Buying your first golf cart is a very exciting purchase! There are many different carts and even more features to consider before choosing which brand is right for you. This isn’t necessarily a case of the more features and the more expensive the better. There are plenty of other things to consider and in the following article I will break it down as best as I can.
Chances are you started off playing golf with a push cart – I most certainly did. In fact, even those who have powered golf carts will choose to walk a course from time to time.
That aside, with a powered cart you are going to save energy and a lot of time while playing golf. The ease of driving straight to your ball, choosing and playing your club then driving again makes it a whole lot simpler.
Electric Golf Carts vs. Gas Golf Carts
Both great options, there are a few differences between the two (1). Mostly, like many golf accessories it comes down to personal preference.
In terms of operating costs gas and electric end up costing the same. An electric cart requires battery replacement every 5-7 years on average (depending on how often they are used). A gas golf cart requires oil changes, belts, fuel and filters. So factoring these costs in they are more or less the same to run and maintain.
Cost aside, let’s have a look at the pros and cons of gas and electric golf carts.
Electric Golf Carts
✅ Pros
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Low Maintenance – Definitely more convenient, electric golf cars require very little maintenance and effort on your behalf. Taking care of the battery charger is as complicated as it gets.
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Less Noise – Because there isn’t a noisy engine, these carts are much quieter.
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Environmentally Friendly – With no carbon emissions and no pollution these carts are much more eco-friendly.
🚫 Cons
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Charging Time – With some models, it can be hard to gauge when it will run out of power and they do take a fair while to recharge. Again this depends on the model so that’s something to consider while shopping around.
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Less Power/Speed – Compared with gas carts electric carts do not offer as much power so on hills or rough terrain you may have a slow climb ahead of you.
Gas Golf Carts
✅ Pros
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More Power/Speed – Gas golf carts operate at much faster speeds, they require no charging time and are easy to fuel up.
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Street Ready – In gated communities or those who live near a golf course, gas ones are better equipped for short bursts of road driving. This is mostly due to the higher speed and power of the cart.
🚫 Cons
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Noisy & More Maintenance – Due to the engine, gas carts are much noisier. They will also require much more maintenance due to the oil filters, changing and general check-ups.
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Pollution- Not exactly environmentally friendly, as this is a gas cart you will have carbon emissions.
Features of Golf Carts
Golf carts come with many different features, regardless of it is electric or gas. The biggest consideration is the passenger capacity. This aside there are actually a few other things to consider.
- Canopy to protect against heat, rain or debris
- A Windshield and/or doors
- Radio
- GPS – or consider a handheld GPS unit
- Leather seats
- Built in refrigerator
- Drink holders
- Golf Ball & Tee holders
- Headlights
While some of these features aren’t essential they are an added luxury, so again these features are a personal choice.
It can be a good idea to check the safety features including if it has seat belts and roll bars in the case of a roll.
Price Range
Brand new golf carts will change depending on the features you add or are looking for. For a basic, standard model you can expect to pay around $4,000 but well up to $15,000 if you want all the bells and whistles. Between these price ranges, you will be able to find a comfortable, quality cart that can seat upwards of 2 passengers.
Where was the Cart Made?
Within American, there are three primary carts on the market, they are the Club Car, E-Z-Go and Yamaha (2, 3, 4). If you are within America and purchase one of these carts then maintenance, replacement parts, and accessories are readily found. For carts made in China, it can be difficult and in some cases impossible to source replacement parts.
How to Measure how Used a Second-Hand Cart is
For modern gas and electric carts, the great news is they are equipped with an hour meter or amp-hour meter. If you purchase through a dealer they will be able to read this and let you know. A gas golf cart will last 5,000 to 6,000 hours when taken care of properly before a refit would be needed. An electric golf cart, on the other hand, will last 40,000 to 50,000 amp-hours.
Frequency of Services
This depends on the golf cart you buy, but be sure that your purchase comes with the owner’s manual. Every cart requires different care so be sure to read the manual thoroughly to understand this.
