[Springbok]

Sure it's an '80? I'm pretty sure Club Car didn't start making gas golf carts until 1984. There should be a serial number up under the glove box on the passenger side floorboard. It should start with "AGxxxxxx"

Have you looked at the lever on the transaxle to see if it's actually locking into reverse? If it's not you can get up under the axle and move it by hand into the reverse position. It sounds like something in your linkage may be messed up.