By Stephen Mayer, KATU News

NORTHWEST PORTLAND, Ore. – Move aside golf cart and say hello to the Golf Board!

You might think of it as a skateboard on steroids. A professional surfer teamed up with a Bend-based company to help add a little more excitement to your next round of golf.

They’ve been around for a few years, but this is the first time you can take them for a spin on a Portland golf course.

That’s what a few friends did on a recent day at Glendoveer Golf Course.

“It reminds you of when you’re a kid – you jump on your skateboard or scooter,” said Travis Trulson, a first-time rider.

With the help of big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton, a team of developers based in Bend first came up with the idea a few years ago. Their inspiration?

“These guys were pretty bored by golf so they created something a little more fun that gave them the same sensation they get out on their boards,” said sales representative Jordan Greenbaum.

Now the boards can be found at nearly 150 courses across the world, including several in Oregon and Washington.

Sales representative Jordan Greenbaum said these things are constantly turning heads on the course.

He demonstrated the golf board around the course and stopped to let one woman, Mari Boarder, give it a try. With hardly any instruction, she was off. Now she wouldn’t just use it on the course, she’d take it all over town.

“I want one at home, go to the store, walk the dogs – whatever – they’re great!” she said.

The Golf Boards will cost you $10 more than a golf cart for 18 holes. Glendoveer has eight of them, but you may want to call ahead. They were all taken the day KATU visited.