How Fast do Golf Carts Go?
We have spent a lot of time discussing health benefits of walking around a golf course, and they are certainly true, but time is money as they say and many of us take advantage of a golf cart when we hit the course and sometimes it can be tempting to make that sedentary journey to the back nine go a little faster by putting your foot down. So how fast can you go in a golf cart if you need to and what is the average speed of a golf cart. We answer these and more below.
A golf cart’s speed varies, with some reaching up to 25 mph and others limited to 12 mph. However, the world record for golf cart speed stands at 118.76 mph, demonstrating their potential for speed. Nevertheless, the speed as research shows, at which most golf carts operate is around 15 mph.
So while these are the average and top speeds of a golf cart there are a lot of factors that can affect this both on the cart and on the course, and we take a look at these and some of the speeds of carts you can see on the course today.
What is a Golf Cart
The history of the golf cart can be traced back all the way to the early 1930s, intitalu when A type of rickshaw pulled by two caddies was invented by Lyman Beecher. Then a few years later gasoline and electric carts made an appearance. However they wer emainly used for those golfers with mobility issues.
However in the mid 1950s they had been accepted on to many courses all over the USA. when the first gasoline-powered carts were introduced on golf courses. Over time, the design and technology of golf carts have evolved, leading to the electric golf carts that are commonly used today.
In the 1960s and 1970s, improvements in battery technology led to the development of more powerful electric carts that could reach higher speeds. This allowed golfers to get around the course faster and more efficiently, and helped to establish the electric golf cart as a popular choice for golfers.
Today, golf carts are an integral part of the golfing experience, and are used not only on golf courses, but also in many other settings, including parks, campsites, and retirement communities. They have become a versatile and convenient mode of transportation, and are available in a variety of styles and sizes to meet the needs of different users. With their continued popularity and evolution, it is clear that the golf cart will remain an important part of the golfing world for years to come.
Speeds of Top Brands of Golf Carts
We researched the speeds of some of the more popular brands and models of golf cart out there and put them in the table below.
Table 1: Top speeds of golf cart brands and models
| Brand | Model | Power | Top Speed | Link |
| Club Car | Onward series | 14 – 22 horsepower | 18 – 19 mph | Club Car |
| Club Car | Tempo | 4.7 – 14 horsepower | 5-15 mphs ( settings dependant) | Club Car |
| E-Z-GO | RXV Elite (battery) | 11.5 Horsepower | 12 Mph (+_ 0.5 mph | E-Z-Go |
| E-Z-GO | RXV Buggy | 11.5 Horse power | 12 Mph +- 0.5 Mph | E-Z-GO |
| EXcar | Excar | 5 / 4 Horse Power | 14-28 Mph | Excar |
| MGC | PE 2 | 5Kw | 15.5 Mph | MGC |
| Navitas | Storm | – | 30 Mph | Navitas |
| Yamaha | Drive 2 | 357cc | 19 Mph | Yamaha |
How Fast is A Golf Cart?
As we mentioned above a golf cart is usually around 15 miles an hour, with a range of between 12 to 19 miles an hour. Some faster models can achieve 25 miles to 30 miles an hour but these are rarer.
Most golf carts manufacturers typically set a standard speed for their carts, which is based on a combination of factors such as the motor size, battery size, and intended use. these speed usually are 12 to 15 miles an hour and are set to get the most out of the battery. Some offer options to adjust this if the course, or the golfer requires it.
Importance of speed in a golf cart:
While speed is not perhaps the most important aspect of a golf cart, with battery life and comfort being more important in our opinion. It is still important to be moving at the very least faster than walking speed or it can defeat the purpose of having them.
As we mentioned the average is around 15 miles an hour, and in some states this is mandated as anything over is classed as a vehicle, and 15 miles an hour on a golf course is plenty fast enough. Jus tto be clear if you hot the ball 300 years on your drive ( and you really have to be lucky to do that) then at 15 miles an hour it will take 41 seconds to get to your ball, if its 200 yards it will take you 27 seconds.
If you had a golf cart go at 25 miles an hour then that time would be reduced to 25 seconds for 300 yards and 16 seconds for the 200 yards, but its going to be a bit bumpy if you travel that fast.
What is the Fastest Golf Cart?
Although for a lot of years the fastest speed recorded in a golf cart was 118.76 miles an hour which was achieved in 2014 by Plum Quick Cart Racing. They recorded that speed at darlington Dragway on 31st October which is particularly apt s it was truly a monster speed.
The golf cart was a prototype, so you won’t be able to find this cart on a course anywhere, which lets face it is probably for the best!
You can check out the video the golf carts record breaking run below.
