Golf Cart Buyer’s Guide

Why Buy a Golf Cart?
You don’t want to walk the course; you own the course; you need to get to the corner market; you need to get to the other end of the field, the warehouse, the campus, or the park; you need to carry people or products; you live in a special community that doesn’t allow motor vehicles.

Whatever your reason, a golf cart can make your life simpler.

Why Buy Online?
Simply, online shopping is easier and more affordable. Your new golf cart will be delivered to your door, without you having to visit the dealer, endure the sales pitch, and arrange for transport and delivery. And with ElectricGolfCarts.com, you’re getting the lowest prices up front, with no sales tax or shipping charges. What you see is what you get. Just click, shop, and save.

New or Used?
Just like an automobile, golf carts come with many options. And just like automobiles, they can be purchased new or used.

New golf carts come with the same benefits as new cars—no miles, no previous owner, bumper-to-bumper warranties, and the ability to completely customize your ride.

However, like new cars, new golf carts can be expensive; and like conventional automobiles, golf carts lose value as they age, so you may be interested in purchasing a used model.

Used golf carts can save you money, and if they haven’t been abused, you have the convenience of knowing any major kinks have already been worked out.

Because many golf courses buy and sell their golf carts in bulk, there can be quite a selection of carts on the market.Used golf carts are inspected, cleaned, repaired, and often refurbished by the manufacturer or dealer. Sometimes these come with warranties. Other used carts are for sale by previous owners, and are strictly a buyer-beware transaction.

Battery or Gas Powered?
Many courses and communities are steering away from gas-powered golf carts altogether, and electric carts definitely dominate today’s market.

However, if you are not facing these restrictions, your choice of an electric or gas-powered golf cart will be based largely on personal preference.

Most newer golf carts are battery powered, but you can still find gasoline engine vehicles. Gas golf carts are faster and more powerful. Gas models are most commonly available with four-stroke engines, though older two-stroke models are still available. Two stroke engines are noisier than four-stroke, and they also require pre-mixing gas and oil.

Some people find it simpler to refuel their cart, while others prefer the ease of plugging in their vehicle.

Generally, electric carts require less maintenance than gasoline-powered ones. Electric carts are quieter, have no emissions, and are lighter and longer-lasting than gasoline-powered models. Some carts have a regenerative braking system that recharges the batteries when the car slows or goes downhill. Because of these conveniences, they also tend to be more expensive than gas-powered carts. There are tax incentives for the purchase of some electric vehicles, including golf carts.

Electric golf carts require periodic checking and maintenance of batteries. Depending on use, batteries may need weekly checks. Batteries need to be inspected for cracking, wear, and corrosion. Water levels must be checked and adjusted on a regular basis.

Gasoline carts require battery maintenance as well, in addition to oil changes, belt inspections, and engine tune-ups. Gasoline-powered carts are generally more powerful than electrical ones, and may have higher speeds and a greater range than electrical models. If an electric golf cart loses power far from its home base, it can be difficult to get it back. Gasoline carts just require transporting a little fuel to the stalled cart.

No doubt the growing popularity of gas/electric hybrid vehicles will soon apply to golf carts, and one day you will be able to purchase the hybrid golf cart of your choice.

Both electric and gasoline models require periodic chassis lubrication and tire replacement.

Most owners are capable of performing the required maintenance for a golf cart, or they may choose to have their cart serviced by a local professional.

Many golf carts are street legal in low-speed areas, and carts can be customized to the tastes of the owner. Some customizations include body modifications to make carts look like Hummers, Jeeps, Mustangs, and even classic Chevrolets. There are even some that look like limousines or monster trucks.

Options
Electric carts are typically run by six standard car batteries, and range in voltage from 36 to 48. There are also other battery configurations and powers available.

Accessories
Most golf carts come standard with a canopy. Canopies can be removed, replaced, and extensively customized. Canopies come in hard and soft-tops, in a wide variety of patterns and colors. Carts can be enclosed to help protect against weather, or have windshields added.

