(Corra): With soaring gas prices and an emphasis put on green transportation, I see a major shift in our way of traveling. Golf cars have just barely broke their stereotype as grass only vehicles and people are using them more and more as the primary vehicle of transportation. Many people in areas where they can easily access food, entertainment and relaxation are taking advantage of their golf cars in ways that are not only legal in many states (abiding by localrequirements) but also paving the way to a brighter future. I am not suggesting everyone is going to ditch their SUV for a golf car, including myself, I am merely saying the development of less oil dependant products is always a good thing.

On your web site you list other brands other than Fairway Alloys golf car wheels. Are you a niche manufacturer or do you have ties into other industries?

(Corra): Our parent company, Complete Wheel Source, was originally established as one of the first custom automotive wheel manufacturers in the United States. Since 1996, Complete Wheel Source has grown each and every year to the company it stands today. We still manufacture automotive wheels under several brand names as well as ATV wheels and most recently we developed performance tires for golf cars, ATVs and UTVs under the brand name EFX Tires. With a lineup like that we only have to state our company name “Complete Wheel Source” and our customers know they can get literally everything they need from one single vendor.

(Halcomb): With our diverse product spectrum we are able to constantly change our business model, engineering new products never before thought possible. Fairway Alloys was one of the original golf car wheel manufacturers back in the 1990’s and since then, dozens of companies have attempted to duplicate our business model and failed. There is no better experience than history and we have the battle wounds to show our determination to offer our global customers products they can trust.

Thanks for your time guys, appreciate the insight into Fairway Alloys and the Complete Wheel Source collection. Any last words?

(Halcomb):Thank you to all of our new and loyal customers who have been there since day one. We also want to thank Mike Oliver at Oliver and Oliver Custom Golf Cars and Larry Zarlingo at Zarlingo’s Golf Cars for allowing the use of a few of their golf cars to use in this article.

For more information on Fairway Alloys call toll free 1-866-794-3357 or visit: www.FAIRWAYALLOYS.com.