Electric Cart Voltage
Originally golf carts were made with a 36-volt system however nowadays they are predominantly 48 volts. Why 48 volts? Well, this is the most efficient voltage and will offer the best performance for the cart.
However, if you want the best performance there is such a thing as a 72-volt system, they are significantly more expensive.
Golf Cart Batteries
Golf cart batteries actually have a date stamped on them. You can find it either on the lead post or on the decal attached to the battery.
How do you read the code? Each one has a letter and a number. Let’s look at an example,
Say the battery has D7 stamped on it. The letter refers to the month, A= January B=February C=March, D=April… and the numbering 3=2013, 4 = 2014, 5=2015 and so on. So D11 would be April 2021.
The date stamp is important because even if the cart is brand new, it may have been in storage for some time before being dispatched. This would mean the batteries have aged.
High-quality batteries can last up to 5 years, whereas low quality or cheap batteries may last up to 1 year.
When it comes to finding a high-quality brand of battery I recommend Trojan, US Battery, Crown, and JCI.
In addition to this, if you purchase a high-quality battery it should come with an 18-month free replacement policy should something go wrong.
Should I Buy New or Used?
There are pros and cons of buying a new or used golf cart. A brand new cart is going to cost a lot but just like buying a brand new car you know exactly what you are getting and that everything is functioning as it should be. A used cart is going to be significantly cheaper and if you do your homework and ask the right questions you can find a bargain.
Let’s take a look at the key things to consider when buying a new or used golf cart.
Buying a Used Golf Cart
When purchasing a used golf cart the biggest thing is that you’ll save yourself thousands of dollars. This is great but you will also need to be mindful of a few other things such as maintenance history, parts, and whether it still has a warranty. The more questions you ask the seller the more equipped you will be to make an informed decision.
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Lower Price – Second-hand golf carts are significantly cheaper than brand new ones. From around $1,500 you can get yourself a great deal. If you are budget restricted then this is great news. There are many carts who have been taken care of very well over the years and others that have been refurbished and seem brand new!
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History of the Golf Cart – The lifespan of a golf cart is actually very long (with the proper care). There are many carts that are still going dating back to the ’80s. Investigating the maintenance history will allow you to see just how well the cart has been cared for. Another thing to consider is the batteries, have they been replaced and how old are they (if you are buying an electric one). Also, ask the seller where the golf cart is normally stored and if they aren’t they first owners ask about the previous history.
- Test Drive – Take the golf cart for a test drive and pay attention to any leaks, noises and how it drives in general. If you can, take someone who is experienced or familiar with golf carts and see what they think.
- Included Accessories – As the accessories are interchangeable the parts that are included shouldn’t make or break the deal. The great thing is that a used cart will often include high-quality accessories at a fraction of the price!
Buying a New Golf Cart
When buying a new golf cart you know exactly what you are getting and anything that goes wrong is covered by warranty. Choosing a new golf cart is a matter of setting your budget and finding the best cart within that price range.
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Warranty- One of the best things about buying a new cart, the warranty it comes with. Either from the dealer or the manufacturer, the warranty offers buyer peace of mind. Depending on the cart and who you buy it from, the length of the warranty will differ, so consider how long the warranty is for before making your purchase.
- Customization – Buying new means you can personalize your accessories and add in another option features you like.
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Price – A new cart is going to cost a lot more than a second-hand cart so shopping around and comparing brands and prices is advised.
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No Accidents – Buying brand new means you know the history of the cart and that there have been no accidents before you.
Bottom Line
Choosing the best golf cart doesn’t need to be challenging, whether that’s brand new or second hand. Determine what it is you want in a golf cart, the features and your price range then see what you can buy. Buying second-hand means you will save a lot of money but buying brand new means you have buyer peace of mind. At the end of the day it comes down to your personal preference.
References:
- Jamie Page Deaton, How Golf Carts Work, https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/sports/golf/basics/golf-carts1.htm
- Club Car, https://www.clubcar.com/emea/en/home.html
- EZGO, https://ezgo.txtsv.com/
- Yamaha Golf, https://www.yamahagolfcar.com/
