Why walk when you can ride in style? Nothing frees up your game like owning your very own golf cart. Riding can take the stress out of the game and off of your joints. But, it can be stressful to determine which is the best fit for you. We’ve done the hard work for you, and are excited to share our findings.
The golf cart market size is expected to nearly double from 2021 to 2031. More and more manufacturers are trying to grab a piece of the expanding market. We will show you some top models and advise you about what to consider before purchasing.
Club Car Onward (Best Overall)
In our opinion, the Club Car Onward is the best golf cart on the market. Not only is Club Car a reputable and well-known golf cart manufacturer, the Onward is a high quality, comfortable and efficient golf cart.
Club Car has always been a top choice for golf cart fleet programs. Club Car has built on this success, offering customization and private cart options for people who live on golf courses.
Club Car sets the bar high. They use premium materials in their carts, creating a sturdy and reliable ride and allowing for various seating arrangements.
Onward golf carts from Club Car also come with the option for lithium Ion batteries. While these cost a little more up front, they last for about twice as long as the traditional batteries. How’s that for battery life?
Expect a basic two-seater Club Car to start around $12,000.
E-Z-GO Liberty (Best New Model)
When you have more than two people riding in the golf cart, a back seat is a necessity. With the E-Z-GO Liberty, the extra passengers no longer have to feel like they are in the back of a 1992 Ford station wagon. That’s right, E-Z-GO flipped the back seats.
The E-Z-GO Liberty is a practical golf cart with cup holders and plenty of legroom. This model is priced closer to $15,000 but it’s a new option with all the bells and whistles.
The Liberty comes with the ELiTE Lithium Powertrain. There are a few different Liberty trim options. If you take your cart off-road, you may benefit from the brush guard and fender flares.
You’ll still need to keep it out of the bunkers.
Yamaha Drive 2 PTV (Best Gas Option)
Yamaha was known as the leader in the gas golf cart industry for a long time. (They have some experience with gas engines!) Now they are also in the electric golf cart business and the Drive 2 PTV is a solid and reliable choice.
The Drive offers stability and reliability mixed with a modern, premium feel. You have choices for interior and exterior colors on the Drive 2 PTV and again it’s offered in both gas and electric.
Expect about 19 mph with your Yamaha Drive 2 PTV. The pricing starts around $13,000 and a four-year warranty comes standard on a new cart.
Icon i40 (Best Customization Options)
Icon released its first golf cart in 2017. With Club Car’s first model coming out in the mid-1960s, Icon had their work cut out for them catching up. However, by adding in a ton of customization options and appealing to “techy” golfers and cart owners, Icon has created a strong business.
The Icon carts are modern-looking. The Icon i40 has 14 exterior color options including lime, Caribbean and torch. The Icon comes with 8V AGM batteries but you can upgrade to the Eco lithium on the newest models.
Expect a base model Icon i40 to be around $10,000-$11,000, depending on where you are located.
What golf carts do golf courses use?
Most golf courses have fleets working with Yamaha, Club Car or E-Z-GO. These carts can have GPS systems but many are just base models with room for a few tees and your drink.
Sometimes, golf carts will become available for sale to the public after their fleet days are done.
What to look for when buying a golf cart
When you purchase a golf cart, you have to think about all the things you are going to use it for.
If you play every day but also take the cart for rides around the neighborhood or into town, you need something that’s both street legal and safe for the course.
Pricing
New golf carts range in price from around $10,000 to well over $20,000. Three things have a significant impact on pricing:
- Manufacturer
- Power (8V battery, lithium battery, gas)
- Customization
Base models with standard 8V batteries are the cheapest, then gas (because there are no batteries to replace) and then the new lithium ion batteries with a long life span.
Size and Seat Arrangement
Golf carts for personal use come in three basic models: two, four and six passengers. There are eight-passenger or trolley models but you won’t want to play golf in these. Unless, of course, you like the idea of driving a small school bus around a course.
The standard two-seater can usually be converted to a four-seater where the seats face towards the back. Some newer models, like the E-Z-GO Liberty, have four seats with all passengers facing forward.
Brand
Club Car, E-Z-GO and Yamaha brands are the strongest in the industry. If you are looking for the best golf cart on the market, you can be confident in their reputation and warranty.
Newer brands like Icon will not have as much history. Sometimes you can find better deals or unique technology from these more recent brands.
Accessories
Golf carts are easy to customize. You can add many of the accessories yourself. It’s fun to add a few over time as you find you need them. Some accessory options include:
- Customized seat covers
- Golf bag attachments (for multiple bags)
- Storage solutions and coolers
- Headlights, underbody lights, mirrors, horns
- Custom wheels and decals or wraps
- Lift kits and tires
- Bluetooth functionality, touchscreen, USB charging ports
Electric/Gas Powered
Electric golf carts are the most convenient and are often required in many residential neighborhoods because they are quiet. They are clean to run and are quite simple overall.
The downside, of course, is that you have to maintain the batteries and you don’t get the same initial acceleration as you can with a gas-powered cart. Batteries need to be replaced every five to 10 years based on the number of cycles and the depth of discharge.
Speed
Our list’s top four golf carts all achieve a top speed of around 15 to 19 mph which is plenty for getting through a round in record time. Chances are you aren’t walking the course at that pace!
Golf Course Ready?
Not all golf carts for personal use are golf-course ready. Some have heavily treaded tires or are lifted and extended and the golf course superintendents and greens committee will not allow it. Check with your local course to see which models are acceptable for on-course play.
There can be restrictions based on style, brand and even color.
Resale Value
The resale market is growing right alongside the global market. Gas-powered carts hold their value a little longer because a lot of the value in an electric cart is tied up in the batteries.
The closer your batteries need to be replaced, the lower your resale value. However, the longevity of Club Car, E-Z-GO and Yamaha carts can easily be more than 20 years.
Warranty Coverage
Warranty coverage is another important factor, not just from the dealer, but also directly from the manufacturer. Look for a warranty of at least three years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
The Club Car stood out as our best overall golf cart but you have to find the one that matches your needs for price, technology, course accessibility and your personal priorities and preferences. If you are just getting into the world of golf carts, be prepared to see lots of new options and increased customization options in the coming years.
Not a fan of riding but still want to make the game easier? Check out our full review on the best golf push carts.
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