Mike,
The only option for cart manufacturers is to put the cart on big balloon tires to reduce the compaction. It is a viable option these days with companies selling accessories for the carts, lift kits, floatation tires. But then you get a golfer acting like they are off roading and may drive everywhere. I have never liked paved cart paths and prefer loose cart paths that require a little maintenance. Gravel cart paths or what ever material is used looks more natural when turf is growing among the rocks. Power rake the paths once in a while and you are good. Once a year heavy maintenance may be needed. Gravel cart paths blend into the scenary more easily and do not pop out like asphalt and concrete paths, that you must hide somehow. If we are maintaining the golf course for a more natural look, than having loose gravel in the turf here and there should not effect mowing equipment. Especially if the gravel path is also hidden as much as possible and out of play.
Of course, we would all like to see the end of golf carts but such is the world.
Troy
The off-roading temptations are easily solved by having computer controlled throttle, anti lock brakes, and sensors to determine the current incline and lateral G forces (yes I'm serious) If people can't do jackrabbit starts, slamming on the brakes doesn't lock them, they can't go up hills beyond a certain grade and they can only make turns up to a certain fairly small G force, they'll be very boring vehicles to drive that in combination with the balloon tires, would damage the course much less.
All these systems exist today in cars, and are ubiquitous enough I think they are mostly a matter of market segmentation than costing too much be able to put in a $15K car. Yes, these carts would cost more, but perhaps the extra expense is made up for by not having to build the cart paths.