Factors Affecting the Speed of a Golf Cart
As we mentioned there are many factors that affect the speed of the cart, and any sales brochure will go into to much detail to explain them to you. Just to be prepared for that if you are looking to purchase rather than out of interest we will go into some of those factors and terms here.
Type of motor: The type of motor in a golf cart has the greatest impact its speed. Electric golf carts typically have a direct current motor, while gas-powered carts have an internal combustion engine. The power and efficiency of the motor will determine how fast the cart can go.
Electric carts tend to have faster acceleration than their gas counter parts (now) but less top end speed. there was a time when Electric Golf carts were slower, and less able to manage hill than their gas counterparts but this has, and continues to change fast.
Battery size and voltage: The size and voltage of the battery in an electric golf cart also play a role in its speed. Higher voltage batteries will provide more power to the motor, which will result in a faster cart and longer run times.
Weight of the cart and load capacity: The weight of the cart and the amount of load it is carrying can impact its speed. Heavier carts will require more power to reach higher speeds, and carrying a heavy load can also slow down the cart, they are likely to be equipped with larger batteries to help compensate for this.
Terrain and incline: The terrain and slopes of the golf course can greatly affect the speed of a golf cart. Uphill climbs will require more power to maintain a certain speed and to steep will grind you to a halt so be aware of this if you are planning on your own cart.
Tires and wheels: The type of tires and wheels on a golf cart can also impact its speed. Larger tires with a higher profile can provide more traction, but may also slow down the cart due to increased rolling resistance.
Restrictors: Not just in NASCAR, golf carts can have their speed restricted as well, whether for safety or local laws they may be fitted to have a lower maximum speed than their actual power would allow.
Performance modifications: Golf cart owners can make various modifications to enhance the speed of their carts, such as installing performance motors, upgrading the batteries, or adding performance modifications like high-performance controllers and wiring. Which leads us to our next section on How to make a golf cart faster.
How Can You Make a Golf Cart go Faster?
Although not the usual candidates for Pimp my ride type projects, golf carts can be souped up to go faster by companies like Plum quick which has the world speed record for a golf cart.
These are vanity projects though, as the actual performance on a golf course will be regulated ( see below) and it is more about making a statement than racing between holes. However modifications can be made to the following items to increase a golf carts speed.
- Upgrading the motor:
- Increasing the voltage and battery capacity:
- Lightening the load: .
- Adding performance modifications:
What is the Speed Limit on Golf Courses
Typically, the speed limit on a golf course is in the range of 15 to 20 miles per hour and if you are not sure then definity ask at the club house. Some courses may impose lower speed limits, especially in areas where there are more pedestrians or hazards present, or if there are many slopes or blind spots on the course.
It is important for golfers and golf cart operators to be aware of the speed limits on a particular course, as exceeding these limits can result in disciplinary action, such as being asked to leave the course, or fines.
Additionally, golf carts that are operated at high speed can be dangerous, and can result in accidents or injuries. They are not designed to move at a high speed and being high sided if you turn to sharp at speed may even topple over.
While golf courses are long, the aim is not to race round as quickly as possible and golfers should always operate their carts at a safe speed, and should be mindful of their surroundings and the other individuals on the course.
if you are looking to make your round of golf a little more of a workout we have a Golf walking distance calculator here on the site you can try out to see how far you would walk around your own course during 18 holes. Link inthe text and below
We are aiming to be an authority on All things Golf Cart and have compiled the list of related content on the site for you if you need to more! You can check out the links below.
- How fast Does a Golf Cart Go?
- What is a Lifted Golf Cart?
- How much does a golf cart cost?
- How far do you walk on a golf course ( if not using a cart)
Conclusion
While the fasted ever golf cart managed to achieve 118.76 miles an hour, the one you drive can not, even on a downhill hole. Regular golf carts are like to be 15 miles and hour or less, and in some places up to 20 miles an hour. You can check the table in the article fo rthe maximum speeds of some of the golf art brands out there.
While they are there to help you enjoy your round of golf they are not designed to be raced around like the course was a NASCAR track, and it is important to remember this both for your safety and that of other golfers on the course.
References
- https://www.golfdigest.com/story/you-wont-believe-how-fast-the
- https://fatboyscarts.com/Dealer-Info/Gas-vs-Electric
- https://www.walker.com/about/story#hs_cos_wrapper_widget_1464113246169
- https://www.hagginoaks.com/blog/fastest-golf-cart-in-the-world/
- https://plumquick.com/plum-quick-golf-cart-racing/
different types of golf carts Gas Vs Electric
How fast can an Electric cart go
How fast can a Gas Golf Cart go