There are myriad of golf cart accessories, including cargo boxes, custom gear shifts, holders for cell phones and beverages, ball washers, coolers, heaters, and even GPS systems.

There are even lift kits and engine modifications.

Carts can be customized with special trim and chrome, brush guards, diamond plating, and sporty seat covers. There are kits to install special features on your golf cart like graphics, rocker panels, nerf bars, and roll bars. Carts can be modified with custom wheels and tires.

Street Legal
Many communities allow golf carts in their low-speed downtown areas, provided the carts are street legal. Typically this includes having at least one rear-view mirror, one or two functional headlights, taillights, directional indicators, and a horn. Some areas also require windshields and safety belts. In most cases, these vehicles must be able to reach speeds of 25 mph, but not more than 35 mph.

In areas where the carts are street legal, they will require title, registration, and insurance.

In some areas these vehicles are classified as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs).

Legality of golf carts and other non-traditional motorized vehicles is usually up to the individual cities or counties, so check with your DMV or local authorities before setting out.

Pricing
New golf carts vary in price from $4,000 to $12,000, depending on features and accessories.

Carts extensively customized or specifically designed for commercial and industrial use can be more expensive—as much as $20,000.

The more options you add, the more you’ll pay.

Used golf carts can be purchased for as little as $2,000, depending on age and accessories. Prices go down as the cart gets older, and go up as you opt for more features.

If you rent a golf cart on a regular basis, purchasing your own can pay for itself in just a few years. Rentals can run from $20 to more than $100 per day. If you’re golfing every weekend, that can really add up.

Golf Cart Maintenance Tips
Keys

Many golf carts do not require keys, and those that do may not have individual keys. One type of key will operate several carts, or even all the carts of a particular type. If you have concerns about theft or vandalism, you should upgrade to an individual key or have a safe storage area such as a garage.

Batteries
Golf carts use lead-acid deep charge batteries. Unlike automotive batteries, these cells are specifically designed to be drained and recharged on a constant basis. It is not necessary to completely drain your golf cart battery before recharging it. In fact, experts recommend keeping a 50 percent charge, and never dropping below 20 percent.

Your golf cart should always have a charged battery. Leaving a lead-acid battery uncharged will eventually destroy it. These batteries require relatively long periods of time to recharge, so it’s best to leave a golf cart battery charging overnight.

If charged batteries are going to be unused for a long period of time, they should be removed or unhooked from the golf cart and placed on a trickle charger.

Deep cycle batteries use water more quickly than conventional automotive batteries, and for this reason the water levels in your golf cart battery need to be checked often.

Typical golf cart battery life is two to seven years, though high-end, properly maintained batteries can last as long as ten years.

Batteries cost from $60 to over $100. In most cases all the batteries in your cart (usually four to six) need to be replaced at the same time. Many golf cart-specific battery manufacturers offer package discounts for multiple battery purchases.

Tune Ups
Gasoline-powered golf carts require regular tune-ups to ensure performance and durability. Yearly maintenance should include replacing dirty or worn air, fuel, and oil filters,belts, spark plugs, and an oil change. Oil changes are recommended every 200 hours of use, so you may need to include this service more often than once per year. Complete oil changes in the spring or summer in order to help remove moisture accumulated during the winter.

Electric carts require only battery checks and water replacement. Battery banks will have to be replaced and recycled after several years of use.

Both gas and electric models require yearly chassis lubrication and occasional tire replacement.

Like any other vehicle, a golf cart requires periodic maintenance. Take the time to perform regular upkeep and seasonal changes and you’ll be rewarded with better performance and durability.

Your Dealer
Choose your golf cart dealer with care. Whether you’re buying one vehicle or multiples, you’ll be depending on your dealer for future sales as well as any issues, so make sure they have a solid reputation and are easy to work with.

ElectricGolfCarts.com has the most knowledgeable and friendly customer service reps in e-commerce. You can be sure that when you place an order with us, you’re taken care of from start to finish.